Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Alternative Credit Options/Prior Learning Assessment


The University may grant credit for prior learning, depending on the academic program, as verified by the following assessment methods:

  1. National standardized tests, including:
  2. Departmental Credit by Examination
  3. Portfolio Assessment
  4. Credit for Military Training, Military Occupational Specialties, and Other Training Programs Evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE)
  5. Credit for Other training programs

Prior learning credit does not count toward semester hour residency requirements. Regardless of credit granted for prior learning, all students must complete the minimum semester hour residency requirements. Therefore, the maximum number of prior learning credit hours is limited by these residency requirements. Please review the semester hour residency requirements before planning to use any of these options. See Degree and Certificate Requirements .

Each academic department determines the applicability of prior learning assessment to courses in the academic discipline and for the academic major and minor. Students must meet with an academic advisor in their program as well as with the Prior Learning Specialist to determine how much, if any, credit for prior learning may apply to a particular degree program. The academic department in which the course in question resides will make the final determination on any credit granted for prior learning.

Once prior learning is assessed and credit is awarded, the total number of those credits applicable to a degree will not be reduced unless the student repeats already-awarded credit at MSU Denver or interrupts MSU Denver enrollment for three or more consecutive semesters and readmits to the University under more restrictive Prior Learning Assessment evaluation policies.

For advising assistance with CLEP examinations, departmental credit by examination, and portfolio assessment, students may contact the Prior Learning Specialist, Registrar’s Office, Student Success Building Counter 3 (890 Auraria Parkway Suite 160), 303-605-5574.

Advanced Placement Examinations

Students who have performed satisfactorily in special, college-level courses while in high school, and who have passed appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) examinations conducted by the College Entrance Examination Board may have official scores submitted directly to the Office of the Registrar. This office, in consultation with the appropriate department chair, determines the amount and nature of the credit and/or advanced placement granted. Students should contact collegeboard.com or 888-225-5427 to request official AP scores; MSU Denver’s AP code is 4505.

AP scores that are equivalent to a course with the Oral Communication General Studies designation will receive Oral Communication General Studies credit.

The following is the current chart for the course credit awards for Advanced Placement Exam:

Course Credit Awards for Advanced Placement Exams

 

Subject Area

Exam Title

Score Required

Equivalent Course(s)

Credits Awarded

Requirement Satisfied

GT Pathways Category

Arts

Art History

3

ARTH 1600 - World Art I: Art Prior to 1400  

3

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4 or 5

ARTH 1600 - World Art I: Art Prior to 1400  

ARTH 1700 - World Art II: Art 1400-1900  

6

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

   

Computer Science

Computer Science (A)

3, 4, or 5

CS 1050 - Computer Science 1  

4

None

None

Computer Sciences (AB)

3

CS 1050 - Computer Science 1  

4

None

None

4 or 5

CS 1050 - Computer Science 1  

CS 2050 - Computer Science 2  

8

None

None

Computer Science Principles

3, 4, or 5

CS 1030 - Computer Science Principles  

4

None

None

   

English

English Language and Composition

3, 4, or 5

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments  

3

Written Communication

CO1

English Literature and Composition

3

ENG 1100 - Introduction to Literature  

3

Arts and Humanities

AH2

4 or 5

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments  

ENG 1100 - Introduction to Literature  

6

Written Communication, Arts and Humanities

CO1 and AH2

   

History

United States History

3

HIS 1210 - American History to 1865  

3

Historical

HI1

4 or 5

HIS 1210 - American History to 1865  

HIS 1220 - American History since 1865  

6

Historical

HI1

European History

3

HIS 8000 (3)

3

Historical, Global Diversity

HI1

4 or 5

HIS 1045 - Europe, Renaissance to the Present 

HIS 8000 (3)

6

Historical, Global Diversity

HI1

World History

3

HIS 1030 - World History to 1500  

3

Historical, Global Diversity

HI1

4 or 5

HIS 1030 - World History to 1500  

HIS 1040 - World History since 1500  

6

Historical, Global Diversity

HI1

   
Languages

Chinese Language and Culture

3

CHI 1020 - Elementary Chinese II  

5

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4

CHI 1020 - Elementary Chinese II  

CHI 8000 (3)

8

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

CHI 1020 - Elementary Chinese II  

CHI 8000 (6)

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

French Language and Culture

3

FRE 1020 - Elementary French II  

FRE 2110 - French Reading and Conversation  

8

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4

FRE 1020 - Elementary French II  

FRE 2010 - Intermediate French I  

 FRE 2110 - French Reading and Conversation  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

