A student and her advisor working together on a laptop.

The UWM University Center at WCTC

Earn your UWM bachelor’s degree at WCTC

The new UWM University Center offers students with an associate degree the opportunity to complete a four-year degree from UW-Milwaukee at the Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC). This convenient location in the heart of Waukesha County provides access to both WCTC student resources and UW-Milwaukee faculty, making it easy to complete your bachelor’s degree close to home.  

Other reasons to be part of the UWM University Center include: 

  • Finish a bachelor’s degree in two years. 
  • Learn from UWM faculty and instructional staff who are globally recognized as experts in their fields. 
  • Connections to internships and other professional opportunities that can turn into full-time job offers at graduation. 
  • Many classes are online for ultimate schedule flexibility. 
Fill Out the Intent Form

Contact

Undergraduate Admissions 

Programs & Classes at the UWM University Center

Bachelor’s Programs

Social Work, BSW
UWM’s social work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students in the program complete two semesters of fieldwork at a site that matches their career goals. Social work students graduate prepared for meaningful careers at local, state and national levels.
Information Science & Technology, BS
UWM’s information science and technology program combines a strong foundation in IT (think programming and front-end web design) with electives of the student’s choosing. Students graduate ready to enter the IT profession as data analysts, software engineers, web developers, UX product managers and more. 

Classes

Business Classes
Make progress on a bachelor’s in business by taking classes at the University Center. BUS ADM 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting will be offered at the center in Fall 2025, and BUS ADM 210 Statistical Modeling in Business Analytics in Spring 2026. These classes meet requirements for all business majors. Students may complete required prequisites at WCTC, which include: By end of Summer of 2025, complete 804-118 Interm Algebra w Apps. By the end Fall of 2025, complete 804-198 Calculus 1 or 804-213 Survey in Calculus. Work with your WCTC Advisor for guidance and enrollment in prerequisites.

Frequently Asked Questions About the UWM University Center

Will more bachelor’s degree programs be added in the future?

Yes. We plan to add programs each of our first few years of operation, until we offer a variety of popular programs.

Which University Center bachelor’s degree is the right fit for me?

The Social Work BSW is designed for students with an AAS in Human Services or Substance Use Disorder Counseling. The Information Science & Technology BS is open to students with any associate degree. 

I have an associate degree from a technical college but there’s a different bachelor’s degree program at UWM that I’m interested in.

UWM has transfer agreements with many technical colleges. If you graduated from one of the five following technical colleges, you’re guaranteed admission at UWM and can transfer at least 60 credits toward any of UWM’s bachelor’s degree programs: 

  • Gateway Technical College 
  • Milwaukee Area Technical College 
  • Moraine Park Technical College 
  • Northeast Wisconsin Technical College 
  • Waukesha County Technical College 

If you graduated from another technical college, connect with a UWM admissions advisor to find out what credits will transfer and the best pathway to graduation for you. 

The most popular bachelor’s degree programs for transfer students are:  

  • Psychology (BA)
  • General Business (BBA)
  • Biomedical Sciences (BS) 
  • Marketing (BBA) 
  • Nursing (BS) 
Will University Center classes be held on WCTC campus?

Courses will be offered in a mix of online and in-person formats, based on student needs and demand.

What are the University Center’s eligibility requirements?

Students who have graduated or are graduating with an associate degree from WCTC or another technical college may enroll at the UWM University Center.  

Are University Center students official UWM students?

Yes! University Center students are considered degree-seeking UWM students.  

Do University Center students pay UWM tuition?

Yes. Check out uwm.edu/cost-aid for current undergraduate tuition rates.

How do I apply?

Start by completing the UWM University Center Intent Form. You will also need to apply to UWM. An admissions advisor can help you determine the easiest way to do that.

Once I am a UWM student, what if I want to take a class from WCTC in the same semester as some UWM classes?

Work in advance with your UWM academic advisor. UWM degree-seeking students need permission from their dean’s office to “concurrently enroll.” You’d be degree-seeking from UWM and would have to apply as a special student to WCTC. See details on Concurrent Enrollment, including fees/tuition considerations. 

In addition, if you are taking fewer than 12 credits from UWM, you may need to use this Financial Aid Consortium Agreement Form to maximize your aid eligibility. Before completing, we recommend consulting with an advisor at the UWM Student Financial Service Center (SFSC) to ensure this is a necessary step. If needed, provide the first page to the financial aid office at WCTC and the second page to your UWM academic advisor. Once they are both completed, return the form to the SFSC.

On the other hand, WCTC degree-seeking students who wish to take UWM classes through the University Center or otherwise, will need to work with their WCTC advisor and the WCTC Financial Aid Office.

How will UWM students, instructors or staff spending time at the WCTC campus receive alerts about weather closures and other emergencies at either of the two WCTC campuses?

You will not automatically receive messages about the WCTC location(s) from your UWM Rave app or to your UWM email account. Please opt-in to receive messages via SMS by texting “wctcalerts” to 78015 to sign up. You will receive a confirmation text

More information about Emergency Preparedness.

Which student services will UWM University Center at WCTC students have access to: At WCTC? At UWM?

WCTC will provide the following services to UWM students taking in-person or hybrid classes through the UWM University Center at WCTC:   

  • An initial WCTC identification card  
  • IT support from WCTC’s IT Service Center 
  • Academic support from WCTC’s Academic Assistance Center 
  • Access to WCTC’s Testing Center for students authorized by UWM’s Accessibility Resource Center to receive accommodated testing 
  • Free parking (consistent with parking provided to WCTC students) 
  • Free daily use locker (longer usage will be subject to fees consistent with fees to WCTC students) 
  • Access to the WCTC Campus Cupboard for those experiencing food insecurity 
  • Participation in campus activities offered through Student Life and Career Connections; provided, however, that non-WCTC students* are not eligible to hold leadership positions in WCTC sponsored student organizations, nor to travel with the WCTC sponsored student organizations.  

 
The following WCTC services are excluded for non-WCTC students*: 

  • Replacement ID cards 
  • Printing services 
  • Mental health counseling services  
  • Services by WCTC’s Student Accessibility Office 
  • Check-out of materials from WCTC’s Library

*Note: any student co-enrolled in UWM and WCTC in the same semester will have access to all of WCTC’s student services that semester.

UWM students are also welcome to access all available student services from UWM’s main and online locations.  For the inaugural year of the UWM University Center at WCTC (academic year 2025-2026), University Center students will not be charged UWM segregated fees.  This will be reassessed for subsequent academic years based on student needs and usage. 

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Next Steps

Fill Out the Intent Form