Information on the Closure of the Waukesha Campus
UWM at Waukesha will close after the Spring 2025 semester.

Following a directive from the Universities of Wisconsin, UWM is closing the UWM at Washington County campus on June 30, 2024. The campus building and parking lots are now closed to the public through June 30.

UWM has worked with UWM at Washington County students to help them complete their degree or transfer to the school of their choice. UWM is also exploring options to meet the needs of students and employers in Washington County, while ensuring the university’s long-term success.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the Campus Community

What is going to happen to the UWM at Washington County campus facility?

It is important to note that while the UWM at Washington County campus is located at the facility in Washington County, decisions about the facility may be made separately from the overall campus. The Universities of Wisconsin administration leases the UWM at Washington County facilities from Washington County. UWM will work closely with Washington County, the Universities of Wisconsin and local officials to evaluate the best use of the facility moving forward. The Washington County campus remains open for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Plans call for the campus to close by June 30, 2024. UWM advisors will work with UWM at Washington County students on a path to degree completion or to help them transfer to the school of their choice.

How does this announcement affect the UWM at Waukesha campus? 

(Updated March 27, 2024)

Following a directive from the Universities of Wisconsin, UWM will close UWM at Waukesha after the Spring 2025 semester. UWM will work with current UWM at Waukesha students to help them complete their degree or transfer to the school of their choice. UWM will continue to accept new students to its Waukesha campus for the Fall 2024 semester. Students are also encouraged to apply to UWM’s main campus or to UWM’s top-ranked online programs. 

For Students

When will the Washington County campus be closed?

The campus remains open for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Plans call for the Washington County campus to close by June 30, 2024. UWM will work with all existing students at UWM at Washington County on a path to degree completion or a transfer to the school of their choice.

Where will classes be held?

No changes are planned for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Classes will be held as scheduled at the Washington County campus. The campus will close by June 30, 2024.

UWM is exploring partnerships with Moraine Park Technical College to determine how best to maintain access to higher education in Washington County while more directly meeting the needs of students, the community and employers based on demand. To be clear, UWM is not merging the Washington County campus with MPTC, but developing a sustainable model of partnership based on the community’s needs.

How will the closure of UWM’s Washington County campus affect current students?

UWM will work with all current students to ensure they continue to have a pathway to degree completion or help them transfer to the school of their choice. UWM will also work closely with current students to help them access counseling and student support.

Some students may have questions about the TRIO program or their scholarships from the Washington County Charitable Foundation. Students with questions can contact the Student Affairs Office on the Washington County campus. UWM will work with each student to address concerns and help create pathways to degree completion.

UWM will no longer admit new students to UWM at Washington County.

What should I do if I am a current Washington County student? 

The Washington County campus remains open for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Courses are continuing as scheduled. If you intend to continue your education after June 2024, you should speak with your advisor about what transfer options are available to you.

As a UWM at Washington County student, you will have the option to transition to the UWM location of your choice. However, you might need to meet certain requirements to be admitted to specific majors. 

Under a new agreement, UWM and Moraine Park Technical College have made it easier for Washington County students to transfer to MPTC and complete the MPTC Associate of Arts degree. MPTC is also one of four regional tech schools whose associate degree graduates are guaranteed admission to a UWM bachelor’s degree program and the seamless transfer of at least 60 credits. However, you might need to meet certain requirements to be admitted to specific majors. If you are planning to finish your associate degree and want to remain in the West Bend area, this could be a good option for you. Reach out to your advisor for more information. 

Where will students who live in Washington County and the surrounding area take classes in the future?

(Updated March 27, 2024)

UWM will continue to offer in-person classes at two locations, the Milwaukee campus and the Waukesha campus. The Waukesha campus will close after the Spring 2025 semester.

Under a new agreement, UWM and Moraine Park Technical College have made it easier for Washington County students to transfer to MPTC and complete the MPTC Associate of Arts degree. MPTC is also one of four regional tech schools whose associate degree graduates are guaranteed admission to a UWM bachelor’s degree program and the seamless transfer of at least 60 credits. However, you might need to meet certain requirements to be admitted to specific majors. If you are planning to finish your associate degree and want to remain in the West Bend area, this could be a good option for you.

Contact your advisor for options that work for you. 