FRE 1020 - Elementary French II  

FRE 2010 - Intermediate French I  

 FRE 2110 - French Reading and Conversation  

14

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

French Literature and Culture

3 or 4

FRE 1020 - Elementary French II  

FRE 2010 - Intermediate French I  

 FRE 2110 - French Reading and Conversation  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

FRE 1020 - Elementary French II  

FRE 2010 - Intermediate French I  

FRE 2020 - Intermediate French II  

FRE 2110 - French Reading and Conversation  

  FRE 3010 - French as a Global Language  

17

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

German Language and Culture

3

GER 1020 - Elementary German II  

GER 2010 - Intermediate German I  

GER 2020 - Intermediate German II  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4

GER 1020 - Elementary German II  

GER 2010 - Intermediate German I  

  GER 2020 - Intermediate German II  

GER 2110 - German Reading and Conversation  

14

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

GER 1020 - Elementary German II  

GER 2010 - Intermediate German I  

 GER 2020 - Intermediate German II  

GER 2110 - German Reading and Conversation  

 GER 2120 - German Civilization  

17

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

German Literature

3

GER 1020 - Elementary German II  

GER 2010 - Intermediate German I  

 GER 2020 - Intermediate German II  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4

GER 1020 - Elementary German II  

GER 2010 - Intermediate German I  

 GER 2020 - Intermediate German II  

GER 2110 - German Reading and Conversation  

14

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

GER 1020 - Elementary German II  

GER 2010 - Intermediate German I  

 GER 2020 - Intermediate German II  

GER 2110 - German Reading and Conversation  

 GER 2120 - German Civilization  

17

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

Latin

3, 4, or 5

LAS 8000 (5)

5

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

Italian Language and Culture

3

ITA 1020 - Elementary Italian II  

5

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4

ITA 1020 - Elementary Italian II  

ITA 2010 - Intermediate Italian I  

8

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

ITA 1020 - Elementary Italian II  

ITA 2010 - Intermediate Italian I  

 ITA 2020 - Intermediate Italian II  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

Japanese Language and Culture

3

JPS 1020 - Elementary Japanese II  

5

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4

JPS 1020 - Elementary Japanese II  

JPS 2010 - Intermediate Japanese I  

8

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

JPS 1020 - Elementary Japanese II  

JPS 2010 - Intermediate Japanese I  

JPS 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

Spanish Language and Culture

3

SPA 1020 - Elementary Spanish II  

SPA 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I  

 SPA 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4

SPA 1020 - Elementary Spanish II  

SPA 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I  

 SPA 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II  

SPA 2110 - Spanish Reading and Communication I  

14

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

5

SPA 1020 - Elementary Spanish II  

SPA 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I  

SPA 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II  

SPA 2110 - Spanish Reading and Communication I  

 SPA 2120 - Spanish Reading and Communication II  

17

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

Spanish Literature and Culture

3

SPA 1020 - Elementary Spanish II  

SPA 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I  

 SPA 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II  

11

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

4 or 5

SPA 1020 - Elementary Spanish II  

SPA 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I  

SPA 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II  

SPA 2110 - Spanish Reading and Communication I  

SPA 2120 - Spanish Reading and Communication II  

17

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

None

   

Mathematics

Pre-Calculus 3, 4, or 5 MTH 1400 - Precalculus Mathematics   4 Quantitative Literacy MA1

