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Metropolitan State University of Denver uses two categories to classify applicants: those who are 19 years old or younger and those who are 20 or older. Based on the University’s modified, open admission policy, each category follows its own admission requirements and procedures.
MSU Denver students who have not attended the University for three consecutive semesters must submit an application for readmission. For more information, see “Admission of Previously Enrolled Students” in this catalog.
For information regarding admission to MSU Denver, click on a link to be taken to the entry below.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is at least one to two months before the start of the semester. To find out the exact application deadline date for your intended term of enrollment, please visit msudenver.edu/admissions. For the best possible selection of courses, students are advised to apply early. Refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates.
Applicants 19 Years Old or Younger
Applicants who are 19 years old or younger on September 15 for either summer semester or fall semester, or on February 15 for spring semester, will be classified as traditional applicants. They will be considered for admission using the requirements described below. Note: to be eligible for admission, students must be at least 16 years old on the first day of the semester and must have either graduated from high school or received a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
Freshmen (first-time college students)
- Applicants with Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) index scores of 70 or greater will be considered for admission. For a list of these requirements, visit: highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Admissions/coursecompletion, and to calculate your CCHE index, go to msudenver.edu/admissions/apply/first-timeundergraduate/calculateccheindexscore.
- Applicants with index scores below 92 are strongly encouraged to submit letters of recommendation and a personal statement, and they must complete their application files by the posted Admissions Review deadline. Otherwise, they will be considered for the following term.
- Applicants with a CCHE index score of 85 or greater, an ACT English subscore of 18 or above (or an SAT critical reading of 440 or above), and who have fulfilled the Higher Education Admission Requirements, and who apply by the published application deadline will be considered for admission without submitting any additional materials.
- Applicants must request that the following credentials be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the high school or testing agency before an admission decision can be made:
- ACT or SAT test results
- Official high school transcript with GPA and class rank
- This information may be submitted at the end of the sixth, seventh, or eighth semester of high school. An official, final transcript with date of graduation is required before the start of the initial semester of enrollment. Students should request the transcript and verify that the high school record with date of graduation has been received by the Office of Admissions. Degree-seeking students will not be permitted to register for a second semester nor will any financial aid funds be dispersed until after this official credential is received.
- Applicants who have not graduated from high school but have passed and received the Colorado General Educational Development (GED) certificate or its equivalent will be accepted. ACT or SAT test results are not required with a GED, but if taken in the last five years of the semester start date, are highly recommended for advising and course placement purposes. Official GED certificates must be received from the testing agency by the Office of Admissions before an applicant can be accepted.
College Transfers
- Applicants with 30 or more transferable semester hours completed with at least a 2.3 cumulative GPA and all required remedial coursework completed, will be offered admission. Students with fewer than 30 hours will be considered on an individual basis, based on high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores and college work completed.
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Applicants who have less than a cumulative 2.3 GPA from all colleges and universities attended will be considered on an individual basis that includes a careful review of all credentials. If applicants do not meet a cumulative 2.3 GPA and have less than 30 transferrable credits, they must complete their application files by the posted Admissions Review deadline which can be found at msudenver.edu/admissions. Letters of recommendation and a personal statement are strongly recommended.
- Applicants must request that the following credentials be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the high school, testing agency and/or college or university:
- ACT or SAT test results
- Official high school transcript with GPA and class rank or Official GED scores
- Official transcript from each college or university attended or currently attending
- All required credentials must be received before a final admission decision can be made.
Applicants 20 Years of Age or Older
Applicants who are 20 or older on September 15 for either summer semester or fall semester, or on February 15 for spring semester, will be considered for admission using the requirements described below.
Freshmen (first-time college students)
- Applicants will be admitted to MSU Denver once the Office of Admissions receives an official high school transcript with graduation date or an official GED (General Educational Development) certificate or the equivalent. GEDs issued through the military will be considered on an individual basis.
- The ACT or SAT is not required for admission but, if taken within five years of the semester start date, is highly recommended for advising and course placement purposes.
College Transfers
- Applicants 20 years of age and older will be admitted to MSU Denver, regardless of their cumulative college GPA, once the Office of Admissions receives an official high school transcript with graduation date or an official GED (General Educational Development) certificate or its equivalent.
- In place of these credentials, official college transcripts from each institution of higher education attended showing completion of 30 or more transferable semester credit hours with grades of “C-” or better will be accepted. College transfer students should request to have college transcripts mailed directly to the Office of Admissions for transfer credit evaluation. Degree-seeking applicants are required to have all college and university transcripts on file to receive a complete evaluation.
