Special and Guest Students

High School Special Student

UW-Platteville allows high school students to take college courses through the Early College Credit Program or as a High School Special student provided that they meet the requirements for entry, receive necessary approval from their full time school district of attendance, and course availability.

High school students admitted as a special student can earn college credit for concurrent coursework. Students in this category are responsible for all tuition and fee payments.

Eligibility

To be considered for admission as a High School Special student and an Early College Credit Program student to any of the UW-Platteville campuses, an applicant must meet the following criteria:  

• Successful completion of one year of geometry with a grade of "C" or better and one of the following: minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or ACT composite score of 22 (SAT of 1110).
• PSAT scores may be used in lieu of ACT or SAT if scores have not yet been received or class rank of top 50 percent (seniors) or top 10 percent (juniors/sophomores).
• Applicants also must have the approval of their high school district, principal or counselor demonstrated through submission of the UW System Early College Credit Program Form.

Early College Credit Program and High School Special students register after all UW-Platteville degree-seeking students have registered; therefore admission does not guarantee course availability for the specifically approved courses. Registration is on a space available basis. In addition, students may be required to take a UW System placement exam for English, mathematics, and other university courses.

Early College Credit Program and High School Special students must abide by all regulations, policies, and procedures of the university as outlined in the university catalog, semester timetable, and official university documents.  

These include, but are not limited to, the university drop, withdrawal, tuition refund, grading, and attendance policies. In addition, all students must comply with the rules set forth by instructors. Courses taken at UW-Platteville become a part of the student's permanent university record and may affect subsequent admission eligibility to postsecondary institutions.

Application Process

Students who wish to apply to become a High School Special student or part of the Early College Credit Program at UW-Platteville should complete the following steps:

1. Obtain an Early College Credit Program participation form from your high school counselor or download it here. Speak to your school counselor for your school’s deadlines to have this form approved by your school district. 
2. Submit the UW System Online Application.
   • Select the “High School Special/Early College Credit Program” and then applying as: “High School Special and Early College Credit Program.”  
3. Request official high school transcripts be sent to the UW-Platteville Office of Admission along with any available ACT, SAT, and AP test scores.

Once all materials are received, the application will be reviewed, and communication will be sent to the school and directly to the student regarding his or her admission status.

Important notes:

A new application, ECCP form and transcript is required for each term a student would like to enroll as an ECCP high school special student.

The deadline to submit all materials to the Office of Admission is:

• May 15 for summer term
• June 15 for fall term
• December 1 for spring term

Materials received after this date will not be accepted. 

Special Students

Students who have already graduated from high school and wish to further their education but are not immediately seeking a degree from UW-Platteville are considered special students.

How to Apply

To apply as a special non-degree student for the fall or spring semesters, complete the UW System Online Admission Application.

To apply as a special non-degree student for the summer session, complete the special student application located in the Office of the Registrar.

Although transcripts are not required, prospective students are required to have graduated from a recognized high school or its equivalent.

Students who, after having been a special student, wish to seek a degree must complete the admission process for degree-seeking students and matriculate before they have earned 30 semester credits as a special student.

It is important to note that special students may not register for more than six semester credits per semester unless authorized by the Office of the Registrar or the provost. Students in this category are ineligible for financial aid.

Graduate Special Student Application Process

To take graduate-level courses as a non-degree student, you must:

• Have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Complete the UW System application.

Online Special Student Application Process

If you are looking to take courses online for personal enrichment, to apply toward a certificate, or if you plan on transferring the course to another institution, you can apply as a special student.

To take online course as a non-degree student, you must:

• Have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, if you are looking to take graduate coursework.
• Complete the UW System application.