Non-Degree Student Status and Graduate Credits

Definition of Non-Degree Status

Non-degree status offers the opportunity to elect courses to meet personal objectives without enrollment in a degree program. Non-degree students may also be considering applying to a degree program in the future and use this status to try a few courses beforehand or to meet pre-requisites.

Eligibility

To apply for non-degree status for graduate credits, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, from a nationally-accredited institution, or its equivalent. 

Students who have been refused admission to a UWM graduate degree program are not eligible for non-degree status in that program without program approval. 

Application

The application form and processing fee must be submitted directly to the Graduate School. 

Admission

Admission as a non-degree student is not an automatic process.   

• The Graduate School and the graduate program reserve the right to deny admission to applicants who do not meet the minimum Graduate School admission requirements and the program’s requirements or who do not qualify for one of the non-degree admission categories. 
• Some programs do not accept non-degree applicants. 
•   The requirements for English proficiency for non-native speakers of English is the same for Non-Degree Candidates as for Degree Candidates.  Students who may require a visa for immigration purposes must have prior written permission from the Center for International Education for enrollment under this status. 

Application to Degree Program

Non-degree students interested in changing to graduate degree status must submit an application to the Graduate School and are encouraged to do so before completing 12 credits. 

Use of Credits Taken with Non-Degree Status

All transfer credits are subject to Graduate School transfer policy and must be approved by the Graduate School and the respective degree program. 

There is no guarantee that non-degree coursework will be approved to count toward a graduate degree.