Earning your business bachelor’s is easier than you think. Learn how UW–Madison Online’s seamless transfer pathways make it possible for you.
How do I apply as a technical or community college transfer student?
Transfer to UW–Madison Online through our technical and community college pathway
Through our transfer pathway program, you can apply credit from previous associate degree coursework to an online degree at UW–Madison. Get on the path.
Explore our online business degrees
Explore degrees
Gain skills and understanding to attract, motivate and develop the right employees to set organizations up for success. You’ll learn to analyze compensation strategies, staffing techniques, labor and employment relations challenges, negotiation tactics and develop work systems that improve employee performance.
Fall 2026
Deadline for start 1: 07/15/26 Deadline for start 2: 09/15/26
Tuition
Resident & nonresident: $500 per credit
No segregated fees, but other fees may apply.
Credits
120 undergraduate credits
Modality
Online
Learn the communication, collaboration and planning skills you’ll need to succeed in any leadership role. You’ll learn to develop performance-maximizing team structures and systems as well as diagnose and resolve problems, so you’re able to maximize your organization’s competitive edge and ensure its long-term success.
Fall 2026
Application deadline for start 1: 07/15/26 Application deadline for start 2: 09/15/26
Tuition
Resident & nonresident:
$500 per credit
No segregated fees, but other fees may apply.
Credits
120 undergraduate credits
Modality
Online
Increase your ability to collaborate with a team and create successful marketing plans that address your industry’s needs. You’ll also learn to place, distribute, price and promote products and services; analyze market segments; leverage relevant sources and apply analytical rigor to decision making.
Fall 2026
Application deadline for start 1: 07/15/26 Application deadline for start 2: 09/15/26
Tuition
Resident/nonresident:
$500 per credit
No segregated fees, but other fees may apply.
Credits
120 undergraduate credits
Modality
Online
Partner schools
Explore UW–Madison Online transfer guides and agreements
Eligible students may take advantage of seamlessly transferring into one of our online programs. Earn your bachelor’s degree with UW–Madison Online – you’re halfway there. Click on the schools’ links below to view the transfer agreements and course guides to see what courses are needed and how to map them.
Madison College
Nicolet College
Oakton College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College
Northcentral Technical College
Gather application materials
Here are the materials you’ll need to submit with your app to UW–Madison Online
- Essay
- Official high school transcripts
- Official post-secondary transcripts
- Letter of recomendation
- Optional: official test scores
In 300-500 words (about one page), answer the following prompt: Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison and include why you are interested in studying the selected major. Submit your essay in the Common Application. Your essay gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish. It allows us to complete a more holistic review of your application and might also be used for campus program and scholarship review.
We review your high school record to check for proof of graduation and completion of core preparation requirements and to learn more about your educational background. High school grades will play a more important role in the admission review for applicants who have completed fewer transferable college credits.
If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), submit your official score report in addition to all high school or home school transcripts.
Request official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you attended. The transcripts should include all college-level coursework completed to date, including your current term in progress, and (if applicable) college classes taken while in high school.
Electronic transcripts must be sent through a secure document sending service to etranscripts@admissions.wisc.edu. Transcripts sent through email, as an attachment, will not be accepted as official.
Paper transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment must bear an official school seal or be printed on the school’s custom watermarked/security paper. Students applying from outside the United States, please review country-specific official transcript requirements.
We require you to submit one letter of recommendation written by someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor or faculty member. Have a discussion with your chosen recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter.
We encourage applicants who have been away from formal classroom teaching for an extended period, you can request a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your academic potential, such as an employer (preferably a supervisor or manager), a program or departmental trainer or some other individual in an official instructional capacity.
If you are having trouble submitting the letter via the Common Application, you can select one of the alternative options below to share that with your recommender:
- Invite someone to submit a recommendation (I have my NetID)
- Invite someone to submit a recommendation (no NetID)
- Share a submission link with your recommender to submit on your behalf
Recommendations mailed to our office must include your full name, birth date and campus ID number (if known). Additionally, letters of recommendation from a school staff member may also be sent through Naviance. Please note that letters of recommendation expire after one year from the date it is written.
While not required, you are welcome to send your ACT or SAT scores if you have taken either test. Your results are considered supplemental academic information and may help strengthen your application.
