Graduate Application Procedure

You can apply to the Graduate School by using the electronic application.

Unless you are a current UWM student, processing of the application generally takes six to 10 weeks. The processing time is partially dependent on the time it takes the Graduate School to receive non-UWM transcripts and other documents (e.g., reasons statement, application fee). The Graduate School will process the application after they have received all required documents. Students will receive a PAWS login and password so they can monitor the status of their application. Note: If necessary, a non-degree application can be used to register for an initial course and the full-application process can be completed at a later time.

For master's degree applications, references are not required. Also, there is no hard and fast date for application submissions to our master's programs. We admit master's students on a rolling basis for every semester. Download the checklist to the master's degree application process for the Department of Administrative Leadership. For application file deadlines for the PhD programs, please visit the Urban Education Doctoral Program Web site.

Applications are sent to the department by campus mail for a recommendation. The recommendation is usually provided the day the application is received. After the department recommendation, the Graduate School will finalize the admittance and send the student an official letter indicating admittance status.

When students receive their Graduate School admission letter they are eligible to register online (before add deadline). Otherwise a paper Add/Drop form, available from the department, is used.

Each semester there is a beginning and ending date for online registration. Students will receive an initial registration date through PAWS and e-mail. The last date to register online is the ADD deadline in the Schedule of Classes. Students will be charged a $50 late fee if they register after the scheduled registration period. Additional late payment charges may also apply.

1) Prior to the start of the semester, there is a tuition downpayment deadline. Students registering before that deadline must pay $200 to keep their registration.

2) Students who have not registered by the downpayment deadline must first pay a $200 tuition downpayment before they can register. It takes approximately two to four hours for payment to clear before one can register.

The deadline dates regarding tuition downpayment and other deadlines are available online at Important Dates to Remember. 

Admission Status Clear admission requires at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA. If undergraduate GPA is between 2.5 and 2.74 one piece of additional evidence is required for probationary admission. A GPA below 2.5 requires two pieces of additional evidence for probationary admission. Prior graduate course work, Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies Test scores are examples of additional evidence.