Calculus AB

3, 4, or 5

MTH 1410 - Calculus I  

4

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

Calculus BC

3

MTH 1410 - Calculus I  

4

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

Calculus BC

4 or 5

MTH 1410 - Calculus I  

MTH 2410 - Calculus II  

8

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

Statistics

3, 4, or 5

MTH 1210 - Introduction to Statistics  

4

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

   
Natural and Physical Sciences

Biology

3, 4, or 5

BIO 1080 - General Biology I  

BIO 1081 - General Biology II  

BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I  

BIO 1091 - General Biology Laboratory II  

8

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC1

Chemistry

3

CHE 1800 - General Chemistry I  

CHE 1801 - General Chemistry I Laboratory  

5

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC1

4 or 5

CHE 1800 - General Chemistry I  

CHE 1801 - General Chemistry I Laboratory  

CHE 1810 - General Chemistry II  

CHE 1811 - General Chemistry II Laboratory  

10

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC1

Environmental Science

3, 4, or 5

ENV 1200 - Introduction to Environmental Science  

3

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC2

Physics B

3, 4, or 5

PHY 2010 - College Physics I  

PHY 2020 - College Physics II  

PHY 2030 - College Physics I Laboratory  

PHY 2040 - College Physics II Laboratory  

10

Natural and Physical Sciences

None

Physics C Mechanics

3, 4, or 5

PHY 2311 - General Physics I  

PHY 2321 - General Physics I Laboratory  

5

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC1

Physics C Electricity and Magnetism

3, 4, or 5

PHY 2331 - General Physics II  

PHY 2341 - General Physics II Laboratory  

5

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC1

Physics 1

3, 4, or 5

PHY 2010 - College Physics I  

PHY 2030 - College Physics I Laboratory  

5

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC1

Physics 2

3, 4, or 5

PHY 2020 - College Physics II  

PHY 2040 - College Physics II Laboratory  

5

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC1

   

Social and Behavioral Sciences

African American Studies 3,4,or 5 AAS 1010 - Introduction to Africana Studies   3 Social and Behavioral Sciences, ESSJ SS3

Economics: Microeconomics

3, 4, or 5

ECO 2020 - Principles of Microeconomics  

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS1 and SS2

Economics: Macroeconomics

3, 4, or 5

ECO 2010 - Principles of Macroeconomics  

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS1

Human Geography

3, 4, or 5

GEG 1300 - Introduction to Human Geography  

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Diversity

SS1

Government and Politics: United States

3, 4, or 5

PSC 1010 - American National Government  

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS1

Government and Politics: Comparative

3, 4, or 5

PSC 1010 - American National Government  

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS1

Psychology

3, 4, or 5

PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology  

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

None

   

Music

Music Theory

3, 4, or 5

MUS 1010 - Essential Music Theory Skills  

3

None

None

   

Philosophy

Philosophy

3, 4, or 5

PHI 1010 - The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy  

3

Arts and Humanities

None

 


 

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) consists of a series of national standardized examinations. They are designed to assess non-accredited, college-level knowledge in several subject areas. Students are advised to check with their major departments for information on specific General Studies requirements that may not be met through the use of CLEP examinations.

  • Credit earned through the English composition with essay, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences/history, and college mathematics examinations may be applied only to General Studies requirements. Credit earned through the other approved examinations may be applied toward any requirements for completing the degree, unless otherwise stated.
  • CLEP examinations are recorded without reference to a letter grade and are not figured into the student’s GPA. Credit earned through CLEP examinations does not count toward semester hour residency requirements. See Degree and Certificate Requirements .
  • In order to have CLEP examination results evaluated, the student should send a copy of the official score report to: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Office of the Registrar, Campus Box 84, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362. To request an official CLEP score report, contact collegeboard.com/clep or 800-257-9558. MSU Denver’s CLEP code is 4505.
  • All CLEP examinations will be subject to the statement of policy in place at the time the scores are submitted, not the policy in place at the time the examination was taken.
  • Credit awarded through CLEP examinations at other colleges or universities will be re-evaluated at MSU Denver according to the MSU Denver policy in place at the time the test scores are submitted. Students are advised to have an official copy of their score(s) sent to the University in order to have that credit evaluated.
  • Any exception to these policies must be approved through the Petition for Degree Exception. Information about filing an appeal through the Petition for Degree Exception is available from the Dean’s Office of the College or School corresponding to the student’s major.
  • Failure to achieve the required score(s) listed will not be entered on the permanent record. However, a copy of the CLEP score report will be retained in the student’s file.

Additional information about the content and format of CLEP examinations is available through the College Board website. Examinations may be taken through MSU Denver’s Office of Assessment and Testing located in the Tivoli Student Union, Room 347, 303 615-1700. Other official testing centers can be found through the College Board website listed above.

