Certificate Admission

Enhance your skills with a graduate certificate designed to help you take your career to the next level. Applications are reviewed for admission on a quarterly basis. Ready to upskill and earn a new credential?

Admission Requirements

Candidates for graduate certificates at University College are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Earned a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in previous undergraduate work or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.
- An earned master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master's degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.

Specialized Graduate Certificates

Please note that financial aid is not available for four-course Specialized Graduate Certificate students.

No Standardized Tests

University College does not require GRE or GMAT scores because we believe testing doesn't predict success. As a professional, your experience speaks volumes and our other admission criteria paints a better picture of your potential.

Candidates for graduate certificates at University College are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Earned a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in previous undergraduate work or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.
- An earned master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master's degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.
English Proficiency
Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Applications will not be processed until the required TOEFL, IELTS, or CAE score is received. The TOEFL, IELTS, and CAE scores are valid for two years from the test date and are considered official only when received directly from the testing agency.
- The minimum TOEFL score accepted by the University is 80 (iBT) or 550 (pBT). Applicants should achieve at least 20 in all TOEFL subscores on the internet-based exam. When requesting official TOEFL scores, please refer to institutional code 4842 and department code 01 for graduate admissions.
- IELTS: The minimum IELTS score accepted by the University is 6.5. Each individual band score must be 6.0 or higher.
- CAE: The minimum CAE score accepted by the University is 169.
- Duolingo English Test (DET): For spring and summer quarter 2023 admit terms, the minimum Duolingo English Test score accepted by the University is 105. For fall quarter 2023 and future quarter admit terms, the minimum Duolingo English Test score accepted by the University is 115. Each individual subscore must be 105 or higher for Literacy, Comprehension, and Conversation and 95 or higher for Production.
- English Language Exemption
  Exemptions: Students are generally exempt from the English proficiency test requirement if they have any of the following:
  - Secondary/high school diploma from a school where the language of instruction is English.
  - Have earned a baccalaureate degree or higher from a formally-recognized/accredited university where the institution's language of instruction and examination is English.
  - Last 30 semester credits (45 quarter credits) of coursework were successfully completed (3.0 GPA or better) from a university or college where English is the sole language of instruction and examination.
  - The admission committee reserves the right to request English proficiency scores when reviewing an admission application.

Specialized Graduate Certificates

Please note international students are not eligible to apply to the four-course Specialized Graduate Certificate.

No GRE or GMAT Scores

Application Deadlines

At University College, applications are accepted throughout the year with four deadlines. Submit your online application by the deadlines outlined below to start in your preferred enrollment term.

Deadlines
Enrollment Term	Application Deadline
Enrollment Term Summer 2023	Application Deadline April 28, 2023
Enrollment Term Fall 2023	Application Deadline July 28, 2023
Enrollment Term Winter 2024	Application Deadline November 10, 2023
Enrollment Term Spring 2024	Application Deadline February 16, 2024

You can expect a decision via email within two to three weeks after submitting a completed application.

At University College, applications are accepted throughout the year with four deadlines. Submit your online application by the deadlines outlined below to start in your preferred enrollment term. The application deadline for international applicants is earlier to accommodate the extra steps required for evaluation and to allow admitted applicants to participate in the International Student Preparation Week.

Deadlines
Enrollment Term	Application Deadline
Enrollment Term Summer 2023	Application Deadline March 24, 2023
Enrollment Term Fall 2023	Application Deadline June 16, 2023
Enrollment Term Winter 2024	Application Deadline October 6, 2023
Enrollment Term Spring 2024	Application Deadline January 5, 2024

You can expect a decision via email within four to six weeks after submitting a completed application.

Application Checklist

Complete the following to apply to a graduate certificate program.

Application Form

Start a new application using your email address, name, and birthdate (you will receive a temporary PIN) at gradadmissions.du.edu/apply. Applications for the University of Denver must be submitted online.
Application Fee

The $50 application fee is currently being waived for all applicants. The fee waiver will automatically be assigned once your application is submitted.
Official Transcripts

A regionally accredited baccalaureate degree is required for admission. Submit one official transcript from each college or university. This includes transcripts for credit earned as transfer work and study abroad. In order to be considered "Official" transcripts must be sent electronically by the issuing college or university using a third-party agency to ucoladm@du.edu. Official transcripts may also be sent via postal mail in an unopened envelope that has been sealed by the issuing university.

Official transcripts can be sent to:
University College
University of Denver
Attn: Admission
2211 South Josephine Street
Denver, CO 80208
Résumé

Submit a résumé via the application status page listing your current employer(s) and professional experiences.
Programs with Additional Requirements
- Graduate Certificates in Professional Creative Writing require a creative writing sample (2-3 pages) in the genre of your choice. You can submit your writing sample via the application page.

Apply Now

The admission committee reserves the right to request a phone interview, letters of recommendation, or other relevant documentation, when reviewing an admission application. Applications and fees are valid for the term for which you have applied, after which point you may be asked to submit an updated application and fee to re-activate your application file. All materials submitted as part of any application for admission to the University of Denver become property of the University of Denver. Materials will not be copied, returned, or released to the applicant or any third party. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at http://www.du.edu/learn/certificates/disclosure/index.html

Complete the following to apply to a graduate certificate program.

