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Office of Admissions

Please select a tab to view the policies and processes that you need.

Contact Us

As a member of the Enrollment Services team, the Office of Admissions collaborates with UW System campus partners to provide centralized enrollment support for UW Flexible Option programs.

Staff

Chelle Scalzo
Admissions Coordinator
chelle.scalzo@uwex.wisconsin.edu
608-265-3126

Angie Bass
Administrative Specialist
angela.bass@uwex.wisconsin.edu
608-263-4894

Dan Kellogg
Registrar & Director of Admissions
daniel.kellogg@uwex.wisconsin.edu
608-263-8268

UW Extended Campus
Admissions Office – Suite 130
780 Regent Street
Madison, WI 53715

UWEX Office Email: admissions@uwex.wisconsin.edu

Admission Requirements

Here you will find a summary of application requirements by program. See also How to Apply.

Associate Degree Programs

Associate of Arts & Sciences

Candidates for the Associate of Arts and Sciences degree must have a high school diploma, GED or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). Students with transferable college credit should have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. Students below a 2.00 will be evaluated as part of our holistic admissions review.  How to Apply.

Note: On the e-application, this program is called “Liberal Arts – Associate Program.”

Bachelor Degree Programs

Business Administration

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher and at least 10 transferable college credits. How to Apply.

  • Applicants who do not meet this requirement may be considered for our Associate of Arts & Sciences (AAS) degree program. Once you have met the minimum transferable credit requirements, you may request a program change or wait to transfer after the AAS degree is earned.
Diagnostic Imaging

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging degree must have an Associate Degree in a related field (e.g. diagnostic imaging, medical sonography, radiography) OR a hospital-based diagnostic imaging training program. You must also have an electronic copy of an active ARRT, ARMRIT, ARDMS, or CCI registry card. How to Apply.

  • Note to students applying to the Diagnostic Imaging program – It is not necessary for graduates of a hospital-based training program to acquire a transcript for admission.  For associate-degree holders, transcripts are still needed for transfer-credit assessment.
Health Sciences

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences degree must have an earned Associate Degree (for which a minimum of 60 credits will be awarded towards the Health Sciences degree) OR earned 60 transferable credits to UW-Milwaukee (for which equivalent course credit will be applied toward the Health Sciences degree after transcripts are reviewed). How to Apply.

The program prefers that candidates have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 from all prior accredited colleges and universities. Candidates with a total cumulative GPA of less than 2.00 are still considered for admission and are encouraged to apply. Please get in touch with an Enrollment Adviser for more information.

Information Science and Technology

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Information Science & Technology (IST) must have earned at least 60 degree-applicable credits, at least one year of professional IT experience, and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 from all prior accredited colleges and universities. How to Apply.

Nursing (RN to BSN)

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program must have:

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or undergraduate nursing diploma
  • Active, unencumbered state RN license
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from prior coursework
  • Work experience as a nurse

NOTE:

    1. Nursing diplomas are granted from in-hospital education programs (not from colleges).
    2. Prior college transcripts from which you may transfer credit must be accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation).
    3. While there are no on-campus requirements in this program, students must find their own clinical project and a qualified preceptor in their own workplace or another setting in their community for their capstone course. How to Apply.

Certificate Programs

Health Care Informatics

To be considered for admission, candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).  Students with transferable college credit should have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.

Students with transferable college credit should have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. How to Apply.

Project Management

To be considered for admission to the Project Management Certificate Program, candidates must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • Junior or senior standing at UW-Parkside or another college/university
  • An undergraduate degree
  • Five years of business experience, preferably at mid-level management or above or at an entrepreneurial firm
  • Associate degree and two years of business experience, preferably at mid-level management or above or at an entrepreneurial firm

Students with transferable college credit should have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. How to Apply.

Substance Use Disorders

Registrants should hold, or be actively working on, a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health or human services field (such as counseling, social work, psychology, criminal justice, nursing, or related fields). If you have extensive human services experience but lack a bachelor’s degree, call our advisers to discuss your options. How to Apply.

