Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Graduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admission to Degree Programs


Admission to a graduate program at MSU Denver requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with the exception of the 3+2 program in accounting, which allows students to enroll concurrently in both an undergraduate and graduate program.  Master’s degree programs may determine whether to accept students for enrollment only in the fall or in fall and spring semesters. Check the website of the individual degree program to determine its procedures. A non-refundable $50 application fee applies.

Domestic Resident Admission Guidelines

 Minimum university guidelines include the following:

  • Acceptance into a master’s degree program requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or a minimum index score that combines GPA with a standardized test score. Some programs allow conditional admission in which students may be admitted with qualifications not meeting these standards.  Applicants should check the program website and/or contact a program advisor for details. 
  • Completion of a standardized test (GRE, GMAT, etc.) may be required for admission into a master’s program. Programs determine specific requirements for this element, so students should check the program website and/or specific program section of the catalog.
  • A cover letter, brief essay, or writing sample is required. Programs determine specific requirements for this element, so students should check the program website and/or specific program section of the catalog.
  • At least one letter of recommendation or contact information from someone who would recommend the applicant is required. Programs determine specific requirements for this element, so students should check the program website and/or specific program section of the catalog.
  • Official transcripts from all prior institutions are required. 
  • Foreign transcripts must also have an official English translation done by a certified translator, if applicable, and a professional, course-by-course evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.  World Education Services, wes.org, or Education Credential Evaluators, ece.org, are recommended professional transcript evaluation service providers.

International Student Admission Guidelines

International students must:

  • complete all of the same requirements as domestic students, as well as a separate application form, which may be found on the Office of Admissions website, msudenver.edu/admissions/internationalstudents;
  • have achieved a minimum TOEFL score of 540 (or a score of 76 on the Internet version of the TOEFL);
  • submit the required immigration documents for issuance of an I-20. 

Deadlines for international student admission are available on individual program websites. A non-refundable $70 application fee applies.

Transfer Student Admission Guidelines

  • No more than 9 graduate-level, transfer credits (semester hours or equivalent) will be accepted for any program. These credits must have been completed no longer than six years prior to the admission term and must be from a regionally accredited, U.S. institution or equivalent. 
  • Programs have discretion over acceptance of transfer courses. A minimum grade of “B” is required for each transfer course.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission is possible in some programs, up to 6 semester hours maximum, prior to removal of the conditional status. Each master’s degree program determines whether or not to allow conditional admission, as well as the criteria for conditional admission to its program. Students should check the program website and/or specific program section of the catalog to determine if this status is available.

Non-degree Admission

Students may be admitted to any of the programs with a non-degree-seeking status. For detailed information, refer to the non-degree admissions policies and procedures located on the program’s website and/or specific program’s section of the catalog. Non-degree-seeking students are only eligible for up to a total of 9 attempted semester hours, do not qualify for financial aid, and must re-apply and pay a new application fee in order to become degree-seeking. Applicants must also meet degree-seeking requirements; however, completing coursewok as a non-degree-seeking student does not guarantee admission into a degree-seeking program.