Complete an online application

A $50 application fee is required for all applications submitted. Application fee waivers are available to those who within the last three (3) years have:

• Participated in a MCW research-based program (i.e. SPUR, PURE, DSHREP, etc.)
• Received, or can provide proof of eligibility for, a GRE Fee Reduction Certificate
• Attended a MCW open house (Expo) event
• Participated in a local, state or national program that supports underrepresented student populations (i.e. McNair Scholars, WisCAMP, etc.)
• Attended and presented at a regional or national conference/meeting (i.e. ABRCMS, SACNAS, etc.)

Supporting documentation may be required to verify fee waiver eligibility.

Transcripts
Arrange for your official transcript to be sent to the MCW Graduate School from your current or any previously attended college/university. Official transcripts must be in an original, sealed envelope or sent electronically from a certified service provider. Electronic transcripts may be accepted from institutions that subscribe to the following services:

• eSCRIP-SAFE
• Parchment
• National Student Clearinghouse

Test Score

Most of our programs no longer require the submission of a national standardized test score as an application requirement. However, those that do prefer the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) using Institution Code 1519, except for Medical Physiology which prefers the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT). The following programs do not require the submission of a test score:

• Bioethics
• Clinical & Translational Science
• Genetic Counseling
• Global Health Equity
• Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology & Toxicology
• Physiology
• Public & Community Health (PhD)
• Public Health (MPH)

An official score report must be requested by the applicant and sent to the MCW Graduate School. Any test offered through Educational Testing Services (ETS), such as the GRE, can be sent directly to MCW using institution code 1519. Applicants submitting MCAT scores can send their report via email as an attachment to gradschool@mcw.edu and must include the verification code and account number.

GRE and MCAT scores will be accepted as far back as five (5) years from the date that you took the test, IELTS/TOEFL score will be accepted as far back as two (2) years. GRE scores in the 50th percentile or higher in all sections of the test are recommended for competitive consideration. Applicants who have earned a terminal degree may request an exemption to the GRE test score requirement by submitting a written request via email to gradschool@mcw.edu.

Applicants are encouraged to explore whether they may be eligible to receive a GRE Fee Reduction Certificate.

IELTS/TOEFL
An official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test score is required of all applicants who did not receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S.-based, non-online degree granting program. Please arrange for your IELTS/TOEFL scores to be sent directly to the MCW Graduate School from their respective service. For TOELF, use institution code 1519. A score of 100 or higher on the internet-based version of the TOEFL or a score of 6.0 or higher on the IELTS is recommended for competitive consideration.

Letters of Recommendation
Recommendation letters can be submitted electronically through our online application system (preferred), as an attachment via email to gradschool@mcw.edu, or in the mail. Applicants should refrain from having family members and those that they receive healthcare services from submit letters, even if those individuals happen to also to be one of the types of recommenders that we will accept letters from.

There is no order in which application materials need to be submitted/received. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all their application and required materials have been submitted prior to their program’s priority application deadline date.

Complete an online application
A $50 application fee is required for all applications submitted. Application fee waivers are available to those who within the last three (3) years have:

• Participated in a MCW research-based program (i.e. SPUR, PURE, DSHREP, etc.)
• Received, or can provide proof of eligibility for, a GRE Fee Reduction Certificate
• Attended a MCW open house (Expo) event
• Participated in a local, state or national program that supports underrepresented student populations (i.e. McNair Scholars, WisCAMP, etc.)
• Attended and presented at a regional or national conference/meeting (i.e. ABRCMS, SACNAS, etc.)

Supporting documentation may be required to verify fee waiver eligibility.

Test Scores
You do not need to submit test scores.

