Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) coordinates undergraduate, graduate and professional student exchange programs that enable residents of WICHE states to gain affordable access to out-of-state programs and enables participating states to avoid costly duplication of programs and facilities. Participating WICHE states and territories include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. For additional information about WICHE, please visit the WICHE website. 

Western Undergraduate Exchange Programs (WUE)

WUE students attending the University of Arizona pay 150% of the in-state resident tuition. Residency in a participating state is not a guarantee of admission to a WUE program. In addition to the University of Arizona admission requirements, some WUE programs at the University have additional criteria such as higher minimum SAT/ACT test scores or high school GPAs. Some programs may also set a limit on the number of WUE students they accept each year. Information on the WUE programs offered by the University is available by selecting either University of Arizona or University of Arizona Sierra Vista. Information on WUE programs at other participating two- and four- year institutions is available by searching the WUE database.

Use of professional school credit toward baccalaureate requirements: University of Arizona students who matriculate early into an accredited, professional veterinary or dental college prior to completion of their undergraduate degree may apply for the following UA baccalaureate degrees: students enrolled in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program may apply for a BS with a major in veterinary science, and students enrolled in a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program may apply for a BS with a major in microbiology. No more than 30 credit hours from the student's professional program may be applied to the University degree. Only in special circumstances of early admittance to dental or veterinary school will the requirement for 18 of the last 30 units in residence be waived. In order to preserve the integrity of the University degree, the student's major department will be responsible for evaluating the transfer credit for applicability to degree requirements. Because the DVM and DDS require that the student have a BS prior to the professional degree being awarded, the graduate credits will be allowed to transfer prior to completion of the professional degree. The following conditions must be met in order for the student to be eligible for degree candidacy:

  • Complete a minimum of 90 units of the requisite 120 units required for the BS degree prior to matriculating into the professional school;

  • Complete a minimum of 50 units of University of Arizona credit (courses in residence);

  • Complete all requirements for the BS degree: foundation and general education requirements, premajor and major requirements, University of Arizona requirements;

  • Complete a minimum of 12 upper division credits that satisfy premajor or major department science requirements in residence at the University.

Academic units considering offering a WUE program should review the WUE FAQs for Participating Institutions. WUE programs offered by the University of Arizona must be approved by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost prior to announcing the program’s participation in the WUE. Students interested in pursuing a WUE program should submit a University of Arizona Undergraduate Application and also apply directly to the department offering the program. For questions regarding WUE, please contact Curricular Affairs.

Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)

The Western Regional Graduate Program allows master’s, doctoral, professional and graduate certificate students, who are residents of participating WICHE states, to enroll in graduate programs out-of-state and pay resident tuition. Information on WRGP programs at other participating institutions is available by searching the WRGP database. WRGP programs offered by the University must be approved by the Graduate College and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost prior to announcing the program’s participation in the WRGP. Students interested in pursuing a WRGP program should submit a UA Graduate Application and also apply directly to the department offering the program. For questions regarding WRGP, please contact Julie Treanor.