Requirements and Fees

Degree Requirements and Summer Residency Requirements

Tuition and Fees, and Financing Options

MEPP Degree Requirements

The degree requires 26 graduate credits obtained by completing the 10 required courses.

With the exception of the summer sessions, you will take two courses each semester.

You can expect to spend about 20 hours a week doing coursework and participating in group activities.

Summer Residency Requirements

Each summer you will meet with your fellow students and instructors in a weeklong residency on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Scheduled for August, these on-campus sessions will conclude the summer coursework and lead you into your fall courses.

During these sessions you will develop a clear understanding of the program goals, course requirements and university resources available to you as a distance student.

You will also build the relationships that will help you enjoy the program and maximize its benefits.

MEPP Tuition and Fees

MEPP program tuition is $1,605 per credit, payable at the beginning of each semester.

This fee includes:
  • Technology costs for Internet course delivery
  • Live Webconferencing
  • A toll-free telephone line for the audio portion of conference
  • Library use
  • Use of the Webconferencing facilities for group project work for MEPP courses

Total tuition for the two-year program is $41,730* for students entering MEPP in June 2009 and graduating in May 2011.

*This total does not include travel and living expenses for summer residencies, textbooks, or course software. Software required for courses is typically available in educational versions at substantial discounts.

Financing the MEPP program

Employer Support

Many students work for companies that limit tuition reimbursement to a set amount each year. Please note that although the program is completed in four semesters and two summer sessions, this activity is actually spread over three calendar years.

The most costly calendar year is the middle year, which accounts for about half of the total cost. Student loans are available for the program and might be most useful during this year.

Federal Loans

All MEPP students who are US citizens or permanent residents are eligible to receive some level of funding from the federal (Stafford) loan program. These loans are available to qualified graduate students who are taking at least four credits per semester.

Some loans will have government paid interest until you complete the program. On other loans, interest will accrue and then be added to the balance due after graduation. The type of loan that you receive is dependent on the level of self-support you can provide.

Student Financial Services

At this site you will find information about the Stafford loans, other available loans and whom you can contact. You can also download worksheets to estimate loan availability and to actually apply for a loan.