UW-Stout Polytechnic is making the pathway for transfer students to a polytechnic degree even easier and more attractive.
UW-Stout Polytechnic already has more than 180 published transfer and articulation agreements, which provide clear pathways to degrees in fields such as cybersecurity, automation leadership, psychology and business administration for students at two-year colleges across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and even New Mexico.
And for the first time, new transfer students who complete an application, are admitted for the spring 2027 semester and are enrolled in at least nine credits by Dec. 1 will be guaranteed a $1,000 scholarship. Funds come through the generosity of the UW-Stout Polytechnic Foundation & Alumni Association.
The scholarship guarantee is just the latest benefit available to incoming transfers students, said Associate Director of Admissions Darren Ward.
Transfer students are also eligible not only to get credit for courses at other two- or four-year institutions but also to receive Credit for Prior Learning they gained from prior military experience, work experience or professional certifications.
“At UW-Stout Polytechnic, we’re committed to honoring the work and experience of our transfer students,” Ward said. “Wherever that experience came from – whether that was inside the classroom or outside the classroom through testing, military experience or work experience – we want to honor the learning that incoming students have.”
As part of that commitment, UW-Stout Polytechnic’s admissions staff offer unofficial credit evaluations for prospective students at any point during their decision-making process. “It really creates confidence before that student fills out an application,” Ward said.
Prospective transfer students can also take advantage of the UW-Stout Polytechnic Transfer Center website, which provides a convenient place for students to navigate all aspects of the transfer process.
UW-Stout Polytechnic stands out among its peers for the services it offers to transfer students. The university was recently named to the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll for the second consecutive year for having “demonstrated exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college transfer students earn bachelor’s degrees.” Only 275 four-year institutions in the United States were placed on the list, and UW-Stout Polytechnic was the only Universities of Wisconsin institution among them.
To earn Honor Roll status, institutions are evaluated in multiple areas, including credit mobility and degree applicability, financial support for transfer students, recruitment and admissions practices, campus engagement and support for transfer students, and transfer student success outcomes.
Seamlessly transferring credits
Sammy Hoff of Menomonie is among the roughly one-third of UW-Stout Polytechnic students who transferred from other institutions.
Hoff worked as a recess supervisor and educational support aide at her oldest child’s elementary school, but had never earned a diploma past high school. A few years ago, after her third child was born, Hoff decided to pursue an associate’s degree online through Chippewa Valley Technical College.
“I loved it, and it really built up my confidence and also my ambition,” she said. “After doing so well at CVTC I knew I wanted to continue my education.”
During a transfer fair at CVTC, Hoff learned about UW-Stout Polytechnic’s fully online B.S. human development and family studies program. Senior Transfer Counselor Mollie Ficek showed Hoff how her technical college credits would transfer seamlessly toward the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree.
“I already felt like I was late to the party and I didn’t want to spend any more time in classes that I didn’t need,” Hoff said. “I wanted to get into the program.”
As a nontraditional student, Hoff acknowledges she was a bit nervous to start working toward a bachelor’s degree, but quickly connected with classmates through online discussions. Now in her second semester at UW-Stout Polytechnic, Hoff is looking forward to earning her bachelor’s degree next year and possibly even pursuing a master’s degree.
“I really want to support children and families,” she said. “Ultimately anywhere I can support children who have had a rough time is going to be the goal.”
Prospective students invited to Preview & Transfer Day
Like Hoff, many transfer students are drawn to the 16 undergraduate programs at UW-Stout Polytechnic that are 100% online, which include (but are not limited to) B.S. automation leadership, B.S. management and leadership, B.S. business information technology, B.S. cybersecurity and B.S. psychology. Some of these degree options – notably automation leadership, business information technology and management and leadership – are transfer-friendly programs that appeal to those with technical experience who want to step into management roles.
Depending on the degree program, transfer students can bring in as many as 88 credits from prior coursework, certifications or professional experience – all making the road to a polytechnic degree more seamless.
And the admissions staff works seamlessly and quickly as well: Ward says they are typically able to let potential transfer students know how their credits will apply within three to five business days after receiving a complete application and making an admissions decision.
“The speed at which our students can see how their credit may apply is one of our biggest strengths,” he said.
Potential transfer students are invited to the upcoming Campus Preview and Transfer Day, which will be 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the Great Hall of the Memorial Student Center. The event will provide an in-depth look at everything UW-Stout Polytechnic has to offer, including an information fair featuring housing, dining, and student life; an admissions information session; a student panel and student-guided campus tours; and an academic expo with optional facility tours available for select majors. In addition, transfer students can meet one-on-one with counselors to discuss credits, resources, and their next steps. Attendees can register for the event online.
