Transfer Students

Applicants who have earned college or university credits at another university, vocational or technical college after high school graduation as a matriculated student may apply to transfer to any of the UW-Platteville campuses.  Transfer admission guidelines are the same for all campuses.

Transfer Application Procedures

To be considered for admission as a transfer student to any of the UW-Platteville campuses, all individuals must submit the following items to the UW-Platteville Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

  1. University of Wisconsin System application (https://apply.wisconsin.edu/)
  2. Official transcript(s) from the high school of graduation (transcripts must come directly from the high school attended to the UW-Platteville Office of Admissions and Recruitment)
  3. Official transcript(s) from all colleges or universities previously attended or currently attending, as well as any college-level or post-secondary coursework (transcripts must come directly from the institution attended to the UW-Platteville Office of Admissions and Recruitment)
  4. Non-refundable application fee (if applicable)
  5. Statement of activities (work, armed services, etc.) for the period of time they have chosen not to attend a college or university for a semester or more

Transfer Admission Guidelines

Applicants must have 12 or more transferable credits from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission as a transfer student. Applicants with fewer than 12 credits must meet new freshmen admission requirements. 

All applications receive a comprehensive review. Academic preparation and success are the primary considerations for admission, although non-academic factors are also considered.  Transfer applicants will be considered for admission if they have a cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.) of 2.0 or higher in college transfer courses and are in good academic standing at the institution they are currently attending or most recently attended.  The cumulative G.P.A. of all schools attended will be calculated by using all courses completed that are transferable to UW-Platteville.  Failure to report previously enrolled institutions and submit transcripts from those institutions is sufficient cause for cancellation of the student's application and/or enrollment.  It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all the proper supporting documents are submitted directly to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. 

Students denied or not meeting the admission guidelines may contact the Director of Admissions and Recruitment for an independent review of all credentials. Each applicant's file has undergone a comprehensive review process, therefore an appeal must bring forth new and compelling academic information that shows the student to be a stronger candidate than demonstrated in the initial application for admission. Upon receipt and review, the director may make a final decision immediately or may request a personal interview before making a final decision.

These policies are subject to enrollment management concerns, reviewed periodically and may be changed according to the needs of the university. Enrollment will be managed according to the university caps determined by university officials, UW System and the Board of Regent mandates. Furthermore, university enrollment caps may be determined by college/program specific needs and by specific student categories.

Transfer Credit Evaluation Policy

A credit review will evaluate all the courses taken to determine the number of credits that will be granted in transfer. The UW-Platteville transfer policy is guided by the UW System Transfer Policy.

Credits may be awarded for college-level coursework completed at four-year and two-year institutions accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Foreign institutions must be recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country.  Courses must be similar in nature, level and content to a course in our undergraduate curriculum and applicable to one of our academic programs. Continuing education courses, graduate-level courses, and courses that are remedial, technical, vocational or doctrinal in nature are not transferable. 

Grade Point Average: When credits are transferred and accepted, they are recorded in terms of UW-Platteville courses. Grades received will not be calculated into the UW-Platteville grade point. Please note, however, transfer course grades are used for course prerequisites and program requirements. If a minimum grade is not achieved, then the course may need to be repeated and the original transfer credits will be removed from the credit total. Transfer course grades may be used by the colleges and departments in determining admissibility into specific programs and majors.The UW-Platteville cumulative grade point average will be calculated using only UW-Platteville credits earned in residence at the university.

Credit by Exam:  Credit may be awarded for a variety of exams, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and the College-Level Examination Program.  Official test score transcripts must be submitted to the Office of Admission for evaluation.  Equivalencies may be reviewed by visiting the Credits by Examination or Prior Learning section of this catalog.

Credit Conversion:  Courses taken on a quarter credit or unit other than semester credits will be converted to semester credits. 

Credit Hours:  Students who transfer from the Wisconsin Technical College System, or other accredited two-year institutions may transfer a maximum of 72 credits from those institutions.  There is no limit on transferable credits from a four-year university.

Equivalent vs. Elective Credit:  Transfer courses with descriptions that closely match the descriptions of courses taught at UW–Platteville will generally transfer as direct course equivalent credits. Transfer courses that don't have direct course equivalents at UW–Platteville will transfer as elective credits within the appropriate academic department, or as general elective credit.

