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Master of Software Engineering (MSE)

Application process

How to apply

Contact the graduate program director

We encourage you to make contact with our program director to introduce yourself and ask any questions you might have about the program. This contact also helps to alert us to your interest in the program. Complete the form below to get the process started!

Software Engineering Program Director

Mao Zheng  Profile of Mao Zheng

Professor
217 Wing Technology Center
mzheng@uwlax.edu
608.785.6808

Specialty areas:

Software Engineering

Submit a UW System application
  • Follow the link to the UW System application. Register as a new user, unless you already have an account.
  • The email you enter on this application will be used to send you important information related to completing your graduate school application. You should use an email address that you monitor on a regular basis. 
  • There is a $56 UW System application fee, which you can pay online at the time of application. Alternatively, you can send a check (payable to UWL) to the address below.  *Application fee assistance is available to McNair Scholars. 

Graduate Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

Watch your email

Following UW System Application submission, you will receive two emails.

The first email is an invitation to your WINGS Student Center and includes information about your NETID/WINGS Username.  Access your WINGS Student Center to check the status of your application fee and transcripts.

The second email provides login information for your Applicant Dashboard. This email will be sent within 3 business days of submission of your UW system application; you may need to check your junk/spam email folders.  You will use your Applicant Dashboard to submit the supplemental application materials described below (including reference requests) for this program. If you have problems with the Applicant Dashboard, please contact gradstudies@uwlax.edu.

WINGS (example) 

Applicant Dashboard (example)

WINGS example App Dashboard example

UW System App completion hints

Complete the following sections as indicated:

  • "ARE YOU APPLYING FOR A DEGREE OR A FEW COURSES?"
    • select - "Degree"

  • "CHOOSE YOUR PROGRAM"
    • select - "Software Engineering-Masters"

  • "WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO START SCHOOL?"
    • select - "Fall 20**"
      • May application deadline for fall start
    • select - "Spring 20**"
      • November application deadline for spring start

  • HOLISTIC BACKGROUND
    • "EMPLOYMENT" (WORK EXPERIENCE)
      • select "skip section"

    • "ESSAY"
      • leave this section blank and click "SAVE"
Submit transcripts

Request that ALL previously attended institutions of higher education send official transcripts to the UWL Admissions Office. This includes college level courses taken while in high school. If you enrolled in fewer than 10 undergraduate semester credits at an institution, you do not have to send an official transcript unless the courses completed are prerequisites for the graduate program. Additional transcripts may be required at the university or graduate program's discretion. All graduate transcripts must be submitted. UWL accepts transcripts mailed directly from the issuing institution(s) or through an electronic secure document sending service. Transcripts should be sent to:

UWL Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
admissions@uwlax.edu

  • Applicants can check transcript status via their WINGS account.
  • Applicants who are current UWL undergraduate students/alumni do not need to request formal transcripts for UWL coursework. Admissions can access your UWL transcript.
  • It may take a week or more for transcripts to be received/uploaded to your application file. Please plan accordingly in order to meet application deadlines. 
Log in to Applicant Dashboard to submit supplemental application materials

Within a few days of submitting the UW system application, you will receive a Portal Invite via the email address you entered in the UW system application.  This portal will allow you to upload any additional application materials required by the graduate program.

Recommendation letters

Required only for applicants with a bachelor's degree in an area other than software engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or an equivalent major. 

If this requirement applies, 2 recommendation letters from a relevant workplace environment (as described in the graduate catalog) are required. 

You will submit your recommendation request(s) using the Applicant Dashboard by providing the name and email address for each reference. The system will automatically send the reference an email, including a link through which their recommendation should be uploaded to your application file. Your reference(s) should receive the emailed link within one business day of your request.

It is your responsibility to notify your reference(s) of the emailed request (they may need to check spam/junk folders) and provide information regarding deadlines for completion of the recommendation. 

You will be able to monitor the status of your recommendation requests, resend requests, and change reference information on Applicant Dashboard. Please contact gradstudies@uwlax.edu with questions.

Additional requirements for international applicants

In addition to the application requirements listed above, international applications will need to submit the following items:

  • Transcript information: As noted above, official, certified or attested transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted. Additionally, documents issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
  • Proof of English language proficiency: Non-native English speakers must submit evidence of one the following language proficiency requirements for admission:
    • TOEFL score (within last 2 years) of at least 79 iBT or 550 pBT - Institution Code: 1914
    • IELTS score (within last 2 years) of at least 6.0
    • Duolingo English Test (DET) score of at least 110
    • 60 PTE score
    • A bachelor’s or higher degree from UWL or another approved institution where English is the sole language of instruction.
      • Degree must be earned within two years of expected enrollment in this UWL graduate program.
      • Applicant must have attended the institution for a minimum of two years.
  • Proof of funding: Submit a bank statement and completed Affidavit of Support form.
    • Applicants who require F-2 visas for dependents (spouse and/or children) must submit additional proof of funding and passport copies for each dependent.

  • Passport information: Submit a photocopy of the photo page of your passport. 

Please contact International Admissions at  intladmissions@uwlax.edu if you have questions.  Each of the items listed in this section "Additional requirements for international applicants" can be sent directly to the UWL Admissions Office.

UWL Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
USA

Deadlines

The application deadline is May 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. 

However, the deadline for consideration for a Graduate Assistantship (beginning fall semester) is February 1. For more information about graduate assistantships, see the program financial aid page.

It may take a number of weeks to complete a graduate program application.  Specifically, you need to allow sufficient time for transcripts and recommendations to be received. Please plan accordingly.