CLEP EXAMINATION STANDARDS

 
Subject Area CLEP Exam Equivalent Course(s) Minimum Score for
MSU Denver Credit
MSU Denver Credit

MSU Denver
General Studies

GT Pathways Category

Business

Financial Accounting

ACC 2010 - Principles of Accounting I  

50

3

None

None

 

Information Systems

CIS 2010 - Foundations of Information Systems  

50

3

None

None

Introductory Business Law

MGT 2210 - Legal Environment of Business I  

50

3

None

None

Principles of Management

MGT 8900*

50

3

None

None

Principles of Marketing

MKT 8900*

50

3

None

None

 

Composition and Literature

American Literature

ENG 2220 - American Literature: Civil War to Present  

50 3 Arts and Humanities AH2

Analyzing and Interpreting Literature1

ENG 1100 - Introduction to Literature   50 3 Arts and Humanities AH2

College Composition

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments 

ENG 1020 - Research and Argument Writing  

50 6 Written Communication CO1 and CO2

College Composition Modular

ENG 1009 - Stretch Composing Arguments B   50 3 Written Communication CO1

English Literature

ENG 2330 - British Literature: Late 1700s to the Present  

50 3 Arts and Humanities AH2

Humanities

LAS 8000

50

3

Arts and Humanities

AH1

 

History and Social Sciences

American Government

PSC 1010 - American National Government  

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS1

History of the United States I

HIS 1210 - American History to 1865  

50

3

Historical

HI1

History of the United States II

HIS 1220 - American History since 1865  

50

3

Historical

HI1

Human Growth and Development

PSY 2210 - Psychology of Human Development  

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS3

Introduction to Educational Psychology

PSY 8000

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS3

Introductory Psychology

PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology  

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS3

Introductory Sociology

SOC 1010 - People, Power, and Progress  

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS3

Principles of Macroeconomics

ECO 2010 - Principles of Macroeconomics  

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS3

Principles of Microeconomics

ECO 2020 - Principles of Microeconomics  

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS3

Social Science and History

LAS 8000

50

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

SS1

Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648

HIS 8000

50

3

Historical, Global Diversity

HI1

Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present

HIS 8000

50

3

Historical, Global Diversity

HI1

 

Science and Mathematics

Biology

BIO 1030 - General Biology for Non-Majors  

50

6

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC2

Chemistry

CHE 1800 - General Chemistry I  

CHE 1810 - General Chemistry II  

50

8

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC2

Natural Sciences

BIO 1030 - General Biology for Non-Majors  

50

6

Natural and Physical Sciences

SC2

Calculus

MTH 1410 - Calculus I  

50

4

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

College Algebra

MTH 1110 - College Algebra for Calculus  

50

4

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

College Mathematics

MTH 1080 - Mathematics for Liberal Arts  

50

3

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

Precalculus

MTH 1400 - Precalculus Mathematics  

50

4

Quantitative Literacy

MA1

 
World Languages

French Language

FRE 8000 (6)

FRE 8001 (4)

50-58

10

None

None

French Language

FRE 8000 (6)

FRE 8001 (4)

FRE 8002 (3)

59

13

Arts and Humanities

AH4

French Language

FRE 8000 (6)

FRE 8001 (4)

FRE 8002 (3)

FRE 8003 (3)

60 and up

16

Arts and Humanities

AH4

German Language

GER 8000 (6)

GER 8001 (4)

50-59

10

None

None

German Language

GER 8000 (6)

GER 8001 (4)

GER 8002 (3)

60

13

Arts and Humanities

AH4

German Language

GER 8000 (6)

GER 8001 (4)

GER 8002 (3)

GER 8003 (3)

61 and up

16

Arts and Humanities

AH4

Spanish Language

SPA 8000 (6)

SPA 8001 (4)

50-62

10

None

None

Spanish Language

SPA 8000 (6)

SPA 8001 (4)

SPA 8002 (3)

63

13

Arts and Humanities

AH4

Spanish Language

SPA 8000 (6)

SPA 8001 (4)

SPA 8002 (3)

SPA 8003 (3)

64 and up

16

Arts and Humanities

AH4

Spanish with Writing

SPA 8000 (6)

50-55

6

None

None

Spanish with Writing

SPA 8000 (6)

SPA 8001 (4)

56-64

10

None

None

Spanish with Writing

SPA 8000 (6)

SPA 8001 (4)

SPA 8002 (3)

65-69

13

Arts and Humanities

AH4

Spanish with Writing

SPA 8000 (6)

SPA 8001 (4)

SPA 8002 (3)

SPA 8003 (3)

70 and above

16

Arts and Humanities

AH4

 

Examination scores are based on standards set by NTE/ETS and in consultation with the appropriate department chairperson.

*MGT8900 is equivalent to MGT3000- Organizational Management, but counts as lower division.

*MKT8900 is equivalent to MKT3000- Principles of Marketing, but counts as lower division.

