Student Guide

1.1. Welcome

Welcome to the Metropolitan State University of Denver College of Business! We have a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, small classes, dedicated faculty, and a reputation for producing excellent graduates. We’re also recognized nationally for our excellence, including accreditation by AACSB—a marker of quality earned by the top 5% of business schools globally—and a number of prestigious accreditations and awards for our various departments and programs.

1.2. About This Guide

This guide will help explain your degree requirements, show you where to find information and resources to help you survive and thrive in college, and answer frequently asked questions (FAQs). It is designed primarily for new students (first-year, transfer, and readmitted students) and prospective students, but the information is also relevant to continuing students.

Ultimately, you are responsible for understanding and meeting all of your degree requirements—and making academic choices that help advance you toward your career and life goals.

Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to contact or come visit an academic or faculty advisor with any questions. Contact information for our advisors is in Appendix J, on the last page. You can also find their contact information, and schedule an appointment, at: https://msudenver.edu/business/advising/

1.3. University Catalog and Your Catalog Year

The university catalog is the ultimate authority on major requirements, graduation requirements, course information, university policies, and more. The catalog is available at: http://catalog.msudenver.edu/

There are changes to the catalog every year, and you are automatically assigned to the catalog that was in place the year you started at MSU Denver. You are eligible to change your catalog year to any catalog after you started at MSU—for instance, to take advantage of a new major, minor, or certificate. Note, though, that you must complete ALL of the requirements for ALL of your degree components (major, minor, certificate, etc.) for the catalog year you choose. So it’s important to know which catalog you’re following and to make any changes to your catalog year in consultation with an advisor.

Do not get academic advising from your peers; among other problems, they may not be following the same catalog as you are!

You can find your catalog year on your Degree Progress Report (DPR). See Section 1.5 (below) for how to find your Degree Progress Report and Appendix B (below) for information on how to read your DPR. Re-admitted students will fall under the newer catalog for the year in which they were re-admitted. It is possible to be rolled back to your old catalog, but you will need to see an academic advisor.

1.4. Finding the Right University Catalog

University Catalogs are available online going back to 2008-09 at: http://catalog.msudenver.edu. From there, use the pull-down menu to select your catalog year. See Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Finding Online Catalog for Specific Year

1.5. Your Degree Progress Report (DPR)

Your Degree Progress Report (DPR) is a fast and easy way to review your degree requirements, figure out which classes you still need, and see your academic process. It also shows your catalog year and any unmet degree conditions (for example, the 30-hour College of Business residency requirement).

You can find your DPR at the top of your Student Hub, at https://www.msudenver.edu/studenthub/ under WEB SERVICES. See Figure 1.2.

Your Degree Progress Report has advanced functions including a GPA Calculator, “What If” Button (for instance, to help decide on a major or plan for catalog year changes), and Look Ahead to see how future classes will fit into your degree.

See Appendix B (below) for how to read and understand your DPR and use the advanced DPR functions.

Figure 1.2: Getting to Your Degree Progress Report

1.6. College of Business Advising Resources and Tools

In addition to the catalog and DPR, students have many other academic success and degree planning tools, including: Degree Worksheets, major-specific Information Sheets, the General Studies Approved Courses Handout, the Course Recommendation Form, and your academic advisor.

Degree Worksheets: List required courses by major (including General Studies, Major, Additional Business Requirements, and Business Core classes). It also provides a semester-to-semester guide for students on a 4-year graduation plan (see the back of form).

You can pick up a College of Business Degree Major Worksheet from your academic advisor, academic department (for example, Management or Marketing), or the College of Business reception area near the elevators on the 5th Floor of the Administration Building. You can also find them on the College of Business website under “Advising”. Make sure to use the Degree Worksheet from your catalog year. Do this by checking at the top right corner of the form. See Figure 1.3.

Figure 1.3: Degree Worksheet with Catalog Year Circled

Concentration/Certificate Information Sheets: All College of Business degrees offer concentration options, certificates, or other programs. For example, Management Students can pick a concentration in Human Resource Management. Students with any major can add a Sales Certificate. And more! To learn about concentration/certificate options for your degree, see Appendix A (below). More information on each is available in the MSU Denver catalog. You can also ask an academic advisor or a CBUS faculty member—or swing by the department to pick up information sheets.

General Studies Approved Courses: These lists in the catalog show you which classes meet specific General Studies categories (for example, the Historical, Arts & Humanities, and Natural & Physical Science). They will also show you which classes meet Multicultural and Global Diversity requirements.

• Classes meeting the Global Diversity will have a “GD” after the course title/credits
• Classes meeting the Multicultural Requirement will have “MC” after the course title/credits.

Some courses can fulfill multiple requirements. For example, you can take HIS 1150: Multicultural America to simultaneously meet both the Historical and the Multicultural requirements.

Most CBUS majors have specific General Studies requirements. Check your Degree Progress Report,
Degree Worksheet, or the University Catalog for more information.

You can pick up a General Studies Approved Courses handout from your academic advisor or at the College of Business Reception area. General Studies Sheets were also handed out or emailed during Orientation (if you attended an on-campus or virtual session). You can also find approved General Studies courses in the University Catalog and through the Class Scheduler function when you register for classes. If you are a transfer student, you may be able to get General Studies credit for a class that isn’t on the list; see Section 5 (below) for more information on transfer credits.

Course Recommendation Form. The Course Recommendation Form can help you plan out your courses, semester-by-semester, and project your graduation date. You can get one from your academic advisor (or use the copy in Appendix H below). Veterans using the GI Bill should use this form to map out their remaining eligibility and course work.

You should fill out a form and keep it; we also recommend taking a picture of it with your phone and saving the picture. When completing the form, make sure you review course prerequisites which can be found on your Degree Progress Report (online version), your Degree Worksheet, the University Catalog, or in the schedule of classes. Once you fill out the form, schedule an advising appointment so your advisor can review it and make corrections or suggestions.

Your Academic or Faculty Advisor

Your academic advisor is here to help you understand your degree requirements, provide advice and information on MSU Denver academic policies and procedures, assist you with problems like financial aid and academic probation, and help keep you on the right path. We are your cheerleader, coach, advocate, and academic success partner. If you have any questions, need some help finding University resources, or want to review your degree plan, please contact your academic advisor—we genuinely care about you!

CBUS has separate professional academic advisors per department. Generally speaking, freshman, sophomores, new transfers, and recently re-admitted students should see their academic advisor. Continuing juniors and seniors should see a Faculty Advisor to get help with choosing upper division courses/electives, discuss concentration/certificate options, and get advice on becoming career ready.

Appendix I (below) includes contact information for CBUS department academic advisors. For department information, see: https://www.msudenver.edu/business/advising/faculty-advising-hours/

2.1. Degree Requirements Overview

As noted above, students should always consult the correct catalog year for the most accurate and detailed information on degree requirements. What follows is a general guide, targeted at students who are on a relatively new catalog (2018-19 and newer).

