Dec 06, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Certificate in Risk Assurance and Advisory


Risk Assurance and Advisory professionals add value to organizations by providing independent assurance and advisory services addressing governance, risk management, and controls across all aspects of a business. These professionals may work directly for a specific organization or in professional services and consulting firms offering risk assurance and advisory services to a variety of clients. This certificate will enable graduate students to gain practical skills that are transferrable to a wide variety of governance, risk management and controls roles as well as prepare for other industry-relevant certifications. Since MSU Denver is recognized as an Internal Auditing Education Partner, the student will also earn a certificate endorsed by the Institute of Internal Auditors. 

Students will take 9 credits of required courses, plus 3 credits of elective courses, for a total of 12 credits to earn their Graduate Certificate in Risk Assurance and Advisory. 

Students must complete each course in the certificate program with a grade of “B” or better. The courses cannot be taken pass/fail. Some courses in the certificate have prerequisites which must be satisfied. All credit hours of the required courses for this certificate must be completed at MSU Denver.

Certificate Program Admission: 

Students eligible to enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Risk Assurance and Advisory courses include:

  • Students with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA (cumulative or last 60 hours);
  • Students with a bachelor’s degree and approved professional examination, licensure or relevant professional experience;
  • Students currently admitted to a graduate business program at another regionally accredited college or university; 
  • Students with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university with an admissions GMAT index score >1,000; and/or
  • Students with approved significant relevant professional experience.

Required Courses


Students will take three required courses totaling 9 credits. These courses incorporate skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective Risk Assurance and Advisory professional including governance, enterprise risk management, internal controls, internal audit standards and ethics, business processes, fraud risks and investigations, and data analysis. 

Elective Course Options


In addition to the three required courses, an additional 3 credits must be taken from the electives listed here. There are electives covering a wide range of courses that help students tailor their certificate based on interests and career goals in the Risk Assurance and Advisory profession.

Total: 12 credits


Program Modified June 28, 2023