Chapter 36 of the Wisconsin Statutes outlines procedures for approving or rejecting changes affecting all UW–System campuses.

The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s Academic Policy Committee proposes each annual academic calendar to the Faculty Senate, which approves the calendar. The academic calendar includes the traditional fall (September–December) and spring (January–May) semesters along with two shorter periods of instruction. The University offers a three-week winter intersession, “UWinteriM,” and summer sessions of three, four, six, eight, and 12 week periods during the months of June, July, and August.

The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 120; some programs require more. Only one program requires more than 130. While program length, credit, and other requirements vary, an example of the minimum 120 degree credits required is a Bachelor of Science degree, which must include at least 36 credits in upper-division courses offered by the College of Letters and Science.

Tuition is set by the Board of Regents. Segregated fees are charged in addition to tuition and, depending on the fee, are approved by the Student Association, the UWM administration, and the Board of Regents.

In its study of the UW System in the 21st Century, the Board of Regents approved differential tuition rates for unique programs with strong demand and/or special operating costs. In May 1999, the Board of Regents approved guidelines outlining student involvement in differential tuition initiatives with Regent Policy #99-2 Student Involvement in Differential Tuition Initiatives. Since 1999, differential tuition has become more widespread across the UW System, requiring separate definitions and procedures for program specific and institution-wide differential tuition.