Frequently Asked Questions

The College of Professional Studies operates on the quarter system, which means that courses begin in September, January, March, and June. All programs give the option to start during any quarter. Apply now and select the start term that works best for you!

Master’s Degree Application Deadlines

Graduate Certificate Application Deadlines

Bachelor’s Degree Application Deadlines

Undergraduate Certificate Application Deadlines

The College of Professional Studies is pleased to waive the $75 application fee! Start your application today.

The College of Professional Studies does not require an enrollment deposit.

Congratulations on your admission to the College of Professional Studies! Your next step is to accept your offer of admission. You will receive an email with directions on how to access the admissions portal and accept your offer. Your academic advisor will also contact you to answer any questions and discuss enrolling in courses!

We always enjoy meeting prospective students! To offer a more personalized experience, we do not offer open houses. To arrange a time to meet or ask questions, please text us at 303-900-0375, email us at PSCsupport@DU.edu or call us at 303-871-2291.

The College of Professional Studies is one of 10 academic colleges at the University of Denver. The College offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees and certificates to over 3,000 learners from across the United States. With course content focused on applying skills and knowledge in the workplace, our programs are ideal for working adults who want to advance their career.

Yes! The College of Professional Studies has the highest level of regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Students typically enroll in two courses per term, depending on their personal and professional commitments. Students who take two courses per term, every term, can complete their master’s degree in 18 months. The average time to complete a master’s degree is about two years.

Bachelor’s degrees vary in duration, as each student has a different number of transferrable credits when they enter the program. The average Bachelor of Arts Completion Program student takes two classes per quarter.

Students love the flexibility of the curriculum, as you choose how many courses you take each term.

Classes are based on a quarter system and meet for ten weeks. On-campus classes meet once a week in the evenings, usually between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. If you are taking online classes, you may log in at any time 24/7 to participate; because classes are asynchronous, you do not need to be online at a designated time.

We offer a number of different formats across our courses and degrees, including fully online options. Other certificates and degrees have other patterns to meet the needs of working adults.

Our degrees can be completed fully online, with some programs offering on-campus course options.

A graduate certificate is designed to help students sharpen their abilities or add to their skillset through a shorter, focused program. Credits earned through a graduate certificate program may be applied toward a master’s degree in the same concentration area. A master’s degree at the College of Professional Studies prepares students with an extensive, interdisciplinary education in their chosen field or area. Learn more here.

DU has a world-class library available to all students—both in person and online. As a College of Professional Studies student, you can enjoy the benefits of access to a wide range of research materials as well as special perks like a free subscription to the online versions of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Our faculty are leaders working in the fields they teach. They can provide guidance about opportunities for research and work within your chosen field. Also, student employment opportunities sometimes include working directly with faculty on projects.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, College of Professional Studies’ tuition for bachelor’s degree completion and undergraduate certificates is $804 per credit hour. Tuition for master’s degrees and certificates is $859 per credit hour. Do you have questions about paying for your certificate or degree? Text an advisor at 303-900-0375, email us at PSCsupport@DU.edu or call at 303-871-2291.

1. Apply for admission to the College of Professional Studies.
2. Apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID if you do not already have one. already. You’ll need your FSA ID to sign your FAFSA (see below) and complete loan documents, if you choose to access a federal loan.
3. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Graduate students have a variety of activities available. For more information, visit the Student Life at the University of Denver website.

For more information about DU’s on-campus sports and recreation offerings, visit the Ritchie Center website.

As a bonus, any DU student currently enrolled in classes gets free access to the gym.

DU’s off-campus housing website offers a variety of resources to help you find a place to live in Denver. For more information, visit the Off-Campus Housing website.

University leadership has recently approved the creation of the Division of Community Support and Engagement (DCSE) for the 2025–26 academic year. This new division is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the DU community. We foster meaningful community connections and empower individuals through collaborative engagement and holistic support. Guided by DU’s values of excellence, innovation, engagement, integrity, and inclusion, we strive to build a campus culture where everyone feels valued and cared for.

We envision a DU where every individual feels a deep sense of belonging, support, and connection. Through inclusive engagement, bridge building, compassionate care, and intentional collaboration, we aim to transform campus culture and climate into one where inclusion, pluralism, and restorative practices work together toward community engagement. CSE aspires to be a catalyst for continuous improvement, ensuring that all are welcome in the pursuit of a thriving academic community.

The University of Denver admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

If interested in more information, please explore DU’s Consumer Disclosures and the Office of Equal Opportunity & Office of Title IX.

The Office of Career and Professional Development offers a range of services and support to help you advance your career. For more information, visit the Career Support for Graduate Students website.

You can also find a network of DU alumni and fellow students at Crimson Constellation.

University of Denver is proud to have over 140,000 alumni throughout the United States and the world. Access this robust and important network through Crimson Constellation, a private community of DU students and alumni designed to help you network and connect in your chosen field. 

The student-instructor ratio in the College of Professional Studies is 10:1, with courses capped at 20 students.

Regular consistent access to a computer and internet with the following specifications is required: at minimum, students should have Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 Home or Pro (recommended) and Apple users should have a Mac OS 10.10.5 or above. While Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments, the minimum of 512kbps is required. Audio and video computer capabilities, including access to Zoom, are needed for most classes.

Applicants must submit one official transcript from every college or university they’ve attended. To request an official transcript, contact the registrar’s office at the university you previous attended. At most universities, you can request your transcript quickly and easily online.

If available, request your university send your official transcript electronically to PSCtranscripts@DU.edu – it will arrive more quickly without postal issues.

If requesting your official transcript be mailed, please use the following address:

College of Professional Studies at the University of Denver
Attn: College of Professional Studies Admission
2197 S University Blvd
Denver, CO 80208

You can apply to the College of Professional Studies with unofficial transcripts, but official copies are needed to finalize your admission.

Can’t access your official transcript? Contact us at 303-871-2291.

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