Online-only courses

Applications are welcome from students worldwide. There is no application fee. Apply using the University Special student application at least three weeks before the start of the course as it can take two to three weeks to review and process an application. UNOL is the designation on the application.

Additional application materials

Undergraduates

• Undergraduates who are applying in the UNOL classification are required to submit *official transcripts from all other colleges and universities to confirm good standing and a minimum GPA of 2.0 cumulative and in the most recent semester. Submit transcripts to Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS), advising@dcs.wisc.edu.
  • Your application will not be considered complete until we receive official transcripts from all institutions you have attended or are currently attending.
  • *Definition of an official transcript: A certified record issued directly by a college or university that includes a student’s complete academic history. It is typically sent directly from the institution in a sealed envelop or through a secure electronic delivery service (such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse) to ensure authenticity. We cannot accept transcripts that are sent directly from you via email or U.S. Mail.

High school students

• Qualified high school juniors and seniors who are applying in the UNOL classification are required to submit both of the following to Adult Career and Special Student Services:
  1. A high school transcript with a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 overall and in the most recent semester; AND
  2. A completed Early College Credit Program (ECCP) High School Special student agreement form/application found on the Wisconsin DPI website by selecting the University of Wisconsin System application link. This serves as a recommendation from your high school counselor or principal. Use this form even if you are not attending a Wisconsin high school.

Baccalaureate degree holders

• Baccalaureate degree holders who are applying in the UNOL classification do not need to submit transcripts.

Non-native speakers of English and those who have not recently studied at a university where English was the language of instruction must provide language proficiency scores.

Tuition for UNOL students is equivalent to the Wisconsin resident undergraduate/Special students tuition rate but segregated fees are not charged. Because UNOL students do not pay segregated fees as part of their payment, they are ineligible for any services provided by those fees.

Tuition rate by academic year
To find the per-credit rate, in the Search Program Name box (far right) type “Online Only,” then hit enter.

In addition to tuition, the Registrar’s Office will charge students a one-time official document fee of $130 to cover future transcript requests and other documents.

Admission is contingent on consent of an advisor in the office of Adult Career and Special Student Services. Admission is for one term only, however enrollment in subsequent terms may be possible with the consent of an advisor in the office of Adult Career and Special Student Services.

Enrollment is not guaranteed and is contingent on there being a space available in the class after degree students have enrolled, completion of all course prerequisites, and consent of the instructor to enroll in a particular section.

Class requisites/Permission to enroll

As a Special student, our enrollment system will not recognize any previous course history completed outside the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Even if you meet the course requisites, you may get an error message when trying to enroll. If you get either of these messages when trying to enroll, Requisites are not met OR Need permission to enroll, please contact the department’s curricular representative as they are the only people who can help you resolve these issues.

Credit limit

Enrollment is limited to 8 credits per term. No exceptions.

One term only

UNOL is a one-term only classification. If a student wants to continue beyond the first term, they will need to consult with an ACSSS advisor to see if continuing is appropriate.

Dropped courses

Please refer to the official schedule of session dates maintained by the Registrar’s Office for tuition adjustments and refunds for dropped courses.

Eligible courses include stand-alone UW–Madison online classes that are not affiliated with existing university programs such as (this is not an inclusive list):

• Capstone certificate courses
• Summer intensive language institutes
• Visiting International Student Program
• Early College Credit Program
• certain degree tracks

For questions about eligibility of a specific course, please contact Adult Career and Special Student Services.

UW–Madison Public Course Search and Enroll app can help you find online courses at UW–Madison. Select term and ‘Mode of Instruction’ to find ‘Online only’ courses.