Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions Information


Click on any of the following for more information:

Undergraduate Admissions

International Student Admissions 

 

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

(Applies to Fall 2016, Spring 2017 and Summer 2017)

At CU Denver, seven undergraduate schools and colleges (College of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts & Media, Business School, College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Education and Human Development and School of Public Affairs) provide a diverse array of baccalaureate majors, minors, certificates and teacher licensure options to meet the ever-challenging demands of a global society. Your undergraduate education consists of a general core curriculum, a major and elective courses for all areas of study. The campus-wide core curriculum develops proficiency in writing and mathematics, cultivates a breadth of knowledge, promotes critical thinking, allows you the flexibility to meet your career goals and helps you develop sensitivity to cultural diversity and international perspectives.

A list of all our undergraduate programs, including minors and online programs, is available by clicking here .

General Information

Physical Office: 1201 Larimer Street, Suite 1007 Denver, CO 80204
Mailing Address: Campus Box 167 PO Box 173364 Denver, CO 80217-3364
Telephone: 303-315-2601
Fax: 303-315-2610
E-mail:
admissions@ucdenver.edu

CU Denver seeks to identify applicants who are likely to be successful in a rigorous academic program of study. Admission decisions are based on many factors, the most important being:

  • Level of previous academic performance
  • Evidence of academic ability and accomplishment as indicated by scores on national aptitude tests
  • Evidence of maturity, motivation and potential for academic success

CU Denver may deny admission to new applicants or readmission to former students whose total credentials indicate an inability to assume obligations of performance and behavior deemed essential by the university.

After completing the application process, official notification of one’s admission status as an undergraduate or non-degree student is provided by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Letters from various schools and colleges indicating acceptance into a particular program are pending, subject to official notification of admission to the institution by the admissions office.

Students who are admitted pending receipt of official documents will be permitted one term to submit the final documents. If official documents are not received by the end of the initial term of attendance, registration for subsequent terms will be denied. If at any time additional credentials are received that affect the student’s qualifications, the university reserves the right to change the admission decision.

Applicants who have not decided upon a major field of study will be considered for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as undeclared majors. Students admitted as undeclared majors should declare a major as quickly as possible and no later than the end of their sophomore year.

All questions about admission to CU Denver should be directed to 303-315-2601 or admissions@ucdenver.edu. Send credentials to:

University of Colorado Denver
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 167, P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Application Deadlines

The university may change document/credential deadlines in accordance with enrollment demands. For the best scholarship and registration time considerations, applicants should apply and be admitted as early as possible. Admission to the university does not assure availability of specific courses. For an applicant to be considered for a specific term, all documents required for admission must be received in the Office of Admissions by the deadline for that term. Applicants who are unable to meet the deadline may elect to be considered for a later term. Transfer students are reminded that they should allow sufficient time to have transcripts sent from institutions they have previously attended.

Freshman Student Admissions

Freshman admission standards define the level of success and achievement necessary to be admitted to CU Denver and include factors that predict academic success such as scores on the ACT or SAT, high school course work and GPA. Both the subjects the student has studied and how the student has performed will be factors that determine admission to the university. 

Applicants being considered for admission to a college or university for the first time after graduating from high school or earning a GED are freshmen for admission purposes, even if any number of college courses were completed prior to high school graduation. College credits earned while in high school may be considered in transfer to the university. Freshmen may apply for admission to the College of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts & Media, Business School, College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Education and Human Development and School of Public Affairs.

Freshman applicants must be high school graduates, be enrolled in a program of study leading to high school graduation, or have been awarded a High School Equivalency Certificate by completing the General Education Development (GED) test and are subject to the state of Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR) and University of Colorado Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) as outlined above. 

 Admission Consideration by Academic Program

College of Architecture and Planning

Architecture applicants will receive priority consideration if they have fulfilled all HEAR and MAPS requirements and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA. For admission to the College of Architecture and Planning, applicants must have an admission index  score of 103. Applicants not meeting requirements for direct admission to the College of Architecture and Planning are automatically considered for admission as Pre-Architecture majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

College of Arts & Media

For majors other than music, arts and media applicants will receive priority consideration if they have fulfilled all HEAR and MAPS requirements and have a cumulative 2.0 GPA. For admission to the College of Arts & Media, applicants must have an admission index  score of 93.

