Graduate Admission Information

An online graduate application should be completed by individuals:

• Seeking a graduate Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree: Individuals who wish to earn a graduate master's degree or doctoral degree from the University.
• Changing Programs/Emphases: Those looking to switch graduate programs or emphases within the University.
• Transitioning to Degree Candidate Status: Individuals seeking to change their status from a non-candidate for a degree to pursuing a graduate degree from the University.
• Applying for Masters' Certificate: Candidates interested in applying for a master's certificate.
• Non-Candidate for Degree Applications: Individuals who wish to apply as non-candidate for degree students to take a few graduate courses without seeking a UW-Whitewater degree at this time or transferring credits to another institution's degree program as a guest matriculant.

Get step-by-step details on how to complete an application here

Official transcripts should be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies from the following institutions:

• The institution(s) that granted your bachelor's degree(s)
• The institution(s) that granted your master's (or higher) degree(s), or
• Any institution(s) where you have completed graduate coursework that you intend to transfer into your desired degree program at UW-Whitewater.

We will order all UW-Whitewater transcripts. Additional transcripts may be required, at the discretion of the School of Graduate Studies. 

Have official transcripts sent to gradtranscript@uww.edu.

This $56 non-refundable fee is assessed to first time UW-Whitewater graduate program and certificate applicants only. This fee is not required for veterans, non-candidate for degree, cooperative or post master's programs, or those have previously earned a graduate certificate or degree from UW-Whitewater. McNair Scholars may apply for a graduate application fee waiver.

One transfer credit application must be completed for EACH non UW-Whitewater course you wish to transfer into your program. All course work, with the exception of up to twelve credits, must be completed at UW-Whitewater. Review transfer credit policy and complete the application here.

Departments may require additional materials. Review the application requirements on the program website. Department requirements can include:

• Appropriate coursework / Experiential background
• Copies of Transcripts
• Graduate School Examinations (e.g. GMAT, GRE, etc.)
• Letter(s) of Recommendation / Letter of Intent / Goal Statement
• Personal Interview / Meeting with advisor
• Background Check

All materials are submitted through the graduate program application.

Programs leading to licensure may require a background check. To complete the background check follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to viewpoint screening
2. Select "Start Your Order"
3. Select your Program: New Graduate Admissions/Office of Field Experience
4. Select Background Check, or Recheck Background if you have already submitted a background check through ViewPoint.
5. Download Release form (Background Information Disclosure (BID).
6. You are considered an " Applicant for Licensure, Certification or Renewal"
7. Make sure to complete all required information and SIGN the form. The BID form will need to be uploaded to the ViewPoint Screening website.

The UW-Whitewater College of Education and Professional Studies will receive your results from Viewpoint Screening. If you are not contacted, no further action on your part is needed. If you have any questions please contact education@uww.edu.

All international applicants to graduate programs must submit an official course-by-course evaluation of all foreign education credentials. Acceptable international credential evaluation agencies include:

• Educational Credential Evaluators, lnc. (414) 289-3400 (ece)
• World Educational Services, 212-966-6311 (wes)
• SpanTran - use the custom application they’ve created for UWW
• or any NACES accredited evaluation service (naces)

This demonstrates that you have adequate financial support available during your planned period of study. For more information and a downloadable form go to our Certification of Finances Information page.

• An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score to be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies if English is not the native language. A TOEFL score of 79 internet-based is required for admission into some degree programs and is strongly recommended by others; OR
• An official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score to be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies if English is not the native language. The minimum required score is 6.0; OR
• Arranging for admission into the Wisconsin English Second Language Institute (WESLI) in Madison, Wisconsin. Students must complete the institute's 700 level, including academic reading and writing, and academic listening and speaking skills, with a rating of "very good" or higher (3, 3+, or 4). Students must arrange to have these results and a recommendation from WESLI forwarded to the School of Graduate Studies; OR

Satisfying one of the following:

• have earned a bachelor’s degree from an English-speaking country.
• have attended a U.S. college or university continuously for more than one year or have a completed U.S. undergraduate degree.
• have received an undergraduate degree from a foreign institution where English is the language of instruction.
• have resided and worked in the U.S. for more than one year without being a student.

Submit a photocopy of the relevant information from your passport. This document is required in order to process your application.

You will need to submit a letter of recommendation from a former professor, attesting to your ability to pursue graduate study in the United States.

We recommend submitting the online application and all the supporting materials prior to these dates:

• Fall semester start: 1st of July
• Spring semester start: 1st of December
• No summer intake

Program start dates for 2024-2025:

• Fall 2024: Aug. 28, 2024 for required international student orientation (we anticipate that international students will be able to move into residence halls / pick up keys from the housing office between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on August 26 and 27, 2024)
• Spring 2025: January 22, 2025 for required international student orientation (we anticipate that international students will be able to move into residence halls / pick up keys from the housing office between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on January 21, 2025)