Transfer Students - MSU Denver

Transfer Students - MSU Denver
Transfer Students
MSU Denver is the #1 school for transfer students in Colorado
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Why transfer to MSU Denver?
Everyone has a different vision for their college experience. With 120+ student clubs, organizations, and volunteer opportunities, MSU Denver meets you where you are and allows you to create the college experience that fits your life!
Transfer Students at MSU Denver
#1 Transfer destination for Coloradans
Transfer Student Support
30% of students pay $0 Tuition
Tuition and Fees
50% of MSU Denver students are Transfers
Find Your Community
MSU Denver offers over
100 degree options
and certificate programs that allow you to tailor your education to meet your specific needs. Ensure that you get the education that fits you!
Learn how to Individualize your Degree here.
How Will My Credits Transfer?
Transferology
is a free web based credit evaluation tool that shows how the credits you have taken or plan to take will potentially transfer to MSU Denver for credit.
These guides
will provide you with a list of classes, by major, students can take at a Colorado Community College as part of their Associates Degree, that will transfer and apply to the Bachelor’s Degree programs at MSU Denver
Explore our current
Course Catalog
to find details on degree program requirements at MSU Denver
Learn about the
Alternative Credit
to explore earning credit from exams.
In order to graduate with a bachelors degree from MSU Denver, students must complete at least 30 credit hours
at
MSU Denver
Accept credits from Regionally Accredited Institutions (with some exceptions)
Courses transferring in must have a grade of C- or better. If you submit official college transcripts and have 24 transferable credits, your high school or GED transcript requirement will be automatically waived.
You must
submit your official transcripts
to be admitted to MSU Denver.
The timeline for your official transcript evaluation begins upon receipt of official transcript from your previous institution(s) or test results and acceptance into a qualifying degree program. Transcript evaluations will be completed by MSU Denver within 30 calendar days per Colorado SB24-164
. Please check in with the
Office of the Registrar
to check your status. If you have fewer than 24 transferrable credits, you will also need to submit a high school or GED transcript to the
Office of Admissions
If your are an International Student transfering to MSU Denver, please visit our
International Admissions page
for more information regarding the admissions process for international students and transcript review.
Apply to MSU Denver
Guaranteed Admission Requirements
Students who have completed at least 24 transferable credit hours.
Students age 20 and over with a high school diploma or equivalent, regardless of transfer credits completed.
Reviewed Admission
All other applicants will be reviewed for admission with a high school transcript. You will qualify for guaranteed admissions with a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA or higher.
Apply Online – It’s Fast, Free and Easy
Roadrunner Application:
This is the online application specific for MSU Denver.
*Make sure to use a personal email, not your school email, when you apply to MSU Denver.
Transcripts are required after application submission for review and credit transfer. For more information, please visit MSU Denver’s
Send It
page.
If you are an International Transfer student, please visit our
International Admissions page
for full details about the international admissions process and transcript review.
Application Deadlines
Summer 2026:
Next Priority Deadline – May 4, 2026
Fall 2026:
Next Priority Deadline – May 4, 2026
Spring 2027:
Next Priority Deadline – Nov 2, 2026
If interested in attending the
Spring 2026 second section of Night Classes
beginning, March 16, as a new MSU Denver student, please reach out to
[email protected]
Start Roadrunner Application
Affordability
Complete a financial aid application –
FAFSA
for U.S. citizens and permanent residents (school code- 001360) or
CASFA
for undocumented students and nonresidents. Learn more at
Transfer Student Financial Aid
Tuition Lock
guarantees your tuition will be locked in for two years from the semester you are admitted as a transfer student. To maintain your tuition lock, you must be enrolled in 12 credit hours per semester.
Colorado residents qualify for the
College Opportunity Fund (COF)
stipend which pays for a portion of the in-state tuition on every course credit you take.
As an MSU Denver student you may be eligible for hundreds of internal and external
scholarships.
Some scholarships that may interest you as a transfer student include:
Reisher Scholarship:
Fulltime student with established unmet financial need and a 3.0 GPA or higher
PTK Scholarship:
Honors Transfer membership with a 3.5 GPA or higher for $1,000 per year ($500/term)
President Academic Achievement: Transfer GPA of 3.25 or higher for up to $1,000 per term
General MSU Denver Scholarship Application
Learn more about the
tuition and costs
associated with MSU Denver.
