Requirements for admission to a degree program in good standing are as follows:
- A bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A 3.00 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale with no incomplete or pending courses in all graduate work previously completed at UW-Whitewater
- One of the following:
- A 2.75 overall grade point average in the undergraduate degree program
- A 2.90 grade point average in the last half of the undergraduate degree program
- A master’s degree or higher from an institution regionally accredited at the corresponding graduate level
- At least 12 credits of graduate work completed on a regular grade basis at UW-Whitewater with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Any additional requirements set by individual departments or colleges for admission to specific degree programs
Note that most of our programs do not require graduate entrance exams. In some cases, graduate entrance exams can be used instead of satisfying other requirements. See the web pages for individual programs for detailed admissions requirements.
Noncandidate for degree (NCFD)
Persons who hold a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university but do not wish to be admitted to a graduate degree program are classified as NCFD students. This category allows the student to enroll in graduate level courses and to receive graduate credit for this work. Departments and colleges reserve the right to restrict NCFD students from their courses.
Before attempting more than 12 credits as an NCFD, a student is encouraged to file an application for a degree program. Acceptance of any course work toward a graduate degree — including course work completed as an NCFD student — is at the discretion of the department. Because a graduate degree requires that the student complete a program of courses planned in consultation with an advisor, generally two-thirds or more of the course work must be completed after formal admission to the degree program. Consequently, a maximum of 12 credits taken prior to admission to the program may be applied toward the completion of a degree.
Guest transfer of credit
Persons attending another graduate school who wish to take graduate courses at UW-Whitewater and transfer them to that institution may do so. For information on how to apply, contact the School of Graduate Studies.
Seniors (undergraduates) taking graduate courses
UW-Whitewater undergraduate students with senior status may be allowed to complete up to 12 graduate credits at UW-Whitewater provided they have completed at least 90 semester credits with at least a 2.75 overall grade point average (or 2.90 over the last half of their course work), and have a graduate application on file with the School of Graduate Studies.
The eligible student should work with the graduate program coordinator and the School of Graduate Studies to activate the opportunity. This is not available to seniors at other institutions or students who already possess a bachelor's degree.
Seniors may use up to 12 graduate-level credits to satisfy requirements for the bachelor's degree. Graduate programs may choose to limit the maximum graduate credits at a lower limit than this university policy.
Courses listed in WINS with a per-credit rate will be billed outside of the credit plateau at the special tuition rate. If a student takes only graduate coursework in a semester, graduate tuition and fees will be charged.
Contingent admission
A student who does not meet the requirements for admission in good standing may be admitted to a degree program with contingent admission after furnishing credible evidence of ability to do satisfactory graduate work.
Such credibility is determined by the admitting academic department or individual program coordinator, and could be:
- A creditable postgraduate employment record
- Active service as a member of the U.S. military
- A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination, GMAT or Miller Analogies Test
- The successful completion of graduate work at a regionally accredited institution
Deficiencies in background for graduate study
If a department finds that a student lacks the proper academic background for graduate studies, it may specify that deficiencies be made up before the student completes a degree. In some cases, deficiencies may have to be made up by registering in undergraduate courses that do not count toward completion of a master's degree.
Students admitted under the terms of contingent admission must earn a GPA of 3.0 for the first nine graduate credits attempted, including repeated courses. Those failing to do so will be ineligible to take further graduate work in that degree program.
International admission requirements
International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Credit evaluation requirement
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, Inc. (414-389-3400)
- World Educational Services (212-966-6311)
- SpanTran – use the custom UW-Whitewater application
- Any NACES accredited evaluation service
Certification of Finances form
This demonstrates that you have adequate financial support available during your planned period of study. For more information and a downloadable form, visit our international admissions web page.
Evidence of English proficiency, demonstrated by
- 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:
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from an English-speaking country
- Attended a U.S. college or university continuously for more than one year or have a completed U.S. undergraduate degree
- Received an undergraduate degree from a foreign institution where English is the language of instruction
- Resided and worked in the U.S. for more than one year without being a student
Passport
Submit a photocopy of the relevant information from your passport. This document is required to process your application.
Letter of recommendation
You’ll need to submit a letter of recommendation from a former professor attesting to your ability to pursue graduate study in the United States.
Application deadlines
We recommend submitting the online application and all supporting materials prior to these dates:
- Fall semester start: July 1
- Spring semester start: December 1
- No summer intake
Program start dates
- Fall 2025: Aug. 27-29, 2025, for required international student orientation
- Spring 2026: Jan. 21-23, 2026, for required international student orientation
Visit UW-Whitewater’s Center for Global Education page for more information.
