What is the Russian Flagship Program?
The UW-Madison Russian Flagship is a federally sponsored undergraduate program for students to pursue any major while working toward professional-level Russian proficiency. The Russian Flagship is part of a national network of programs supported by The Language Flagship, a U.S. Department of Defense initiative.
A credential that opens doors
Russian has been designated a language critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness, meaning that graduates with professional proficiency are highly competitive for positions with federal agencies, multinational companies, and international organizations.
Our graduates have built careers across nearly every field because the Flagship pathway can lead wherever you want to go. Here are a few of the directions our alumni have taken:
- Government, national security, & diplomacy — the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, U.S. Armed Forces, and roles at organizations such as the Atlantic Council, Booz Allen Hamilton, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the Halifax International Security Forum
- Business, tech, & finance — data scientists at major tech and consulting firms, analysts at major banks and finance firms, and positions in the sports industry
- Law — attorneys and legal staff at private firms and at state and federal agencies including the IRS and the Department of Justice
- Graduate & doctoral study — alumni have gone on to Harvard, Columbia, Big Ten institutions, and other top programs in Slavic studies, history, linguistics, and other disciplines
- Medicine and healthcare — practicing physicians and residents, positions in public health in the U.S. and abroad
- Science & engineering — research and engineering positions in a variety of fields
- Education, media, & translation — Fulbright, Peace Corps, journalists, and professional translators
Wherever your interests lie, Russian can take you there!
Because Flagship pairs with any major, you don’t have to choose between Russian and your career goals. Political science, engineering, business, and the sciences all pair naturally with the Flagship program, making you more competitive within your own field.
More than a language class: Become a global professional
Flagship is more than a sequence of courses you complete. It’s an immersive track built around small classes, individual tutoring, a tight-knit cohort of motivated peers, summer intensive study in the U.S. and abroad, and a capstone year abroad. Graduates leave with professional proficiency in Russian and the intercultural competence to match: not just knowledge of Russian-speaking cultures, but the ability to navigate how meaning shifts across cultural lines, how culture shapes communication, and how to work through difference rather than around it. This is what makes a Flagship graduate a true global professional.
- Small classes & dedicated mentorship — work with faculty and tutors invested in your progress
- Russian House (Russki dom) — live the language, not just study it
- Study abroad — build communicative proficiency in a Russian-speaking environment in your choice of several different countries
- Capstone Year Abroad — an academic year overseas combining advanced coursework with a professional internship in your field
- Flagship scholarships — significant funding available to help cover summer intensive language study and study abroad
Who is the Russian Flagship for?
Flagship welcomes students at every starting point, from complete beginners to heritage speakers. We work with ROTC cadets, transfer students, and incoming first-years alike. Talk with an advisor to find the track that fits your background and goals.
How to Apply
- Apply through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH):
- Priority deadlines: November 16, 2026 for those who wish to begin in the upcoming spring semester; and March 15, 2027 for those who wish to begin in the upcoming summer term or fall semester
- Open to all proficiency levels — no prior Russian required
- Typical qualifications: 3.0+ cumulative GPA (3.5+ in Russian coursework, if applicable)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for Language Flagship scholarships.
- Current UW-Madison Students
- Transfer Students
- Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
- High School Students
If you’re a current UW-Madison student who’s never studied Russian, plan to enroll in Slavic 101: First Semester Russian as soon as possible (currently offered fall semester only). Already enrolled in Slavic 101 or another Russian course? You’re eligible to apply to Flagship right now.
Current students are also welcome to attend an Open House (usually offered once per semester) or meet with an advisor to learn more. Contact us with any questions.
The Russian Flagship Program welcomes applications from transfer students, although interested students should note that the Russian Flagship Program has a separate admissions process, and that admission to the Russian Flagship Program is contingent upon admission to UW-Madison.
Transfer students with prior experience studying Russian who wish to begin the Russian Flagship Program during their first semester at UW-Madison should plan to apply to the program during the semester before they begin at UW-Madison (e.g. apply in the fall to begin the program in the spring). Transfer students with Russian language experience will also need to make a language enrollment guidance appointment to determine which level of Russian at UW-Madison is best for them. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
Transfer students without prior Russian experience are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss whether Flagship is a feasible option, given their student standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.) and other time constraints. Students starting without prior experience typically need 4–5 years to complete the program.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison hosts ROTC programs in conjunction with the Air Force, Army, and Navy. These programs offer students the opportunity to earn a commission as an officer in any of the three armed services while pursuing their bachelor’s degree. Language proficiency is a valuable asset for military officers, and the Russian Flagship Program offers ROTC cadets special scholarships for contracted cadets studying Russian.
Combining ROTC with Russian Flagship does take some coordination. Cadets need to plan around summer training requirements and typically delay commissioning until after their capstone year abroad. The program works closely with all three ROTC units on campus, so cadets can build an individualized plan with both their commanding officer and a Flagship advisor.
The Russian Flagship Program welcomes applications from high school seniors. Note that admission has a separate process from UW-Madison’s general application, and is contingent on being admitted to the university.
High school seniors with prior Russian experience can apply to the Russian Flagship Program at the same time they apply to UW-Madison. Before enrolling, students should take a placement test with Dr. Anna Tumarkin to determine their language level and ensure they enroll in the appropriate course. We recommend applying in the spring of senior year, before the program’s March 15 deadline, since by then you’re more likely to know your UW-Madison admission status.
High school seniors without prior Russian experience can still apply, though this option is best suited to those who see Flagship as a major reason to choose UW-Madison. Others should consider starting with Slavic 101 in the fall and applying to Flagship later that semester (before the November 16 deadline) after gaining some experience with the language.