Test scores should be sent directly from the testing service. Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT. Do not send your results rush (SAT) or priority (ACT); we receive all scores electronically on a daily basis so there is no advantage to rush or priority delivery.
Flexible start dates to fit your life
UW–Madison Online offers multiple start dates, providing students with flexibility to meet their goals and needs. The BBA in Business Administration: Human Resources, BBA in Business Administration: Management, and BBA in Business Administration: Marketing degree programs offer multiple start dates, with most courses delivered in an 8-week format. You may apply for Start 1 or Start 2 with any of the Business Administration programs.
Application deadlines
If deadline falls on a weekend, it is extended to the next business day. Admissions decisions for UW–Madison Online are released on a rolling basis.
Fall 2026
Application opens
Sept. 18, 2025
Deadlines
Application (Start 1): Jul. 15, 2026
Application (Start 2): Sept. 15, 2026
Classes start
Start 1: Sept. 2, 2026
Start 2: Oct. 26, 2026
Spring 2027
Application opens
Aug. 1, 2026
Deadlines
Application (Start 1): Dec. 1, 2026; Materials due: Dec. 15, 2026
—–
Application (Start 2): Feb. 1, 2027; Materials due: Feb. 15, 2027
Classes start
TBA
Summer 2027
Application opens
Aug. 1, 2026
Deadlines
Application: May 1, 2027
Materials due: May 15, 2027
Classes start
TBA
Additional application information
Fully online deadlines
The application deadlines above are for students planning to enroll in one of the fully online degrees offered through UW–Madison Online. If you are looking for the application deadlines for UW–Madison’s face-to-face programs, visit the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Online vs. on-campus
You may not be considered for admission to both the residential (on-campus) program and UW–Madison Online for the same term. If you wish to apply as a transfer student for an on-campus program, please learn more at the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
If you applied for either residential or online and wish to be considered for the other program prior to receiving an admission decision, you must request to withdraw your application in writing to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and then submit a new application to the desired program.
Apply through the Common App
Ready? Apply using the Common Application
Read success stories and learn more
With two decades of experience in real estate, Barry started in spring 2022 in the UW–Madison Online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Administration–Management program, one of five UW–Madison fully online bachelor’s degrees currently available at UW–Madison.
Should you earn your UW–Madison degree online or on campus? This helpful chart compares and contrasts these two learning formats.
FAQs
FAQs about the transfer process
Can I get credit for AP, IB, A-Level and CLEP exams?
UW–Madison does grant advanced credit for the successful completion of some AP, IB, A-Level, and CLEP exams. Please note that AP and IB must be…
Read MoreCan I take courses at other schools to transfer to UW-Madison while enrolled in UW-Madison Online courses?
Yes. It is very important to work closely with your advisor(s) to make sure the courses you are taking at other schools will transfer to…
Read MoreHow do I know if my transfer credits apply towards my degree requirements?
Transfer credits can apply to your degree requirements depending on which major and/or degree you intend to complete. To learn more about degree and major…
Read MoreI have an associate degree; will all of my credits transfer?
Congrats on finishing your associate degree! Which and how many of your credits transfer depends on a few factors. If you have an associate degree…
Read MoreI plan to transfer after I finish my associate degree, as my school has a transfer agreement with UW–Madison Online. What do I need to do?
This is great to hear! Take a look at our College Transfer Pathways page for more information about the current transfer agreement with your school. If you…
Read MoreIs there a maximum number of credits I can transfer?
The maximum number of transferable semester credits from a two-year college is approximately 72. There is no credit limit on transferable credits from a four-year…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be a transfer student?
Any student who has completed at least 12 transferable college credits is considered a transfer student.
Read MoreWhat is a Transfer Agreement?
A transfer agreement is a contract between two universities/colleges that guarantees admission into a select program at the receiving university (i.e., university to which you…
Read MoreWill my previously earned credits and coursework transfer?
Upon admission to UW–Madison, courses you have taken at other colleges/universities for credit will be officially evaluated for transfer by our Credit Evaluation Services team. Learn…
Read MoreNeed something else?
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Designed for students who have some college credits, UW–Madison Online offers a flexible format to fit around your goals, work and family.
Tuition and financial aid
Figuring out how to pay for your UW-Madison Online degree is important, so check up on scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about UW–Madison Online admissions, financial aid and more.
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