General Business Degree Requirements (summary; see catalog for definitive list):

• A minimum of 120 semester hours
•  Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Minimum 40 hours of Upper Division (3000- or 4000-level) courses
• General Studies requirements, including a Global Diversity elective
• Three-credit hour Multicultural course
• Three-credit hour Senior Experience (For B.S. Business students, this is MGT 4950, one of your Business Core classes)
• Complete a subject major of at least 30 semester hours
• At least 30 credits of Business Courses at MSU Denver
• At least 45 credits at MSU Denver OR at least 30 hours AND your last 12 semester hours at MSU Denver
• Meet degree specific grade minimums

This guide explains the specific ways to meet the more complicated parts of these requirements.

2.2. General Studies Requirements

General Studies courses equip students with intellectual skills in analysis, research, and communication and cover natural sciences, the human condition, aesthetic experience, and global and cultural diversity. To fulfill your General Studies requirements, you must complete (or transfer in) the core classes laid out below:

General Studies Requirements:

•  Two Written Communication Courses (usually ENG 1010 and ENG 1020)
• An Oral Communication Course (usually COMM 1010 or COMM 1100)
• A Quantitative Literacy (Math) Course (usually MTH 1310 or MTH 1311 with MTH 1312)
• Two Arts & Humanities electives
• A Historical elective
• Six total credits in the Natural & Physical Sciences
• Two Social and Behavioral Sciences electives (most business majors should take ECO 2010, Macroeconomics, and ECO 2020, Microeconomics, to satisfy this requirement)

Students should ask their academic advisors which general electives are best to help them achieve their specific educational goals. Additional information (prerequisites, course registration tips & instructions, course recommendations, etc.) for your Quantitative Literacy (Math), Written Communication, and Oral Communication General Studies requirements are included in Appendix C through E of this guide (below).

You can find more information on MSU Denver’s General Studies requirements here: https://www.msudenver.edu/generalstudies/

2.3. The Global Diversity Requirement

All MSU Denver students are required to take or transfer in a Global Diversity Elective within their General Studies course work. Global Diversity classes can be identified on the General Studies Approved Courses worksheet by a (GD) after the course title.

You can meet the Global Diversity and a General Studies category with the same class. For example, courses that meet both the Global Diversity requirement and count toward the Natural & Physical Sciences requirement include: MTR 1600 (Global Climate Change), GEG 1910 (Global Water Concerns), and ANT 1010 (Biological Anthropology).

Veterans who deployed for 6 months or more overseas (and have proof via their DD214) can get credit for their Global Diversity requirement by talking to a Prior Learning Specialist (Brandy Schooler at 303-605-5574 or [email protected]).

2.4. The Multicultural Elective Requirement

All MSU Denver students are required to take or transfer in a Multicultural elective (this is different from the Global Diversity requirement). Multicultural elective options are available on the General Studies Approved Courses list and are identified by the (MC) after the course title. You can also find them in the University Catalog. Management and International Business majors are encouraged to take MGT 4830, Workforce Diversity, while Marketing students are encouraged to take MKT 3750, Multicultural Marketing. These classes meet Major Elective and Multicultural Elective requirements. MKT 3750 requires students to have at least junior standing.  MGT 4830 requires students to have senior standing.

The College of Business offers two types of degrees, the Bachelor of Science (BS) and the Bachelor of Arts (BA). The BS degrees require a 3-credit business calculus class, BUS 3040 (Global Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability), and a common business core of 12 courses (36 credits), but do not require a minor. Most BA degrees require a minor of at least 18 credits and do not include the Business Core.  Professional Selling, a BA degree (available for the 2021-2022 Catalog), is an extended major and does not require a minor.

Students who are pursuing a BS must first complete MTH 1310 (Finite Math), MTH 1311 with MTH 1312 (Finite Math with Lab), MTH 1110 (College Algebra), MTH 1108 &1109 (Stretch Algebra), or MTH 1400 (Pre-calculus). If you have not completed your calculus requirement, you should take MTH 1320, Calculus for Management & Social Sciences (commonly called Business Calculus). If you have already completed Calculus I (MTH 1410; MAT 201/MAT 2410 at a Colorado Community College); or Survey of Calculus (MAT 125/MAT 1400 at a Colorado Community College), you do not need to take additional Math classes. MTH 1080 (Mathematical Modes of Thought), MTH 1210 (Statistics), and MTH 1610 (Integrated Mathematics) do not work as prerequisites for MTH 1320. If you have taken one of these classes, see Appendix D: Quantitative Literacy for your next steps.

Students who are pursuing a BA must complete a 3-credit Quantitative Literacy course. Some majors have suggestions or requirements for which specific classes to take, and some have additional math requirements. As of the 2021-2022 catalog, students pursuing the BA in Global Business Studies are encouraged to take MTH 1210: Introduction to Statistics. Those pursuing the BA in Economics are required to take either MTH 1110 or MTH 1310 and take MTH 1210.  Students pursuing a Professional Selling BA are required to take either MTH 1210 or MTH 1310 (or MTH 1311 with MTH 1312).

You are strongly advised to complete your math courses as soon as possible.

BUS 3040 requires junior level status. Students may be waived into the class if they have 57 credit hours completed (or will have 57 credit hours completed by the semester they wish to enroll in the course).

3.1. The Business Core

The Business Core, required for all BS degrees, includes 12 required courses (36 total credits):

1. BUS 1850 (Introduction to Business)
2. BUS 1950 (Business Communication)
3. ACC 2010 (Principles of Accounting I)
4. ACC 2020 (Principles of Accounting II)
5. CIS 2010 (Foundations of Information Systems)
6. CIS 3300 (Business Analytics I)
7. CIS 3320 (Business Analytics II)
8. FIN 3300 (Managerial Finance)
9. MGT 2210 (Legal Environment of Business)
10. MGT 3000 (Organizational Management)
11. MKT 3000 (Principles of Marketing)
12. MGT 4950 (Strategic Management)
    *MGT 4950 is your Senior Experience course and can only be taken after the rest of the Business Core.

Most Business Core classes require ENG 1010 (or ENG 1008/ENG 1009); ENG 1020; COMM 1010 or COMM 1100; and a college level math class to be completed before you can register for them. Prerequisites will not be waived in any circumstances! If you do not complete these classes within the first 2 or 3 semesters (assuming full time status), you will fall behind.

Every Business Core class except BUS 1850 has prerequisites. Familiarize yourself with them by looking at your degree sheets, your Degree Progress Report, the University Catalog, or talking to your academic advisor. For example, CIS 1010 (or successfully passing the CIS Placement Test) is a prerequisite to CIS 2010; CIS 2010 is a prerequisite to CIS 3300; CIS 3300 is a prerequisite to CIS 3320; and CIS 3320 is a prerequisite to MGT 4950. CIS 3300 is also a prerequisite or co-requisite for several upper division Finance, Management, and Marketing courses.

If you do not take the correct prerequisites in the correct sequence, you may inadvertently delay your desired graduation date. One way to avoid this is to fill out a Course Recommendation Form and discuss it to your Advisor.