Application Form

Start a new application using your email address, name, and birthdate (you will receive a temporary PIN) at gradadmissions.du.edu/apply.
Application Fee

The $50 application fee is currently being waived for all applicants. The fee waiver will automatically be assigned once your application is submitted.
Official Transcripts

A regionally accredited baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) is required for admission. Submit one official transcript from each college or university. This includes transcripts for credit earned as transfer work and study abroad. In order to be considered "Official" transcripts must be sent via postal mail in an unopened envelope that has been sealed by the issuing university.

Official transcripts can be sent to:
University College
University of Denver
Attn: Admission
2211 South Josephine Street
Denver, CO 80208

If transcripts are issued in a language other than English, an official, certified translation must accompany the original-language transcript.
English Proficiency

All applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language are required to submit proof of English Language Proficiency regardless of citizenship and/or U.S. residency. See specific language requirements for graduate students:
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CEA) Certificate: Certificates with a minimum score of 169 is required for admission consideration. Acceptable scores must be verified at least one month prior to enrollment.
  
  TOEFL: A minimum score of 80 on the internet-based exam is required for admission. Applicants should achieve at least 20 in all TOEFL sub scores on the internet-based exam. For the paper-based exam, a minimum score of 550 is required.
  
  Academic IELTS: A score of 6.5 or higher is required to be considered for admission. Each individual band score must be 6.0 or higher. IELTS score reports older than two years from the date of application are not acceptable for DU admission consideration.
  
  Possible Exemptions: International applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL/Academic IELTS requirement if by the time of matriculation they have earned a post-secondary degree from a formally-recognized/accredited university where the entire language of instruction and examination is in English. The admission committee reserves the right to request English proficiency scores when reviewing an admission application.
Résumé

Submit a résumé via the application status page listing your current employers and professional experiences.
Diploma/Degree Certificate and Appropriate Translations

Please submit an official copy of your final diploma or final degree certificate along with all appropriate official translations.
Photocopy of Current Passport

Please provide a copy of the photograph and legal name page of your passport. This can be uploaded and attached to your online application. If you currently do not have a passport, you will need to make arrangements to obtain a passport before an I-20 can be issued by the University of Denver (the government document that allows a student visa to be granted). If you are submitting the online application prior to obtaining a passport, please email a copy of your passport to ucolintl@du.edu once you have received it.
Financial Verification Form

If it is your intention to apply for a student visa, we will also need a financial verification form in order for the University to issue you an I-20. This typically takes the form of a copy of an official bank letter or bank statement and is used to verify that the student has enough financial resources available to cover the cost of attendance. If the bank documents are not in your name, please also submit a financial verification form.

Please contact the international admission counselor for the cost of attendance.
Programs with Additional Requirements
- Graduate Certificates in Professional Creative Writing require a creative writing sample (2-3 pages) in the genre of your choice. You can submit your writing sample via the application page.
- The Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies requires you to complete a translation exercise which will be emailed after you submit your application. Please note the Translation Studies introductory course, required for subsequent translation courses, is only offered in the fall and spring quarters.

Apply Now

Include your CAE, TOEFL, or IELTS scores in the test scores section of the application. Applications and fees are valid for the term for which you have applied, after which point you may be asked to submit an updated application and fee to re-activate your application file. All materials submitted as part of any application for admission to the University of Denver become property of the University. Materials will not be copied, returned, or released to the applicant or any third party. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at http://www.du.edu/learn/certificates/disclosure/index.html

FAQ

Scores don't tell the whole story. We rely on your other application materials to determine your potential.
Every program at University College can be completed 100% online. Note that some students require on campus courses for financial aid reasons or student visa requirements; please check with your academic advisor to make sure there are enough on campus course options in your selected program.
Yes, if you are a domestic graduate student you can begin taking courses in any given quarter even if you missed the application deadline for that quarter. We allow our students to take classes for one quarter before they have to submit their completed application. Please note financial aid cannot be applied to a course if you are not admitted to a program.

No. As the University of Denver's college of professional and continuing studies, the majority of our students work part- or full-time. Our course content is immediately applicable in the workplace and is enhanced by hands-on professional development. While we do not require students to complete an internship for fulfillment of their program requirements, hands-on learning in an internship/workplace is often an integral part of each students' program to ensure that they are maximizing their learning and attaining all learning outcomes.
Scores don't tell the whole story. We rely on your other application materials to determine your potential.
Every program at University College can be completed 100% online. Note that some students require on campus courses for financial aid reasons or student visa requirements; please check with your academic advisor to make sure there are enough on campus course options in your selected program.

Admission Support

Admission Team

University College Building

2211 South Josephine Street

Denver, CO 80208

303-871-2291

or 800-347-2042

ucoladm@du.edu

International Student Admission

303-871-2291

ucolintl@du.edu