Admission

Eligibility for Admission

A person who has a bachelor’s or higher degree, awarded by an accredited institution of higher education, may apply for admission. Such accreditation is usually granted by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation or, in selected cases, an agency judged appropriate by the admissions examiner.

An applicant for a master’s program must have been awarded a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. A program or combination of programs in higher education encompassing a period of study of at least four academic years which leads to the award of a diploma or certificate may be judged by the program director and the director of the Office of Graduate Studies to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

An applicant for an education specialist program or doctoral must have been awarded a master’s degree.

Note: Non-degree seeking students should refer to the section on non-program enrollment. Current UW-Stout undergraduate students should refer to the section on Dual Level Admission.

Application for Admission

Persons seeking admission to a graduate program or a graduate certification program must submit a properly completed application form to the Graduate Office 30 days before the expected term of enrollment, or by the deadline date established for a given program. Individual graduate programs may have additional requirements (refer to the Graduate School website for the program you are applying to).

Applicants need to submit one official transcript that shows the bachelor’s degree awarded plus all transcripts of any graduate work attempted or completed. If the undergraduate transcript shows grades for less than 55 semester credits, then transcripts from all other institutions attended for the degree will be required. The applicant must request the official transcripts and we can accept transcripts that are sent via a secure server to gradschool@uwstout.edu. An applicant may submit an official transcript providing it bears no restrictive statement. UW-Stout transcripts need not be requested. An applicant applying prior to being awarded a degree must submit a transcript which shows work through all but the last term. Such applications are subject to reevaluation based upon the final transcript. In rare cases, an applicant may submit an attested copy of a transcript. A non-refundable application fee is required.

All applicants from countries in which English is not the official language of instruction must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS and have the scores sent to the Graduate Office, or have successfully completed an English as a Second Language Program which has been formally recognized by this university. The minimum acceptable TOEFL total scores are: 550 paper-based, or a 79 Internet-based. The minimum acceptable IELTS total score is 6.5.  Individual master’s degree programs can set higher standards for proof of English proficiency. International students must show that adequate financial support exists for the planned period of study by filing a Declaration of Finances form found online along with supporting bank verification. In addition, students supported by a government agency must present written evidence of approval by that agency for the program requested.

Effective November 2016, a credential evaluation report from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is required. Your evaluation report must include verification of degree equivalency and U.S. Grade Point Average (GPA). A list of approved credential evaluators can be found on the NACES website.

Some programs have specific time frames for application. Program application dates are posted online.

Evaluation of Admission Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous degree work, scholastic achievement, appropriateness of educational background and the relevancy of work experience.

Grade point averages will usually be identified on the transcripts submitted by the degree-granting institution. In cases where the applicant attended more than one institution and less than 55 credits were awarded by the degree-granting institution, or where a grading system other than the following was used, the overall grade point average will be calculated by the graduate student evaluator.

Grading System Used to Evaluate Transcripts

The appropriateness of course work taken will be evaluated by the program director(s) in relation to the optimum background specified for the program(s) requested. Educational deficiencies may necessitate additional undergraduate and/or graduate work.

Where applicable, work experience will be reviewed by program directors in the evaluation process. Lack of relevant work experience may lead to denial of admission.

An applicant may be denied admission on the basis of any one or any combination of the following: absence of a degree from an accredited institution, low grade point average, inappropriate educational background, insufficient relevant work experience, a TOEFL or IELTS score below the minimum required, or enrollment limitations.

Admission Status

Admission may be full or probationary.

Full Status An applicant fulfilling the specified requirements for educational background and work experience may be granted full admission provided that the following grade point averages were attained. The general requirement for full admission is a 2.75 grade point average overall, or 2.90 grade point average on a minimum of the last 55 semester credits attempted. A grade point average of 3.25 on master’s degree and other graduate work is required for full admission to an Ed.S. and doctoral programs. However, individual graduate programs may require a higher grade point average. Check the program requirements listed on the program website.

Probationary Status An applicant for a master’s program may be granted probationary admission with an undergraduate grade point average of less than 2.75. It should be noted that education programs may require an absolute minimum grade point average of 2.75 for admission if the applicant seeks certification. Applicants accepted for an Ed.S. program may be granted probationary admission with a grade point average ranging from 3.0 to 3.25 on the master’s degree and other graduate work. Check specific program requirements listed on the program website.