DANTES Tests (DSST)

MSU Denver awards credit for Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Credit may be awarded if the DANTES score is at the ACE (American Council on Education) minimum and the MSU Denver Academic Department approves the credit. To have a DANTES exam evaluated, a DANTES transcript or ACE transcript showing the exams taken and scores received must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. To request a copy of your DANTES scores, please go to the following website.

For information on test credit, please visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

International Baccalaureate

Students who complete the IB Diploma Program and the IB examinations are guaranteed admission to the University and are eligible to receive credit and advanced placement standing. To receive credit, a student must receive at least a score of four (4) on each IB examination and call 301-202-3025 or visit this site to request that official scores be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions from the IB organization. For specific equivalencies, see the table below. Please contact the Office of the Registrar at 303-556-3991 for more information. Students should consult with the appropriate department for further advising and with their major departments about acceptance of credits toward their majors.

IB scores that are equivalent to a course with the Oral Communication General Studies designation will receive Oral Communication General Studies credit.

 

Subject Area

Exam Title

Level of
Exam

Subject Code

Course Code

Exam
Score

MSU Denver Equivalent Course(s)

Credit Awarded

MSU Denver General
Studies

Arts

Dance

Higher

DANCE

4-7H

4 to 7

Theatre 8000

3

None

Theatre Arts

Higher

THE

4-7H

4 to 7

THE 2210 - Introduction to Theatre   

3

Arts and Humanities

Standard

THE

4-7S

4 to 7

THE 2210 - Introduction to Theatre  

3

Arts and Humanities

Film

Higher

FILM

4-7H

4 to 7

ENG 2860 - Introduction to Film and Media Studies  

3

Arts and Humanities

Standard

FILM

4-7S

4 to 7

ENG 2860 - Introduction to Film and Media Studies  

3

Arts and Humanities

Music

Higher

MUS

4-7H

4 to 7

MUS 1000 - Introduction to Music  

3

Arts and Humanities

Music Creating

Standard

MUSC

4-7S

4 to 7

MUS 1000 - Introduction to Music  

3

Arts and Humanities

Music Group Performing

Standard

MUSGP

4-7S

4 to 7

MUS 1000 - Introduction to Music  

3

Arts and Humanities

Music Solo Performing

Standard

MUSSP

4-7S

4 to 7

MUS 1000 - Introduction to Music  

3

Arts and Humanities

 

Computer Science

Computer Science

Higher

CMPSC

4-7H

4 to 7

CIS 1010 - Introduction to Computers , CIS 8000

6

None

Standard

CMPSC

4-7S

4 to 7

CIS 1010 - Introduction to Computers  

3

None

 

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Social and Cultural Anthropology

Higher

ANT

4-7H

4 to 7

ANT 1310 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology , ANT 8000

6

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Diversity

Standard

ANT

4-7S

4 to 7

ANT 1310 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 

 

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Diversity

Economics

Higher

ECO

4-7H

4 to 7

ECO 2010 - Principles of Macroeconomics , ECO 8000

6

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Standard

ECO

4-7S

4 to 7

ECO 8000

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Geography

Higher

GEG

4-7H1

4 to 7

GEG 1300 - Introduction to Human Geography , GEG 1100 - Introduction to Physical Geography 

 

6

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Diversity

Standard

GEG

4-7S1

4 to 7

GEG 1300 - Introduction to Human Geography 

 

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Diversity

Global Politics

Higher

GPOL

4-7S

4 to 7

PSC 2240 - Global Challenges in the Twenty-First Century 

 

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Diversity

Standard

GPOL

4-7H

4 to 7

PSC 8000

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Diversity

Psychology

Higher

PSY

4-7H

4 to 7

PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology , PSY 8888

6

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Standard

PSY

4-7S

4 to 7

PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology , PSY 8888

6

Social and Behavioral Sciences

 

Visual Arts

Art Design A

Higher

ARTD

4-7H

4 to 7

ART 1101 - Studio Foundations: 2D , ART 8000

6

None

Standard

ARTD

4-7S

4 to 7

ART 1101 - Studio Foundations: 2D 

 

3

None

Art Visual

Higher

ARTV

4-7H

4 to 7

ART 8000

6

None

Standard

ARTV

4-7S

4 to 7

ART 8000

3

None

 

Natural and Physical Sciences

Biology

Higher

BIO

4H

4

BIO 1080 - General Biology I , BIO 1081 - General Biology II , BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I , BIO 1091 - General Biology Laboratory II 

 

