Advancing Your Career: A Comprehensive Overview of Colorado State University Graduate Programs

Embarking on graduate studies is a significant decision, a strategic investment in one's skills, abilities, and knowledge, paving the way to becoming an effective leader in a chosen field. Colorado State University (CSU) offers a diverse array of master's degrees designed to meet the evolving demands of various industries and to foster personal and professional growth. Whether the goal is to elevate one's role from a contributor to a decision-maker, or to simply achieve personal aspirations, exploring the graduate degree options at CSU presents a compelling path forward. The Bureau of Labor Statistics underscores the financial benefits of advanced education, reporting that master’s degree holders earn nearly 20% more than those with a bachelor’s degree and a remarkable 68% more than those with an associate degree. This data highlights the tangible return on investment associated with pursuing a master's degree.

Navigating the Graduate Admissions and Program Structure

The journey through a graduate program at Colorado State University involves a structured process, from initial registration to the final commencement ceremony. Prospective and current graduate students must adhere to specific academic policies and deadlines to ensure a smooth progression toward degree completion.

Registration and Continuous Enrollment

A fundamental requirement for all graduate students is continuous registration. Students must be registered every fall and spring semester in a credit-bearing course or enrolled in continuous registration (CR). This applies even to those graduating in the summer term, where registration in a course or CR is mandatory. The Continuous Registration and Graduation Enrollment Policies page provides detailed information on these requirements. Crucially, students are expected to indicate their anticipated graduation date in Registration Ready (RegReady) when registering for courses. This anticipated date is vital for administrative offices such as the Office of Financial Aid. The process of applying to graduate is detailed in Step 6.

Advisor and Committee Selection

The academic journey in a master's program is significantly guided by faculty mentorship. Students are required to select a faculty advisor and committee members in consultation with their department. This selection process is a precursor to completing the GS6 Program of Study form. The composition of the committee must align with the specific requirements set forth by the Graduate School, which are accessible on the Graduate School requirements webpage.

The GS6 Program of Study Form

The GS6 Program of Study form is a critical document that outlines the specific degree requirements for a student's program. Before completing this form, it is imperative to consult with the student's department, as the GS6 may not be universally required, and departments may have their own distinct deadlines or prerequisites. The GS6 typically defines essential components such as:

Required coursework
Final defense procedures
Thesis requirements (if applicable)
Advisor and committee member designations
Other program-specific requirements

The GS6 must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than the third semester of study, though completing it as early as possible is highly recommended to streamline the academic planning process. Further details and resources, including academic Deadline Dates for anticipated graduation terms, can be found on the GS6 Program of Study page and the Forms page.

Thesis Formatting and Committee Review

For programs requiring a thesis, adherence to formatting guidelines is paramount. Students are strongly advised to review these guidelines prior to commencing their thesis work to ensure all resources and requirements are understood. Furthermore, it is essential to regularly review the Graduate Degree Plan in RAMweb to ensure the committee composition is current. The GS9A Petition for Committee Member Changes form is available for students who need to request modifications to their committee after the GS6 Program of Study form has been approved. Changes to an advisor or committee member(s) can be made even after the GS6 has received Graduate School approval.

Applying for Graduation: The GS25 Form

The formal application to graduate is submitted via the GS25 Application to Graduate form. This form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the academic deadline date of the semester in which the student intends to complete their degree requirements. These critical deadline dates are published on the Graduate School's website. The GS25 form serves to record:

The intended semester of degree completion.
The desired name formatting on the diploma.
Any course changes that may necessitate an update to the GS6 Program of Study.
Other discrepancies that require attention.

Students access the GS25 form through RAMweb, where they will complete the necessary information and submit the digital form with all required signatures to the Graduate School. The GS25 Application for Graduation page and the Forms page offer additional details. Regular consultation with an academic advisor regarding the Graduate Degree Plan is crucial to address any outstanding course requirements, discrepancy grades, non-course requirements, or other academic matters.

