Regent Policy Documents

SECTION 7: ADMISSIONS POLICY

7-1 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER POLICY

(Formerly 84-3)

Scope

The Board of Regents undergraduate transfer policy applies to all UW institutions serving transfer students.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to UW institutions regarding the admission and credit evaluation of transfer students from UW institutions, the Wisconsin Technical College System, and other accredited colleges and universities. 

Policy Statement

The University of Wisconsin System (UW System) welcomes transfer students from accredited colleges and universities both within and outside Wisconsin.  The Board of Regents endorses a student-centered transfer process which fosters educational attainment, accommodates student mobility, and provides equitable treatment of transfer and continuing students.  At the same time, the Board of Regents recognizes that the transfer policy must also consider legitimate differences among educational institutions and their missions and academic programs, and acknowledge institutional autonomy and program integrity. 

The Board of Regents policy requires UW institutions to follow the principles, guidelines and administrative practices set out in the UW System Undergraduate Transfer Policy, as articulated in Academic Information Series (ACIS) 6.0 and 6.2 (Revised June 2011).  The full statement of the UW System’s undergraduate transfer policy and principles may be found at:  http://www.wisconsin.edu/acss/acis/ACIS_6.0_revJune11.pdf and http://www.wisconsin.edu/acss/acis/ACIS_6.2revJune11.pdf

The Board of Regents endorses the principles and guidelines outlined in ACIS 6.0 and 6.2:

  • Admission of Transfer Students.  Transfer admission will be based on comprehensive, individualized admission review, consistent with the process for freshman admission.

  • Transfer Credit Principles.  In awarding transfer credit, UW institutions will consider the quality and comparability of the transfer student’s coursework, and the applicability of that work to the receiving institution’s degree requirements.  These principles align with the Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit developed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), the American Council on Education (ACE), and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

  • Principles of Accommodation.  The transfer process should be designed to foster educational attainment, and provide equitable treatment of transfer and continuing students.  These principles apply to all transfer students with coursework from within the UW System, from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), or from other accredited institutions.

  • Credit for Prior Learning.  UW institutions should provide transfer students the same opportunities as continuing students to demonstrate their competence through the use of internally and/or externally developed tests, portfolio assessment procedures, and/or other competency-based alternatives.

  • Institutional Responsibilities Regarding Transfer Information.  UW institutions should provide current and accurate transfer information via the Transfer Information System (TIS) and institutional printed and electronic resources.

  • Articulation Agreements between UW Institutions and WTCS Districts.  UW institutions should structure articulation agreements in order to provide students with full and complete information about how courses will transfer and what courses/credits remain to be completed.

In order to maintain the UW System’s commitment to transfer students, both the Board of Regents and the UW System policies on undergraduate transfer should be reviewed periodically and updated, as needed.

Oversight, Roles & Responsibilities

The UW System Office of Academic Affairs is charged with coordinating systemwide transfer policy and procedures, and with implementing and ensuring institutional compliance with ACIS 6.0 and 6.2, as revised in June 2011.  Substantive changes to ACIS 6.0 and 6.2 are to be brought to the Board of Regents for its review.

Related RPDs and Applicable Policies

Regent Policy Document 7-3:  the University of Wisconsin System Freshman Admissions Policy

Regent Policy Document 4-16:  Criteria for Approval of Wisconsin Technical College System Collegiate Transfer Programs

Academic Information Series 6.0, University of Wisconsin System Undergraduate Transfer Policy (revised June 2011)

Academic Information Series 6.2, University of Wisconsin System Guidelines for Articulation Agreements between UW System Institutions and WTCS Districts, (revised June 2011)

History: Res. 3045 adopted 5/11/84; replaces 73-5, 75-1, 76-1; amended by 89-9; amended by Res. 7076 (12/8/95); amended by Res. 7718 (6/5/98); amended by Res. 8847 (05/07/04); amended by Res. 9960 (07/15/11)

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The Regent Policy Documents were adopted and are maintained pursuant to the policy-making authority vested in the Board of Regents by Wis. Stats. § 36. The Regent Policy Documents manifest significant policies approved by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. This document is a ready reference for those charged with carrying out these policies. Unless noted otherwise, associated documents and reports may be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Regents, 1860 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, ph 608-262-2324. http://www.uwsa.edu/bor/policies/