Music applicants receive priority consideration if they meet at least the minimum criteria above for arts and media admission AND complete additional music application requirements by the posted music application deadline date. For all music programs, a music theory and aural skills examination is required. For all music programs except the non-audition tracks in music business and recording arts, an audition is required. Music admission is open only for Fall semester and is competitive for all students. Complete application files are pooled and reviewed by a selection committee. Visit the music department website for additional information.

Business School

Business applicants must have completed all college preparatory curriculum in high school, have a cumulative 3.0 GPA and achieved a score of at least 24 on the ACT (16 or higher in English) or 1100 on the SAT (excluding essay with 410 or higher in critical reading). For admission to the Business School, applicants must have an admission index  score of 103. Applicants not meeting requirements for direct admission to the Business School will be automatically considered for admission as Pre-Business majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

College of Engineering and Applied Science

Engineering applicants will receive priority consideration if they have fulfilled all HEAR and MAPS requirements, have a cumulative 3.0 GPA and achieved a composite score of at least 26 on the ACT (16 or higher in English and 27 or higher in mathematics) or a combined score of at least 1100 on the SAT (excluding essay with 410 or higher in critical reading and 600 or higher in mathematics). For admission to the College of Engineering and Applied Science, applicants must have an admission index  score of 103. Applicants not meeting requirements for direct admission to the College of Engineering and Applied Science will be automatically considered for admission as Pre-Engineering majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

There is no direct admission into the Bioengineering major. Applicants will apply and be considered for admission as Bioengineering pre-majors. Pre-majors may apply for the major after successfully completing a series of pre-major requirements.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Liberal arts and science applicants will receive priority consideration if they have fulfilled all HEAR and MAPS requirements and have a cumulative 2.0 GPA. For admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, applicants must have an admission index  score of 93.

School of Education and Human Development

Education and Human Development (EDHD) applicants will receive priority consideration if they have fulfilled all HEAR and MAPS requirements, are admissible to the university and have an admission index  score of 93.

School of Public Affairs

Criminal justice applicants in the School of Public Affairs will receive priority consideration if they have fulfilled all HEAR and MAPS requirements and have a cumulative 2.0 GPA. For criminal justice admission, applicants must have an admission index  score of 93.

How to Apply for Undergraduate Admission

  1. Students must apply online at www.ucdenver.edu/admissions.  
  2. The application must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions along with a $50 (subject to change) nonrefundable application fee. The fee may be paid with a credit card, check, e-check, or money order. For applicants who are granted admission but are unable to enroll for that term, the $50 application fee will remain valid for 12 months, provided the Office of Admissions is informed of the intent to enroll for a later term and the student does not enroll at another college or university. Note: Only 2 term deferments are allowed per application.
  3. Students are required to have their high school send an official transcript of their high school grades to the Office of Admissions. For applicants currently enrolled in high school, final official transcripts are also required after the high school graduation date is officially posted. Official transcripts are those sent by the issuing institution or sent electronically through a third party etranscript exchange agent directly to: Office of Admissions, University of Colorado Denver, Campus Box 167, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364. Faxed, copied or electronic copies sent other than through a third party etranscript exchange agent are not official and will not be used for an admission decision. Hand-carried copies are official only if delivered in a sealed envelope originating at the issuing institution.
  4. Students who did not graduate from high school are required to have a copy of their GED test scores and GED certificate sent directly from the certifying agency to the CU Denver Office of Admissions. For GED applicants, GED scores and ACT or SAT scores are the basis for the admission decision. GED applicants must also submit official high school transcripts for a complete applicant file, but high school transcripts are not factored into the admission review process.
  5. Students are required to take either the ACT (essay portion is optional) or the SAT and request that test scores be sent to CU Denver (ACT code 0533, SAT code 4875). High school students may obtain ACT and SAT test dates and locations from their counselors. Scores from national exams or the Colorado junior ACT exam are accepted.  Residual exams are accepted ONLY if administered by Metropolitan State University of Denver. Other residual exams are not accepted. Students who took one or more of these tests while in high school may use the test scores reported on their official high school transcript as an official test score report. Applicants who did not designate CU Denver as a score recipient and/or whose scores are not posted on high school transcripts must notify the testing agency to send scores to CU Denver. A request for additional score reports may be requested from any of the offices listed below.