Cost of Attendance for MSU Denver
Cost reflects one semester of tuition and fees for 12 credit hours.
$4,533.72
Colorado Resident with College Opportunity Fund (COF)
$11,882.90
NON-RESIDENT
$8,255.30
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) & Roadrunner Interstate Tuition Program (RIT)
Future Student Information Request
Request more information and get any questions that you have answered!
Request Information
Admitted Student Next Steps
Congratulations!
We are excited to welcome you to the Roadrunner family at MSU Denver!
The Office of Admissions is still here to help as you get closer to enrolling at MSU Denver. Please feel free to
contact your admissions counselor
for any questions that arise.
Next Steps Checklist
Enrollment and financial aid may be impacted if you do not complete these next steps in a timely manner, so be sure to work through this checklist soon!
Set up your MSU Denver student account
Access your MSU Denver NetID to set up your student email account and the Student Hub, by using the
My First Login
tool. You will need your Student ID number.
Complete Orientation Steps
Transfer students are required to learn content for incoming students and complete orientation (either on-campus or online). When this becomes available,
to secure your spot.
Meet your advisor and register for classes
You may select to receive advising during an advising and registration session. If not, we recommend you set up an appointment with your advisor before selecting classes.
Find your advisor or make an appointment
You may register for classes during an advising and registration session or at an appointment with your advisor .
If not, you can log on to your
Student Hub
and register for courses yourself. You can also change and edit your schedule too.
Apply for and check your financial aid and scholarships
Complete the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
by using MSU Denver’s school code 001360. MSU Denver also offers scholarships awards based on academics, achievement and financial need. Undocumented and DACA students should complete the
Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA)
for state aid. Access your
financial aid and scholarship
award in your account on your
Student Hub
. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at
[email protected]
for any questions.
Health Insurance and Immunizations
Health Insurance
is a mandatory fee. Those with alternate coverage can waive this fee if you are paying out of pocket.
All students are also required to submit their immunization records. Review the
Immunization Requirements
Placement Testing
Depending on your completed college coursework or incoming test scores, you may be required to take a placement test for math and/or English. You may also complete the
First Year Writing Self-Directed Placement
for enrollment in a First Year Writing course. You should complete any required assessments before Orientation. Learn more about
testing requirements
Pay Your Tuition
Pay tuition and fees via the
Student Hub
or at the Cashier’s Office located in the
Jordan Student Success Building
, by 5 p.m. on the Friday before classes begin.
Submit Official Transcripts
When you applied to MSU Denver, you may have uploaded unofficial transcripts to your application account. You will need to request an official transcript from
every
previously attended institution. Learn more about how to
send your transcripts
to MSU Denver. If you have fewer than 24 or more transferable college credits, you will also need to submit your high school or GED transcript.
Find Your Community on Campus
You are invited to join our
Facebook Group
designed for admitted Roadrunners. Meet your peers, ask questions and get connected before coming to campus!
Next Steps for International Transfer Students
International transfer students are required to complete additional steps prior to enrolling at MSU Denver.
Review the checklist
and be sure to submit documents by the deadline.
Reasons to connect with your Transfer Counselor
Build a 1:1 connection with a person on campus
Knowledgeable guidance through the Transfer Process
Connect with your Transfer Counselor
First step in building a community at MSU Denver
Transfer Visit Opportunities
Get a peek of Auraria Campus in-person or from the comfort of your home
Transfer Admissions Visits
Learn more about the transfer process in these unique visits. Transfer Tuesdays are for newly admitted students. Transfer Experiences are for all transfer students exploring MSU Denver offered in-person on Wednesdays and virtually on Fridays
Sign Up for an Admissions Visit!
Sign Up for an Admissions Visit!
Virtual Campus Tour
Explore campus from anywhere, anytime through the 360 tour. Navigate through many of the areas of campus and learn a few things along the way.
Take a Virtual Tour!
Take a Virtual Tour!
MSU Denver Resources
Student Organizations
Student Advocacy Council
Campus Life
Honors Program
Study Abroad
Student Employment
Internships
Student Services:
CMEI, counseling Center
Access Center
Veteran Military Student Services
Call Center Help Desk
Student Care Center
Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy
Academic Support:
Tutoring Center
Writing Center
Supplemental Instruction
The Bridge to Bachelor’s Degree Program
ensures first-time students attending any CCCS College, are guaranteed admission to MSU Denver
upon completion of their Associate degree.