To view course prerequisites for a course in your Degree Progress Report, click on the class title. A popup window will appear listing course prerequisites along with a class description. See Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1: Identifying Prerequisites in Degree Progress Report

Transfer or readmit students with two or more previous business courses should not take BUS 1850. Instead, take an approved (2000 level or higher) Business class outside your major as a substitute. For example, a CIS major can’t use another CIS course as a substitute for BUS 1850, however, they could take MGT 4830 or MKT 3750. (Note: Finance and Banking students should not take BUS 2250—this course is a lower division equivalent of FIN 3150.)

3.2. Major Courses

In addition to the Business Core, all CBUS Bachelor of Science majors require at least 8 additional classes (24 total credits) in the major. See your Degree Worksheets or University Catalog for your specific major’s courses. Several College of Business degrees offer concentrations or certificates (for example, Management offers Human Resources, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Legal Environment of Business, and Ops & Supply Chain Management concentrations). Speak with your academic advisor and with faculty to discuss your options!

Most College of Business Major courses are upper-division and require you to have completed 60 credits before you can take them. (Some students with 57 credits can be waived in.)

4.1. What Are the Most Common Issues Students Have with Their Degrees and How Can I Avoid Them?

Below are the most common issues students run into while trying to complete their College of Business degree as well as tips for avoiding them.

4.1.1 Not applying for financial aid, the College Opportunity Fund (if eligible), and/or grants,
scholarships, or work study opportunities

• If you are applying for financial aid, contact MSU Denver’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for assistance in filing your financial aid paperwork. File early so you have time to find/submit required tax documents and/or fix errors. Visit their website at: https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/ for hours and contact information.
• There is also a new FAFSA App to help you complete your paperwork. Search for MyStudentAid in your app store to get started.
• If you are a Colorado resident, don’t forget to apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF). COF provides eligible undergraduate students with a stipend that pays for a portion of in-state tuition. The current rate at MSU Denver is $104 per credit hour—$1,248/semester for full-time students and over $9,900 before you finish your degree! For more information on COF, see: https://cof.college-assist.org/
• Undocumented and DREAMer students are also eligible for assistance and scholarships.
  See: https://msudenver.edu/dreamer-zone/
  Immigrant students can make an appointment with Immigrant Services for assistance with many issues, including filling out financial aid forms. See: https://msudenver.edu/immigrant-services/
• Regardless of your eligibility for financial aid, all students can make use of the free financial literacy resources and tools, such as budget calculators and earning guides, at: https://www.msudenver.edu/financial-aid/debt-management/

4.1.2 Forgetting to file the insurance waiver each fall/spring

• Students who have their own health insurance (for example, through work or their parents/guardians’ plans) and are registered for nine or more credit hours, must fill out the Insurance Waiver when registering for each Fall and Spring semester.
• You must opt out; otherwise, the insurance charge is automatically added to your tuition bill. Information and instructions on the waiver can be found here: https://healthcenter1.com/opt-out-waiver-instructions/

4.1.3 Not dropping courses before the 100%, 50%, and “W” withdrawal cut off dates

• For most MSU Denver courses, there is a deadline for dropping the course to get a 100% tuition refund, a later deadline for getting a 50% tuition refund, and an even later date to withdraw from the course with a grade of “W”.
• To see these dates for your classes, go to your Student Hub. Under WEB SERVICES, click Register. In the main Registration page, click on Student Detail Schedule.
• The 100% tuition refund date is usually, but not always, the first Sunday after classes begin. If you drop a course after that deadline, even if you never attended class, you will owe some portion of tuition (either 50% or all depending on when you drop).
• To avoid missing these dates, check the University’s Academic Calendar at: https://msudenver.edu/events/academic/. You can use the Add to My Calendar and Email Reminder tools to help you to remember.
• If you miss the tuition refund deadlines, you can file an appeal for a tuition refund through the Bursar’s Office, but they will only grant appeals in extenuating circumstances.
• Also, do some research before deciding to drop a class. For example, check in with your instructor, and see if you can leverage tutoring or other resources. Dropping a class can negatively affect your financial aid package, including scholarships, grants, loans, and GI Bill funding. Also talk with the Office of Financial Aid (and, if applicable, VA Benefits Coordinator) before dropping (see below).

4.1.4 Not talking to the office of financial aid or their VA benefits coordinator before dropping classes

• If using any form of financial aid, check in with Financial Aid or your VA Benefits Coordinator before dropping classes. Otherwise you may end up owing money back.
• For students using Financial Aid, there is usually a small window of opportunity to drop a class before the “W” drop deadline and still keep all of your financial aid. A Financial Aid counselor (not the work study student at the front desk) will be able to advise you.
• For Veterans and Active Duty Military using the GI Bill, it is usually better for you to take a low grade or F in a course rather than dropping/withdrawing from it because your stipend is typically tied to the number of hours you are enrolled in. Talk to your VA Benefits Coordinator before you drop!

4.1.5 Waiting too long to take math or other CBUS prerequisites

• Remember all College of Business Core classes except for BUS 1850 have prerequisites. The longer you wait to take your Math, English, and Oral Communication courses, the longer you have to wait to take your (awesome!) CBUS classes. Some of our students have delayed their graduation plan by several years because they did not take Math!
• To avoid potentially delaying your graduation date, take the necessary steps to register for prerequisite courses. For example, if you don’t meet the ACT/SAT cut-offs for English and Math, then study for and take the relevant Accuplacer exams as soon as possible.
• Appendix D and Appendix E (below) list a number of free University and online resources to assist you with getting into and completing your Math and English prerequisites.

4.1.6 Taking on too much

• As a general rule of thumb: for every hour you spend in class, you will need at least two to three hours to study, complete assignments, and work on projects. For a typical 3-credit course, you will devote 2.5 hours to attending class and approximately 5 to 7.5 hours for studying and homework each week. For a 12-credit hour semester, this means (including time in class) 30 to 40 total hours each week, devoted exclusively to school.
• To avoid overwhelming yourself, develop a realistic time budget factoring in your work, commute, 8 hours of sleep, family, and relaxation. Then decide how many classes you can handle. It is better for you to take 5, 6 or 8 years to complete your degree than it is to fail classes, waste money and time, get discouraged, and so on.
• Consider spreading out your coursework time by taking courses outside the standard fall/spring schedule. MSU Denver also offers WINTERIM, Maymester, and a variety of summer session courses. Talk to your advisor about which of these classes could fit into your degree plan.

4.1.7 Not checking start/end dates for classes

• MSU Denver offers classes on a number of different start/stop calendars. In addition to WINTERIM, Maymester, and summer session courses, many courses during the fall and spring semester have separate start or end dates. Make sure you know exactly when your course starts and stops. This is especially important for summer classes because there are usually at least 3 different sessions offered: a first 5-week, a second 5-week, and an 8-week session.
• To see the start/stop dates for your classes, go to your Student Detail Schedule (go to your Student Hub, click on the Register button, and then from the registration menu, select Student Detail Schedule. In addition to the 100%, 50%, and “W” withdrawal dates, it will show you the start/end date for the class.

