UW - La Crosse Clinical Microbiology - Admission Requirements

Admission & Application Requirements

The admission and application requirements for the Clinical Microbiology Master's Program at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse are as follows:

1. Individuals accepted into the Clinical Microbiology program must hold a Bachelor of Science Degree (or equivalent) in Microbiology, or a related field with competency in microbiology. Graduates with a Medical Technology Degree from a program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences are also eligible.

Minimum prerequisites for admission to the program are courses in Basic Microbiology, Immunology and Pathogenic Bacteriology (Medical Microbiology). Students lacking Immunology or Pathogenic Bacteriology may apply and can be conditionally admitted to the program contingent upon remediation of prerequisites. Remediated prerequisite courses do not count toward the MS degree. Additional courses in Microbiology and a strong chemistry background including biochemistry are also recommended.

2. Cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of greater than 2.85/4.0.

3. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). A minimum score of 1000 for the total test scores for the verbal and quantitative sections is strongly recommended.

3A. International students must also complete and sumbit the TOEFL exam. A score of 550 (230 CBT) is required.

4. Completion of an Application for Admission to Graduate Study form. Applications can be obtained from http://www.uwlax.edu/admissions/html/gradmis.htm. Students requesting financial aid must also complete the Application for Graduate Assistantship form, which can be obtained from http://www.uwlax.edu/biology/graduate/gradasst.html.

5. Three current letters of recommendation.

6. An application letter which details:

A. Academic and professional goals
B. Previous relevant experiences
C. Reasons for selecting the program
D. Intent to pursue Thesis or Non-thesis or undecided
E. Research interest(s) if there is a desire to pursue the Thesis track
F. Possible mentor(s) for research if pursuing the Thesis track and if known

7. The deadline for receipt of complete applications is January 20 for US students, but January 10 for international students. Early applications can be considered prior to the deadline.

Completed application must include:

A. Application letter
B. Three letters of recommendation
C. A completed University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Application for Admission to Graduate Study form
D. Undergraduate transcripts
E. GRE scores
F. A completed Application for Graduate Assistantship form if applying

8.The completed University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Application for Admission to Graduate Study form and Undergraduate Transcripts should be sent to:

Admissions Office
UW – La Crosse
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

All other forms can be sent to:

Dr. Michael Hoffman
UW – La Crosse
Department of Microbiology
3023 Cowley Hall
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

8A. International students can send all materials to:

Jay Lokken
UW – La Crosse
International Education
116 Graff Main Hall
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

A review committee will assess all complete applications and a letter of decision will be sent to the applicant by February 15. An interview may be required in some instances. Acceptance or non-acceptance is based upon a comprehensive review of all elements of the completed application. Late applications will be considered only if enrollment objectives have not been satisfied.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 1725 State Street La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 (608) 785-8000
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Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
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