Check out the
Bridge to Bachelor’s website
to learn more.
Parking
Tivoli Station Bookstore
Health Center
ITS Help Desk
Campus Police
Commuter Resource/ID Center
Campus Rec
Transfer Peer Mentors can help guide you through all the necessary steps to successfully transfer to MSU Denver.
Email
[email protected]
to learn more.
Once you have transferred successfully to MSU Denver you will need to get in contact with these offices:
Bursar
Orientation
Exploratory Advising
Financial Aid
C2 Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
A transfer student is any student who has earned college credit
after
graduating from high school or receiving a GED. The number of credits completed determines what is required in the admission process.
Apply early for faster processing times and
best selection of classes
The Transfer Services Team with the Office of Admissions helps students successfully transfer from other colleges to MSU Denver. They also visit community colleges and college fairs.
Check out when we will be in your area.
Review the guidelines
which explain how MSU Denver determines eligibility of transfer credits.
Still have questions?
Email
[email protected]
to connect with a Transfer Admissions Counselor.
Phi Theta Kappa’s 2020 Transfer Honor Roll
This distinguished honor is awarded to the top 25% of colleges who earned the highest transfer friendliness rating nationwide.
The State of Colorado has established Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreements (STAA) between many community colleges and four-year universities that prescribe a curriculum for students to engage in while at community college that are guaranteed to transfer to four-year universities. Many of the majors available to community college students are a part of this agreement and you can access transfer guides that outline the Guaranteed Transfer pathway. Additionally, MSU Denver provides transfer guides for many of their programs that are not a part of the STAA. By using these transfer guides, you can ensure that your time will be well-spent while taking classes for transfer.
You can view all transfer guides here:
We encourage students to meet with their academic advisor often at their current college to discuss classes that will transfer to MSU Denver. We also recommend meeting with an MSU Denver Transfer Admissions Counselor on a regular basis to ensure that you are on-track.
You can only transfer credits by requesting that your previous institution send MSU Denver official transcripts. We cannot evaluate unofficial transcripts or copies of your official transcripts. If you have attended more than one college and wish to transfer credits from all of your previous institutions, we require official transcripts from each institution, even if you transferred those credits to your most recent institution previously. We cannot evaluate secondhand transfer credits that were previously evaluated by another institution.
Following are links to the transcript ordering portals for many colleges in Colorado.
Aims Community College:
Adams State University:
Arapahoe Community College:
Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology:
Colorado Christian University:
Colorado College:
Colorado Mesa University:
Colorado Mountain College:
Colorado Northwestern Community College:
Colorado School of Mines:
Colorado State University:
Colorado State University Global:
Colorado State University, Pueblo:
Colorado Technical University:
Community College of Aurora:
Community College of Denver:
DeVry University:
Fort Lewis College:
Front Range Community College:
Johnson & Wales University:
Lamar Community College:
Morgan Community College:
Naropa University:
Northeastern Junior College:
Otero College:
Pikes Peak Community College:
Pueblo Community College:
Red Rocks Community College:
Regis University:
Trinidad State College:
University of Colorado, Boulder:
University of Colorado, Denver:
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs:
University of Denver:
University of Northern Colorado:
Western Colorado Community College (WCCC):
WCCC is a division of Colorado Mesa University (CMU). See previous listing for CMU for transcripts.
Western Colorado University:
The Colorado Department of Higher Education possesses records for schools that closed after 2012 and has records from the following institutions:
American Pathways University
Argosy University – Denver Campus
Art Institute of Colorado
Colorado University of Commerce
CollegeAmerica
ITT Technical Institute (ITT)
Jones International University (JIU)
Wellington University
If your school does not have a transcript ordering process or send transcripts manually, they can send them to the following addresses:
MSU Denver Registrar
Campus Box 84
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217
[email protected]
If you have earned 24 college credits, you are not required to submit your high school transcripts. If you have earned less than 24 college credits, you may be prompted to provide your high school transcript or GED scores. If you are prompted to provide this information, you will be notified by student email of additional requirements after you apply and submit official transcripts.
We will consolidate multiple records into one record when you reapply as a previously enrolled student. This includes all academic coursework completed at MSU Denver and any transcripts that you submitted during your last attendance. For issues with record consolidation, please contact the Registrar at 303-556-3991.
