Transferring Non-Coursework Credit

In addition to credit for courses you’ve completed at other schools, you can also receive transfer credit for previous education or training or by testing of your current knowledge.  For more information, see the Prior Learning Assessment Policy.

Transfer Guides & Agreements
PAWS Stellic Contact

Common Transfer Opportunities

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program is an excellent option for students who have gained knowledge independently or through a non-accredited institution. By participating in CLEP, students can take exams that demonstrate their proficiency in a given subject. College credit may be awarded for satisfactory scores in specific exams.  Note: For exams that require or award differently for B-level scores, consult CLEP’s B-Level recommendations. 

Consult this document for details on which CLEP exams UWM recognizes and how credits may apply: UW-Milwaukee CLEP Guide (pdf)

[Note: UWM is no longer a CLEP testing center.  Find a CLEP test center by visiting the College Board website.]

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement credit is earned for college level learning acquired through certain high school courses.  Credit awarded depends on the content of the exam, the score earned, and the UWM degree being pursued.  You must apply to UWM as a degree-seeking student to receive credit. 

Consult this document for details on which AP exams UWM recognizes and how credits may apply:  UW-Milwaukee AP Guide (PDF)

The AP program is managed by College Board with support and administration provided by the high school guidance office.

  1. AP exams are taken in May
  2. Students submit their scores to UWM by requesting them through the College Board website using school code #1473
  3. After applying to UWM, students can contact Admissions to verify that their scores have been received
  4. Scores must be reported to UWM from the College Board directly and not from a high school transcript

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Students who attend schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) can earn UWM credits by participating in the IB curriculum.  Credit awarded depends on the level and content of the exam, the score earned, and the UWM degree being pursued.  UWM recognizes both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) exams for credit. 

Consult this document for details on which IB exams UWM recognizes and how credits may apply:  UW-Milwaukee IB Guide (pdf)

IB exam scores must be received directly from the IBO for credit consideration.  Visit the IBO website for information on requesting an IB transcript. Questions should be directed to the IBO or your IBO authorized secondary school.

Retroactive Credit for Foreign Languages

Retroactive credit may be earned via transfer or by completing higher level coursework at UWM.

For students who transfer in a second-semester or higher course in a language other than English with a B or better grade, retro credit will be awarded for the lower-level courses that precede the completed course. Up to 14 credits may be awarded, depending on the specific number and level of courses to be recognized.

For students who test into a higher level language course, you may be able to receive retroactive credit for the bypassed language classes. The determination is made by your language department after you’ve completed your advanced level language course. See the UWM Languages website for more detailed information.

You can review information on French, German, Spanish, or other languages, or you can talk to your academic advisor for more information.

Credit for Military Coursework and Training

As of the Spring 2018 term, all American Council on Education (ACE) associate or baccalaureate level academic credit recommendations on both the Joint Services Transcript (JST) and the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript shall be awarded.

These ACE credit recommendations will be transferred as direct equivalencies to fulfill academic requirements whenever possible, while also adhering to the guidelines in the ACE, AACRAO, and CHEA joint statement on Inter-Institutional Transfer of Credit.  If credits cannot be applied as direct equivalents, general elective credit will be awarded. Circumstances regarding financial aid, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), accreditation, professional associations (e.g. nursing and engineering), or other unforeseen considerations may affect the award of credit if the award will harm a student’s progress.  UWM will work with students to optimize their academic progress and path to degree completion.

New students with service in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard should submit an official JST (Joint Services Transcript), and new students with service in the Air Force should submit official CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) or AU (Air University) transcripts, as appropriate, to UWM.

Returning students who submitted official military transcripts prior to January 2018 will have their military credits reevaluated and any credit not previously awarded will be added to their record.

Wisconsin statute also allows for students who may not benefit from the award of military learning to have such credit removed, in part or in whole, from their record. In some cases, the abundance of military credit assigned to electives exceeds what is useful, which can create Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues for financial aid. In order to remove such credits with minimum disruption to the student’s academic progress and aid calculations, students should do the following:

  1. Meet with your academic advisor. Discuss the impact of military credit for your academic progress and determine whether and how many credit should be rescinded.
  2. Consult with Financial Aid and/or the Military Education Benefits Office (MEBO). Removing credit can change a persons status and aid calculations, so make absolutely sure that removing credit remains in your best interest and that Student Financial Services is informed regarding the change.
  3. Contact Transfer Services. The Transfer Services team can be reached through the Registrar’s Office contact form. Let us know how many credits you would like us to deduct from your totals. Note: We don’t actually remove the military learning from your UWM transcript; we adjust the amount of total credit earned by subtracting the credit you no longer want applied to your record.
  4. Allow two-three days for processing. Once the Registrar’s Office receives your message, we will access your record and remove the credits.
  5. Check your PAWS account. Login to PAWS and view the “Transfer Credit Report” in your Student Center.  Changes to your total credits earned should be visible there.

If you have questions about how these credits are applying to your degree, please contact your academic advisor.  Please note that your advisor may not be able to apply military coursework to unfilled major or program requirements.  These decisions are made at the department level.

Defense Language Institute FLC

Students may be able to transfer up to 14 credits of DLIFLC credit to UWM. Credit is not awarded for applied or functional language courses. For more information, visit the DLIFLC website.