The Final Examination and Defense

A significant milestone in many graduate programs is the final examination or defense. Before this step, students should again review their committee members in their Graduate Degree Plan in RAMweb to ensure accuracy. The GS24 Final Exam Results form is a mandatory document that must be signed by all committee members following the successful completion of the final examination or defense. This form must be submitted to the Graduate School within two working days of the examination results being known, and crucially, by the academic deadline date of the intended graduation semester. All committee member signatures must be secured and the digital form submitted to the Graduate School by this deadline.

Thesis Submission

For master's programs culminating in a thesis, the GS30 Thesis/Dissertation Submission form is required. This form is signed by committee members once the thesis has been approved and is ready for electronic submission. To avoid potential formatting corrections that could cause delays, it is highly recommended to submit the thesis document well in advance of the academic deadline date for the intended graduation semester.

Commencement Ceremony

To celebrate academic achievements, CSU hosts a Graduate School Commencement Ceremony each spring and fall semester. While a ceremony is not held in the summer, graduates may choose to attend either the fall or spring ceremony that best accommodates their schedule or degree completion timeline. Details regarding the ceremonies are published on the Commencement page.

Diverse Master's Degree Pathways at CSU

Colorado State University offers a variety of master's degree pathways, each with unique structures and requirements designed to cater to different academic and professional aspirations. A key distinction lies between thesis-based and non-thesis-based programs, as well as specialized professional degrees.

Plan A: The Thesis Option

The Plan A master's degree option mandates the preparation of a thesis. A thesis is typically a formal written document that addresses a significant issue within a discipline in an original and scholarly manner. This pathway involves substantial independent research and intellectual work, with a specific allocation of academic credits dedicated to its preparation.

Plan C: The Coursework-Focused Option

Plan C master's degree options are characterized by two primary features. Firstly, they generally require only coursework, with no thesis, project, or final examination mandated. However, some specific programs may incorporate an internship, practicum, or other experiential components that align with the program's objectives and are approved by the University Curriculum Committee. Secondly, Plan C options are designed for professional degrees and are therefore not available for M.A. or M.S. degrees. Furthermore, within a given department, Plan C degrees may not share the same title as those offered under Plan A or Plan B options.

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Professional Science Master's (PSM)

The Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree option, with a minimum of 30 credit hours, is engineered to meet specific curriculum requirements:

Advanced STEM Focus: A majority of the credits must be earned in advanced science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computational sciences courses throughout the two-year program.
Professional Skills Component: The curriculum must include a dedicated component focused on developing professional skills essential for career advancement.
Experiential Capstone: A capstone activity, based on an experiential component such as a field placement course (internship, practicum, affiliation, fieldwork), is a mandatory part of the curriculum.

No thesis, project, or final examination is required for the PSM degree. The primary objective of the PSM is to cultivate managers for organizations that deliver technology-based outcomes across public, private, government, and non-profit sectors. A crucial element of PSM programs is the establishment of an active advisory board comprising individuals from industry, business, government, non-profit organizations, and CSU faculty. These board members provide guidance on curriculum development, assist with student projects and placements, and engage directly with students. To be officially recognized as a PSM degree, programs must undergo approval by the Commission on Affiliation of PSM Programs and subsequently navigate the approval pathways mandated by the CSU Faculty Council's Curricular Policies and Procedures Handbook.

Credit Requirements and Course Levels

The minimum credit requirement for all master's degrees at CSU is 30 credits. However, individual departments reserve the right to establish credit requirements that exceed this university minimum. For instance, terminal professional degrees may necessitate over 60 credits. The distribution of credits at the 500-level or above varies:

Plans A and B: A minimum of 50% of credits must be at the 500-level or above.
Plan C and Professional Science Master's: A minimum of 21 credits or 50% of total credits, whichever is greater, must be at the 500-level or above.

Across all master's degrees, a minimum of 12 credits at the 500-level or higher must be earned in regular courses. Other courses may be at the 300-400 level or fall into categories not defined as regular courses. A minimum of 24 credits must be earned at CSU, with at least 21 of those credits completed after formal admission to the Graduate School.

Restrictions on Independent Study and Experiential Credits

Plan C master's and Professional Science Master's programs generally do not permit independent study, research, or supervised college teaching credits to count toward the degree, unless explicitly required by the program and approved by the University Curriculum Committee. Similarly, Plan C master's programs may not include internship or practicum credits unless they are program requirements approved by the University Curriculum Committee.

