Non-degree and guest Panthers take UWM courses without committing to a full degree. It’s a smart way to stay on track, add to your skill set, or gain an edge for what comes next.
Apply to UWM as a non-degree/guest student if you are…
- a recent high school graduate who wants to keep building momentum before starting a degree.
- a current student at another institution who wants to complete UWM courses — on campus or online — and transfer them back.
- taking a gap year or looking for an alternative path that keeps you moving forward.
Preparing to Apply to UWM as a Non-Degree/Guest Student
With more than 200 academic programs to choose from, UWM has a learning experience that’s right for you. Whether you’re looking to try something new, explore your options or upskill, UWM has hundreds of courses to pick from.
If you are pursuing a specific program/credential or taking classes in preparation for a graduate program at UWM or elsewhere, you will want to work with a representative of that program or institution for matters related to course planning.
Pre-Professional Advising at UWM
Browse through next semester’s course offerings:
Please contact Pathway Advising at pathway-advising@uwm.edu if you have NOT completed the prerequisite for the course you wish to enroll in, if you encounter an error while registering for a course with a listed prerequisite, or if you would like to confirm your enrollment eligibility (to avoid being dropped).
If you have completed the prerequisite for the course you wish to enroll in at another institution, (1) use the template below to email the listed department from your assigned UWM email address and (2) provide an unofficial copy of your transcript or other documentation of your past completed course work. (Do not submit official transcripts to UWM.) Sample Completed Prerequisite Permission Email.
Students who take a course with a service-learning component will engage in community projects that are related to the course content and then reflect on the experience in class discussions or through written work. UWM has many service-learning course offerings so that students in various disciplines can learn through this powerful pedagogical practice.
If you have questions about service learning, please contact Laurie Marks, director of the Center for Community Based Learning, Leadership, and Research, at lmarks@uwm.edu or 414-229-3161.
Would you like to work closely with a faculty member on a research project? Research experiences help build your resume by giving students valuable training in a specific field guided by faculty mentors.
Some students might want to learn a particular language to connect with their cultural roots, while others may have dreams of travel. And learning a less commonly taught language will give you a specialized skill to expand your career opportunities. UWM teaches over a dozen languages in addition to English — find one that’s right for you!
With hundreds of courses to choose from, guest students can take general education courses that meet either competency requirements or distribution requirements. Competency requirements are designed to assure basic proficiency in oral and written communication, quantitative literacy and a language other than English. Distribution requirements are designed to provide students with a broad body of knowledge in the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences as a foundation for specialization.
Students looking for an affordable alternative to a gap year can take advantage of research opportunities, experiential learning, language study and skills-based courses here at UWM. You can explore for a semester or year focused on a discipline or theme of your choosing. Chart your own course, pursue your interests, build your resume and serve your community.
To audit a course, you would apply as a non-degree student through the Universities of Wisconsin application. More information about auditing a course can be found on our Course Auditors page.
Cost and Financial Aid for Non-Degree/Guest Student
How much will studying at UWM cost as a guest student? You can estimate the per credit cost from the latest tuition table as a good guide. Generally, an in-state student will pay approximately $1,700 for a three-credit class taken during the fall or spring semesters.
Non-degree and guest students are generally not eligible for financial aid. Exceptions can be made for those enrolled in eligible certificate programs or those taking prerequisite courses for admission to a UWM degree or certification program. Learn more at One Stop.
Advising and Registration
Once you complete the admission process, you can register for classes through your PAWS account. It can take 1-2 business days for enrollment capability to activate. For additional assistance with course selection and enrollment, please contact Pathway Advising at pathway-advising@uwm.edu.
General Information about Enrollment in Courses
Are you a high school student wanting to earn college credits ahead of time?