Online learning FAQs

UW-La Crosse offers a variety of online graduate degree and certificate programs (online programs are starred), as well as an option for online completion of the political science undergraduate major.  

If you are not a current student, or if you were a student and have been gone for a semester or more, you will need to first re-apply to come back. 

How to apply to an online program:

1. If you are interested in the online completion of the political science undergraduate major, reach out to the department chair. 
2. For online graduate programs, review the graduate program listing for the starred programs. An online program is a program that schedules all of its courses to be taken online. Each program will have certain admission requirements that should be met in addition to admission requirements that UWL sets. If you have questions about those requirements, contact the program director.
3. Apply to the program you are interested in through the UW System application. For an online graduate program, follow the information on the program website about how to submit additional materials required for the application. 
4. Connect with the Admission Office if you have questions about your application status. Email the program director if you have questions about your application for an online graduate program. 

1. First review the online programs that UWL offers. An online program is a program that schedules all of its courses to be taken online. Each program will have certain admission requirements that should be met in addition to admission requirements that UWL sets. If you have questions about those requirements, contact the program director or the UWL Admissions Office.
2. Apply to the program you are interested in through the UW System application. For an online graduate program, follow the information on the program website about how to submit additional materials required for the application. 
3. Connect with the Admission office if you have questions about your application status. Email the program director if you have questions about your application for an online graduate program. 

Synchronous online classes are online classes that have regularly scheduled times when the class is expected to meet online via a video conferencing software such as Zoom. Additional homework and other class materials may be assigned outside of those scheduled meeting times.

Asynchronous online classes are online classes that do not have regularly scheduled meeting times. Students should develop a routine that fits around their other responsibilities to ensure they are keeping up with assignments and participating in the class.

Both types of classes have start/end dates and follow UWL's academic add/drop policies. Instructors of both types set expectations of what students need to accomplish to be successful in the class, such as meeting deadlines for assignments, logging into the learning management software (Canvas) regularly, or participating in discussions.

UWL's Online Learning resources provide more information about these two different modes of instruction. Current UWL students new to asynchronous instruction may enroll for free in an orientation/introduction to learn strategies for being successful in an online class.

Canvas is the main learning management system that UWL faculty use to teach online courses and to facilitate learning for hybrid and in-person courses.

ITS offers help logging into Canvas.

Tips on how to customize your dashboard, submit assignments, participate in discussions, and more are also available online.

Students graduating from a UWL online program may participate in UWL's Commencement if they choose. Please note that students are not required to participate. Information about the ceremony is on the Commencement page.

Whether or not you are participating in Commencement, you should submit your intention to graduate through your WINGS Student Center so that the Dean of your College knows you intend to graduate soon.

Students finishing their last class or requirement over the summer participate in the Spring Commencement. Students finishing at the end of the Winter Intersession participate in the Fall Commencement. Students who want to participate in an off-season ceremony (for example, someone finishing in Spring or Summer who wants to participate in the Fall ceremony) should still submit an intention graduate in the term in which they finish their requirements (in this example, Spring or Summer). Then contact your College Dean's office for approval to participate in a different ceremony.

For more information about online learning at UW-La Crosse and for helpful tips on how to make online learning work for you, check out the resources and FAQs at UWL's Online Learning site.

Contact the individual online program or program director for more information about the program you are interested in.