- The ACT or SAT is not required for admission but, if taken within five years of the semester start date, is highly recommended for advising and course placement purposes.
Application Instructions
Applications for Admission are considered in the order in which they are received each semester. All credentials received by the University become the property of MSU Denver and will not be returned to the student. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the Office of Admissions of any changes to the application prior to the first day of classes. If changes are not reported to the Office of Admissions, the registration process could be delayed for subsequent semesters. Failure to report academic changes may result in rejection, dismissal and/or loss of credit. International (visa) applicants should refer to the Admission of International Students section.
To apply for admission:
- Applications can be submitted online at msudenver.edu/admissions or are available from the Office of Admissions located in the Student Success Building, Room 180 at 890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204. Applications may be mailed to MSU Denver Admissions, Campus Box 16, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362. You may call the Office of Admissions at 303-556-3058 with any questions.
- A $25 nonrefundable application fee is required with the Application for Admission. Readmit applicants are not required to submit an application fee.
- It is the student’s responsibility to request that all required official credentials be sent directly from the issuing institution or agency to the Office of Admissions. Hand-carried documents delivered in a sealed envelope will also be accepted.
- Although an applicant’s college record may be summarized on one transcript, an official transcript from each institution attended is required.
- For information on obtaining records and receiving credit for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and military training or other training, see the Alternative Credit Options section .
- The Application for Admission and all credentials received by the University will be valid for two semesters beyond the term of application. After this time the files will no longer be maintained for applicants who do not complete their application, and for applicants who were accepted but did not enroll. Applicants wishing to attend MSU Denver after this period must submit a new application, application credentials that were not submitted and are outstanding, and the $25 application fee.
- Applicants will be notified in writing of their application status within two to three weeks.
Admission of Previously Enrolled (Readmit) Students
Readmit students are defined as individuals who have previously enrolled and have received a grade or grade notation at the University but have not been in attendance at MSU Denver for three consecutive semesters, including summer. Readmit students should:
- Submit a completed Application for Admission. No application fee is required for readmission.
- Submit transcripts from institutions attended since last attending MSU Denver (if degree-seeking).
If the student was not previously degree-seeking, then the student must submit transcripts from all institutions attended.
Readmit students who originally attended MSU Denver prior to 1998 are required to resubmit all credentials. In addition, all students who have not submitted final, official high school transcripts or an official GED report must also submit these credentials.
Admission of Non-degree-seeking Students
The non-degree-seeking student classification meets the needs of students 20 years of age or older who wish to take college courses, but who do not currently intend to work toward a baccalaureate degree at MSU Denver. With the exception of high school students who have completed the concurrent enrollment approval process, non-degree students must have graduated from high school or received a GED to qualify for admission. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid, nor will any college transcripts submitted be evaluated for transfer credit. Students may change to degree-seeking status by completing a Status Change Request form, located at msudenver.edu/admissions/apply/first-timeundergraduate/forms, and requesting that all required official credentials be mailed directly from the issuing institution or agency to the Office of Admissions.
Admission of International Students
All students who declare a country of citizenship other than the U.S. on the Application for Admission must contact the Office of Admissions.
Applicants who are U.S. resident aliens (including adjustment applicants, refugees, and political asylees) need to complete the regular application for admission and will be required to (1) submit a minimum of an official high school transcript/diploma that is determined equivalent to high school graduation in the U.S., and (2) submit immigration documents. Students may also be required to take the Accuplacer exam in English and reading. Students who fall in this category may be eligible for in-state tuition a year and a day after establishing Colorado domicile.
Applicants who are nonresident aliens (ie, on a temporary visa) are required to submit the online Application for Admission, which can be obtained from the Office of Admissions at msudenver.edu/admissions/apply/internationalstudents. In addition, they are required to (1) submit a minimum of an official high school transcript/diploma that is determined equivalent to high school graduation in the U.S., and (2) submit copies of their passport and visa. Students may also be required to take the Accuplacer exam in English and reading. Students who fall in this category may be eligible for in-state tuition a year and a day after establishing Colorado domicile, depending on visa type. Students should contact the Office of Admissions for detailed information.