    American College Testing Program (ACT)
    P.O. Box 451
    Iowa City, Iowa 52243
    319-337-1313

    www.ACT.org school code: 0533

    The College Board (SAT)
    P.O. Box 8057
    Mount Vernon, IL 62864
    866-756-7346

    www.collegeboard.org school code: 4875
     

Credentials

All credentials presented for admission become the property of the University of Colorado Denver and must remain on file. Original documents and/or copies of submitted documents are not returned or provided to students.

Students who knowingly falsify transcripts or test scores or who fail to indicate and provide credentials from all previously attended institutions may be denied admission to, or may be disenrolled from, the university.

Applicants Not Granted Admission

An applicant who is not granted admission as an entering freshman may wish to consider transferring to the university after successful study elsewhere. Students should select courses that will provide sound academic preparation for future transfer.

Freshman students who are not admissible are encouraged to participate in the Admissions Promise program that CU Denver has established with select Colorado community colleges.

Transfer Student Admissions

Applicants are considered as transfer students for admission purposes if they have completed any number of college courses after graduating from high school or earning a GED. Applicants with any number of college courses taken only prior to high school graduation are considered as freshmen for admission purposes and should consult the Undergraduate Admissions Information  section of the catalog.  

Transfer applicants who graduated from high school in 1988 or later are subject to MAPS  requirements. Transfer students who graduated from high school in 2008 or later and have fewer than 30 college credits* completed at the time of application are subject to HEAR  requirements in addition to MAPS. Transfer applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED regardless of the number of college credits completed.

Admission Consideration

Students with 12 or fewer semester hours of completed college-level course work at the time of application are considered for admission based on high school GPA, high school courses/units completed, ACT or SAT scores and college or university GPA.

Students with 13 to 29 semester hours of completed college-level course work at the time of application are considered for admission based primarily upon performance in college courses, but high school transcripts are still required. ACT or SAT scores are desirable, but not required.

Students with 30 or more semester hours of completed college-level course work at the time of application are considered for admission based upon college course work alone. High school records and ACT or SAT scores are not required.

The cumulative GPA is calculated as or converted to a 4.0 scale and will include all college or university course work attempted, including course work from foreign institutions.

Admission Criteria by Academic Program

 Architecture and Planning, College of

For automatic admission to the architecture major, students must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA for all coursework attempted. Students with at least a 2.3 cumulative GPA may be considered on an individual basis if the academic record shows a consistent record of improvement and/or strong performance in science, mathematics, art, or architecture-oriented courses. Students with a 2.0 to 2.29 cumulative GPA may be considered for admission as Pre-Architecture majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. If not initially admitted to the architecture program, students can be reconsidered through an internal CU Denver process upon meeting the criteria outline above.

Arts & Media, College of

A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA is required. Music applicants receive priority consideration if they meet at least the minimum transfer criteria for arts and media admission AND complete additional music application requirements by the posted music application deadline date. For all music programs, a music theory and aural skills examination is required. For all music programs except the non-audition tracks in music business and recording arts, an audition is required. Music admission is open only for fall semester and is competitive for all students. Complete application files are pooled and reviewed by a selection committee. Visit the music department website for additional information.

Business School

For admission to the Business School, a transfer applicant must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. Applicants with less than a cumulative 3.0 GPA may be admitted if the GPA is a 3.0 or higher in the most recent 24 credits. Note: Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in business will not be accepted for second undergraduate degree-seeking status in the Business School, as it is encouraged to pursue a graduate degree in business.

