Wherever you are in your college journey, we welcome all transfer students to finish their degree in the College of Letters & Science (L&S).

L&S is home to many types of transfer students—students with two-year degrees, adults with many or few credits from years ago, and students who are seeking a better fit than their current university.

You should apply as a transfer student if you have any previous college credit from another institution regardless of how old those credits are.

Please note that you should apply as a re-entry student if you are returning to UWM to complete your undergraduate degree after an absence of one year or more and have not attended another institution since leaving UWM. Students returning to UWM can apply here

If you are interested in one of the undergraduate programs in Letters & Science, we would be happy to answer your questions about the admissions process, your intended major, or your previous credits at let-sci@uwm.edu.

Request an Unofficial Transcript Review

You may request an unofficial transcript evaluation of your previous credits from other accredited U.S. colleges and universities. We are unable to unofficially evaluate transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. or unaccredited institutions. 

Please note that this review can take up to 10 business days. If you are making this request within four (4) weeks of an upcoming deadline to apply for admission, it is strongly recommended that you skip this unofficial evaluation and proceed directly to the application and official evaluation so that you don’t miss the deadline to apply. 

Please submit a transcript from each institution you have attended, even if all of your coursework is listed on your most recent transcript. We need to see the original transcript from each institution attended. Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable.

Transfer Guides

Many of our students begin their studies at one of the institutions listed below and later transfer to UWM. To help students select transferable coursework that aligns with their intended major, we have developed transfer guides for each school.

Students who would like to view these guides may request them by emailing let-sci@uwm.edu. Transfer guides can also be provided in an accessible format upon request.

Students should use these guides as a planning resource rather than attempting to follow them exactly without consulting an advisor. Every student’s academic background, goals, and circumstances are unique, and personalized advising can help ensure that course selections align with individual needs and degree requirements. Additionally, transfer requirements and course equivalencies are subject to change.

Below is a list of institutions and majors for which transfer guides are available. If the major you’re interested in is not listed below, please contact us at let-sci@uwm.edu.

Available Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Transfer Guides

Students who finish the full Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree at MATC should not request to view these guides since the AA or AS degree completion satisfies some requirements regardless of the exact courses taken.

Joel Buschman is a UWM transfer advisor with office hours at the MATC downtown campus. Contact him to schedule an appointment, or contact a Letters & Science recruitment specialist at let-sci@uwm.edu. We have listed the most commonly requested majors below. If the major you are interested in is not listed below, contact us.

  • Actuarial Science BA
  • Anthropology BA
  • Art History BA
  • Biology BS
  • Classics BA
  • Communication BA
  • Conservation & Environmental Science BS
  • Data Science BS
  • Economics BA
  • English BA
  • Global Studies (Communication track) BA
  • History BA
  • Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies BA
  • Philosophy BA
  • Political Science BA
  • Pre-Med / Pre-Health (physician assistant, pharmacy, dental, etc.)
  • Psychology BA
  • Sociology BA
  • Urban Studies BA
Available Waukesha County Technical College Transfer Guides

Students who finish the full Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree at WCTC should not use these guides since the AA or AS degree completion satisfies some requirements regardless of the exact courses taken. 

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Science
Available Madison College Transfer Guides

If the major you are interested in is not listed below, email let-sci@uwm.edu, and we will create a guide for you for that major.

  • Biological Sciences BS
  • Communication BA
  • Conservation and Environmental Science BS
  • English BA
  • History BA
  • Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies BA
  • Political Science BA
  • Pre-Med and Pre-Healthcare
  • Psychology BA
  • Sociology BA
Available College of Lake County Transfer Guides

If the major you are interested in is not listed below, email let-sci@uwm.edu, and we will create a guide for you for that major.

  • Biology BS
  • Communication BA
  • Conservation and Environmental Science BS
  • English BA
  • History BA
  • Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies BA
  • Political Science BA
  • Pre-Med and Pre-Healthcare
  • Psychology BA
  • Sociology, BA

Admissions and Financial Aid General Timeline

  1. After admissions, complete the intent to enroll.
  2. Complete orientation, meet with your assigned academic advisor and register for classes. Orientation for starting in the fall occurs between May and August. Orientation for starting in the spring occurs in December and January.

In general, you will find these three offices helpful to answer your questions prior to attending orientation:

UWM Admissions Office
You should contact them with questions about the application process, receipt of official transcripts, and timeline for receiving a decision.
Email Admissions Office
UWM Financial Aid Office
Their web site contains cost calculators and other information about tuition, loans, grants, and other payment related questions.
Contact Financial Aid
L&S Admissions Office
Email let-sci@uwm.edu or use the form below to make an appointment to discuss majors, requirements, research, and career outcomes.
Request an Appointment

Scholarships

UWM’s admissions office occasionally does offer scholarships to incoming transfer students. There is no separate application process for this, and your admissions application materials will be used for consideration.