Future Students
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What programs does the University of Wisconsin-Platteville offer at a distance?

  UW-Platteville offers a variety of degrees and certificates at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Visit our Degrees Programs page and our Certificate Programs page for more details.

• Is UW-Platteville accredited?

  UW-Platteville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. UW-Platteville is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is a Global Registered Educational Provider of the Project Management Institute.

• How do online courses differ from campus courses?

  No campus visits are required for UWP's distance learners. The online courses are offered on a semester basis and students log into the virtual classroom whenever their schedule allows to submit their assignments or to participate in asynchronous class discussions. Group interaction is encouraged, with some courses requiring projects completed by virtual teams. Students who are successful in an online program are generally independent and adept at time management. The transcripts of distance learning graduates are identical to those provided to the University's campus students.

• What kind of credentials do UWP's online instructors have?

  UWP's online instructors are experts in their field, with experience in both academia and industry. Many teach the same course on campus that they teach online. They hold a minimum of a master's degree in their field and many hold more advanced degrees. Our instructors have also taken specialized courses in online education. For a complete listing of our faculty and their credentials, visit our online faculty directory.

• What is the cost of tuition? Are payment plans offered? Is financial aid available?

  For current tuition rates, please visit the tuition page. UWP does not offer payment plans, but degree-seeking students may qualify for federal and/or state financial aid. Special (non-degree-seeking) and international students are not eligible to receive this financial aid. Further information can be found at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Financial Aid Office website: www.uwplatt.edu/finaid/.
  
  Current military and veterans may also be eligible for financial assistance. Please contact the Registrar's office at 608-342-1321 or email registrar@uwplatt.edu for more information. The Distance Learning Center also offers two scholarship programs: The Dawn Drake Excellence in Distance Education Scholarship and the Walter Longacre Memorial Scholarship. For more information on these programs, go to the scholarship page.
  
  The process of determining whether a student qualifies for financial aid takes approximately eight weeks. Students may apply for financial aid before being accepted into the online program, but aid will not be rewarded until after acceptance into a degree program.

• How do I apply for a distance education program?

  The application process varies depending on whether you are seeking a degree, which program you are interested, and more. Vist the Application Information page to learn more.

• How does the application process differ for international students?

  In addition to meeting the basic admission requirements, international students must also demonstrate proficiency in English by scoring a minimum of 500 on the TOEFL examination. Those who have earned grades of "B" or higher in two semesters of college-level English (excluding English as a Second Language courses) may be excused from taking the TOEFL. Transcripts sent to UW -Platteville must be in English. International students may apply online.

• How long does the admission process take?

  You will receive an answer regarding your admission approximately 4-6 weeks after all of your official transcripts have been received at the Distance Learning Center. Allow two weeks for all of your transcripts to arrive at UW-Platteville. It is your responsibility to request official transcripts from all schools that you have attended. To check on the status of your application, please call 800.362.5460.

• Will my previous course work transfer to UW-Platteville?

  The distance learning staff will review and evaluate transcripts to determine which credits will transfer to UW-Platteville before you are admitted to a degree program. The number of credits transferred will be dependant upon the accreditation of previous schools attended, grades received, and the content of courses taken. UWP has transfer agreements with some schools. For complete information, see the "Transferring Credits" page for particular degree program you are interested in.

• Can I earn credit for life or work experience?

  Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration may be eligible to earn credit for prior business-related work and life experience by enrolling in a course called Portfolio Development. Students in this course are assigned to a faculty mentor who guides them through the process of documenting work experience and formal training that they believe is equivalent to particular business-related courses that they are trying to earn credit for. The portfolio is reviewed by a faculty member who determines the number of credits a student may be granted for the specific course. Not all students will earn credit for their past experience.
  
  Graduate students may be eligible for credit for life experience based on limited transfer agreements developed with specific institutions issuing professional certificates. For complete information, visit the individual degree information page:
  
  

  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science in Engineering
  • Master of Science in Project Management

• Will I have an academic advisor?

  All degree-seeking students are assigned an academic advisor to assist them in creating a degree plan. Advisors may be contacted via phone or email. Students may also access their degree plans and discuss their progress with their advisor at a virtual advising site.

• How much computer and Internet experience do I need?

  You will need to have the ability to navigate and use the Internet. You should know how to download files, attach files to e-mail, and use software such as word processors. If you feel that you may need more experience in these areas you may wish to take an introductory computer course. A good free resource for learning computer basics is our Training and Instruction department at http://www.uwplatt.edu/ltc—choose Documentation from the menu.

• Do I need special hardware and software for online courses?

  We follow the recommendations of University of Wisconsin Learning Innovations for system requirements for online courses. This can be viewed at http://learn.wisconsin.edu/page.asp?page=software.

• How long will it take me to earn my degree?

  The time required to obtain a degree varies based on the number of transfer credits a student receives, how much time a student is able to devote to course work, and individual financial considerations. On average, distance students should expect to spend 10 hrs/ week/ course studying or participating online. Some advanced courses may require more investment of time.