Undergraduate Program

The Nelson Institute’s undergraduate program is robust and serves nearly 800 students across campus each year. Students benefit from high-touch academic advising, service-learning capstone courses, fun community-building events, and volunteer leadership opportunities.

Not only do we offer the Certificate in Environmental Studies (which has been awarded to over 2,000 students since its inception in 1979) and the Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability, but we also offer the Major in Environmental Studies. The Major in Environmental Studies is unique to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in that it is the only undergraduate major on campus that must be taken as a second major to ensure a fully interdisciplinary experience.

Environmental studies students learn how to link environmental science, policy, literature, art, and philosophy with their primary field of study and go on to careers as environmental planners, analysts and scientists for government agencies; environmental consultants; environmental attorneys; researchers, writers, and activists for private environmental organizations; teachers; outreach specialists; and more.

Learn more about the undergraduate program

Checks should be made payable to UW Foundation – Nelson Institute and mailed to:

University of Wisconsin Foundation
US Bank Lockbox, Box 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807

Please include the fund name and number in the memo field on your check. In addition, we ask that you please print and include this form (pdf) with your check.

Many employers match personal donations with an equal or greater contribution. In some cases, companies will match the gifts of retired employees. Please consider checking with your human resources department to find out if your company offers a matching gift program.