Special Students

If you need to take an online course to fulfill a prerequisite, to supplement your studies in another degree program, or for personal enrichment, the UW Flexible Option offers nearly 150 online courses year-round.  As a special student, you can complete your courses at a pace that works for you.

How to Apply

A. You will be considered for admission after completing the following action items:

  1. Apply online at apply.wisconsin.edu (there is no application fee)

a) If enrolling in a degree or certificate program:

      • Select “Yes” that you are applying as a degree-seeking student.
      • For those who have earned or will earn a bachelor’s degree or higher before they enroll, select that you’re looking to earn a “Bachelor’s Degree” (this includes those interested in a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree).

b) If enrolling in a few courses as a special student, or pre-licensure nursing:

      • Select “No” that you are NOT applying as a degree-seeking student.
      • Also, select that you plan to take “Undergraduate” classes.

c) Campus drop-down menu options: with UW-Milwaukee or UW-Parkside as the corresponding program, select the  “UW Flexible Option”.

d) Social Security Numbers (SSN): Although providing your SSN is not required for admission to the University, your SSN is required for financial aid.  It also ensures that you will be able to claim educational tax benefits, if eligible, on your federal tax return.

2. Send official high school and college transcripts from each college or university attended

a) You must report ALL universities and colleges attended on your application.

b) Send transcripts to the UW Flexible Option Admissions Office
— see details on How to Order and Send Transcripts

c) Transcripts are NOT required for Specials unless you are taking a course with a prerequisite.

B. Application Timeline for Degree-Seeking Students

1. You may apply up to five months in advance of your desired start date (see Academic Calendar for key dates by term).

2. All application materials, including high school and college transcripts, must be received before the first day of the month preceding your desired start date (e.g. if you intend to enroll in courses in September, then all application materials are due before August 1).

On occasion more time is required for application processing based on when transcripts are received. To ensure consideration for your desired start date, please submit application materials as soon as possible.

3. All students must participate in an online orientation program:

    • Orientation Part 1 is a self-paced, online orientation module that must be completed DURING the admissions process. A link to the orientation module will be emailed to you after you have submitted your application for admission.
    • Orientation Part 2 is a second online orientation module that is sent AFTER you’re admitted to a program.  Orientation Part 2 must be completedbeforeo the first meeting with your Success Coach (see Next Steps in the admissions process for more information).

C. Special Student Admissions

UW Flexible Option is only admitting domestic students at this time 

A domestic student is someone who is either a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Permanent Resident, or holds Refugee, Asylee, or Jay Treaty status. 

Admissions Decisions

Our admission review process considers many factors when assessing your application to a UW Flexible Option program. Your high school record, the strength of prior college coursework, the rigor of curriculum and academic readiness, test scores, grade point average, academic goals, relevant work experience, and your potential for success will all be considered.

Note: If you have not earned transferable credit in college algebra to a UW-Milwaukee degree program, you may need to complete a math placement test within your first four subscription periods of enrollment.  

Deferring your Start Date

Applications are valid for up to 1 year after submission. If it has been more than 1 year since you last enrolled, you will need to reapply for admission. If you stopped out but were enrolled in a UW Flexible Option program within the last year, see returning student admissions for more details.

If you would like to change your desired start term, please submit the Term Change Form by the 1st of the monthbeforeo your desired start date. For example, if you wish to enroll (start) in July, submit the form no later than June 1. If you have any questions, please contactthe  UW Flexible Option Office of Admissions at admissions@uwex.edu.

Questions About Applying? — Contact an Enrollment Adviser at flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu or call 608-800-6762.

Consumer Information

Federal regulations require that prospective and enrolled students, and other interested parties, be provided with information about the institution and its operations. Please note that some reported information will not apply to UW Flexible Option students.

Next Steps

Congratulations, you’ve been admitted to the UW Flexible Option!