Transcripts
Arrange for your official transcript to be sent to the MCW Graduate School from your current or any previously attended college/university. Official transcripts must be in an original, sealed envelope or sent electronically from a certified service provider. Electronic transcripts may be accepted from institutions that subscribe to the following services:

• eSCRIP-SAFE
• Parchment
• National Student Clearinghouse

Letters of Recommendation
Recommendation letters can be submitted electronically through our online application system (preferred), as an attachment via email to gradschool@mcw.edu, or in the mail. Applicants should refrain from having family members and those that they receive healthcare services from submit letters, even if those individuals happen to also to be one of the types of recommenders that we will accept letters from.

IELTS / TOEFL
A score record from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all applicants who did not receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S.-based, non-online degree granting program. TOEFL scores to be sent directly to the MCW Graduate School from Educational Testing Services (ETS) using institution code 1519. A score of 100 on the internet-based version of the TOEFL is recommended for competitive consideration, while a score of 6.0 or higher is recommended on the IELTS.

There is no order in which application materials need to be submitted/received. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all their application and required materials have been submitted prior to their program’s priority application deadline date.

Complete an online application
A $50 application fee is required for all Non-Degree Applicants

Test Scores
You do not need to submit test scores.

Transcripts
Arrange for your official transcript to be sent to the MCW Graduate School from your current or any previously attended college/university. Official transcripts must be in an original, sealed envelope or sent electronically from a certified service provider. Electronic transcripts may be accepted from institutions that subscribe to the following services:

• eSCRIP-SAFE
• Parchment
• National Student Clearinghouse

Letters of Recommendation
Recommendation letters can be submitted electronically through our online application system (preferred), as an attachment via email to gradschool@mcw.edu, or in the mail. Applicants should refrain from having family members and those that they receive healthcare services from submit letters, even if those individuals happen to also to be one of the types of recommenders that we will accept letters from.

IELTS / TOEFL
A score record from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all applicants who did not receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S.-based, non-online degree granting program. TOEFL scores to be sent directly to the MCW Graduate School from Educational Testing Services (ETS) using institution code 1519. A score of 100 on the internet-based version of the TOEFL is recommended for competitive consideration, while a score of 6.0 or higher is recommended on the IELTS.

There is no order in which application materials need to be submitted/received. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all their application and required materials have been submitted prior to their program’s priority application deadline date.

Application Fee
There is no application fee required for Guest applicants.

Additional Information
Applicants will need to provide documentation from their primary institution indicating approval to enroll in the course(s) they are seeking admission to. Documentation can be sent to gradschool@mcw.edu. Be mindful of the course dates that you wish to enroll in and submit your application by the priority deadline date associated with the program that offers the course. No additional documentation is needed except for your online application submission and permission from your home institution to enroll in the course you are seeking. Applications are accepted/reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applicants interested in our Biomedical Engineering doctorate program should apply to MCW. Applicants interested in our Bioinformatics, Healthcare Technologies Management and Biomedical Engineering master degree programs should apply to Marquette University.

Anyone who is currently applying from outside of the United States, are currently studying in the United States on any visa type, are considered an international student applicant.

Transcripts
International Applicants must provide official copies of college and/or university transcripts in the native language of instruction as well as in English translation. Transcripts are also known as academic records or mark sheets. An official transcript must bear the original seal and/or stamps of the institution as well as signatures of institutional officials. If academic transcripts do not include proof of graduation (i.e. diploma and/or degree certification), official copies of these documents must be provided as well. All academic credentials are reviewed and verified at the discretion of the Graduate School.

IELTS / TOEFL
A score record from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all applicants who did not receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S.-based, non-online degree granting program. TOEFL scores to be sent directly to the MCW Graduate School from Educational Testing Services (ETS) using institution code 1519. A score of 100 on the internet-based version of the TOEFL is recommended for competitive consideration, while a score of 6.0 or higher is recommended on the IELTS.

Visa Status
Verification and updates regarding visa status may be requested at the time of application submission through to and beyond any offer of admission. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the timely submission and delivery of documents related to the transition and maintenance of visa status.

Questions/Concerns
You can reach out to the Graduate School International Student Advisor at gradschool@mcw.edu at any time during your admissions process with questions/concerns.

