Program Overview

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Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies, BS

The Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies integrates research and knowledge from sociology, psychology, marketing, public affairs, economics, and finance to understand, develop, and improve the global customer experience. Students learn to analyze and solve problems from a people-first, and therefore a consumer-first perspective.

Program Overview

Our experienced faculty guide students through an applied and project-based curriculum that prepares them for careers in a variety of diverse and rapidly growing companies around the world. As a Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies major, students will learn to apply both creative and analytical skills to better understand and improve the global customer experience from a human-centered approach. Active student learning is accomplished with the support and guidance of faculty, industry experts, and researchers.

Requirements

• University General Education Requirements
• School of Human Ecology Requirements
• Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies Requirements
• University Degree Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world.

University General Education Requirements Details

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

School of Human Ecology Requirements

Course List

• Math: Select one of the following (or may be satisfied by placement exam)
  • MATH 112: College Algebra
  • MATH 114: Precalculus
• Statistics: Select one of the following
  • STAT 301: Introduction to Statistical Methods
  • SOC/C&E SOC 360: Statistics for Sociologists I
  • STAT 371: Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences
  • PSYCH 210: Basic Statistics for Psychology
  • ECON 310: Statistics: Measurement in Economics
• Arts and Humanities
  • Literature: 3 credits
  • Humanities: 6 credits
• Social Science
  • ECON 101: Principles of Microeconomics
  • Select 6 credits designated Social Science breadth
• Physical, Biological and Natural Science: Select 9 credits from Physical, Biological and Natural Science
• Human Ecology Breadth: Select a Human Ecology course from CSCS, DS, HDFS, or INTER-HE not otherwise included in the program requirements

Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies Requirements

Course List

• Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies Core Courses
  • CNSR SCI 257: Introduction to Retail
  • CNSR SCI 201: Consumer Insights
  • CNSR SCI 175: Introduction to Consumer Finance
  • CNSR SCI 657: Consumer Behavior
  • CNSR SCI 564: Retail Financial Analysis
  • CNSR SCI 555: Consumer Design Strategies & Evaluation
• Accounting Course: Select one course from the following
  • ACCT I S 300: Accounting Principles
  • ACCT I S 100: Introductory Financial Accounting
  • GEN BUS 310: Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance for Non-Business Majors
• Excel Proficiency: Select one course from the following
  • GEN BUS 106: Foundational Skills for Business Analysis
  • A A E 335: Introduction to Data Analysis using Spreadsheets
• Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies Depth: Select one course from the following
  • CNSR SCI 301: Consumer Analytics
  • CNSR SCI 561: Consumer Engagement Strategies
  • CNSR SCI 562: The Global Consumer
  • CNSR SCI 567: Product Development Strategies in Retailing
• Consumer Science Depth: Select 6 credits from the course list below not otherwise taken in the Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies Depth category
  • CNSR SCI/RELIG ST 173: Consuming Happiness
  • CNSR SCI 255: Consumer Financial Services Innovation
  • CNSR SCI 273: Finances & Families
  • CNSR SCI 301: Consumer Analytics
  • CNSR SCI 340: Building Financial Assets and Capability for Vulnerable Families
  • CNSR SCI 360: Sustainable and Socially Just Consumption
  • CSCS 455: Entrepreneurialism and Society
  • CNSR SCI/HDFS 465: Families & Poverty
  • CNSR SCI 477: The Consumer and the Market
  • CNSR SCI 501: Special Topics
  • CNSR SCI 561: Consumer Engagement Strategies
  • CNSR SCI 562: The Global Consumer
  • CNSR SCI 567: Product Development Strategies in Retailing
  • CNSR SCI 579: Consumer Policy Analysis
• Professional Development
  • CNSR SCI 250: Retail Leadership Symposium
  • INTER-HE 202: SoHE Career & Leadership Development
  • INTER-HE 601: Internship
• Electives: Select electives to bring degree credit total to 120

University Degree Requirements

• Total Degree: To receive a bachelor's degree from UWMadison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits.
• Residency: Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UWMadison.
• Quality of Work: Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing.

Learning Outcomes

1. Invoke interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to understand the interactions between individuals and their social and environmental contexts.
2. Demonstrate the ability to harness, analyze, and interpret relevant data for making real-world decisions.
3. Acquire professional and life skills related to workplace communication, teamwork, active listening, and adapting to technology.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the global retail industry and how retailers can enhance consumer well-being.

Four-Year Plan

This is a sample four-year plan for Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies. We encourage all students to consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan that meets their specific needs.

Freshman

• Fall: Communications A, Ethnic Studies, MATH 112, Science, Elective
• Spring: Communications B, ECON 101, Humanities, Science, Human Ecology Breadth

Sophomore

• Fall: CNSR SCI 250, CNSR SCI 257, STAT 301, Humanities, Social Science, GEN BUS 106 or A A E 335
• Spring: Literature, Science, Elective, CNSR SCI 175, CNSR SCI 201, INTER-HE 202

Junior

• Fall: ACCT I S 100, 300, or GEN BUS 310, Social Science, Elective, Elective, Elective
• Spring: CNSR SCI 564, CNSR SCI 657, Elective, Elective, Elective
• Summer: CNSR SCI 603

Senior

• Fall: Elective, Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies Depth, Consumer Science Depth, Elective, Elective
• Spring: CNSR SCI 555, Consumer Science Depth, Elective, Elective, Elective

Advising and Careers

The Advising & Career Center fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience.

Academic Advising

Each Human Ecology student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Human Ecology academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective Human Ecology students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience.

Career Development

Each Human Ecology student is assigned to a career advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a students personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. Human Ecology career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.

Common Job Titles

• Account Executive/Manager
• Buyer
• Brand Manager
• Business Development Representative
• Consultant
• Customer Success Manager
• Inventory Analyst
• Merchant
• Social Media Manager

Wisconsin Experience

Internships

Internships are a vital part of student career development and a highly valued component of the undergraduate curriculum in the School of Human Ecology. High-quality internships foster student development by bringing theories and classroom-based learning to life in real-world settings.

Student Organizations

To see our active list of Human Ecology Student Orgs and for more information about joining, please visit Human Ecology Student Organizations.

Resources and Scholarships

Scholarships

The School of Human Ecology awards many merit and need-based scholarships each year. Students can learn more about these opportunities on the Human Ecology scholarships webpage.

Support Resources

Human Ecology students experiencing personal, academic, or financial challenges should contact SoHE Academic Deans Services. Additional campus resources include the Financial Aid Basic Needs website, Office of Student Assistance and Support, and University Health Services.