Here’s What it Takes to Become a Yellowjacket
Whether you’re straight out of high school, an international student, a transfer student, a graduate or adult student returning to college or a veteran, the UW-Superior admissions team will help you complete the admission requirements to get you started on your college journey.
UW-Superior takes into account both academic factors and experiences outside the classroom. That’s an extension of our commitment to fostering intellectual growth and career preparation within a liberal arts tradition that emphasizes individual attention and embodies respect for diversity and multiple voices.
First-Year and Transfer Students
To enroll at UW-Superior as a new freshman or transfer student, you must meet these academic requirements:
- Academic factors, including college preparatory credits
- Non-academic factors
- Admissions essay
Academic Factors
Academic factors for new freshmen include college preparatory credits, the challenge of the high school curriculum, cumulative grade point average (GPA), high school class rank, and standardized test scores (if a student chooses to include test scores in their application).
Academic factors for transfer students may include weighted college grade point average across all previous institutions, most recent coursework, college preparatory credits, and cumulative high school grade point average (only for recent high school graduates).
College Preparatory Credits
As per the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents policy, applicants must have taken a minimum of 17 high school credits in the following pattern. (A high school credit represents a norm of five class periods per week in one field of study for a school year of 36 weeks.)
17 – College Preparatory Credits:
- 4 – English: including three credits of literature and composition
- 3 – Mathematics: algebra, geometry and higher
- 3 – Social Science/History
- 3 – Natural Science
- 4 – Other Electives: Chosen from the above areas, foreign language, fine arts, computer science and other academic and vocational areas.
Standardized Test Scores (Optional)
Applicants can decide whether or not they want their standardized test score (ACT/SAT) included in their admission review. The scores may be included if desired, but students also have the option to omit this in their application if they have not taken the ACT/SAT or if they do not feel their standardized test scores reflect their academic ability. The UW-Superior institutional code for the SAT is 1920, and for the ACT, it is 4682.
It is important to note that test scores will never hurt an applicant. They can only help applicants by providing additional information that may help with things such as placement exams, bridge program placement, or other areas.
Home-Schooled Students
Home-schooled students will be considered for admission based on a complete review of their curriculum, test scores and other evidence that can be used to demonstrate their preparedness for college-level work. Other applicants who have not graduated from a recognized high school must provide evidence of ability to begin college work. Such evidence may include General Education Development (GED) test scores or a high school equivalency examination (HSED).
Non-Academic Factors
Non-academic factors include, but are not limited to, leadership, community service, unique talents, and other personal characteristics that contribute to the diversity of the university. Special consideration will be given to service veterans and non-traditional-age applicants.
Application Essay
The admissions essay is a student’s opportunity to highlight any non-academic factors that they would like considered in their admissions review, including accomplishments and challenges. This may include further explanation of academic factors such as gaps in academic performance or strong academic improvements, as well as elaboration on non-academic achievements.
The Wisconsin Guarantee
Beginning in the fall 2025 semester, UW-Superior will guarantee admission to the following first-year applicants:
- First-year applicants from Wisconsin high schools who are in the top 10% of their class at the end of 11th grade, or
- Wisconsin residents who are homeschooled and receive an ACT score in the national 90th percentile ranking or higher, or
- Wisconsin residents who are a National Merit Scholarship finalist.
A completed application is required to be considered for The Wisconsin Guarantee.
More information, including frequently asked questions, is available on the Universities of Wisconsin website.
Direct Admit Wisconsin
UW-Superior is participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin, an initiative by the Universities of Wisconsin to proactively offer admission to qualifying high school students in between their junior and senior years of high school. Qualifying students must attend a high school in a participating school district. Direct admission removes the traditional application process and instead uses data provided by the high school to admit students to universities.
More information, including frequently asked questions, is available on the Universities of Wisconsin website.
International Students
International students are evaluated on the same criteria – Academic and Non-Academic Factors and Application Essay – and must also meet the English proficiency requirement. More details can be found on our How to Apply | International page. If you have any questions, please contact International Admissions via email or on WhatsApp at +1 715-817-6311.
Veteran Students
Transferring to UW-Superior
- Students transferring to UW-Superior from accredited college parallel programs, colleges or universities with 12 or more earned credits and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (a letter grade of C) or better will usually be admitted in good standing. (Some majors require higher grade point averages to be admitted into those programs).
- Students with 12 or more credits who have less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average may be admitted on probation if their previous collegiate record meets the requirement of Standards for Academic Good Standing at UW-Superior, and if they would have originally qualified for admission as freshmen. Transfer applicants with fewer than 12 earned credits may be admitted if they would have originally qualified for admission as a freshman at UW-Superior.
For more information about transferring credits, contact Shane Deadrick.
University Studies Requirements
UW-Superior’s University Studies requirements are considered satisfied if a student has earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from a University of Wisconsin System institution or a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution.
It is very important that you send for your Military Transcripts. Credit may be awarded for military experience or military school training.
Please contact our Admissions Office for more information regarding articulation agreements and credit given for military training.
High School Student – Early College Credit
There are several options to earn college credit while in high school. Please discuss each option with your high school counselor and determine which makes the most sense for you.
Early College Credit Program (ECCP)
High school students at public and private high schools in Wisconsin can earn college credit, while still in high school, through the Early College Credit Program (ECCP). A student selected for the program may be permitted to enroll at UW-Superior to take one or more courses for which the student may earn high school credit, post-secondary credit, or both. Under ECCP, the costs of the courses are shared among the institute of higher education, the school district or private school, the state, and in some cases the student’s family. Students can earn up to 18 credits total under ECCP.