4.1.8 Not getting involved on campus and not using campus resources

• You are more likely to complete your degree if you are involved on campus! Make a conscious effort to do so by joining student clubs (including fraternities and sororities), participating in sports or extracurricular activities, and attending interesting events. For information on student activities, clubs, and events, go here: https://www.msudenver.edu/student-affairs/#student-engagement-%26-wellness
• MSU and the College of Business are constantly hosting academic and career events, including interesting speakers, industry panels, career fairs, and more. Ask advisors and faculty for suggestions, and be sure to check your school email regularly.
• MSU also has a wealth of resources to help you with all kinds of issues, obstacles, and questions that might come up. For instance, did you know that MSU has a food pantry for students? Have you taken advantage of our Tutoring Center or Writing Center? How about the free therapy at the Counseling Center? Any of the eight helpful offices under the Center for Equity and Student Achievement? On these and many more issues, your academic advisor or the helpful folks in Roadways can help you find the resources you might need.

4.2. How Do I Change My Major?

• You will need to fill out a Declaration/Change of Majors and Minors Form.  You can fill out the form on-line at https://cbus.msudenver.edu/CBUSServices/ (this is the preferred method) or hand it in to your major’s academic advisor or the CBUS reception desk when the campus is open.  The form is available for download at https://msudenver.edu/registrar/forms/. If dropping off paperwork at the front desk, it may take a week or so to get processed.
• Make sure you check the acknowledgement box and sign at the bottom of the on-line or hard copy forms!

4.3. I’m Not Sure What Classes I Should Take.

• First, read Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this guide (above) so you understand your degree requirements under your catalog year. Appendices C through E will also help provide specific information on what classes you need to take, what the prerequisites are for Business classes, how to register for courses (in particular English and Math).
• If you have additional questions, please talk to your academic advisor!

4.4. I’m Trying To Register For Classes But I Am Getting Prerequisite Errors, What Do I Do?

• There are a number of reasons why you are getting prerequisite errors—you may not actually meet the course prerequisites, the system may not be recognizing your prerequisites (this is especially common for students who took Calculus I instead of Business Calculus), your transcript hasn’t been evaluated, or you might be trying to register for a reserved class (for example, Honors, freshman-only, or linked classes).
• If you get a prerequisite error, please check the course description (you should be able to do so by clicking on the class CRN—the 5 digit unique Course Number). If you meet course prerequisites, you should then contact either your academic advisor or the department for an override. If the course is outside of the College of Business, for example an English class, contact that Department directly.

4.5. I’m getting a notice that says I can only repeat the class a certain amount of times. What do I do?

• For non-College of Business courses, contact the department for that class. If you are repeating a College of Business course, reach out to your academic advisor. Depending on the class and circumstances, you may be required to meet with a department chair.

4.6. I have holds on my account, how can I clear them?

• Visit the Registrar website on holds and follow the instructions for clearing your hold: https://msudenver.edu/registrar/student/holds/
• If you have a 30 hour Oral Communication, Written Communication, or Quantitative Literacy Hold, you can clear the hold yourself by taking the ‘General Studies Holds Removal’ course on Canvas. If you have a 45 hour Oral Communication, Written Communication, or Quantitative Literacy Hold, you will need to see your Academic Advisor to remove the hold. If you have an Academic Standing hold, you should see your advisor immediately.

4.7. I can’t decide between majors, what should I do?

Students who are considering multiple majors should do some or all of the following:

1. Make an appointment with Career Services as soon as possible to discuss your personal strengths, interests, & passions and get career recommendations
2. Talk to the academic advisor, department chair, or faculty for each major being considered
3. Use the “What If” Function in your Degree Progress Report to see how your current courses fit into various majors. See Appendix B, Understanding your Degree Progress Report (below) for more information on using the “What If” function.
4. Register for General Studies classes that fulfill these requirements for each major’s requirements. Check the University Catalog to review program requirements for each of the majors you are interested in.
5. Take introductory classes for the majors being considered to help make a decision quickly. For example, if stuck between one of the College of Business majors and Criminal Justice, take BUS 1850 (Intro to Business) and CJC 1010 (Intro to Criminal Justice). It is better to know more about each possible major early in your education.

4.8. How do I find my academic advisor and make an appointment?

• To find your academic advisor, See Appendix I (below) or go to: https://msudenver.edu/business/advising/
• To make an advising appointment, you can use the Navigate App (https://www.msudenver.edu/technology/#about) or go to your Student Hub and select the “Get Advising” button. You can also call or email your advisor.
• If you are switching majors, go to the academic advisor for the major you want to switch to, not your current advisor. You will need to call the department or visit the department website rather than use the Navigate App or Get Advising button.

4.9. Where is my advisor and/or the college of business located?

All College of Business full-time faculty and staff (including your academic advisor) are located in the Administration Building, 1201 5th St., Denver, CO 80204. It’s the 5-story brick building across 5th Street from the Auraria West Light Rail Station.  Please make an appointment or call ahead, drop-in availability is limited.

4.10. I’d like to take majors classes now. Why can’t you waive prerequisite requirements?

• Our faculty have carefully considered what knowledge you’ll need to have in advance in order to succeed in each of our courses. You’ll notice that we have different requirements for different classes, reflecting these careful considerations.
• The faculty have also worked hard to line up prerequisite and co-requisite requirements so that the program can be completed in a timely manner. If you attend full-time, that means four years, at 15 credits per semester—or two additional years of full-time study if you transfer in with a qualifying Associate’s degree. Many MSU students take a smaller load such as six or nine credits per semester, and our course sequence is also designed to make sense for that path as well.

4.11. How do I bring in my Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Credits?

Students who passed AP exams conducted by the College Entrance Examination Board may have official scores submitted directly to the MSU Denver Office of Admissions. To see course credit awards and scoring requirements, see the Alternate Credit Options/Prior Learning Assessment section of the University Catalog for your catalog year. To send official AP scores, contact the College Board at https://www.collegeboard.org or 1- 888-225-5427.

• MSU Denver’s AP code is 4505.
• Students who complete the IB Diploma Program or IB examinations are eligible to receive credit, provided their received at least a score of four (4) on each IB examination. To request official scores, call 301-202-3025 or visit: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/requesting-transcripts/. To see IB transfer credit awards and scoring requirements, go to the Alternate Credit Options/Prior Learning Assessment section of the University Catalog for your catalog year.
• If your AP or IB test results are pending, speak with an academic advisor before registering for classes. You don’t want to take a class that duplicates AP or IB credit that you will get later.

4.12. How do I get credit for a concurrent enrollment (CE) class (a college class taken in high school)?

• Concurrent Enrollment (CE) courses are a great way to get a head start on your college degree. To get CE credit, send MSU Denver an official transcript from the relevant college or university. For example, if you went to Thunder Ridge High School and took your CE courses through Arapahoe Community College, you would contact ACC to send your transcript. For more on the CU Succeeds program, go here: https://clas.ucdenver.edu/cusucceed/student-information.  You must send us an official university or College transcript to get credit for your CE courses.
• If you aren’t sure you if can get credit for a CE course, contact your advisor.

4.13. In addition to AP and IB credits, what are my other alternative credit/prior learning assessment options?

MSU Denver may grant course and/or elective credit for prior learning, depending on the academic program, as verified by various assessment methods. The most common sources of credit (besides Concurrent Enrollment, AP, and IB programs) are listed below: Additional information on Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) opportunities is listed in ANNEX I.

1. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

• CLEP exams cover college course material in 33 subjects, including History, English, Language, Math, Marketing, Management, Economics, and more. If you have taken CLEP exams, you can transfer your credits to MSU Denver. Check the Alternative Credit/Prior Learning Assessment section in the University Catalog for score standards.
• You can take CLEP exams at MSU Denver. Information about CLEP examinations is available through the College Board website at: https://clep.collegeboard.org/
  Examinations may be taken through MSU Denver’s Office of Assessment and Testing located in the Tivoli Student Union, Room 347, (303) 615-1700.
• CLEP credits (even those from exams taken at MSU Denver) are considered to be transfer credits. If you will take less than 45 credits at MSU Denver, consult with an academic advisor before taking CLEP exams!
• If you served in the military, you may be able to get funding to pay for CLEP exams. See Section 7: Veteran and Military Students.

2. Military Credit/Defense Activity for Non-traditional Educational Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

• See Section 7: Veteran and Military Students (below).

3. Portfolio Assessment & Departmental Credit by Examination

• A department may grant credit for courses if the student requests and passes appropriate examinations. Credit through departmental examination is based on knowledge equivalent to a regular course offered by the University. Omnibus-numbered courses are excluded. No record of failures on such examinations will be entered on the student’s permanent record.
• The non-refundable processing fee reflects actual administration costs and must be paid prior to taking the examination. For more information, go to the Alternate Credit Options/Prior Learning Assessment section of the University Catalog (again, make sure you are looking at the Catalog from your Catalog Year).

Are you trying to decide where to start your college journey? The MSU Denver College of Business is a great choice! We put some of our most gifted and engaged full-time faculty in our freshman-level classes, and you’ll never have a large-lecture class at CBUS, not even in BUS 1850: Intro to Business!

Looking for the right spot to finish your college education? 50% of MSU Denver’s new students are transferring from other institutions, and MSU Denver has been the #1 transfer destination among all the major Colorado Colleges and Universities for the last seven years in a row.

This section will answer FAQs related to both prospective freshman and transfers; potential/actual transfer students should read the entire section.

5.1. Prospective students

5.1.1 I am a prospective student. Can I speak with an academic advisor?

Yes! academic advisors are happy to do a preliminary review your transcripts and go over MSU Denver College of Business degree requirements and options. Official transcript reviews can only be done by the Transfer Office. You can also request a Preliminary Evaluation by visiting the Transfer Website and following posted instructions at: https://www.msudenver.edu/transfer-student/.  Please call in advance before stopping by.  We can do Zoom, Teams, or phone appointments.

If you are looking for career advice, you may want to schedule an appointment with one of the department chairs to discuss your career goals and best options (MBA, Master’s Degree, Professional Certificate, second undergraduate degree, etc.). Faculty and Staff phone numbers are available here: https://www.msudenver.edu/business/advising/faculty-advising-hours/

Make sure you bring unofficial copies of your transcripts.

5.1.2 CAN I COMPLETE MY DEGREE ONLINE?

All College of Business BS degrees can be completed mostly online. Accounting, Banking, Business Administration, Business Intelligence, Management, Marketing and Professional Selling Majors have fully on-line options (although your preferred electives may not be available online).  Students can complete all general education requirements with online courses, all of our Business Core classes are available online, and many major courses are also available online.

If scheduling is an issue, you should talk to your department’s academic advisor to see when classes are typically offered and if there are any workarounds (for example, transferring in an online class from a regionally accredited institution).

To accommodate our working students, most required Business courses have online sections, sections that are administered mostly online, and/or night sections. (CBUS night classes usually begin at 5:30 pm.) Students who are unable to come to campus to take exams must work with their individual instructor to see if there is a viable alternate (for example, students can often take exams at local community colleges or can use an online proctoring service for a fee). If you aren’t able to come to campus, you will want to discuss these options with your instructor as soon as possible.

5.1.3 I want to take classes at my local Colorado community college before transferring to MSU Denver; what should I take?

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in business have an excellent option at any Colorado community college: an Associate of Arts (AA) with Business Designation. This AA goes by different names at different community colleges, such as the AA Business Designation (Community College of Denver), Business Transfer Major AA (Arapahoe Community College, Community College of Aurora), or simply the Business AA (Front Range Community College). Students who complete an AA with Business Designation will be able to earn any BS degree at MSU Denver with no more than 60 additional credits—two more years of full-time study. (Computer Information Systems students who want to graduate in 2 year may be required to take summer courses because of course sequencing.)

Some community colleges have specific articulation agreements with College of Business departments, which allow community college students to pursue an AAS and still finish the corresponding BS degree at MSU with just 60 additional credits. You can find these agreements here: https://www.msudenver.edu/business/advising/agreements-with-other-colleges-colorado/. As of the start of the 2019-20 school year, this includes the following (“*” denotes that these are pending a catalog change at the community college; talk to your advisor there and at MSU):

• Arapahoe Community College: CIS*
• Community College of Denver: Accounting*, CIS*, Management*, and Marketing

Older agreements can also often be honored; contact an MSU Denver College of Business advisor for more.

5.1.4 Can I take upper division classes at the community college level?

The short answer is no, MSU Denver doesn’t accept upper division (3000- or 4000-level) credit for courses taken at a community college. Some lower division classes may satisfy requirements that are taught at MSU as upper-division classes. For example, Colorado community college students transferring in MAR 216/MKT 2016 (Principles of Marketing) and/or MAN 226/MAN 2026 (Principles of Management) will received credit for MKT 8900 and/or MGT 8900. MKT 8900 satisfies the MKT 3000 Business Core requirement while MGT 8900 will satisfy the MGT 3000 Business Core requirement. However, neither class counts toward the 40 credit hours of Upper Division classes required for a degree

5.1.5 I don’t want to finish my Associate of Arts, what should I take?

The most urgent courses to complete are your English, Communication, and Math core courses; take these as soon as possible. The following Colorado community college courses are especially useful for transfer students who will pursue any of our business BS degrees. (Parentheticals note MSU Denver equivalencies.) Contact an MSU transfer admissions counselor to discuss courses from other colleges.

• ENG 121/ENG 1021 (transfers in as ENG 1010 – Composing Arguments)
• ENG 122 /ENG 1022 (ENG 1020 – Research & Documentation)
• COM 115/COM 1015 (CAS 1010 – Public Speaking)
• MAT 123/MAT 1320 (MTH 1310– Finite Math) or MTH 121/MAT 1340 (MTH 1110 – College Algebra)
• MAT 125/MAT 1400 (MTH 1320 – Business Calculus). Do not take MAT 125/MAT 1400 if your first semester at MSU Denver will be Fall 2024 or afterwards.
• ECO 201/ECO 2001 (ECO 2010 – Macroeconomics)
• ECO 202/ECO 2002 (transfer in as ECO 2020 – Microeconomics)
• CIS 118/CIS 1018 (CIS 1010 – Intro to Computers—which is not required, but either completing the class or testing out of it is prerequisite to CIS 2010, a Business Core class)
• CIS 267/CIS 2067 (CIS 2010 – Foundations of Information Systems)
• ACC 121/ACC 1021 (ACC 2010 – Accounting Principles I)
• ACC 122 /ACC 1022 (ACC 2020 – Accounting Principles II)
• BUS 115/BUS 1015 (BUS 1850 – Intro to Business)
• BUS 216/BUS 2016 (MGT 2210 – Legal Environment of Business)
• BUS 217/BUS 2017 (BUS 1950 – Business Communication)
• BUS 226/BUS 2026 (CIS 2300 – Business Statistics). Only take this class if you are planning to start at MSU Denver in Fall 2024 or afterwards

You can also take General Studies required classes (for example, your Natural & Physical Sciences or Historical requirement) that transfer to MSU as meeting these requirements.