8

Natural and Physical Sciences

Higher

BIO

5-7H

5 to 7

BIO 1080 - General Biology I , BIO 1081 - General Biology II , BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I , BIO 1091 - General Biology Laboratory II 

 

8

Natural and Physical Sciences

Standard

BIO

4-7S

5 to 7

BIO 1030 - General Biology for Non-Majors  

4

Natural and Physical Sciences

Chemistry

Higher

CHE

4-7H

4 to 7

CHE 1100 - Principles of Chemistry , CHE 1150 - Principles of Chemistry Laboratory , CHE 1010 - Chemistry and Society 

 

8

Natural and Physical Sciences

Standard

CHE

4-7S

4 to 7

CHE 1010 - Chemistry and Society  

3

Natural and Physical Sciences

Environmental Systems and Societies

Standard

ENV

4-7S

4 to 7

ENV 1200 - Introduction to Environmental Science 

 

3

Natural and Physical Sciences

Physics

Higher

PHY

4-7H

4 to 7

PHY 2010 - College Physics I , PHY 2020 - College Physics II  

8

Natural and Physical Sciences

Standard

PHY

4-7S

4 to 7

PHY 1000 - Physics of Nature  

4

Natural and Physical Sciences

 

Foreign Language A1

French

Higher

FRE

4-7H

4 to 7

FRE 3110 - Survey of French Literature I , FRE 3320 - Cinema in French for Advanced Conversation  

6

None

Standard

FRE

4-7S

4 to 7

FRE 1010 - Elementary French I , FRE 1020 - Elementary French II 

 

10

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

German

Higher

GER

4-7H

4 to 7

GER 3010 - Third-Year German Conversation , GER 3210 - Survey of German Literature I 

 

6

None

Standard

GER

4-7S

4 to 7

GER 1010 - Elementary German I , GER 1020 - Elementary German II 

 

10

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

Spanish

Higher

SPA

4-7H

4 to 7

SPA 3110 - Advanced Conversation , SPA 3250 - Introduction to Literary Studies in Spanish 

 

6

None

Standard

SPA

4-7S

4 to 7

SPA 1010 - Elementary Spanish I , SPA 1020 - Elementary Spanish II 

 

10

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

Japanese

Higher

JPS

4-7H

4 to 7

JPS 8000

6

None

Standard

JPS

4-7S

4 to 7

JPS 8000

3

None

Latin

Higher

LATN

4-7H

4 to 7

LANG 8000

6

 

Standard

LATN

4-7S

4 to 7

LANG 8000

3

 

Russian

Higher

RUSN

4-7H

4 to 7

LANG 8000

6

 

Standard

RUSN

4-7S

4 to 7

LANG 8000

3

 

 

Foreign Language B

French

Higher

FRE B

4-5H

4 to 5

FRE 1010 - Elementary French I , FRE 1020 - Elementary French II 

 

10

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

Higher

FRE B

6-7H

6 to 7

FRE 1010 - Elementary French I , FRE 1020 - Elementary French II , FRE 2010 - Intermediate French I 

 

13

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

Standard

FRE B

4S

4

FRE 1010 - Elementary French I  

5

Oral Communication

Standard

FRE B

5-6S

5 to 6

FRE 1010 - Elementary French I , FRE 1020 - Elementary French II 

 

10

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

Standard

FRE B

7S

7

FRE 1010 - Elementary French I , FRE 1020 - Elementary French II , FRE 2010 - Intermediate French I 

 

13

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

German

Higher

GER B

4-7H

4 to 7

GER 2110 - German Reading and Conversation , GER 2120 - German Civilization  

6

None

Standard

GER B

4-7S

4 to 7

GER 1010 - Elementary German I , GER 1020 - Elementary German II 

 
10

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

Spanish

Higher

SPA B

4-7H

4 to 7

SPA 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I , SPA 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II 

 

6

None

Standard

SPA B

4-7S

4 to 7

SPA 1010 - Elementary Spanish I , SPA 1020 - Elementary Spanish II 

 

10

Oral Communication, Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

 

History

History of Africa

Higher

HISA

4-7H

4 to 7

HIS 8000

6

Historical

Standard

HISA

4-7S

4 to 7

HIS 8000

3

Historical

20th Century World History

Standard

HISA

4-7S

4 to 7

 