A course by course evaluation completed by a professional transcript evaluation service, in addition to the official transcript(s), will be required.
The service agency must be a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
We suggest that you choose a service that can send us a copy of your verified transcript(s) together with the evaluation report, such as WES ICAP or ECE.
If the evaluation service does not send us your verified academic documents, the issuing institution must directly send us your official academic records.
All records must be translated to English.
For more information, please visit our
International Admissions page.
You may be able to earn credit for work and life experiences, through prior learning assessments, and as a result of certification, licensure, or other training.
You may earn college credit through subject-specific testing upon receiving a satisfactory score. This could include the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DSST, Advanced Placement courses, and International Baccalaureate (IB).
MSU Denver may grant college credit using the
American Council of Education Military Guide
. We are happy to provide guidance to military students and student veterans in selecting a program of study and in optimizing the use of credit for prior learning. Following are course equivalency sheets for your reference.
PLA Military Occupations Course Equivalency
Military ACE Course Equivalency
Content of credit accepted in transfer may not duplicate coursework previously taken. Military service credit is evaluated when official copies of transcripts from military schools are received and after meeting with the
Prior Learning Specialist
. Courses are evaluated according to the American Council on Education (ACE) Guidelines.
Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine personnel should submit a Joint Services Transcript. To order a Joint Services transcript, go to
Air Force personnel should submit a Community College of the Air Force transcript. To order a CCAF transcript, go to
Please Note: CCAF is a regionally accredited institution.
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 CAS 1010 (Public 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 deployed abroad in the U.S. military for at least 6 months.
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.
Student can may also obtain credit by an exam process.
Students must meet all of the following requirements:
Currently enrolled in good standing within a degree or certificate program.
If registered for a course for which this course is a prerequisite, the exam must be completed within the first three weeks of the semester.
No previous collegiate enrollment for a similar course
Not completed or been enrolled in a more advanced course unless the course is a designated gtPathways course. This restriction includes courses designated at a higher level (i.e. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 within the same subject prefix (e.g. HIS, ENG).
If you have experience that may qualify as college-level learning, you may submit a portfolio for consideration for academic credit. A portfolio is a collection of documents you put together to show what you already know and can do. Many professionals in business, education, design, and consulting use portfolios in their work. Your PLA portfolio includes a narrative, which is your discussion of your college-level knowledge, like a research paper that is supported by theory or concepts. It might also include evidence, such as certificates, letters of recommendation, and samples of work that will support your narrative and verify to the Portfolio assessors that you have the knowledge and should be awarded credit. Your portfolio should address the learning objectives, or outcomes, of the courses you want to earn credit for and detail your experience acquiring this knowledge. It is read by subject-matter experts who make sure that what you already know is equivalent to what you would have learned if you had taken the course.
Portfolio assessment is available in many, but not all, academic departments.
Portfolio credit must match a MSU Denver course. To verify this information, visit the university’s Course Descriptions.
Portfolio fee is $379 per course (fees are subject to change).
EDS Portfolio Development Workshop course is required to submit a portfolio for prior learning credit.
To earn credit, students must be a continuing student enrolled in good standing in a degree or certificate program.
Professional Licenses and Certifications that may be evaluated for college credit include (but are not limited to) the following:
Department of Labor Apprenticeships
FAA Licenses
Firefighter and EMT Certifications
For questions and support related to prior learning credit, contact a
Prior Learning Specialist
through the Office of the Registrar at 303-556-3991.
We suggest applying as far as possible in advance of the semester you want to start at MSU Denver. You may defer your admission for up to one academic year and the application is free. You can always make changes later but you cannot extend the deadlines for applying or submitting documents. Keep in mind that transcripts can take up to 4 weeks to process and financial aid can take about the same time to process, sometimes longer if it’s a busy season. You can view application deadlines and apply for admission on our
Application splash page
Your admissions acceptance is good for one academic year. You can register for classes within that timeframe. If you do not register within that timeframe, you will be required to reapply for admission.
You can also change to an earlier semester if registration for that semester is still open. You will need to complete a
Semester Change Request
form to switch to an earlier semester.
MSU Denver is proud to offer a high-quality education without the high-end price tag. Experience an urban campus and be part of one of the most diverse student communities in Colorado where learners connect with leaders and classrooms lead to careers.
