colorado state university graduate admission requirements

Last Updated on July 30, 2023

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Colorado State University Admissions 2021: Fees, Acceptance Rate, Entry  Requirements, Deadlines, Applications & FAQs

colorado state university graduate admission requirements

Application: U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents 

Students apply online. In addition to the online application, a non-refundable application fee must be electronically submitted.

The on-line application will be electronically submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions and then forwarded to the appropriate academic departments. With this system, most documents are uploaded directly by the applicant. Regarding letters of recommendation, recommenders will be notified and prompted to provide a recommendation letter through the online system.  The letter of recommendation will be automatically processed and submitted to the student’s online file. Regardless of citizenship, applicants may be required to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency, if they do not have a degree from an institution where the primary language of instruction is English.

The following must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions at Colorado State University, 1062 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO  80523-1062.

  1. One official transcript of all collegiate work completed post-high school.  Additionally separate transcripts are not required for study abroad credits if the GPA and credits are recorded on the transcript of the university that sponsored the study abroad experience. CSU transcripts are not required. Training course transcripts from branches of the U.S. military that show credit received with neither grades nor degrees awarded are exempt from the transcript requirement.
  2. Test scores such as GRE or GMAT, if required by department, should be submitted with institution code 4075.

The application fee is not refundable even if the application is withdrawn or admission denied, nor is it applied to tuition and fees if the applicant subsequently enrolls. The non-refundable application fee must be paid, waived, or deferred before the application can be reviewed.

Only persons with bachelor’s degrees from colleges or universities accredited by one of the major regional accrediting agencies are eligible to apply. Degrees from schools which do not possess overall, institutional accreditation or which have only specialized accreditation cannot be accepted. This policy does not apply to admission for accelerated master’s degree programs (AMPs, see Accelerated Master’s Programs), however, AMP students must earn their bachelor’s degrees prior to, or concurrent with, the award of their graduate degrees.

An undergraduate grade point average of 3.000 (A = 4.000) is required for unconditional admission. Departments may petition the Graduate School to waive the 3.000 minimum undergraduate grade point average requirement under unusual circumstances. Applicants must present strong countervailing evidence that successful completion of a degree program is likely. Examples of the kinds of evidence that might be considered are explanation of extenuating circumstances that affected the undergraduate GPA and how circumstances have changed to favor success as a graduate student, a grade of B or better in graduate-level courses taken elsewhere or at CSU as a guest, high scores on standardized tests required by the program, excellent letters of recommendation, relevant professional experience, and other indicators of exceptional motivation and performance. A positive recommendation by the department is required in such cases. Some departments may waive their specific requirements under similarly exceptional and compelling circumstances. However, they are not required to do so and many cannot, due to space and resource considerations.

If the minimum GPA requirement is waived and the applicant is accepted by the Graduate School, the applicant will be provisionally admitted and placed immediately on academic probation. The student must achieve a term GPA of 3.000, averaged across all coursework that is traditionally graded (A through F), in the first semester, or the student will be dismissed from the Graduate School. This policy applies to all provisionally admitted graduate students.

Departments may have requirements in addition to or more stringent than those of the Graduate School. Applicants are strongly urged to contact the department in which they intend to study. Meeting the minimum CSU or department standards does not entitle an applicant to admission. Meeting such standards only insures consideration of the application. Since CSU cannot accommodate all who meet the minimum standards, it reserves the right to select individuals for admission on the basis of merit in such a way as to promote the best interests of CSU and the society as a whole and to maximize the potential for individual accomplishment.

Admissions decisions are made by the Graduate School after strong consideration of recommendations made by academic departments. Decisions made by the Graduate School to deny admission are final and not subject to appeal by the applicant. Among departments where the number of admitted students is capped each year, the selection of admitted students not only considers the qualifications discussed above, but the competitiveness of the applicant pool and available resources of the department.

Persons not seeking advanced degrees may be recommended for admission as non-degree students if space permits and if they meet the academic admission requirements. Advanced course work, research experience, teacher recertification, and specialized training are among the objectives of students requesting admission in this category.

Students who have not been admitted to graduate study but who take courses on some other basis have no assurance that such courses will be acceptable in a degree program. Credits taken prior to admission to Graduate School may be allowed, but acceptance of any courses in a graduate degree program is at the discretion of the student’s graduate committee and the Graduate School and will not be calculated in the student’s GPA.