HIS 1040 - World History since 1500  

3

Historical, Global Diversity

20th Century World History-The Americas

Higher

HISW A

4-7S

4 to 7

HIS 8000

6

Historical

History of Asia

Higher

HISS

4-7H

4 to 7

HIS 8000

6

Historical

Standard

HISS

4-7S

4 to 7

HIS 8000

3

Historical

20th Century World History- European

Higher

HISW E

4-7

4 to 7

HIS 1045 - Europe, Renaissance to the Present , HIS 8000

6

Historical, Global Diversity

 

English

English Literature

Higher

ENGA-1B

4-7H

4 to 7

ENG 1100 - Introduction to Literature  

3

Arts and Humanities

Standard

ENGA-1B

4-7S

4 to 7

ENG 1100 - Introduction to Literature  

3

Arts and Humanities

English A Language and Literature

Higher

ENGA-1A and ENGA-1B

4-7H

4 to 7

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments , ENG 1100 - Introduction to Literature  

6

Written Communication, Arts and Humanities

Standard

ENGA-1A

4-7S

4 to 7

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments  

3

Written Communication

English Language

Higher

ENGA-1A

4-7H

4 to 7

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments  

3

Written Communication

Standard

ENGA-1A

4-7S

4 to 7

ENG 1010 - Composing Arguments  

3

Written Communication

 

Mathematics

Mathematics

Higher

MATH

4H

4

MTH 1400 - Precalculus Mathematics  

4

Quantitative Literacy

Higher

MATH

5-4H

5 to 7

MTH 1410 - Calculus I  

4

Quantitative Literacy

Standard

MATH

4-7S

4 to 7

MTH 1110 - College Algebra for Calculus  

4

Quantitative Literacy

Further Mathematics

Higher

MATHF

4-7H

4 to 7

MTH 2140 - Computational Matrix Algebra , MTH 2410 - Calculus II 

 

6

Quantitative Literacy

Mathematics Applications and Interpretations

Higher

MATHAI

4-7H

4 to 7

MTH 8000

6

Quantitative Literacy

Standard

MATHAI

4-7S

4 to 7

MTH 8000

3

Quantitative Literacy

Mathematics Analysis and Approaches

Higher

MATHAA

4-7H

4 to 7

MTH 8000

6

Quantitative Literacy

Standard

MATHAA

4-7S

4 to 7

MTH 8000

3

Quantitative Literacy

Math Methods

Standard

MATHM

4S

4

MTH 8000

3

Quantitative Literacy

Standard

MATHM

5-7S

5 to 7

MTH 1110 - College Algebra for Calculus  

4

Quantitative Literacy

Math Studies

Standard

MATHS

4-7S

4 to 7

MTH 1080 - Mathematics for Liberal Arts  

3

Quantitative Literacy

Philosophy

Philosophy

Higher

PHIL

4-7H

4 to 7

PHI 1010 - The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy  

3

Arts and Humanities

Standard

PHIL

4-7S

4 to 7

PHI 1010 - The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy  

3

Arts and Humanities

World Religions

Standard

WREL

4-7S

4 to 7

PHI 8000

3

Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity

Exercise Science Sports and Exercise Science None None None None None None None
Business Business Management None None None None None None None

 

Departmental Credit by Examination

A department may grant a student credit for college courses for which the student requests and passes appropriate examinations. The non-refundable processing fee reflects actual administration costs and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Credit through departmental examination is based on knowledge equivalent to a regular course offered by the University. Omnibus-numbered courses are excluded. No record of failures on such examinations will be entered on the student’s permanent record.

The following policies apply to all courses:

  • Examinations cannot be taken to raise grades, to remove failures, or to remove notations that have no effect on the GPA.
  • Credit by examination is not applicable toward the semester hour residency requirements. See Degree and Certificate Requirements .
  • Credit by examination will not be granted for courses attended as an auditor.
  • Examinations for credit will be taken at a time specified by the department. The department may limit the number of times students can attempt to challenge a course in one semester or in total. See department for details.
  • The hours granted for credit by exam are not included as a part of the student’s semester enrollment. The credit will appear on the transcript for the semester in which the examination was taken, but the hours do not count as part of the student’s total enrollment for the purposes of financial aid or any other purpose predicated on total hours of enrollment for a given semester.
  • Any exception to these policies must be approved through the Petition for Degree Exception. Information about filing an appeal through the Petition for Degree Exception is available from the Dean’s Office of the College or School corresponding to the student’s major.