Below are a few Next Steps after being admitted:
1. Activate your University Account and Email

Within a few business days of being admitted, you will receive an email from your home campus with your campus ID number, user name, and instructions on how to activate your university student account and email.  Note: if you are having difficulties with your account, you may contact Tech Support.

Activate your account right away, as these systems are where you will pay your bill, register for courses, and track your degree progress.  Your university email is the primary account for all program communication, so remember to check your university email on a regular basis.

UW-Milwaukee Account Activation Set-up

UW-Parkside Account Activation Set-up

If you have any trouble activating your account, contact your home campus help desk for assistance:

2. Complete Orientation Part 2

In the week after you are admitted, you will receive a self-enrollment link and instructions for completing Part 2 of your Orientation in the email from your Success Coach. You will be able to access Orientation, Part 2, after you have activated your home campus student account.

NOTE: You MUST use your home campus email credentials  (NOT UW-Extension) to complete Orientation in Canvas.  Please reach out to ASC@uwex.wisconsin.edu with any questions.

Once you receive the self-enrollment link from your Success Coach, view step-by-step instructions for accessing Orientation. 

3. Transfer Credit Evaluations

Official transfer credit evaluations will take place within the first two weeks of your admission to a program. When you applied for admission, you were required to submit official transcripts from each college or university attended (see details on How to Send Transcripts to the UW Flexible Option Admissions Office).

  • Note to students applying to the Diagnostic Imaging program – It is not necessary for graduates of a hospital-based training program to acquire a transcript for admission.  For associate-degree holders, transcripts are still needed for transfer-credit assessment.

Transfer credit must be from a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

You may review how your credit may transfer by using the following databases:

*Students attending UW-Milwaukee can use the Internal Transfer Lookup to determine how coursework completed in one undergraduate career (Associate Degree Programs, UW Flex Programs, Bachelor’s Degree Programs) will internally transfer to another. Official results will be determined by the UWM Registrar’s Office upon acceptance to the student’s desired program.

Note: If you have not earned transferable credit in college algebra to a UW-Milwaukee degree program, you may need to complete a math placement test within your first four subscription periods of enrollment.

4. Apply for Financial Aid
  • If your program qualifies for financial aid, and you wish to apply, please complete the online FAFSA.
    • UW-Milwaukee school code is 003896
    • UW-Parkside school code is 005015
  • Review the financial aid section in Orientation 2 for more information.
  • If you have any questions about financial aid, contact financialaid@uwex.edu or call 877-895-3276.Note – Although providing the SSN is not required for admission to the University, it is required for financial aid and ensures that you will be able to claim the new educational tax benefits, if eligible, on your federal tax return
5. Review Veterans’ Benefits
  • If you, your parent, or your spouse is a veteran, you may be eligible for veteran’s benefits.
  • Refer to the veteran information on our website for more information or contact:
    • UW-Milwaukee Military Education Benefits Office at 414-229-6627 or email vets@uwm.edu
    • UW-Parkside Veterans Services at 262-595-2497 or email veterans@uwp.edu
  • Veteran’s benefits may take four or more weeks to process, so begin the process early.
6. What if you Need to Change your Start Date?
  • If you would like to change your desired start term, please submit the  Term Change Request form by the 25th day of the month prior to when you would like to start.  For instance, if you wish to enroll in September, submit the form by August 25.
    • Applications are valid for up to 1 year after submission.
    • If it is more than 1 year since you last enrolled, you will need to reapply for admissions (apply.wisconsin.edu).
  • If you decide to cancel your admissions, submit the Application Cancellation Form.
  • If you have any questions, contact Admissions at admissions@uwex.edu
Residency Requirement

Most University of Wisconsin System campuses requires students to complete a specific number of credits “in residence” to earn a degree or certificate. “Resident credits” are credits earned from the campus granting the degree or certificate. Transfer students are responsible for fulfilling the residency requirements of their home campus. You can find this information on the Curriculum home page of your chosen program.