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in
formats that fit your life
You may be eligible for admission without standardized test scores. However, if you have test scores less than 5 years old (ACT or SAT), it is still a good idea to submit them as these scores can be helpful for advising purposes and course placement. If you do not have standardized test scores, you may need to take a
placement test
with the
Office of Testing Services
Learn more about Test Optional Admissions
Forms
Parents
Cost
Financial Aid Resources
Next Steps After Admission
MSU Denver only accepts credit from institutions of higher education holding full regional accreditation. Your school must be accredited by one of the following agencies: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southern Association of Colleges of Schools, or Western Association of Colleges and Schools. There very few exceptions, such as McAir Aviation flight training programs and Belrea Institute of Animal Technology.
If you have questions, please contact the MSU Denver
Office of the Registrar
to verify whether your previous college or university is regionally accredited by one of these agencies.
MSU Denver requires that you complete a minimum of 30 credit hours towards your bachelor’s degree at MSU Denver. Some programs may have more stringent requirements and it is advised that you discuss your program requirements with your academic advisor.
We do not impose an expiration date on transfer credits in most cases; however, if it has been a significantly long time since you completed foundational coursework, such as math and writing, you may be asked to complete placement testing. Additionally, if there have been fundamental changes to the curriculum of a specific course since you last took it, you may be required to retake that course. One example of a course that must be retaken or tested out of is ENG 1020, which we require students freshen up on if they have not taken in over 10 years.
If you have completed credits elsewhere, you can see what should transfer to your program at MSU Denver using
Transferology
, a third party partner of MSU Denver that allows you to enter your previously earned credits and see what those credits will be equal to at MSU Denver.
Transcript evaluation times can vary from semester to semester. During slower times of the year, such as summer and mid-semester, processing time may be between 1-2 weeks. During busier times of the year, it may take 2-4 weeks to process your transcript evaluation. Upon completion of the evaluation, you will be notified by student email and can then meet with your advisor. To ensure that your transcripts are evaluated in time to register for classes, please submit them by the priority application deadline for the semester that you intend on registering.
It can take up to 4 weeks to process transcripts and complete the official transcript evaluation. Check you student email often; we will notify you here once your transcript evaluation is complete. At that point, you can schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to formulate a course plan for your future semesters at MSU Denver based on your transfer credits. Until the official transcript evaluation is complete, your advisor will only be able to provide generic information and suggestions regarding the courses that you must complete.
Orientation is required for all degree-seeking students who have not yet completed Orientation at MSU Denver in their lifetime. If you are a re-admit student, you are not required to attend Orientation.
Transfer students are required to complete the following
Next Steps
Setup your MSU Denver Student Account (NetID)
Submit Official Transcripts
Placement Testing (if you are notified of this requirement)
Attend Orientation
Meet with Your Academic Advisor
Register for Classes
Check your Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Auraria Campus has one on-campus dormitory-style housing unit called
Lynx Crossing
that is shared between MSU Denver, CU Denver, and Community College of Denver. This housing option is very limited and we encourage students to apply as soon as the application opens on January 1
st
to ensure that you have the best chance of securing a spot.
We also have
resources
to assist with your search for off-campus housing and we provide a roommate finder service.
To determine what classes you should sign up for, you will need to first submit your official transcripts for evaluation for transfer credit. Upon completion of your evaluation, your transfer courses will populate to your student account. At that point, we recommend meeting with your academic advisor to review your transfer credits and devise a course plan for the coming semesters. You may also run a
Degree Progress Report
to see what transferred in and what you need to complete.
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to your
admissions
counselor
to get the answers you need!
Contact the Transfer Team
Call – (303)556-3058 Email –
[email protected]
Follow the office of Admissions on Social Media:
Meet the Transfer Admissions Team
Charita Thompson (She/Her)
Associate Director of Admissions Transfer Services
[email protected]
(303)605-7585
Schedule an Appointment
Melissa Powers (She/Her)
Transfer Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
(303)605-7796
Schedule an Appointment
Landon Lopez
Transfer Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
(303)605-2087
Schedule an Appointment
Madison Lawerence
Transfer Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
(303)605-5730
Schedule an Appointment
Hannah Vander Lugt
Transfer Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
(303)615-1650
Schedule an Appointment
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