Once the credit evaluation is completed, it is made available to the student in PASS Self-Service.  It is important that the student review this information very carefully and contact the transfer advisor if the student believes there has been an error in the credits granted in transfer, or if the student believes a transfer course should count toward a particular requirement.  The evaluation will also be available to the college of the student’s major so that it is available for review by an assigned advisor to assist in the advising and registration process. The advisor or department chair will determine which courses and credits may be transferred to meet the requirements of the student’s declared major. In the event that a student disagrees with how a course(s) applies toward a degree program, an appeal of the evaluation may be made through the Chair of the Department where the course resides. For students that have not declared a major, an advisor for undecided students will assist them in determining a course schedule. All students are strongly encouraged to meet with university advisors before transferring to ensure a smooth transition.

For additional details, visit the Office of Admissions and Recruitment transfer guide page at https://www.uwplatt.edu/transferring-credits

Principles of Accommodation for UW Students
  • Academic policies should apply to students transferring from another UW campus in the same way they apply to students who are continuing at the same UW campus. For example, the same requirements for admission to majors and programs should apply to both groups of students.
  • A course that fulfills a general education requirement (e.g., humanities) or an ethnic studies requirement at one UW campus should count as general education requirements or ethnic studies at the UW transfer campus.  Students should contact their transfer advisor following their course evaluation if a course is not fulfilling the general education requirement.
  • Students who transfer with a UW Associate Degree will have satisfied university-wide, college or school general education at their UW transfer campus. Consult an advisor regarding additional proficiency, college, school, or program requirements not covered by this policy.
Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS)
  • Students may generally transfer up to 72 credits from a non-baccalaureate institution. This includes transfer credits from programs at Wisconsin Technical Colleges.  The institution may accept additional credits, where appropriate.
  • Approved WTCS general education courses in communications, social sciences, behavioral sciences, mathematics, and natural science may transfer. In some cases, courses in occupational/ technical areas from WTCS applied associate degree programs may transfer through course-to-course equivalencies or transfer agreements.  Use Transferology to learn how specific courses transfer.
UW System Guaranteed Transfer Program 
  • Students who are admitted as a new freshman at a UW university receive “guaranteed” admission to any other UW university as a junior by participating in the UW System Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program. After fulfilling certain credit and grade point average requirements, students transfer with the same rights and privileges as those who begin their education pursuing a degree at that UW university. Students are encouraged to contact the UW university to which they intend to transfer for more information on the Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program as early as possible to begin planning for transfer.
  • Requirements:
    1. Student must be admitted as a new freshman in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program at a UW university and be enrolled in that program at the time they submit a transfer application.
    2. Students must complete the number of credits required for junior status at the UW university they intend to transfer to with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. The UW university may make exceptions to the required number of credits for those majors/programs for which early transfer is recommended.
    3. Students have three academic years from the time of enrolling in the associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in which to complete the minimum credits required.
    4. Transfer G.P.A.s are calculated using the formula/method of the receiving UW university.
    5. Each UW university has unique application deadlines, admission criteria, and admission procedures to which all transfer students must adhere. Students must apply to the intended UW university and must meet the same criteria (e.g., GPA, course requirements, etc.) for admission to specific majors/programs as continuing students. The Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program guarantees admission to the UW university only and not to the specific program or major.
Transfer of a Regionally Accredited Two-Year or Four-Year Institution Associate Degree

As of May 2024, students transferring to UW-Platteville with an earned liberal arts associate degree in arts or sciences from a U.S. institution accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) will have met all university general education requirements with the EXCEPTION of the ethnic and gender studies requirement. Remedial courses will not be accepted as meeting general education requirements.

These exceptions mean that students may need to take coursework at UW-Platteville to fulfil general education requirements of ethnic studies and gender studies, or one tied to a remedial course taken at the originating transferring institution.

Note that this policy does not apply to Applied Associate degrees or Associate of Engineering degrees.  

Transfer of UW System Institution or Illinois Community College Associate Degree

Students transferring from a UW System institution or an Illinois community college with an earned Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or an Associate of Arts and Sciences will have met all university general education requirements.

Other Transfer Credits

Additional agreements and guides can be found at https://www.uwplatt.edu/transferring-credits. Transfer credit is accepted for appropriate college-level courses completed through extension or correspondence study from accredited colleges or universities. Certain military service school credit may be granted in transfer, based upon recommendations by the American Council on Education.