Courses taken by CSU undergraduates may, under certain circumstances, be subsequently credited toward graduate degrees at CSU. Undergraduates who enroll in 500-level courses that are not applied toward the bachelor’s degree may request that an exclusion statement be placed on their academic records for no more than 9 credits. Students cannot exclude any courses below the 500 level under this policy. Courses at the 600 level are automatically excluded from use for an undergraduate degree.

A written request for exclusion must be filed with the Degree and Transfer Evaluation Unit of the Office of the Registrar, Centennial Hall, Room 100, no later than the end of the schedule change period of the term in which the excluded course is taken, or for Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) students, excluded courses must appear on the formal program of study (GS form 6) filed during the first semester after Graduate School admission.

Permission to exclude courses from the bachelor’s degree does not assure acceptance of these credits toward a graduate degree program. Both departmental and Graduate School approval is required at the time of filing the formal program of study.

Those with bachelor’s or advanced degrees who desire to complete requirements for certification as teacher, administrator, counselor, reading specialist, or vocational certification must contact the School of Education. Individuals seeking professional certification in other areas must contact the departments concerned.

The submission of any false information or fraudulent documents in connection with the application process is grounds for rejection of the application or dismissal from the Graduate School regardless of the nature of other credentials.

Track II Admissions 

Track II admissions are available only to individuals who have at least five years of appropriate professional experience following the award of a baccalaureate degree and whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.000.

The on-line application will be electronically submitted to the Office of Admissions and then forwarded to the appropriate academic departments. In addition to the on-line application and a non-refundable application fee that must be submitted, the following must be sent directly to the department in which the student plans to study (refer to the addresses in the Directory for Department and Program Contact Persons).

  1. One official transcript of all collegiate work completed (CSU transcripts are not required). Training course transcripts from branches of the U.S. military that show credit received with neither grades nor degrees awarded are exempt from the transcript requirement.
  2. Three letters of recommendation written by individuals in at least two of the following categories:
    1. Applicant’s previous or current college/university instructors.
    2. Applicant’s previous or current, immediate professional supervisors.
    3. Observers, other than supervisors, who can verify the specific impact of the applicant’s professional or intellectual expertise. Letters from friends, relatives, or character witnesses will be considered only supplemental to the three required references.
  3. A written “statement of purpose” that contains:
    1. A summary of long-term professional or personal goals.
    2. A statement regarding the applicant’s educational goals.
    3. A statement indicating how this learning will contribute to the applicant’s long-term goals.
    4. A list of factors that led the applicant to consider CSU for graduate study.
  4. A completed resume that contains the following:
    1. Record of all collegiate work, including names of institutions, periods of attendance, and degrees earned.
    2. Record of all professional employment including dates of service (including military).
    3. List of any special skills or competencies (including certifications or licensures).
    4. List of publications, exhibitions, prizes, awards, or other recognitions.
    5. List of service activities (including community and charitable).

Plan C 

Applicants to Plan C master’s programs should consult department requirements for submission of standardized test scores.

Application: International Students 

Application procedures are similar to those for U.S. citizens or permanent resident students. Refer to U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents information for instructions.

The following materials must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions at Colorado State University, 1062 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO  80523-1062.

  1. An official transcript of all collegiate work completed along with a certified translation into English.
  2. Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic.  Test scores should be submitted with institution code 4075.  Integrated Degree Program (IDP) Admissions are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS exam or the PTE Academic exam.         

a.  When the CSU graduate degree program is taught in the student’s native language, the TOEFL, IELTS, or the PTE Academic requirement will be waived.

b.  Students are exempted from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic requirement if the official language of their country is English or if they have recently earned a degree at an American university. 

    3. Test scores such as GRE or GMAT, if required by department, should be submitted with institution code 4075.

Required items for Immigration Document Insurance

These items are not required for the application review process, but will be required if officially admitted. The following materials must be sent directly to the department in which the applicant plans to study (see Programs and Degrees webpage for the mailing address).

  1. Certified proof of financial support
  2. Passport copy

Departmental requirements for additional materials such as standardized tests (e.g. GRE or GMAT) are the same as for U.S. students. Regulations regarding deadlines and application fees are likewise the same as for U.S. students.

Information on application deadlines and application fees is contained in the U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents section.

The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services requires CSU to have proof of financial support before immigration documentation can be issued. Immigration documentation is needed to obtain a visa. All international students and their accompanying dependents are required to maintain adequate health insurance during their stay at CSU.

Only persons with degrees equivalent to U.S. bachelor’s degrees are qualified to apply for admission except for Integrated Degree Program (IDP) applicants described above. Further, it is a CSU regulation that international applicants should be among the top students in their classes.