Applicants who are current F-1 visa holders seeking to transfer or who are seeking initial F-1 student status need to submit the online Application for Admission. In addition, they are required to submit (1) a minimum of an official high school transcript/ diploma that is determined equivalent to high school graduation in the U.S., (2) English language proficiency documentation, normally in the form of an acceptable TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score, (3) documents demonstrating sufficient financial support to cover the costs of attending the University for one academic year, including living expenses, and (4) a passport copy. Transfer students are also required to submit copies of their I-20, I-94, and visa. Application deadlines for F-1 international students are typically earlier than those for domestic applicants. Detailed information regarding all requirements and admission procedures for international students can be obtained from the Office of Admissions.
Students with international transcripts should provide official original language documents for examination. These will be photocopied and returned. For foreign college or university transcripts, professional course-by-course evaluation completed by a professional transcript evaluation service such as World Education Services (wes.org) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE.org) is also required.
For more information, please contact intladmissions@msudenver.edu
Admission for Summer Only
Applicants who have graduated from high school or have received a General Educational Development (GED) certificate may be admitted for summer only by checking the appropriate box on the admissions application. These applicants are required to submit admission credentials, such as an official high school transcript with graduation date or official GED scores, in order to be accepted and are not eligible for financial aid. Summer Only students who wish to continue for the fall or spring semester must submit a Status Change Request form to the Office of Admissions to be considered for admission.
Admission Notification
Once admitted, students will be mailed and emailed instructions regarding course registration and other relevant information. All incoming students new to MSU Denver are required to attend a New Student Orientation session. After orientation, first-time college students and transfer students 19 years old or younger are also required to meet with an academic advisor. Depending upon a student’s performance on the ACT or SAT, assessment tests may also be required and should be completed prior to attending orientation. Students denied admission may appeal the decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Office of Admissions, along with new and compelling academic information, letters of recommendation and other supportive documentation.
Concurrent Enrollment Options
Concurrent enrollment allows eligible students to simultaneously enroll in and earn college credit for coursework completed while attending high school. MSU Denver offers three concurrent enrollment options for high school students who meet program requirements and are approved by their high school counselor or principal:
- ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment)
- CE (Concurrent Enrollment Program)
- SEE (Student Education and Enrichment Program)
To be considered for a concurrent enrollment program at MSU Denver, students must:
- Receive approval for an academic plan of study by submitting a completed Concurrent Enrollment Options Agreement Registration Form.
- Submit an Application for Admission to the MSU Denver Office of Admissions.
- Satisfy the minimum prerequisites for each course prior to enrolling in coursework.
For additional information and program requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website, www.msudenver.edu/admissions/apply/concurrentlyenrolled/.
Rescinding Admission to MSU Denver
If MSU Denver discovers that a student knowingly omitted information, provided false information on the application for admission, or submitted fraudulent documents, the Office of Admissions may rescind the student’s acceptance to the University.
Appeal Process
The student may appeal to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services within five working days of the date of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and the student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the appeal within 15 working days. The decision of the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services will be final.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), students in western states (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands - CNM) may enroll in many out-of-state, two-year and four-year college programs at a reduced tuition level: 150 percent of the institution’s regular resident tuition. WUE tuition is considerably less than non-resident tuition. At MSU Denver, WUE students pay 150 percent of the student’s share of Colorado resident tuition plus mandatory fees.
WUE is open to new students who meet both MSU Denver admission and WUE program requirements. New students applying for the WUE program must submit an application for admission by the admissions application deadline and a WUE application within the student’s initial term of enrollment. The student may be required to provide evidence of residency in one of the qualifying states. If the student is under 23 years of age, evidence of residency for both parent/guardian and student may be required. Students who are accepted in the program are ineligible to petition for in-state tuition during their time of attendance at MSU Denver. The WUE program is not available to current MSU Denver students.
Maintaining WUE Status
Every semester, participants must maintain good academic standing (2.0 or better cumulative GPA each semester). WUE students who do not comply with eligibility requirements will lose their WUE status.
Admission to WUE-eligible Programs
Please see the Office of Admissions website for more information. Qualified students must apply and be admitted to MSU Denver and must submit a WUE Application to the Office of Admissions. This application and more information, including information on WUE tuition, fees, and COF may be obtained at msudenver.edu or by contacting the Office of Admissions in the Student Success Building, Room 180, at 303-556-3058.
Transfer Credit Evaluation
Transfer credits are accepted under the following guidelines:
- Credit must have been earned at an institution of higher education holding full regional accreditation.
- MSU Denver accepts up to 64 semester hours from two-year institutions and up to 90 semester hours from four-year institutions or a combination of two-year and four-year institutions. For students in the RN to BSN program, MSU Denver accepts up to 80 semester hours from two-year institutions (see Department of Nursing advisor).