Transfer from another Graduate School
Applicants to the MCW Graduate School are, in general, only accepted upon completion of the degree program in which they are currently matriculated. In special circumstances, students may apply for transfer into graduate programs at MCW after having only partially completed requirements for a graduate degree at another university. Transfer will be considered upon recommendation of the program that the applicant is pursuing as long as the following conditions are met:

• At the time of application, the academic status of the student at the other university is clearly documented and the reasons for wishing to transfer are clearly disclosed by the student.
• If the individual is a PhD candidate, the student has provided three (3) letters of recommendation: one (1) from their current mentor or research advisor, one (1) from their current Graduate School Dean or Program Director, and one (1) from someone who can appraise the student's work at their current school.

If transfer is allowed, the MCW Graduate School program that the student is pursuing will compare the course work completed at their current school with the curriculum required at MCW. That analysis will determine which courses remain to be taken. The applicant must meet the following requirements of an MCW degree program regardless of whether any have been fulfilled elsewhere:

• Two (2) semesters of full-time study.
• Successful completion of the qualifying examination conducted by members of his/her program.
• Successful completion of the thesis or dissertation under regulations which exist within the MCW Graduate School.Successful completion of all other requirements of the program.

Transfer of Credits
The number of credit hours which may be transferred from other institutions is limited to protect the integrity of the MCW Graduate School programs. Only credits directly applicable to a student’s MCW program will be considered for transfer. There is no guarantee that all credits previously earned will be approved for transfer. Students should consult their current advisor or program director prior to requesting a transfer of credits earned elsewhere and before taking additional graduate courses for which they may want to transfer credits.

Students seeking to transfer credits earned prior to admission, including any earned at MCW, must file an “Application for Transfer of Credit” form with the MCW Graduate School during their first semester of enrollment at MCW. If the credits were not earned in the MCW Graduate School, an official transcript of the coursework listed on the form must be sent from the transfer institution directly to the MCW Graduate School. Also, syllabi from the transfer courses listing textbooks and other materials used in the course must be submitted with the transfer credit application. Students will be notified in writing by the Graduate School regarding which credits have been accepted for transfer.

Limits on transfer of credits:

• Certificate Programs: No credits may be transferred into a certificate program from another institution. A maximum of six (6) approved credits taken at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) as a non-degree candidate may be transferred to the certificate program.
• Transfer of Credits from a Certificate Program into a Degree Program: Transfer of appropriate credits from a certificate program into a degree program is automatic if matriculation in the degree program occurs within one (1) year of completion of the certificate program. If the certificate was earned more than one (1) year before matriculation in a degree program, then appropriate credits may be transferred if approved by both the Program Director and the Dean of the MCW Graduate School. In general, credits will not be transferred for courses completed more than three (3) years before matriculation in a degree program. 
• Master’s Degree Programs: With the exception of credits earned in an MCW certificate program (see above), the maximum number of credits that may be considered for transfer to an MCW Graduate School master’s degree program is the larger of either ten (10) credits or 1/3 of the total number of graduate credits required for the particular master’s degree program. This total includes coursework taken at MCW prior to admission and credits earned at other institutions during enrollment in the MCW degree program.
• Doctoral Degree Programs: The maximum number of credits that may be considered for transfer to an MCW Graduate School doctoral program is twenty (20). This total includes coursework taken at MCW prior to admission and credits earned at other institutions during enrollment in the MCW degree program.

Credits are eligible for transfer only if the grade earned is a B or better (3.0 on a 4.0 scale). Pass/Fail courses are not eligible for transfer. Graduate credits earned more than five (5) years before the start of the MCW graduate program are not eligible for transfer. Credits applied to one graduate or professional degree are not eligible for transfer to an MCW certificate or degree program; however, they may be used to guide alternative course selections to be taken toward a second degree program.

Transfer of Credit Request Form (PDF)