CSU requires that proficiency in English language be demonstrated either by the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic tests prior to admissions. The minimum TOEFL score for admission without condition is 80 for the (internet-based exam). Contact the Graduate School for guidance on interpreting paper-based exam scores. The minimum IELTS score for admission without condition is 6.5.  The minimum PTE Academic Score for admission without condition is 58. Official scores, taken within two years prior to admission, must be submitted directly from the testing agency.

To be considered for conditional admission, a student must have a minimum TOEFL score of 50 on the internet-based test, a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or PTE scores from 40-57.  After receiving conditional admission, the student must satisfactorily complete the Intensive English Program offered through the Office of International Programs. Enrollment in regular CSU academic courses is at the discretion of the admitting department and the Intensive English Program. Approval of both the department and the Graduate School is necessary for conditional admission.

Generally, however, applicants should achieve satisfactory TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores before arriving on the CSU campus.

The individual departments may have requirements or standards in addition to or more stringent than those of CSU. Students must contact the department in which they intend to study for additional information. Consult the Department Head or Program Contact Persons for the proper addresses.

The paragraphs in the preceding section on U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents on academic requirements, how students are selected for admission, non-degree study, previous undergraduate work at Colorado State, certification, and the consequences of presenting any materials that are not genuine, also apply to international students.

Language Requirements

English is the language of instruction at CSU. Adequate knowledge of that language is expected. The various departments generally evaluate students in this regard, and they may require students to secure remedial instruction if necessary.

Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate capability through the TOEFL examinations or other means (see above).

Some departments may require a knowledge of one or more foreign languages for advanced degrees. For information the student should contact the department.

Graduate Programs - Graduate School

colorado state university graduate school gpa requirements

To meet the requirements for graduation and to remain in good academic standing, a student must demonstrate acceptable performance in course work after being admitted to a graduate program. This requires a cumulative 3.000 grade point average (GPA) in each of the following GPA categories:

1.  Overall course GPA, defined as the GPA calculated from all regular and non-regular courses graded traditionally (A through F).

  • Regular courses with course numbers less than X82.
  • Non-regular courses with numbers X82 to X99. 

2.  Regular course GPA, defined as the GPA calculated from all regular courses graded traditionally.

3.  Program of Study overall GPA, defined as the GPA calculated from all traditionally graded regular and non-regular courses listed on the approved program of study.

4.  Program of Study regular GPA, defined as the GPA calculated from all traditionally graded regular courses listed on the approved program of study.

A minimum GPA of 3.000 in categories 1 and 2 are required to remain in good academic standing. For graduation, a minimum GPA of 3.000 is required in all four categories.

Separate GPAs are calculated based on courses taken as a master’s or doctoral student. For example, changing from a master’s degree to a doctoral degree, or vice versa, will create separate GPAs based on grades received in coursework taken at each degree level.

In addition, good academic standing requires satisfactory progress in the overall graduate program. Students’ individual graduate advisory committees may render judgments as to whether satisfactory progress is being made toward the degree, taking into account all aspects of academic performance and promise, not necessarily coursework alone. A positive judgment is required to remain in good academic standing.

Failure to maintain good academic standing due to a cumulative grade point average less than 3.000 results in being placed on academic probation.  The probationary period extends for one semester beyond the one in which this status is acquired. Exceptions to the probationary period are:

  • New regularly admitted students will not be placed on probation until they have completed 12 regular credits or two semesters of graduate work, whichever comes first, and
  • Students who were admitted after waiver of the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement are considered provisionally admitted. Such students must achieve a regular and overall GPA of 3.000 or higher their first semester or they will be dismissed from their programs and the Graduate School.

During the probationary period, the student must register for traditionally graded courses that affect the grade point average. With permission of the student’s advisory committee, the student may register for continuous registration instead of traditionally graded courses. Continuous registration may be used to extend the probationary period for a maximum of two semesters, after which traditionally graded courses must be taken. Students on probation are subject to dismissal by the academic department or the Dean of the Graduate School at the end of the probationary semester unless good academic standing has been regained. This requires adequate improvement in cumulative grade point averages (3.000) and/or satisfactory progress as determined by the student’s graduate advisory committee. Students not making satisfactory progress due to their grade point average are encouraged to contact their advisors and/or advisory committees in order to set up a meeting to create a progress plan.