Education and Human Development, School of

A minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA is required for direct admission to the Education and Human Development degree program. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.29 are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Note: Students who have a previous Undergraduate or Graduate degree are not eligible for the School of Education & Human Development Undergraduate Program. Students in this category are encouraged to contact the School of Education & Human Development for licensure, endorsement, Master’s degrees, and educator opportunities at education@ucdenver.edu.

Engineering and Applied Science, College of

In an effort to identify and admit students who demonstrate sufficient promise to be successful in their pursuit of an engineering degree, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences has identified two pathways for admission to the college. Transfer applicants who show sufficient promise to be admitted directly into CEAS may be considered for full admission.

PATHWAY #1: Cumulative transfer GPA > 3.0 and a grade of B- or better in each college-level Calculus or Physics class taken

PATHWAY #2: Cumulative transfer GPA > 2.75 and a combined GPA in Calculus I, Calculus II, and Calculus-based Physics > 2.5

Applicants not meeting these requirements for direct admission to engineering programs will be automatically considered for admission as pre-engineering majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students who are admitted to Pre-Engineering must apply to transfer to the College of Engineering and Applied Science within three (3) semesters.

NOTE: There is no direct admission to the Bioengineering major; applicants apply and are considered for admission to the Bioengineering pre-major. Pre-majors may apply for the major after successfully completing a series of premajor requirements.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of

A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA is required.   

Public Affairs, School of

A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA is required.

How to Apply as a Transfer Student

  1. Students must apply online at www.ucdenver.edu/admissions.  
  2. The application must be submitted along with a $50 (subject to change) nonrefundable application fee. The fee may be paid with a credit card, check, e-check, or money order. For applicants who are granted admission but are unable to enroll for that term, the $50 application fee will remain valid for 12 months, provided the Office of Admissions is informed of the intent to enroll for a later term and the student does not enroll at another college or university. Note: Only 2 term deferments are allowed per application.
  3. Students must request that one official transcript be sent directly from each college or university attended, including foreign institutions, directly to the CU Denver Office of Admissions. Transcripts are considered official if received in this manner or received electronically through a third party etranscript exchange agent. Hand-carried transcripts or transcripts sent by the student are considered official only if delivered in the original sealed envelope of the issuing institution. All other transcripts are unofficial. If not in English, a certified English translation must accompany each official transcript. Official transcripts should be sent to:

    Office of Admissions
    University of Colorado Denver
    Campus Box 167
    P.O. Box 173364
    Denver, CO 80217-3364
     
  4. For students who have completed fewer than 13 college-level semester hours at the time of application, official high school transcripts, GED scores (if applicable) and ACT or SAT scores must also be submitted. ACT or SAT scores recorded on the high school transcript are considered official.
  5. For students who have completed between 13 and 29 college-level semester hours at the time of application, official high school transcripts and GED scores (if applicable) must also be submitted.

Note:

  • A final official college or university transcript is also required and should be sent to the Office of Admissions at the end of the semester or term.
  • If you are a continuing college or university student at the time you apply for admission, official transcripts showing course work completed to date should be sent as indicated above. You must also request that a final official transcript be sent to the Office of Admissions when grades are recorded at the end of your final semester or term.
  • All credentials presented for admission consideration become the property of the University of Colorado and will not be copied for or returned to the student.
  • The University of Colorado Denver reserves the right to deny admission to transfer students not deemed to have completed college-level course work at the sending institution and/or those who are not eligible to return to their previous college or university campuses.
  • Students who knowingly falsify transcripts or test scores or who fail to indicate all previously attended institutions may be denied admission to, or may be disenrolled from, the university.

Non-Degree Student Admissions

Students who are at least 20 years of age and wish to take university courses, but do not plan to work toward a University of Colorado degree, may be admitted as non-degree students. Students who are less than 20 years of age can only attend Summer semester (unless part of outreach programs). Questions regarding admission as a non-degree student should be directed to the Office of Admissions. Each college/school limits the number of semester hours taken as a non-degree student that may be transferred to a degree program.