Credit Transfer Policies

Credits earned in pursuit of one master's degree cannot be applied toward a second master's degree, with a specific exception: an M.A. degree may be applied toward an M.F.A. program.

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) is a terminal degree designed for practicing professionals in the visual or literary arts. This program requires the creation of a significant artistic work that stands on its own as a substantial aesthetic or literary contribution.

M.F.A. Credit Requirements and Structure

Total credit requirements for the M.F.A. typically range from 48 to 60 credits, varying by department. Departments may also impose requirements beyond the minimums stipulated by CSU. A minimum of 50% of the credits for an M.F.A. must be at the 500-level or above, with at least 12 of these in regular courses. Other coursework can be at the 300-400 level or in non-regularly defined courses.

M.F.A. Credit Transfer from M.A.

If a previously completed Master of Arts degree is submitted towards M.F.A. requirements, up to 30 credits may be accepted. In such cases, no additional transfer credits will be permitted. A minimum of 18 credits must then be earned after formal admission to the M.F.A. program. A final examination, which may be oral, written, or both, is required for the M.F.A. Plan A degree.

Dual and Joint Degree Programs

Colorado State University offers dual and joint degree programs, which involve the partnership of two intra-university master's degree programs, either within or between departments, programs, or State-Affiliated Units (SAUs) in the same or different colleges.

Distinguishing Dual and Joint Degrees

A dual degree program results in the simultaneous conferral of two separate degrees. In contrast, a joint degree program leads to the conferral of a single degree, with both programs listed on the diploma.

Approval and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Both dual and joint degree programs must undergo rigorous review and approval processes through the University's curriculum review channels. Additionally, partners in a dual or joint master's degree program must submit and have approved by the Graduate School a one-time Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU meticulously details aspects such as:

Administrative oversight
Financial agreements, including the distribution of differential tuition and special fees
Advisory and graduate committee requirements
Other stipulated agreements
The specific curriculum of the dual or joint program

Student Requirements and Committee Composition

Students enrolled in dual or joint master's degree programs must satisfy all admission requirements and all curricular requirements for the chosen program. A graduate committee is generally required for these programs, unless both degree program areas are Plan C master's programs. The graduate committee must comprise faculty members from both academic areas, along with an outside committee member not affiliated with either degree program area.

Credit Double-Counting

No more than 50% of the credits from the degree with the lower credit requirement may be double-counted towards both degrees. For example, if one master's degree requires 30 credits and another requires 42 credits, a maximum of 15 credits can be shared between them. Double-counted credits can include practicum, internship, research, and thesis credits, in addition to regular coursework.

Academic Standing and Dismissal

If a student in a dual-degree program is dismissed from the Graduate School due to academic standing or failure to make academic progress, they may be readmitted, in accordance with Graduate School policy, to only one of the programs.

Final Examinations in Dual/Joint Programs

If a dual or joint degree program includes a thesis, exam, project, or portfolio component in either of its constituent degrees, a final thesis defense, examination, or project/portfolio presentation must be conducted, encompassing the combined components. The nature of this final examination-whether oral, written, or both-will be determined by the examination committee.

University Recognition and Resources

Colorado State University is consistently recognized among the nation's top universities across various disciplines, excelling in teaching, learning, research, and student achievement. The university is committed to providing a supportive and enriching environment for its graduate students.

Application Fees

For applications that do not qualify for fee waivers, a non-refundable processing fee of $60.00 is required for domestic applicants, and $70.00 for international applicants.

Departmental Consultation

It is strongly recommended to initiate discussions with the relevant academic department early in the process. Departmental advisors can provide invaluable insights into specific program requirements and assist in navigating the application and admission process.

Campus Security and Safety

In adherence to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Colorado State University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report each year on or before October 1st.

The GradSpace and Professional Development

The GradSpace is a dedicated resource designed exclusively for CSU graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, offering a supportive community and access to specialized services. Additionally, the Graduate Professional Development Series provides a range of offerings aimed at enhancing the personal and professional well-being of graduate students.

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