Accelerated Master’s Programs (AMP) students in combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs who have accumulated at least 120 credit hours of course work and who fail to maintain a 3.000 GPA in their graduate course work as outlined above will be placed on probation by the Graduate School and will have one semester in which to improve their cumulative grade point averages to no less than 3.000 in their graduate course work. Failure to bring the cumulative graduate GPA to at least 3.000 will result in dismissal from the Graduate School with no re-enrollment permitted prior to completion of the bachelor’s degree. AMP students who are dismissed from the Graduate School, and who are still in good standing within their undergraduate programs, will be permitted to complete their undergraduate degrees. These students can petition the Registrar to reinstate courses to be applied toward their undergraduate degrees.

Grades of C or higher must be earned in all courses on a Program of Study. Outside of the Program of Study, D grades may be accepted in background courses, but such courses must be included in the computation of the cumulative grade point average. There is no repeat/delete option in Graduate School. If a student repeats a course that is on the Program of Study, both courses will be listed on the Program of Study. The Program of Study GPA will be calculated with the higher course grade only, and not with the average grade of both courses. The grades for both courses are included in the GPA calculation for the overall course GPA and regular course GPA from courses taken within and outside of the Program of Study. Graduate students may take 100 and 200 level courses for general enlightenment or to satisfy a background requirement. These courses are not to be included in the student’s program of study, and grades earned in such courses will not be considered in computing the graduate grade point averages described above. Once admitted to a graduate program, grades earned in courses 300 level and above will be considered in computing the graduate GPA. Standards and requirements for off-campus graduate study are the same as those standards and requirements on campus. The academic department head has the basic responsibility for the implementation of this policy. Note that only courses with a grade of B or better may be accepted as transfer courses and such courses are not included in the student’s calculation of grade point averages.

For thesis, dissertation, research, and independent study graduate courses, the number of student credit hours earned will be determined using a base rate of 48 hours of student effort per credit hour. The faculty advisor, or other department official, shall estimate the total number of hours of student effort required over the length of the semester. This effort shall include consultation with the advisor, as well as library, laboratory, field, or studio work. The total number of hours shall be divided by 48 and the resultant quotient (rounded off to a whole number) shall define the number of credits to be awarded.

Graduate School at Colorado State University

colorado state university ielts requirements

CSU requires that proficiency in English language be demonstrated either by the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic tests prior to admissions. The minimum TOEFL score for admission without condition is 80 for the (internet-based exam). Contact the Graduate School for guidance on interpreting paper-based exam scores. The minimum IELTS score for admission without condition is 6.5.  The minimum PTE Academic Score for admission without condition is 58. Official scores, taken within two years prior to admission, must be submitted directly from the testing agency.

To be considered for conditional admission, a student must have a minimum TOEFL score of 50 on the internet-based test, a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or PTE scores from 40-57.  After receiving conditional admission, the student must satisfactorily complete the Intensive English Program offered through the Office of International Programs. Enrollment in regular CSU academic courses is at the discretion of the admitting department and the Intensive English Program. Approval of both the department and the Graduate School is necessary for conditional admission.

Generally, however, applicants should achieve satisfactory TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores before arriving on the CSU campus.

The individual departments may have requirements or standards in addition to or more stringent than those of CSU. Students must contact the department in which they intend to study for additional information. Consult the Department Head or Program Contact Persons for the proper addresses.

The paragraphs in the preceding section on U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents on academic requirements, how students are selected for admission, non-degree study, previous undergraduate work at Colorado State, certification, and the consequences of presenting any materials that are not genuine, also apply to international students.

Language Requirements

English is the language of instruction at CSU. Adequate knowledge of that language is expected. The various departments generally evaluate students in this regard, and they may require students to secure remedial instruction if necessary.

Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate capability through the TOEFL examinations or other means (see above).

Some departments may require a knowledge of one or more foreign languages for advanced degrees. For information the student should contact the department.

Application Deadline Dates for Graduate School and Financial Support 

Individual degree programs establish their own application deadline dates for Graduate School and financial aid support. General deadlines for the receipt of complete applications are as follows: Fall Semester, April 1; Spring Semester, September 1; Summer Term, January 1. Please consult the degree program or department website for exact deadline dates. Applications completed later than published deadlines may be considered depending on space and resources available. Late applications that cannot be considered may be updated by the applicant or the department to a later semester or term; otherwise the application will be withdrawn. Except for Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) admissions, applications cannot be accepted more than fifteen months in advance of the term in which study is to begin.

Students who wish to be considered for fellowships, assistantships, or other forms of merit- or competency-based financial support may be subject to earlier deadlines. See Application for Financial Support.