The following policies only apply to courses with a gtPathways designation:

  • MSU Denver will not grant credit for a departmental examination if, prior to the semester the exam is taken, a student has completed, was enrolled in, or is enrolled in, college courses equivalent to the subject material of the exam.
  • A grade equivalent to “C-” or higher must be attained on the examination in order to receive credit, but credit earned for the course will be recorded without a grade on the student’s permanent record and are not considered in computing university grade point averages.

The following policies only apply to courses that do not have a gtPathways designation:

  • Permission for departmental credit by examination must be obtained in advance from the instructor giving the examination, the department chair, and the appropriate dean.
  • Credit by examination cannot be obtained for a course in which a student has been enrolled at MSU Denver or at another regionally accredited college or university.
  • MSU Denver will not grant credit for a departmental examination if, prior to the semester the exam is taken, a student has completed, is enrolled in, or was enrolled in, college courses equivalent to or more advanced than the subject material of the exam. This restriction includes courses designated at a higher level (i.e., 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000) within the same subject prefix (e.g., HIS, ENG).
  • A grade equivalent to “B” or higher must be attained on the examination in order to receive credit, but credits earned for the course will be recorded without a grade on the student’s permanent record and are not considered in computing university grade point averages.

Applications for departmental credit by examination are available at the Office of the Registrar (Student Success Building, Suite 160, #3).

Portfolio Assessment

Students may apply for credit for college-level learning gained through experience by preparing and submitting a prior learning portfolio. Credit is awarded on the basis of a careful assessment of the prior learning portfolio by faculty in the department from which credit is sought. Portfolio assessment is available in many, but not all, academic departments. To earn credit, a student must be degree- or certificate-seeking.

The portfolio is developed with the assistance of the Prior Learning Specialist. Portfolio assessment may be used to apply for credit for specific courses listed in the Catalog. Students may also apply for credit for omnibus courses through portfolio assessment with the permission of the appropriate academic department.

Students seeking Prior Learning Credit through Portfolio creation are required to take the 1-credit, EDS 2680 - Portfolio Development Workshop . Students may submit multiple portfolios (approved by major departments) thereafter.

The cost for Portfolio Submission is listed on the Prior Learning Assessment website.

Advising sessions about portfolio assessment and other credit for prior learning options are held on a regular basis. For assistance and further information, contact the Prior Learning Specialist at 303-605-5574 or the Office of the Registrar.

 

Credit for Military Training, Military Occupational Specialties, and Other Training Programs Evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE)

Military training, Military Occupational Specialties, and other educational programs that have been assessed for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) will be evaluated for transfer credit at MSU Denver for Veteran, Reserve, and Active Duty students.

In addition MSU Denver offers the following package of transfer credit and waivers:

  • Either 6 semester hours of lower division elective credit (MILR 8000) for all students who have served four years active duty in the U.S. military OR 3 semester hours of lower division elective credit (MILR 8000) for all students who have served two years active duty in the U.S. military.
  • 6 additional semester hours of upper division elective credit (MILR 9000) for students who have either served two terms of service of four years each or attained the rank of E5 or above in the U.S. military.
  • 3 credits of COMM 1010 - Presentational Speaking  for all students who served at least one enlistment and achieved the rank of E5 or above in the U.S. military.
  • Waiver of the Global Diversity requirement for all students who accumulate at least 6 months of foreign service in the U.S. military.

Applicable credit and waivers will be granted upon presentation of evidence of either continued active service, transfer to the Reserve component, or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. Students who have been discharged from active service should submit their form DD214 to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation.

To request a military transcript, visit jst.doded.mil. Community College of the Air Force transcripts can be requested here.

Contact Prior Learning Specialist in the Office of the Registrar at 303-605-5574 for the following:

  • Guidance in selecting a program of study and optimizing the use of prior learning assessment credit to accelerate the student’s path to degree or certificate completion in the chosen program of study.

  • Questions regarding credit awarded for military experience or other prior learning assessment options.

The evaluation of previous postsecondary education and training is mandatory and required for VA beneficiaries. For students utilizing Veterans benefits who are approved for transfer credit as a result of this evaluation, the institution will grant appropriate credit, reduce the program length proportionately, notify the student and Veterans Affairs in writing of this decision, and adjust invoicing of the VA accordingly.

VA students’ records must be kept for 3 years following the ending date of the last period certified to VA. Referenced law: Title 38 CFR 21.4209(f))

Credit for Other Training Programs

Non-collegiate training such as corporate and educational programs, certifications, apprenticeships, and professional licenses may be considered for transfer credit with the approval of the academic department.

 

Page Modified June 30, 2023