Students considering changing from non-degree to degree status will need to apply as an undergraduate or graduate degree seeking student and meet the admission requirements of the intended program of study.

Note: International students are not admitted as non-degree students.

Financial Implications for Non-Degree students

Students with a baccalaureate degree who are admitted as nondegree students will be classified as nondegree graduate students and assessed graduate tuition regardless of the level of courses taken. If enrolling only in undergraduate courses, an adjustment may be requested through the Office of the Registrar to pay the undergraduate tuition rate. However, the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) is not available to in-state nondegree graduate students. To utilize COF and pay the lowest tuition rate, students must apply as undergraduate degree-seeking students, even if a degree is not desired.

Non-degree students are not eligible to receive federal or state financial aid, student loans and most CU Denver scholarships.

How to Apply as a Non-degree student

To apply for admission as a non-degree student, visit www.ucdenver.edu/admissions/nondegree and submit your application online. Submit the completed application by the deadline for the term desired. A $50 (subject to change) nonrefundable application fee is required. No additional credentials are required.

Readmission Requirements for Former Students

CU Denver students who have not registered and attended classes on the Denver Campus for one year or longer and who have not attended another institution since the University of Colorado are considered returning students and must formally apply for readmission. An additional application fee is only required if changing from undergraduate to graduate or non-degree to degree status or if the student attended another institution other than CU or if a degree was earned and the student is applying for a second degree. Students applying for readmission must complete an online application. If a fee is not required, students should indicate “pay by check” when prompted for application fee payment. The fee requirement is then removed during application processing.

Students who have attended another college or university since last attending the University of Colorado must apply as transfer students and meet the admission criteria and transfer student deadlines for receipt of documents. This requires payment of the $50 (subject to change) nonrefundable application fee and submission of one official transcript from each college or university attended since last enrollment at CU Denver. Transcripts must be issued electronically through a third party etranscript exchange agent or sent directly from the issuing institution to:

Office of Admissions
University of Colorado Denver
Campus Box 167
P. O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Students who last attended another University of Colorado campus as a degree seeking student must formally apply for admission and meet the admission criteria of CU Denver. An application fee is not required unless going from undergraduate to graduate status, from nondegree to degree status or if a degree was earned from any CU institution other than CU Denver (Colorado Springs & Boulder). Students must apply online and if an application fee is not required, should indicate “pay by check” when prompted for application fee payment. The fee requirement is then removed during application processing. University of Colorado transcripts are not required, but official transcripts from each college or university attended prior to enrollment at the University of Colorado must be submitted. Official transcripts are those sent by the issuing institution sealed in its’ original envelope or received electronically through a third party etranscript exchange agent. Hand-carried transcripts or transcripts sent by the student are considered official only if delivered in the original sealed envelope of the issuing institution. All other transcripts are unofficial and will not be used as part of the admission decision. If course work from foreign institutions is not in English, a certified English translation must accompany each official transcript.

Second Degree Seeking Student Admissions

Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any major other than business may apply for admission to any undergraduate program and work toward completion of a second undergraduate degree. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in business may apply for graduate programs or for undergraduate programs in the College of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts & Media, College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Education and Human Development or the School of Public Affairs. Applicants for a second undergraduate degree must meet CU Denver admissions standards.

How to Apply as a student seeking a Second Undergraduate Degree

  1. Apply online at www.ucdenver.edu/admissions.
  2. Complete the application and submit it to the Office of Admissions with a $50 (subject to change) nonrefundable application fee.
  3. Have one official transcript sent to the Office of Admissions from each collegiate institution attended. Official transcripts for enrollment at any campus of the University of Colorado are not required. Official transcripts are those issued electronically through a third party etranscript exchange agent or sent by the issuing institution directly to:
    Office of Admissions
    University of Colorado Denver
    Campus Box 167
    P.O. Box 173364
    Denver, CO 80217-3364
    Hand-carried copies are official only if delivered in a sealed envelope originating from the issuing institution.