How to apply:
- Complete the UW System ECCP Participation Form and submit to your school counselor for approval.
- TIP: Talk with your high school counselor to see which courses are appropriate and don’t forget to include the class number.
- Deadlines: Your paperwork is due to your high school no later than February 1 (for Summer term), March 1 (for Fall term) and October 1 (for Spring term). You must complete this paperwork every semester you plan to participate in the program.
- Apply online at apply.wisconsin.edu
- Create an account and select UW-Superior.
- Application and enrollment fees will be waived.
- Submit an Official High School transcript. If coureses you are interested in have pre-requisites and you believe you may have already met the requirements, please also send your ACT Score, official AP scores, or other documentation to the Center for Continuing Education for review.
- To qualify, you must have a 3.0 GPA. If you don’t meet the criteria and would like to discuss your qualifications, please contact the Admissions Office.
- Please note: placement testing may be required prior to enrollment in approved courses.
Concurrent/Dual Enrollment
UW-Superior partners with several Wisconsin high schools to offer concurrent enrollment courses whereby students can earn high school and college credit simultaneously. These courses are approved through UW-Superior and taught by UW-Superior approved instructors in the participating high schools. Financial responsibility for the tuition is established in the MOU with each participating school.
How to apply:
- Complete the Concurrent Enrollment Course Request form and submit it to the Center for Continuing Education.
- TIP: Talk with your high school counselor to see which courses are appropriate and don’t forget to include the class number.
- Apply online at apply.wisconsin.edu
- Create an account and select UW-Superior.
- Application and enrollment fees will be waived.
- Submit a High School transcript. If courses you are interested in have pre-requisites and you believe you may have already met the requirements, please also send your ACT Score, official AP scores, or other documentation to the Center for Continuing Education for review.
- Please note: placement testing may be required prior to enrollment in approved courses.
High School Special
If you are a high-potential student looking to get ahead in coursework, you may enroll at UW-Superior as a High School Special Student. Students can enroll in any UW-Superior course provided they meet the pre-requisites and there is space available. The student/guardian/family is responsible for the full cost of tuition and fees.
How to apply:
- Complete the UW System ECCP Participation Form and submit it to the Center for Continuing Education
- TIP: Talk with your high school counselor to see which courses are appropriate and don’t forget to include the class number.
- Apply online at apply.wisconsin.edu
- Create an account and select UW-Superior.
- Submit a High School transcript. If courses you are interested in have pre-requisites and you believe you may have already met the requirements, please also send your ACT Score, official AP scores, or other documentation to the Center for Continuing Education for review.
- To qualify, you must have a 3.0 GPA. If you don’t meet the criteria and would like to discuss your qualifications, please contact the Admissions Office.
- Please note: placement testing may be required prior to enrollment in courses.
Resources
UW-Superior has resources to help students succeed in even the most challenging classes. From the Educational Success Center, to the Math Lab and the Writing Center, tutors and fellow students are available to lend a hand. Best of all, these services are free. For information on other services, please contact the Center for Continuing Education.
Please keep in mind that it is the student’s responsibility to be knowledgeable regarding dates, policies, and procedures especially as they may relate to fees that could be assessed for tuition, materials, dropping course(s), late fees and refunds. All students are subject to UW-Superior codes of conduct and academic policies.
Throughout the semester, students should stay connected to their high school guidance counselor, UW-Superior advisor, and their UW-Superior email.
For more information, please contact Amanda Lyazghi in the Center for Continuing Education.
Graduate Students
All applicants are expected to meet both the following Graduate Studies requirements and the requirements of the individual graduate program:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75/4.00 or a 2.90/4.00 grade point average in the last half of the undergraduate program. Undergraduate and graduate work from all colleges attended will be considered.
- An undergraduate major or equivalent evidence of substantial background for entering chosen program.
Application Info
All degree or certification applicants are required to submit the following to Graduate Studies Office located in Swenson Hall room 3065:
- An online application to Graduate Studies.
- A non-refundable $56 application fee.
- Official transcripts of all your undergraduate and graduate work to date. We are unable to accept transcripts from students. If you have taken courses at UW-Superior, transcripts are not required.
- Other application materials are required by specific programs as listed under “program-specific requirements.”
Graduate Studies will keep your application materials for one year. After one year you will need to apply again and submit all required application materials. All application materials became the property of Graduate Studies and cannot be returned to the applicant, forwarded to another institution, or duplicated for any purpose.
An applicant desiring to pursue a degree but not meeting one or more of the requirements above may be granted conditional admission. There are no conditional admissions to graduate education programs.
Recommended dates for submission of application materials are April 1 for summer or fall terms and October 15 for the Spring term. Final deadline for applications is two weeks before the term begins.
Program-Specific Requirements
To view the following course requirements, go to the Catalog page.
Counseling (M.S.E.)
Data Science
Educational Administration (M.S.E.)
Educational Administration (Ed.S.)
Health and Wellness Management
Instruction (M.S.E.)
Special Education (M.S.E.)
Sustainable Management (M.S.)
Help is Here
UW-Superior’s admissions team is here to help you navigate every step of the enrollment process, including learning more about admissions requirements. Reach out to our admissions team at admissions@uwsuper.edu or by calling 715-394-8230. You can even text us at 715-394-8230.