- Grades earned must be a “C-” or better. Courses with “D,” “F” or similar grades are not transferable. Also, courses graded with C.E.U.s (Continuing Education Units) will not be accepted. A summary of transfer credit from each institution is indicated on the MSU Denver academic record. Neither transfer course grades nor previous grade point averages are indicated or affect the MSU Denver grade point average.
- Course content must be similar to that of MSU Denver courses.
- No preparatory, remedial, or developmental courses are applicable toward an MSU Denver degree.
- Students who have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree from a Colorado community college will receive junior standing at MSU Denver, provided all courses included in the degree carry a grade of “C-” or better and, based on the course-by-course evaluation, otherwise meet minimum MSU Denver transfer credit standards. Students may need to complete additional MSU Denver lower-division requirements.
- Applicants having completed the Colorado community college core curriculum, as certified on their community college transcripts, are considered to have satisfied MSU Denver’s minimum General Studies requirements. However, additional specific lower-division courses may be required for certain degree programs.
- MSU Denver will accept all applicable credits earned within ten years of transfer. Credits earned more than ten years earlier will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
- Once transfer credits are evaluated, the total number of these credits applicable to a degree will not be reduced unless the student repeats already-awarded transfer credit at MSU Denver or interrupts MSU Denver enrollment for three or more consecutive semesters and readmits to the University under more restrictive transfer credit evaluation policies.
- If a student repeats a course, including transferred courses, the credit for only one of the course attempts counts towards degree requirements, with the exception of repeatable courses.
- In accordance with policies established by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education regarding students transferring between Colorado public institutions, MSU Denver has instituted procedures for resolving transfer credit disputes. Questions regarding these procedures may be directed to the Office of Admissions/Transfer Services at 303-556-3774.
Transfer Services
The Office of Transfer Services offers assistance to students transferring from other institutions to MSU Denver. Specific services provided include the following:
- Assistance with admission requirements and the application process;
- Weekly visits to local community colleges in the Denver metro area;
- Visits to other Colorado community colleges once or twice annually;
- Guidance on selecting appropriate transferable courses;
- Preliminary transcript evaluation;
- Transfer student scholarship information;
- Referral assistance to academic departments;
- Resolution of transfer course issues.
Transfer counselors are available for walk-in counseling. Counselors work closely with transcript evaluators to provide students with information about transfer credits and how those credits may be applied to their degree programs. General questions regarding a transfer evaluation or preliminary evaluation should be referred to the Office of Admissions/Transfer Services, Student Success Building, Room 180, 303-556-3774, or transferquestions@msudenver.edu.
Tuition Classification
A student is classified as an in-state or out-of-state student for tuition purposes at the time of admission. This classification is based on information supplied by the student on the application for admission and is made in accordance with the Colorado Tuition Classification Law (Title 23, Article 7, of the Colorado revised Statutes). Once determined, a student’s tuition classification status remains unchanged unless clear and convincing evidence that a change should be made is presented. If a student believes that he or she is entitled to in-state status, the student must submit their request, along with evidence of in-state status to the Office of Admissions by the published deadline dates. Details on University policies and procedures as they pertain to the Colorado Tuition Law, the forms and deadlines can be found at www.msudenver.edu/admissions/residency.
The tuition classification statute requires that, in order to qualify for in-state status, a student (or the parents or legal guardian of the student in the case of students under 23 years of age who are not emancipated) must have been domiciled in Colorado for one year or more immediately preceding the first day of the semester for which such classification is sought.
Domicile for tuition purposes requires two inseparable elements: (1) a permanent place of habitation in Colorado and (2) intent to remain in Colorado with no intent to be domiciled elsewhere. Some examples of connections with the state that provide objective evidence of intent are: payment of Colorado state income tax as a Colorado resident, permanent employment in Colorado, ownership of residential real estate property in Colorado, compliance with laws imposing a mandatory duty on any domiciliary of the state, such as the drivers’ license law and the vehicle registration law and registration to vote. Other factors unique to the individual can also be used to demonstrate the requisite intent.
Any questions regarding the tuition classification law should be directed to the Tuition Classification Officer with the Office of the Admissions. In order to qualify for in-state status for a particular semester, the student must prove that domicile began no later than one year prior to the first day of classes for that semester. Refer to the Academic Calendar for deadlines to submit the proper request.
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