Transcripts from the institution where the first undergraduate degree was earned must have final grades posted for the semester that the student graduated and have the official notation of the degree awarded.

All credentials presented for admission become the property of the University of Colorado and must remain on file. Students who do not declare all previously attended institutions are subject to disciplinary action and/or dismissal.

Students who knowingly falsify transcripts or test scores may be denied admission to, or may be disenrolled from, the university.

Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR)

First-time freshmen as well as transfer applicants with fewer than 30 credit hours who graduated from high school in spring of 2008 or later must meet the state of Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR) for high school units of study. College courses taken before or after graduation from high school can be considered toward fulfillment of HEAR unit requirements for admission consideration.

For students who graduated in 2008 or 2009, the following minimum high school courses (units) are required:

English 4 years (units)
Mathematics 3 years (units)
Natural Science 3 years (units), 2 of which must be lab-based
Social Studies 3 years (units), 1 of which must be United States or world history
Academic Electives 2 years (units)

For students who graduated in 2010 or later, the following minimum high school courses (units) are required:

English 4 years (units)
Mathematics 4 years (units)
Natural Science 3 years (units), 2 of which must be lab-based
Social Studies 3 years (units), 1 of which must be United States or world history
Foreign Language 1 year (unit), must be in a single language
Academic Electives 2 years (units)

Students with HEAR deficiencies may be considered for admission on an individual basis based on rigor of units completed as well as other admission criteria (e.g., test scores and GPA).

Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS)

First-time freshman and transfer students entering the University of Colorado Denver are required to meet the following minimum academic preparation standards (MAPS) for high school units of study, either prior to initial enrollment or before graduation from the University of Colorado Denver. College courses taken before or after graduation from high school can be considered toward MAPS fulfillment. Note: Students who graduated from high school between 1988 and 2009 may have reduced unit requirements in some areas. Students who graduated from high school before 1988 are exempt from MAPS.

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING    Years
English (emphasis on composition)   4
Mathematics (including two years of algebra and one year of geometry)   4
Natural science (including physics and/or biology and at least one lab course)    3
Social science (including one year of U.S. or world history) 3
Foreign language (all units must be in a single language)    2
Academic elective  1
Total    17
   
COLLEGE OF ARTS & MEDIA Years
English (emphasis on composition-also recommend literature and grammar and strongly recommend one year of speech/debate) 4
Mathematics (three years at the college preparatory level; no more than one year of business or consumer mathematics) 4
Natural science (including one year of laboratory science) 3
Social science (including one year of U.S. or world history) 2
Foreign language (all units must be in a single language) 2
Academic elective or arts course 1
Total 16
   
BUSINESS SCHOOL  
English (emphasis on composition-one year of speech/debate and two years of composition are strongly recommended) 4
Mathematics (including two years of algebra and one year of geometry) 4
Natural science (including two years of laboratory science) 3
Social science (including one year of U.S. or world history) 2
Foreign language (all units must be in a single language) 2
Academic elective (additional course in English, foreign language, mathematics, natural or social science) 1
Total 16
   
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE  
English (emphasis on composition-also recommend literature and grammar and strongly recommend one year of speech/debate) 4
Mathematics (including two years of algebra, one year of geometry and one year of trigonometry and analytical geometry 4
Natural sciences (including one year of physics, one year of chemistry and two years of laboratory science) 3
Foreign language (all units must be in a single language) 2
Social science (including one year of U.S. or world history) 2
Academic elective 1
Total 16
   
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES  
English (emphasis on composition-also recommend literature and grammar and strongly recommend one year of speech/debate) 4
Mathematics (three years at the college preparatory level; no more than one year of business or consumer mathematics) 4
Natural science (including one year of laboratory science) 3
Social science (including one year of U.S. or world history) 2
Foreign language (all units must be in a single language) 2
Academic elective 1
Total 16
   
