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Nondegree / second degree students

Special nondegree

Students desiring to audit or take selected courses for credit, but who do not expect to earn a degree at this university, may be enrolled as special nondegree students. Complete transcripts of high school and college records need not be submitted; however, in some circumstances to determine eligibility for admission, the Admissions Office may request that students submit academic records. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required. Students may be admitted to undergraduate status on a degree basis at a later date provided they submit complete transcripts of previous work and meet admission requirements. After admission as a degree-seeking student, course work as a special nondegree student will be evaluated; credit may be granted for courses completed during the initial period of special status, although there is no assurance that work as a special student will be credited toward degree completion. If regular undergraduate status is achieved by following this procedure, no student will be allowed to revert to a special nondegree status to avoid conforming to any prescribed course of study.

Students disqualified for entrance or continuance at another collegiate institution are not eligible to enroll as special nondegree students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Adult special

Students who already have a college degree and desire to undertake further study to earn a second undergraduate major, to qualify for teaching certification, or to remove deficiencies, must complete the first two pages of the UW System application and submit one official transcript of all previous college work.

Second degree

A student who holds one bachelor’s degree may be admitted to the university to earn a second bachelor’s degree. Each applicant must complete the first two pages of the UW System application and have one official transcript sent from each university attended. 

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UW-L and who subsequently becomes a candidate for a second baccalaureate degree must meet all core, professional and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits ** beyond the first degree. Students with a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution must meet all core, professional and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits beyond the first degree. Students wishing to use credits from their first degree to fulfill requirements of a second degree must obtain approval from the dean of the college in which they are enrolled. All General Education requirements are satisfied by students who have completed the first baccalaureate degree. UW System policy requires that every student complete a diversity course. If this was not done as part of the first degree, it must be fulfilled for the second degree.

Second major
A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UW-L who wishes to complete the requirements for another major, must meet all professional and major requirements. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript that an additional major has been completed. Students with demonstrated evidence of a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution, who wish to complete the requirements for another major at UW-L must enroll as Special Students and fulfill all professional and major requirements. If all required courses are earned in residence, a notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating an additional major has been completed.