TermApplying to Graduate School OnlyApplying to Graduate School and Financial Support
FallApril 1stFebruary 15th
SpringSeptember 1stJuly 15th
SummerJanuary 1stNovember 15th

Personal Identifier/Social Security Number

The personal identifier for all CSU students is the CSUID. The CSUID is a nine-digit unique numeric identifier that begins with the digit 8 and is assigned by the ARIES student information system. The Social Security number (SSN) is no longer used at CSU as a personal identifier.

All students are requested to submit a Social Security number (SSN) at the time of admission or before initial enrollment at CSU. The Social Security number is maintained as a secure data element in the student information system and is not accessible as directory information or to unauthorized persons. International students are encouraged to file for a Social Security number although they are not eligible for Social Security benefits. Students’ disclosure of the social security number is required for financial aid purposes, employment, and state and federal reports required by law.

The Social Security number is released to agencies or individuals outside CSU only at the request of the student or in accordance with federal and state requirements in regard to financial aid awards; Internal Revenue Service for student employee salary reporting and 1098T/1098E reporting; and State Controller’s debt collection procedure. CSU has strict policies protecting and prohibiting the use of SSN and uses every reasonable effort to hide and protect SSN.

Readmission 

Graduate students enrolled in a degree or certificate program are required to be continuously enrolled. If there is an interruption in successive semester-to-semester registration in a degree program, enrollment will lapse and graduate students will need to reapply for admission. This applies to all graduate students, on-campus resident instruction or on-line.  There is a non-refundable readmission fee.

Readmission is not required for Guest registration or courses taken outside of a degree program.

For a certificate-seeking post-baccalaureate student not enrolled in a degree-program, or, if there is a lapse in continuous enrollment in a certificate program, students will be required to complete a new application.  There is a non-refundable application fee.

Transfer of Graduate Credit from Other Institutions 

Credit may be transferred to a graduate program at CSU with the approval of advisor, committee, and Graduate School. There is no right to transfer credits; each case is assessed individually and accepted or rejected on its merits. The number of credits that may be transferred is limited. See requirements for the number of credits that may be earned at CSU after admission to the Graduate School under the descriptions of the various degree programs and in Credit Requirements section.

Individual credits used to fulfill requirements for previously earned degrees are not accepted in transfer.

Requests to transfer graduate credit earned at another university must be accompanied by official transcripts. Courses accepted for transfer must be at the equivalent level of CSU’s regular courses at the 500 level or above. Arrangements for transfer of credit are made when the program of study is submitted (see Program of Study). In general, credits transferred must be part of a graduate curriculum. However, credits that are part of a post baccalaureate professional curriculum in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, or Divinity may be so transferred if they address the intellectual bases of a graduate discipline.

Credits earned at institutions not accredited by one of the major regional accrediting agencies are not acceptable for transfer; except that a CSU academic department may petition the Graduate School to have graduate level credits earned from a foreign institution accepted as transfer credit. Grades in courses accepted for transfer will not be included in calculation of the grade point average. No course will be accepted for transfer with a grade less than B.

CSU may establish bilateral cooperative agreements with other institutions within the Colorado State University System (CSU-Pueblo and CSU-Global) that permit transfer to CSU of up to half of the total required credits for a specific master’s degree.

Procedures

  1. Any  bilateral  agreement  must  be  formal,  proposed  by  an  academic  department, signed by the Provost/Academic Vice-President, and approved by the Committee on Scholarship, Research and Graduate Education (COSRGE). It must refer to a particular named master’s degree now offered by CSU.
  2. Courses offered for transfer under these arrangements must be:
    1. The exact equivalents of particular courses at CSU and so certified by the Faculty Council Curriculum Committee.
    2. Taught by persons who are Faculty or Affiliate Faculty of CSU.
  3. Persons who seek to avail themselves of such transfer privileges must be admitted to graduate school at CSU. No more than nine credits offered for transfer may be earned prior to such admission. This means that students must apply for and secure admission well in advance of actual transfer to CSU.
  4. Persons who transfer credits under such a bilateral agreement may also transfer credits under the normal procedures as described in this Bulletin. Such transfers may not exceed six credits and the total number of transferred credits, under bilateral agreement and normal procedure combined, may not exceed half the total required for the master’s program.
  5. Credits submitted or transferred under such special agreements must be earned by a person enrolled as either a graduate student or a post baccalaureate student at the cooperating institution. Credits earned prior to the award of a bachelor’s degree or those used to fulfill requirements for a previously earned degree are not accepted.
  6. Additional regulations and restrictions as described in this Bulletin under the section Transfer of Graduate Credit from Other Institutions also apply to bilateral agreement transfers.

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