Undergraduate International Student Admissions

Note: This document supersedes and replaces Faculty document 2425R2

Rationale for change:  Because of the numerous changes made since 2004 to the international student admissions policy, the current policy – which includes obsolete test score references, and has a number of deletions and edits that make it difficult to follow – the following international student admissions policy is recommended as a full replacement for the current policy.   

International students face specific challenges when coming to the United States for study.  Often chief among these challenges is the need for English language skills that will allow them to be successful in a U.S. academic setting.  International students also face cultural challenges, such as adapting to new social norms, understanding academic standards and practices unique to U.S. universities, and gaining access to social networks in a culture that is unfamiliar to them.  This policy is designed to foster welcoming and supportive living and learning environments for international students and thereby lead them to academic success.  The primary device intended in this policy for supporting international students in their study of English language, and in their acculturation to the U.S. university environment is called the “academic foundation program.”  In keeping with UWM’s access mission and commitment to student success, the academic foundation program is a set of credit-bearing and/or non-credit courses specifically designed for this student population.  Students who are required to take the foundation program will be directed to the following web page for details of the program:  http://uwm.edu/cie/international-student-foundation-program    

The details of structure and implementation for the foundation requirement will be determined by designated faculty, staff and administrators in CIE, EAP and the academic units involved.  The structure and length of program for an individual student, for example, will be determined based on standard assessments submitted by the student at the time of application.   CIE and EAP staff will monitor student progress and success, to determine whether or not foundation courses are achieving the desired outcomes, or whether students coming in to the program at a given level could benefit from more coursework in a particular area, or other coursework from that currently required. 

Academic Criteria for International Admissions

International students who are admitted with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (and who meet the English language proficiency requirements for full admission) will be offered optional participation in the academic foundation program for one semester, focusing on acculturation to the U.S. university setting.  International students with a GPA from 2.0 to 2.99 (and who meet English language proficiency requirements for full admission below) may be required to complete a one-semester academic foundation program focusing on acculturation to the U.S. university setting.  Note that individual programs may have higher GPA standards than required by this document. 

English Language Proficiency for International Admissions

International students whose native language is not English can meet the English Language proficiency admissions requirements in the following ways:   

1. By having studied for at least 18 months at an institution or school where the language of instruction is entirely English, immediately prior to enrolling at UWM. 
2. Submission of the following scores¹: 

• Category 1 – Eligible for full admission:   Students in this category may enroll in full-time academic coursework.  
• Category 2 – Eligible for full admission via academic foundation:  Students in this category will be required to complete a foundational program.  This foundational program will allow students to enroll in academic courses. These courses may be specifically designated by their academic program.  These students will also enroll in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses that match their individual needs.  Based on their performance, these students will progress toward category 1.  
• Category 3 – Eligible for admission via intensive English program:  Prior to being able to enroll in any academic (credit-bearing) coursework, these students will be required to complete English language training.  Students whose performance in this English language training indicates that they are at least able to perform at the Category 2B level above will be allowed to begin the foundational program, also outlined above.  

Footnotes

1. Students may also use scores for from other tests that show a proven record of reliability, such as the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, the West African Examination Council, or the Various Cambridge English tests, to determine an entry point into the foundational program.  The Center for International Education will retain the ability to admit students, in consultation with EAP experts, and on a case-by-case basis, applicants presenting English proficiency credentials not explicitly covered by this policy. ↩︎

April 15, 2004

Original, FD 2425

March 14, 2013

Revised, FD 2425R1

May 6, 2014

Revised, FD 2425R2

October 18, 2018

No. 2425R3