Each applicant generally will be informed of admission or denial within 30 days of the receipt of all required materials. Applicants to programs with priority or deadline dates will be notified about 30 days after the priority date has passed.

Admission is granted for one term. Admitted applicants who do not enroll within that term must update their application with the Graduate School Office for consideration of admission to the next available term. Persons wishing to delay their enrollment for a year or longer must reapply. Reapplication within three years will not require repayment of the application fee.

A student may change programs, or may change from non-degree seeking to a program classification by completing the Application for Admission. All admission requirements must be fulfilled to effect the change.

Dual Level Admission

Undergraduate UW-Stout students or for those who will be pursuing a graduate degree at UW-Stout as stipulated by an institutional agreement, may apply for admission to a master’s degree program, or enroll as a special student and take graduate courses, provided that they are within 30 credits and one year of obtaining their bachelor’s degree, and must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate record on the date of enrollment. Dual level students may earn no more than nine graduate credits while under this status. They may enroll for no more than six graduate credits in a semester and no more than three graduate credits during the summer session. The applicant must submit a Dual Level Enrollment Status form, in addition to the other application materials, to the Graduate School. A student admitted on dual level who is not awarded the undergraduate degree at the end of the specified term, will be dropped from the Graduate School without loss of graduate credit. Upon subsequent receipt of the degree, the student may reapply for admission. Dual level credit limit is governed by the Graduate Load Limit policy.

Graduate UW-Stout students may be admitted to an Ed.S. program providing that the master’s degree will be awarded at the end of the term in which Ed.S. work is taken and that the graduate grade point average is at least 3.25 at the time of application. The Dual Level Enrollment Status form must be submitted along with the other regular Ed.S. admission requirements. A student admitted on dual level status (M.S./Ed.S.) who is not awarded the master’s degree at the end of the specified term, will be dropped from the Ed.S. program without loss of credit. Upon subsequent receipt of the master’s degree, the student may reapply for admission to an Ed.S. program.

Multiple Program Admission

A student may apply for and enroll in more than one master’s program at a time. However, the program that will be completed first must be identified. Separate applications and accompanying materials are required for each.

Second Master’s Program

A graduate of a master’s degree program may earn a second master’s degree by meeting program requirements. Up to 15 credits may be applied from a previous master’s degree to UW-Stout programs that require up to 45 credits for graduation. For UW-Stout programs that require more than 45 credits, up to one-third of the minimum credits required for graduation from the program may be from the previous master’s degree. The seven year limit (Policy 2.1.7) does not apply to the credits from the previous master’s degree. The second master’s program must include a minimum of 15 credits from UW-Stout and must include any research requirement specified in the program.

Non-Degree Seeking (Special) Enrollment

To be eligible, an individual must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Students who are in good standing in a degree program may request a change to non-degree seeking enrollment status. Individuals who have been dropped from a program are not eligible to pursue coursework as “special students.” A student may request initial permission to enroll in graduate courses as a non-degree seeking (special) student by completing the Graduate School Application available on the Graduate School website. Subsequent enrollment as a non-degree seeking “special” student does not require a new application for admission/enrollment but may require that the student update their records and should contact the Graduate School (715-232-2211). All students, including non-degree seeking enrolled students, are subject to Graduate School policies.

Non-degree seeking students are advised in pursuing their non-program work by the director, Office of Graduate Studies. Non-degree seeking students may enroll in any 500 or 600 level course, and most 700 level courses. Certain 700 level courses, such as research, practicum and internship, and all 800 and 900 level courses are restricted to program-enrolled students.

While there is no numerical limit on the number of total credits that can be taken as a non-degree seeking student, the number of such credits that can be applied to a degree program is limited to one-third of the minimum number of credits required for graduation in that program. Individual programs may set a lower limit for such credits, provided this lower limit has been approved through the official curriculum process. Completion of courses while enrolled as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission into a specific degree program. If a non-program special student decides to enter a specific graduate program, the student must apply for admission into that program.

Typically, financial aid is not available for those enrolled as non-degree seeking students.