Whether in business or general education: before taking classes with the intent to transfer them to MSU Denver, be sure to check in with our Transfer Office: https://www.msudenver.edu/transfer-student/

You’ll want to make sure the classes will actually be accepted and will satisfy specific degree requirements. Transfer rules periodically change as a result of course updates.

5.2. Transfer students

5.2.1 Do I need to apply to the College of Business?

No, all students accepted by MSU Denver can declare a College of Business major or minor (just fill out the Declaration/Change of Majors and Minors Form). There are no minimum GPA or prerequisite course requirements. Students, however, are expected to maintain Good Academic Standing and follow MSU Denver policies and standards, including student conduct. Students who fail to meet standards may be suspended, receive a permanent F in required courses, or be barred from College of Business classes.

5.2.2 How do I apply to MSU Denver?

Follow the steps on the Transfer Website available at: https://www.msudenver.edu/transfer-student/

5.2.3 I’ve transferred several times; can I just send the transcript from my last institution?

No, students must send official transcripts from all institutions attended in order to get College Credit for courses. For example, if you attended Pikes Peak Community College and then the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, you will need to send official transcripts from both institutions even though your Pikes Peak classes may appear on the UCCS transcript. If you have AP or IB credit, you will also need to contact the College Board and/or IBO to get your test scores, even if these appear on your previous college’s transcript. (See Section 4.11: How do I bring in my Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Credits? above for more information.)

5.2.4 How do I know if my transcript has been evaluated?

Students will receive an email from Transfer Evaluation detailing which courses were accepted and which MSU courses are considered equivalent. MSU Denver will only accept college level courses for transfer with grades of “C-“ or better from regionally accredited institutions.

Students can check their Degree Progress Report to see where transferred courses fit into their current major. To check your Degree Progress Report, go to your Student Hub and click on Degree Progress Report. Courses that are complete or were successfully transferred in as a specific class will be annotated with a green box/check mark (if they satisfy a specific requirement) or will be listed under “Additional Courses” block (if they count as general electives).

5.2.5 When should I meet with my academic advisor?

The best time for transfer students to meet with an academic advisor is after you have your student ID number, have successfully set up your online account, and completed orientation. For more on these steps, see: https://www.msudenver.edu/admissions/after-admission/. Ideally, your transcripts will be evaluated, but if your transcript evaluation is still pending, make sure you have an unofficial transcript of all your previous courses (including any classes you are still enrolled in) available when you meet your advisor.

5.2.6 Which orientation session should I attend?

Transfer Students can register for in-person (if offered), virtual orientation through Teams, or online orientation. You will need to complete preregistration and then sign up for orientation on the New Student Orientation website here: https://www.msudenver.edu/otr/. Especially if you only have a few transfer credits, consider signing up for an on-campus (if available) or Teams orientation session instead of the online version to familiarize yourself better with on-campus resources and programs. You must attend orientation or complete the online orientation before you can register for classes.

5.2.7 My transfer course evaluation is still pending, can I still register for classes if my registration window is open?

Yes–provided you meet your advisor with proof of the courses you have completed or are currently taking; usually, an unofficial transcript works. Please call to make an appointment to talk to your advisor; transfer appointments can take up to an hour or longer (especially for international students).

5.2.8 How many credits will MSU Denver accept?

Students beginning at MSU Denver in fall 2022 and later are not limited to the amount of transfer credit that can be accepted from regionally accredited institutions. Students are required to complete the university’s residency requirement.

5.2.9 It appears that not all of my credits were accepted—what can I do about this?

Double check the transfer guidelines to make sure MSU Denver can accept your courses. Some classes will not transfer in even as electives (for example, College Success seminars or remedial courses).

If your class doesn’t fall into one of these categories and still wasn’t transferred in, it may require a department review for credit because it did not have a direct MSU Denver equivalent. These classes are often annotated on the Transfer Evaluation worksheet with a “DA” (Department Approval).

If your course requires a department review, you must get a copy of the syllabus from the course you took. It must be a syllabus and not just the course description. The syllabus does not have to be from the exact year or instructor. If you cannot find or request the original, reach out to the instructor or department and get a syllabus that is as close as you can get to the term when you took the class. Some colleges and universities will have syllabi posted online. If you can’t find it online, call the department and ask for a copy of it.

Once you have the syllabus, bring it to the relevant department (for example, if you are looking for Natural & Physical Science credit for a Biology course, take it to the Biology Department) along with a Transfer Course Approval Form, available here: https://msudenver.edu/registrar/forms/

The department chair will review the course and make a decision about accepting it for credit or not. If the course is accepted as an equivalent, you will need to get the Transfer Course form signed and hand it in to the Registrar’s Office (Jordan Student Success Building, Rm 160—right in the main lobby). Some departments, such as English, may have additional requirements for reviewing syllabi for transfer credit.

The Registrar’s Office will update your record within a few weeks of receiving your form. You should keep a copy in case the form is misplaced!

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has information and instructions for  requesting math transfer evaluations here: https://www.msudenver.edu/math/math-transfer-course-evaluation/.

5.2.10 Some of my transfer classes are showing up under the additional courses section of my Degree Progress Report, why?

If a class was accepted for transfer but did not meet a specific degree or General Studies requirement, it will be counted as an open elective. If you feel one or more of these additional courses should meet a specific degree requirement—for example, a Biology class that isn’t fulfilling one of your Natural & Physical Science requirements—you can appeal to the academic department for credit. See Section 5.2.9, It appears that not all of my credits were accepted—what can I do about this?, above for more information on this process.

Students transferring in business classes will most likely have to go through the Department Approval process.

5.2.11 I have a two-year degree, what should I get credit for?

If you have completed a two-year Associate of Arts with Business Designation, your Degree Progress Report will be annotated with PDG (Prior Degree). This means your general electives are fulfilled and you can focus on your remaining Business Core and major courses. If you have completed or will complete this AA degree, check out our maps for how to complete any of our BS degrees: https://www.msudenver.edu/business/advising/agreements-with-other-colleges-colorado/

If you have a different Associates degree, your credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

5.2.12 I have a prior four-year degree, what should I get credit for?

Students with a completed 4-year (or international equivalent) Bachelor’s Degree will be given a 90-credit block and will not need to take ENG 1010, ENG 1020, a Global Diversity Elective, Historical Elective, Arts & Humanities Electives, and Natural & Physical Sciences Electives.