I had been considering applying to UWM at Washington County. What should I do?

We encourage you to explore taking courses at UWM’s Milwaukee campus or through our top-ranked online educational offerings.

I applied to or was already admitted to UWM at Washington County for a future semester.  What should I do?

To transition your application, log into your admissions portal and select the Campus Change Request form. The form will prompt you to select a campus and specify an entry term. Typically, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will process the Campus Change Request form within 1-3 business days.

If I need help with transcripts, credits or have other questions about courses, status or records, who should I contact?

For questions about courses and credits, you should contact your academic advisor. On the Washington County campus, students can work with an advisor in the Student Affairs office. For questions about transcripts, status and records, contact the Registrar’s Office.

What tuition rate will Washington County students be charged when they transition to one of UWM’s other locations? 

Students who transition to the main campus will transition into one of the available bachelor’s degree programs and will be charged the listed program rates. Main campus segregated fees will apply. Note, associate degree programs are not available at the main campus.  

Students who transition to the Waukesha campus will have the option to complete their associate degree at the listed program rate or transition into one of the available bachelor’s degree programs at the listed program rates. Waukesha campus segregated fees will apply. 

Students who transition to online offerings will have the option to complete the associate degree at the listed program rate. 

Are there scholarships available for Washington County students?

There are scholarships provided by UWM and the Washington County Charitable Foundation.

UWM Transition Scholarships

UWM is offering one-time transition scholarships for current Washington County students who enroll in Fall 2024 at another UWM location or program.   

  • A $500 scholarship is available for students continuing at the associate degree level. 
  • A $1,000 scholarship is available for students continuing or transitioning into the bachelor’s degree level.

Scholarship details:

  • The scholarship is a one-time award (non-renewable).   
  • The scholarship amounts listed above apply to full-time enrollment (12 credits). Students who enroll part time (1-11 credits) will receive 50% of those amounts. 
  • The scholarship is awarded for the 2024-25 academic year, and the amount will be divided evenly between the fall and spring terms.  
  • The scholarship will automatically be awarded to Spring 2024 enrollees from the Washington County campus within two weeks of the student enrolling for Fall 2024 courses. No additional steps are required.

Students are encouraged to apply for other UWM scholarships via the Panther Scholarship Portal

Washington County Charitable Foundation Scholarships

The Washington County Charitable Foundation supports the educational needs of the Washington County community.   

The foundation’s scholarship portal will open Dec. 15.  

Scholarship details are as follows: 

  • For new students living in Washington County, scholarships will support students attending any Universities of Wisconsin location. 
  • Current Washington County campus students will be eligible for scholarships even if they are not residents of Washington County.

For additional information on scholarships, tuition and courses, please contact your academic advisor.

For Employees

More information for employees can be found in the Waukesha Campus Closure FAQs.

With the announced closure of the College of General Studies after the Spring 2025 semester, does that mean I will be laid off?

(Updated April 11, 2024

Because the College of General Studies, which includes both the Washington County and Waukesa campuses, will be closing effective June 30, 2025, most employees will receive nonrenewal or layoff notices, depending on employment category. UWM will follow all applicable processes and notice periods, depending on the employee category. UWM anticipates retaining most Waukesha employees through the 2024-25 academic year. 

The process for tenured faculty layoffs will follow Regent Policy Document 20-24. UWM has not yet issued a program discontinuance proposal to begin that process. UWM anticipates doing so over the next several weeks. Faculty will not receive layoff notices unless and until the program discontinuance proposal is approved by the Board of Regents. 

As UWM works with WCTC to create the UWM University Center at WCTC, we anticipate students will pursue their associate degree at WCTC and WCTC’s enrollment will grow. UWM is also working closely with WCTC to provide information and other resources for employment opportunities there. Opportunities at WCTC may be available as enrollment growth supports. 

WCTC has current openings, and CGS employees are encouraged to pursue them at any time: https://www.wctc.edu/jobs.php

We will provide more information as quickly as possible. 

Will any College of General Studies employees be absorbed into the UWM main campus?

(Updated March 27, 2024) 

UWM is working with CGS leadership throughout this transition to determine what support is needed at the main campus, and if funding is available. 

 Who do I contact about my options and if I have other questions?

Please reach out to your Human Resources Business Partner.

Updates