Admission

Please read the following information before you apply online. You must meet Graduate School and specific program requirements for admission. Please be aware of recommended and required deadlines. We recommend applying at least one year in advance of the term you wish to start.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants for admission to the UWM Graduate School must have the following:

1. A baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent as determined by the UWM Center for International Education, from a regionally accredited institution, completed before the first term of enrollment in the Graduate School. Students applying to approved accelerated master’s degrees are exempt from this requirement.
2. Proficiency in the English language
3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or an equivalent measure on a grading system that does not use a 4.0 scale. Those whose undergraduate GPA is below 2.75 must provide evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study through at least one of the following:
   • GPA of at least 3.0 during the last two years of the baccalaureate program (calculated on a minimum of 48 credits).
   • Completion of six or more credits of program-approved post-baccalaureate courses. These courses must be at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level, taken within the last five years with a grade of B or better (B-minus not acceptable).
   • Submission of official score reports from the Graduate Record Examination, the Graduate Management Admission Test, or the Miller Analogies Test that indicate competencies in areas related to the proposed graduate program. To be considered official, these scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to UWM, and must be received prior to admission.
   • Scores on tests developed by the proposed graduate program that demonstrate potential for success in that program. These scores must be submitted prior to admission.
   • Evidence of professional certification or licensure in a relevant area as determined by the proposed program and the assistant dean of graduate education.
   • A graduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA

Prospective students should consult with the graduate program representative to determine which type of evidence is appropriate and sufficient for a given program. Completion of additional coursework and/or submission of test scores, or other types of evidence of ability is a requirement to be considered for admission, but is not a guarantee of admission.

All of an applicant’s undergraduate coursework completed before award of the first undergraduate degree is included in the GPA computation. For courses that were repeated for credit, each attempt is included.

Additional Items to Submit

The following items must be submitted for your application to be considered complete.

1. Transcripts:
   • All applicants, including UWM students, must upload transcripts from all academic institutions where a bachelor’s degree or above has been or will be earned.
   • If you are admitted and enroll at UW-Milwaukee, you must submit an official transcript for your bachelor’s degree with the degree and date awarded. (Additional official transcripts may be required. The Graduate School will send additional instructions to you after the official admission decision has been made.) UWM students will not have to submit their official, degree-bearing transcripts.
   • International applicants should refer to International Admissions for more information.
2. Letters of Recommendation: If your program requires letters of recommendation, you will be able to send a request directly to your recommenders in the Panthera application. The letter can then be loaded by your recommender directly into the application.
3. Fees:
   • All applicants are requested to pay a non-refundable $75 application fee. Note that we do have some programs for fee waivers (contingent on registration and attendance at our in-person open house event) or fee grants (for participants in one of a list of eligible graduate school preparation programs).
   • If you are applying to a doctoral program and already hold a UWM master’s degree or will have completed a UWM master’s degree prior to starting the doctoral program, you do not need to pay the application fee again.
4. Program Requirements: You will find additional program requirements in the Panthera admission application. If you have questions about these requirements, contact your program.

U.S Department of Education Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Graduate Application Fee Waiver

McNair Scholars/Alumni of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) who are UWM Graduate School applicants are eligible to request their UWM Graduate School application fee waived. Instructions detailing requirements and process can be found at this link. McNair Scholars/Alumni are responsible for making sure all documentation is complete, submitted, and approved at least 7-10 days prior to their UWM graduate program application deadline(s).

UWM Graduate School Panthera Application Fee Grant:

• If you have not participated in the McNair program but have completed or are currently completing one of the following list of eligible graduate school preparation programs, you may be eligible for a UWM Graduate School Panthera Application Fee Grant. This link provides a list of the eligible programs and instructions about how to apply for this fee grant within your Panthera application. All applicants are responsible for making sure all documentation is complete, submitted and approved for this fee grant at least 7-10 days prior to the application deadline.

Application Checklist

1. Make sure you satisfy the admission requirements for both the Graduate School AND the program you will be applying for.
2. Submit your online application on time: Application submission dates vary by program. Contact your program for its deadline.
3. Pay the application fee(s): a non-refundable, $75 base application fee is required of all applicants.
   • Note: If you are applying to a doctoral program and already hold a UWM master’s degree or will have completed a UWM masters program prior to starting the doctoral program, the Graduate School will waive the application fee for one doctoral program application.
4. Watch your email for information on monitoring your application status online.

Apply Online

Retention of Application Materials

The Graduate School will keep your application materials for one year. After one year you will need to apply again and submit all required application materials. All application materials become the property of the Graduate School and cannot be returned to the applicant, forwarded to another institution or duplicated for any purpose.

International Applicants

Senior-Graduate Admission

If you are a UWM student holding senior standing and are within six credits of graduation, and meet the admission requirements of both the Graduate School and your proposed graduate program unit, you may apply and be considered for one semester’s concurrent enrollment in the undergraduate college and in the Graduate School. Your entire program is subject to the regulations and requirements of the Graduate School. You receive graduate credit only if the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, including proficiency tests, are completed by the end of the semester of senior-graduate enrollment. You are assessed graduate fees for all coursework taken during the semester of senior-graduate admission.

Admission Decision

It’s important to remember that the decision to accept or deny an application for graduate study at UWM is based on more than the completeness of the application or the quality of an applicant’s prior achievements. The Graduate School works collaboratively with the applicant’s intended graduate program to ensure that the student would fit well and thrive in the program. The program unit is well positioned to address more specific questions:

• Has the applicant’s background provided adequate preparation for success in the program?
• Is there sufficient faculty expertise to support and nurture the research interests and professional goals of this applicant?
• Can qualified faculty members commit the time to adequately advise and mentor a new student?
• Is there capacity in the program to support a new student?

GRE

• UWM Institutional Code for the GRE: 1473
• Please be aware that not all programs require the completion of the GRE. View your program’s webpage for its specific requirements, or contact your program directly.
• Completion of the GRE may be a Graduate School requirement for those whose undergraduate GPA is below 2.75. See the Minimum Qualifications section above for more details.

GMAT

• UWM Institutional Code for the GMAT: 1896