The admission process is initiated by submitting the completed application form to UW System Admissions Application (wisconsin.edu) . The office notifies applicants whose files are incomplete. When the file is complete, official transcripts* of previous undergraduate work and any graduate courses are examined and factors affecting either admission to the graduate program or acceptance of transfer credits are noted.
The file is reviewed by the Admissions Committee of the program specified on the application form. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies, on the advice of the committee, either admits, provisionally admits, or denies the applicant admission.
If an applicant is denied admission, reasons for the denial will be provided upon request from the applicant to the program chair, along with an explanation of available options. Students denied admission may request reconsideration from the Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research. A Special Petition General Form found on the Graduate Studies website must be submitted, and should include a rationale for reconsideration. Applicants who have been denied admission may reapply after the lapse of one semester.
*In practice, the Office of Graduate Studies requires official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions of higher learning from which nine or more credits have been attempted. Study abroad transcripts are not required if a student attended an international University for one or fewer semesters. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay retains the right to request additional official transcripts from all/or additional postsecondary institutions of higher learning attended by an applicant. Common examples include, but are not limited to, situations regarding verification of the completion of program pre-requisites, or situations in which a student’s GPA is near or below the required 3.0 standard for admission. Official transcripts are always required for the transferring of graduate credits. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to UW-Green Bay. Uploaded transcripts from students may not be accepted.
Letter of Admission
A letter of acceptance is sent to each student upon admission to the graduate program. This information appears on the letter:
Student Number
The permanent student number of each applicant is a University-assigned identification number.
Starting Term
Indicates spring, summer, or fall term admission.
Type of Entry
Indicates the graduate degree or certificate program, or if the student is granted Graduate Special admission.
Tuition Status
Indicates resident, online, or nonresident status.
Conditions
Indicates admission status such as provisional admission.
Graduate Degree Residency Requirement
A minimum of 50% of graduate credits must be earned in residence at UW-Green Bay.
Admission with Advanced Standing
All graduate course work completed at UW-Green Bay or at other graduate schools prior to admission to a graduate degree program is evaluated by the student’s adviser or graduate faculty committee. A maximum of 15 credits may be accepted from other institutions. A maximum of 15 credits may be earned as a graduate special student (GSP classification) at UW-Green Bay prior to matriculation into the degree program.
Credit by examination or for prior learning may not be used to meet degree requirements. Prior learning and experience may be applicable to demonstrate competencies for admission or to meet course requisites. More information is available on the Institution Assessment website about Credit for Prior Learning requirements and options.
Conditional Admission
Conditional Admission is limited to international students who meet Full Admission criteria, but still require evidence of language competency. Students must be admitted to an approved language program, with the Office of International Education working with students to coordinate options and document program completion to the Office of Graduate Studies. Conditional Admission is a promise to admit a student to a graduate program upon satisfactory completion of an approved language program.
Provisional Admission
Students who do not meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement or who have other deficiencies may be admitted on a provisional basis. Provisionally admitted students who receive at least a B grade in courses totaling nine credits of graduate work after acceptance will be fully admitted.
Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer credit is defined as credit earned at an institution other than UW-Green Bay that is to be applied to UW-Green Bay graduate degree requirements. Acceptance of transfer credits is determined by a credit review by the Office of Graduate Studies and development of a program plan which includes the credits as part of a coherent program of study. Acceptance of the transfer credits is subject to review and approval by the program chair and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies. (see academic transfer policy)
Use of Special Petition
Requirements sometimes may be modified or adapted to take into account a student’s special educational or program needs. A request to modify a graduate program academic requirement is submitted to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies on a special petition form. The forms are available online at https://www.uwgb.edu/graduate/students/forms/. If a change in a program requirement is being requested, the petition should include a statement from the major professor or graduate adviser and the graduate program chair explaining the change. Prior coursework can also be considered and substituted to meet degree requirements via approval of the faculty representative who can approve substitutions.
Active/Inactive Status
Matriculated students are considered inactive if they have not enrolled for coursework in a single semester. To return to UW-Green Bay, Inactive students must contact the Office of Graduate Studies for instructions on how to reapply. Returning students must be formally readmitted before they can re-enroll in classes. Inactive students who are required to reapply must meet the admission standards in effect at the time of readmission and are expected to meet degree requirements in effect at that time as well.