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT  
English (emphasis on composition-also recommend literature and grammar and strongly recommend one year of speech/debate) 4
Mathematics (three years at the college preparatory level; no more than one year of business or consumer mathematics) 4
Natural science (including one year of laboratory science) 3
Social science (including one year of U.S. or world history) 2
Foreign language (all units must be in a single language) 2
Academic elective 1
Total 16
   
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS  
English (emphasis on composition-also recommend literature and grammar and strongly recommend one year of speech/debate) 4
Mathematics (three years at the college preparatory level; no more than one year of business or consumer mathematics) 4
Natural science (including one year of laboratory science) 3
Social science (including one year of U.S. or world history) 2
Foreign language (all units must be in a single language) 2
Academic elective 1
Total 16

Students with MAPS deficiencies may be considered for admission to the university on an individual basis based on the rigor of units completed as well as other admission criteria (e.g., test scores and GPA) If admitted, students must make up any MAPS deficiencies prior to graduation from the university. Students may make up MAPS deficiencies by successful completion of:

  1. Courses taken at CU
  2. Courses taken at other institutions of higher education
  3. Additional high school credits
  4. Credit-by-examination programs
  5. Other requirements as approved by each college or school on the Denver Campus

High School Postsecondary and Concurrent Enrollment

High school students with demonstrated academic abilities may be admitted to CU Denver with special approval for one term only. This approval may be renewed. Credit for courses taken may subsequently be applied toward a university degree program, if applicable. For more information and application instructions, contact the Office of Admissions, 303-315-2601 or admissions@ucdenver.edu.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program

The Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) allows students to take advanced work while in high school and then be examined for credit at the college level. Students who take advanced placement courses and subsequently receive scores of 3, 4 or 5 on the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination are generally given college credit for lower-level courses in which they have demonstrated proficiency. Refer to the following chart for general information, and consult with your advisor to determine how the credit can be applied to your specific degree program. Original, official score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for credit award consideration.

This chart represents academic credit for students admitted to the University of Colorado Denver beginning fall 2016. Students admitted prior to fall 2016 should consult the University Catalog corresponding to the year in which the exam was taken. 

Advanced Placement (AP) Chart  

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB), available at select high schools, is a rigorous, pre-university course of study emphasizing liberal arts from an international perspective.

In accordance with HB 03-1108, CU Denver will grant at minimum 24 semester hours of credit for any student who has graduated from high school having successfully completed an International Baccalaureate diploma program with a minimum score of 4 on each exam. Credit may be granted for individual IB courses where examinations are completed with at least a score of 4 for students who do not complete an IB diploma program. Refer to the following chart for general information, and consult with your advisor to determine how the credit can be applied to your specific degree program. Original, official IB transcripts with exam scores must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for credit award consideration.

This chart represents academic credit for students admitted to the University of Colorado Denver beginning fall 2016. Students admitted prior to fall 2016 should consult the University Catalog corresponding to the year in which the exam was taken. 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Chart  

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Incoming students may earn university credit by examination in some subject areas in which they have demonstrated college-level proficiency. Interested students may take approved examinations through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) testing service.

Acceptable CLEP examinations and credit awards are outlined in the following chart.  Original, official CLEP score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for credit award consideration.

This chart represents credit awarded for exams taken during the 2016-2017 catalog year. For exams taken in prior or future catalog years, consult those academic catalogs for exam equivalency information.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Chart  

SCHOOL/COLLEGE SPECIFIC POLICY

College of Engineering and Applied Science

Students may earn credit through certain College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations, provided that they score at the 50th percentile or above. CLEP credit may be applied toward graduation if comparable to CU Denver coursework included in the College of Engineering curriculum. Official CLEP score reports are required for transfer credit consideration.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The use of CLEP subject examinations toward major, minor or certificate requirements is subject to a separate evaluation by the faculty advisor in the department or program. To receive academic credit from CLEP, students must present official test results to the Denver Campus Office of Admissions. A maximum of 30 hours of CLEP credit will count toward the degree.

 

Transfer of College Level Credit

For more information on transfer of college level credit, please consult the Academic Policies - Transfer Credit  section.