Students associated with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) can visit the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Counseling Services. It is staffed by a team of multi-ethnic counselors who work diligently to give students the best possible advising and counseling. Their advisers/counselors are generalists, and can work with students to choose and schedule classes, explore possible majors, and assist in the development of career goals. Their advisers/counselors also assist with financial aid, housing, and personal issues.

Every college within the UW is headed by a Dean. Each Dean works to provide leadership throughout the departments and offices within their college.

Open majors can be declared at any time by any student in good standing (not on academic probation).

Some UW majors offer different options within the major. In some departments all students are in one option or another; in other departments the options are, well, optional. For example, all students majoring in Scandinavian Studies are in one of four options: Danish, Norwegian, Scandinavian Area Studies, or Swedish. Students majoring in Political Science, on the other hand, can choose whether or not they want to complete as part of their major the option in political economy, the option in international security, or to have no option. Options, if completed, are posted on your transcript along with the name of your major.