Summer Education Research Program (SERP)

Program Goals

The SERP program is sponsored by the School of Education and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Graduate School. The program provides minority undergraduate students, interested in pursuing graduate studies in the field of Education, a valuable opportunity to engage in independent research guided by a faculty mentor.

SERP aims to challenge each undergraduate scholar to weave issues of equity and diversity within his/her research topic. The program encourages undergraduate researchers to investigate how these issues impact various aspects of education found across eight departments in the School of Education. 

Art Education (a division in the Art Dept.)
Counseling  Psychology Department
Curriculum & Instruction Department
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Educational Policy Studies Department
Educational Psychology Department
Kinesiology Department
Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education Department

Specific areas of research might include: Educational Leadership, Policy Development, Urban Education, Curriculum Development, Teacher Education, Multicultural Education, English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, Math and Science Education, Human Development and Learning, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Psychology, Testing and Evaluation, and Art Education and Dance.

Program Components

The SERP program is an eight-week summer program. During the eight-week session, usually June 12th- August 3rd, each SERP participant receives guidance from a faculty mentor on his/her chosen research topic, engages in weekly seminars and activities with other students and mentors, and prepares and presents a paper on their research topic at the end of the program. In addition, SERP covers participants' room and board and each particpant receives a stipend up to $3000.00. For out-of-state participants, travel arrangements are also covered by SERP. The SERP participants live on campus, attend a cultural field trip, have access to University facilities such as libraries, computer labs, writing labs, and recreational facilities, as well as interact with other UW-Madison summer program students for various social and professional activities such as the Graduate Fair/Panel and Picnic.

Events for the 2007 SERP Program

The SERP program is also apart of the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at the University of Wisconsin-Madision. Along with the SROP, the SERP program participates annually in the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) conference. Each year the SERP participants have the opportunity to present at the CIC conference, which is annually held in different cities. This year, the CIC conference will be held at Purdue University from July 27-July 29, 2007.  This year’s conference theme, Building Your Future, One Brick At A Time, encourages participants to collaborate with their peers from other summer research programs across the country in order to exchange ideas, share research findings, and make connections that will enhance their academic and professional careers.

Deadline and Important Documents

If you are interested in participating in the SERP program for the Summer of 2008, the application deadline is Friday, February 15th 2008. You can apply online at SROP or Download an Application

Along with your application, you will need to submit a statement of purpose, a statement of research interests, two sealed and signed letters of recommendations from faculty members whom you have had as instructors or research mentors, and an official transcript.  After receiving completed applications and materials, faculty members matching the applicant’s research interests will review this information for admission to the program.  Please note that it is the participant’s responsibility to furnish the Selection Committee with all the pertinent information that has been requested for acceptance to the SERP program.

Comments or Problems: bobrent@wisc.edu.
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