As a temporary home for new freshman students who are undecided about their college major or who are determined through the admission process to need additional support before transitioning into their chosen major, UWM's Pathway Advising will assist students in academic exploration and decision-making, leading to a permanent affiliation with one of UWM's Schools and Colleges by the end of the student's first year. Students in Pathway Advising are empowered and encouraged to form advising relationships, collaborate with faculty and instructional staff, and utilize support services. 

Students admitted into Pathway Advising choose one of six exploratory pathways called "metamajors" that allow our students to explore multiple majors that share a general academic theme. Advisors help students select classes in those metamajors that will fulfill both general UWM course requirements and classes that can later count towards the requirements in the students' chosen major(s) and degree plan. Our six metamajors are:

  • Arts, Design, & Innovation
  • Business, Industry, & Applied Technology
  • Engineering & Natural Sciences
  • Health
  • Humanities & Communication
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences

Pathway Advising also provides advising to undecided transfer students entering UWM with fewer than 45 transferable credits and reentry students who were formerly part of the Pathway Advising program or one of its predecessor programs. If you are a transfer or reentry student, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to determine the appropriate entry option for you.

Pathway Advising also houses the Student Support Services (SSS) Program, a member of the federally-funded TRIO Grant Program family. In addition, we serve the academic advising needs of non-degree students.

For more information, please contact Pathway Advising at (414) 229-4696, email us at pathway-advising@uwm.edu, browse our website, or visit us in person in Mellencamp Hall, room 128, main campus.

Continuation into UWM Schools/Colleges

Students admitted into Pathway Advising may progress into a major offered by UWM's Schools and Colleges once they have decided on a major, are in good academic standing, and have met any entrance requirements set by the receiving program.

Dean's Honor List

Students in Pathway Advising achieve a "Dean's Honors" designation when they achieve a GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.