With Badger Advantage, associate degree students get clear path to bachelor’s

Transferring from a two- to four-year college and earning your bachelor’s can be challenging, as data from the Community College Research Center* shows: While 80 percent of entering community college students in 2018 wanted to earn a bachelor’s, only 17 percent were successful six years later.

If you see yourself in these numbers, take heart. Many colleges and universities have programs to help transfer students align credits, timing and academic requirements to reach their goals, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Badger Advantage, a guided transfer experience between select technical and community colleges and UW–Madison Online, provides a clear roadmap from an associate degree to an online bachelor’s in business from the esteemed Wisconsin School of Business.

“With Badger Advantage, we’re bringing two-year colleges and UW–Madison Online together around the student’s journey, rather than expecting students to navigate that transition on their own,” says Maya Evans, program director of UW–Madison Online. “It’s a personalized, supportive transfer experience that sets students up for success.”

Clarity on credits and dual support — from day one

Badger Advantage aims to answer students’ questions up front about everything from credit transfer to finances.

The Badger Advantage guided transfer experience puts students at the center of a web of support spanning their technical or community college and UW–Madison Online. Pillars of this experience include:

• Clarity on transfer credit. Students know exactly which classes count toward their bachelor’s degree from day one. Course-by-course mapping prevents credit loss and saves time and money.
• Coordinated guidance. A community or technical college advisor and a dedicated UW–Madison advisor work together to create a seamless team you can turn to during your educational journey from associate degree to bachelor’s.
• Building a Badger identity. During your associate degree program, you’ll get access to UW–Madison Online events and resources and join the talented, welcoming Badger community before you enroll.

Brian Gunderson, program quality and university transfer specialist at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), sees Badger Advantage benefits for his technical college learners.

“Our students work hard toward their associate degrees, and many are already thinking about what comes next,” he said. “Badger Advantage gives them a clear picture of how they can continue their education at UW–Madison Online while they’re still at CVTC. Having access to transfer planning, connected advising and opportunities to engage with UW–Madison early helps students make more informed decisions and move toward their bachelor’s degree with greater confidence.”

Current Badger Advantage technical and community college partners include:

• Chippewa Valley Technical College
• College of DuPage
• Harper College
• Madison Area Technical College
• Nicolet College
• North Hennepin Community College
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• Oakton College

A world-class degree

Ultimately, Badger Advantage helps students earn a world-class bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, taught by the same faculty that teach on campus. Your  UW–Madison diploma carries no “online” designation.

Transfer students choose from the following three Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from the prestigious Wisconsin School of Business, ranked #8 best public undergraduate business program.**

• Human Resources. Gain skills and understanding to attract, motivate and develop the right employees to set organizations up for success.  
• Management. Learn the communication, collaboration and planning skills you’ll need to succeed in any leadership role.  
• Marketing. Increase your ability to collaborate with a team and create successful marketing plans that address your industry’s needs.

Transfer student and UW–Madison Online graduate Dan Barry finds great value in his business degree: “The Wisconsin School of Business is well-known in the business world. If you look at some of the statistics, the number of CEOs that have come out of Madison, they tell you that if that’s what you want, this is the school for you. UW–Madison has always attracted me, and it’s kind of awesome to say I’m a Badger.”

Are you ready to be a Business Badger? Take the first step by filling out the short form at the bottom of the Badger Advantage page.

* Community College Enrollment and Completion
** Wisconsin School of Business Climbs in Latest U.S. News Rankings