Students will be required to complete (if not transferring in equivalences) COMM 1010 or COMM 1100, ECO 2010, ECO 2020, a Multicultural Elective, the two Additional College of Business requirements (MTH 1320 and BUS 3040), the Business Core, and major courses. It is a common misconception that prior 4-year degree students only need 30 more credits to get a degree at MSU Denver because we accepted 90 credits. For most students, this is simply not the case! In most cases, students with a prior degree will need more than 30 credits worth of specific requirements.

5.3. Thinking about transferring elsewhere?

There are many reasons you should stay at MSU Denver: small class sizes, personalized attention, faculty focused on teaching, lower tuition, and more. Before leaving, we encourage you to reach out to your current academic advisor and department, and/or seek additional university resources such as Financial Aid, Roadways, the Center for Equity and Student Achievement, and so on. Your academic advisor can tell you about even more resources that can help you complete your degree.

However, if your plans still call for a transfer to a different college or university, there are a number of things you should do to make a smooth transition. Your first step will be to reach out to the school you will be transferring into and ask them which MSU classes will be accepted and how they fit into their programs. In many cases, they may simply refer you to websites or tools like Transferology:
https://www.transferology.com/

You should also look up their general studies requirements, degree requirements, and (if you are planning to pursue a business degree) their college of business admission requirements such as prerequisite classes and GPA. If you can, speak with an academic advisor or transfer specialist and/or visit the campus. Do your research–you don’t want to transfer in a bunch of general electives! While you’re considering transferring—but at a minimum before you leave—please reach out to your MSU department or academic advisor. We always want to know more about your experience at MSU and how we might improve the Roadrunner experience for our students.

We’re glad you’re back! Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions from our re-admit students—please read them! For more detailed information and to start the reapplication process, please visit the Re-Admit Admissions website at: https://www.msudenver.edu/re-admit-student/

6.1. Do I need to re-apply to MSU Denver?

If less than three semesters (fall, spring, and summer) have passed without your having attended classes, there’s no need to re-apply. For example, if you last attended in Fall 2020 and you want to register for Fall 2021, you will not need to reapply (Spring 2021 plus Summer 2021 = just 2 semesters not attending). However, if you had last attended Fall 2019, you would need to reapply for Spring 2021. If you do have to re-apply, your application fee is waived.

6.2. I didn’t do well my first time here, what can I do?

There are two different programs that can help erase bad grades from your GPA calculations and so on. Students returning from an absence of 3 consecutive calendar years or more from MSU Denver may request that credit and grades from designated semesters previously attempted at MSU Denver not be calculated in GPA or total earned hours under the Fresh Start program.

• For example, if you got bad grades while attending MSU Denver in Fall 2013 and Spring 2014, you could apply for Fresh Start. While your Fs would still appear on your transcript, these would not count toward your cumulative GPA and you’d restart in good academic standing.
• There are some rules regarding Fresh Start. For example, you can’t pick and choose individual classes to be counted under the program; it applies to a whole semester of work or nothing. If you are considering Fresh Start, talk to your academic advisor. Additional information on Fresh Start can be found here: https://www.msudenver.edu/policy/policy-library/
• The Fresh Start Application can be found here: https://msudenver.edu/registrar/forms/

Whether or not you qualify for Fresh Start, all students may take advantage of MSU Denver’s Best Grade Stands policy.  As the 2022-23 Catalog explains:

A student’s grades for repeated courses will be removed from GPA calculations up to 18 semester hours, regardless of the original grade earned. If a student repeats more than 18 credit hours, the student may designate which of the course grades are removed from GPA calculations (up to 18 semester hours). Only the best grade and its associated credit will be calculated in the GPA and earned hours totals. Other attempts for the course will appear on the official academic record but will be annotated to indicate they do not count for academic credit or GPA calculation. This policy applies only to courses taken at MSU Denver, and it does not apply to courses designated as repeatable toward degree requirements.

To qualify for this policy, a repeated course must carry the same title, course number, and semester hours as the original course. Officially recognized course equivalencies will apply, excluding transfer course equivalencies. The determination of course equivalency will be made by the Office of the Registrar in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs and the academic department offering the course.

A grade will not be removed from GPA calculations once a degree has been conferred if the course was required for the degree conferred. Students who have earned a degree at MSU Denver and subsequently take additional courses or work toward a second degree may use this policy for courses in which they are enrolled after the first degree is awarded.

A permanent “F” assigned as a result of academic dishonesty will not be removed from GPA calculations.

6.3. I’m on academic probation—what should I do?

If you are eligible for Fresh Start, you may want to apply so that you can potentially get back into Good Academic Standing. In the meantime, before you can register for classes, do the following:

• Watch the Academic Probation Tutorial, take the quiz, and sign the Academic Probation Contract. You can find the link for these here: https://www.msudenver.edu/advising/student-intervention-services/academic-probation/
• Contact your academic advisor and send them the automated email confirmation that you have completed the academic probation tutorial & quiz. They will be able to remove the Academic Standing Hold, discuss options such as Fresh Start or Best Grade Stands, and recommend campus resources.

6.4. Why did my catalog year and degree requirements change?

Students who reapply will be accepted under the newest catalog year. For example, a student who started going to MSU Denver in 2013 but then stopped in 2015 and then reapplied in 2019 would fall under the 2019-20 Catalog Year (not the 2013-2014 catalog year).

MSU and the College of Business periodically updates degree requirements to keep up with changing standards, improve our curriculum, and so on. There are at least some changes every year; these are reflected in the new Catalog Year.

It may be possible to roll your catalog year back to your original one with a degree exception. You will want to talk with your academic advisor to see if this option works for you. Catalog Roll Back decisions must be approved by your major’s department chair, the dean or associate dean of the College of Business, and the Registrar’s Office.

The College of Business thanks you for your service! We have a number of veterans among the CBUS faculty and staff, and we look forward to assisting you in meeting your education goals. Transitioning back to the civilian world can be tough but MSU Denver has a number of Veteran related resources, including a Student Club, Veteran Lounge in the Tivoli, and Veteran and Military Student Services Office in the Registrar’s Office—you can find more information on these resources here: https://msudenver.edu/veterans/ and here: https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/prior-learning-assessment/#military-training-credit

In the meantime, there are a couple of things you should know before starting classes:

• Your military experience can be turned into college credit! Provided you served at least two years, most Veteran/Military students receive between 3 and 9 credit hours (and sometimes more). Even if your service-related credits come in as open electives, they will help you get to the 120 total credits required for graduation. Veteran/Military students have also brought in College of Business course credit for some Professional Military Education (PME) classes. To see what credits you can receive, you will want to talk to a Prior Learning Specialist. They will need copies of your DD214, Joint Services Transcript (JST), and/or Community College of the Air Force transcript.
  • If you don’t have a copy of your DD214, you will need to set up a VA ebenefits account here: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/manage/documents
  • To request a copy of your JST, go here: https://jst.doded.mil/official.html
  • Brandy Schooler is our Prior Learning Specialist. She can be reached at 303-605-5574 or email at [email protected]. The Prior Learning Assessment website can be accessed here: https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/prior-learning-assessment/
• If you deployed for 6 months or more overseas, you can receive credit for your Global Diversity elective requirement. You will need to show your DD214 to a Prior Learning Specialist
• If you retired or separated as an E-5 or higher, you can receive credit for COMM 1010, Presentational Speaking, which fulfills the Oral Communication requirement. Speak with a Prior Learning Specialist. If you need CAS 1010 to register for Business Core classes but you haven’t had your JST/DD214 evaluated yet, speak with your academic advisor; they can give you overrides.
• If you are using your GI Bill, don’t forget to submit a Certification Request immediately after you register for classes. You will need to do this each semester you take classes. You can submit the Certification Request form online here:
  https://www.msudenver.edu/veterans/education-benefits/certification-request/
• Also, if using your GI Bill, meet with your academic advisor and fill out a semester-by-semester course plan—this will give you a good idea of how many classes you need to take each semester to finish your degree before your benefits run out
• Do not drop/withdraw from a class before speaking to a VA Benefits Coordinator and your academic advisor! It is often better for GI Bill benefits users to take a low grade or F in a course rather than dropping or withdrawing from the class
• DANTES/DSST
  • MSU Denver awards credit for Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Credit may be awarded if the DANTES score is at the ACE (American Council on Education) minimum and the MSU Denver academic department approves the credit.
  • To have a DANTES exam evaluated, a DANTES transcript or ACE transcript showing the exams taken and scores received must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
  • To request a copy of your DANTES scores, go to: http://getcollegecredit.com/contact/

`Appendix A:  College of Business Programs and Degrees

Table A.1 Below lists all College of Business (CBUS) Degrees, concentration options, and minors for the 2022-2023 Catalog Year. All BS degrees require completion of the Business Core, plus Business Calculus (e.g., MTH 1320) and BUS 3040, Global Corporate Social Responsibility.

The BA degrees do not require the Business Core. The BA degrees in Global Business Studies and Entrepreneurship require completion of any college-level math course (such as MTH 1080 or MTH 1210). The BA in Economics requires MTH 1110 (College Algebra) or MTH 1310 and MTH 1210 (Stats). Professional Selling requires MTH 1310 (Finite Math), MTH 1311 with MTH 1312 (Finite Math with Lab), or MTH 1210 (Stats).  Professional Selling does not require a minor, all other BA programs within the College of Business require one.

Table A.1: College of Business Degree Options

Degree Progress Report (DPR) Section 1: Basic Info and Progress Circles

Important: Every time you load your DPR, always hit “Process” so that it accounts for any recent changes to your record.

Your Degree Progress Report can be found towards the top of your Student Hub under Web Services.

The top portion of your Degree Progress Report includes the following:

• Your Student ID (900 or 901 Number) and Name
• Type of Degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
• Level (Undergraduate or Graduate)
• Classification (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior), based on credit hours completed
• Your Major and Program (including any Concentrations or Minors)
• Your College (Business for College of Business)
• Your Academic Advisor(s)
• Your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

Your DPR also includes two Degree Progress Circles:

• The Degree progress Requirements circle covers the percentage of degree specific courses (including General Studies classes) you have met. For example, if you have completed 19 of 34 required classes for your degree, the Requirements circle would show 55% completed
• The Credits Progress circle shows you the number of credits you have completed or currently have underway divided by 120 credits (the minimum number of credits required to graduate).
  • It will not necessarily be the same as your Requirements circle because you may need open electives in order to get to 120 credits to graduate even after your take all of your General Studies and Major specific classes.

DPR Section 2: The Snap Shot

The Snap Shot section is a summary of the rest of your DPR. It shows you the following:

• The number of credits required to complete your degree (in most cases this is 120 total credits)
• The number of credits completed and currently in-progress (credits applied)
• Your Catalog Year
• Your Cumulative GPA
• Unmet Degree Conditions. In this example, the student has only 6 of 40 required Upper Division (3000- & 4000-level) credits completed and 96 credits of the 120 credits needed to graduate
• Whether or not the Student has completed all requirements in the following Categories:
  • Multicultural Requirement
  • Senior Experience Requirement. For all College of Business Bachelor of Science majors, this is MGT 4950 (Strategic Management) which is part of the Business Core.
  • Major Requirement (this includes your Business Core and/or Major Specific Courses)
  • Additional Business Requirements (BUS 3040 and MTH 1320 for all College or Business Bachelor of Science degrees)
  • Business Degree Residency Requirement. Business Students are required to take at least 30 credits of Business courses at MSU Denver
• Minor Requirements (if applicable). In this example, the student is not required to have a minor and does not have one. If a student is required to have a minor (for example, they are an Economics Bachelor of Arts Degree), it will have a Minor Required box here

DPR Legend

DPR Sections 3 and 4: General Studies

The General Studies (GS) section includes:

• GC Communication & Quantitative Literacy requirements
• General Studies Continued (Cont).

The first section is separated because you should complete these requirements as soon as possible; postponing these requirements can lead to a hold on your account and slow your academic progress. Completing these should always be your first priority in picking classes.

• If you have completed a requirement, there is a green checkmark next to it (in the example above, the student has completed ENG 1010, COMM 1010, and most of their General Studies).
• If you still have to complete a requirement in an area, that area’s checkbox is an empty red circle.  For example, this student has not completed their Quantitative Literacy (Math requirement) and still needs credits in the Natural & Physical Sciences.
• If you are currently enrolled in a class that will complete a requirement, there will be a blue half circle icon, signifying the class/requirement is “in progress.”  In the example above, the student is currently enrolled in ENG 1020 and SPA 1020 requirements.  ENG 1020 meets the second Written Communication requirement and SPA 1020 meets the Global Diversity requirement.
• Classes that fulfill requirements are listed in the area they satisfy. For each, you can see the class number, title, grade (or “T” for transfer), number of credits, and semester the course was taken. In the example above, the student transferred in two classes fully meeting their Arts & Humanities requirement in Fall 2018.
• Students must meet the minimum number of credits required per category (12 credits for General Communication & Quantitative Literacy and 21 Credits for General Studies Continued).  If you are short overall credits required for each area but have completed course requirements, see an Advisor. (This occasionally happens with students who transfer in quarter instead of semester classes and/or international classes.)

DPR Section 5: Major Requirements

This part of your Degree Progress Report covers major specific classes and unmet conditions. In this example, this student is required to take at least 66 total credits of major classes. This number includes the Business Core (36 total credits, laid out in the next DPR section) & their CIS classes (30 credits).  The number of credits may vary from Catalog Year as requirements change.  This section will also show your Major GPA (all students must maintain a 2.0 Major GPA and a 2.0 Cumulative GPA to graduate).

DPR Section 6: Business Core

All BS students in the College of Business have to take the Business Core and earn a C- or better in each class. This section identifies the student’s completed courses.  In this case, the student has completed BUS 1850, BUS 1950, ACC 2010, ACC 2020, CIS 2010, MGT 2210, and MKT 8900 (a lower division equivalent of MKT 3000).  Also listed are in-progress courses (CIS 3300 in this example) and courses that need to be taken in the future.

College of Business BA students will not have a Business Core section.

DPR Sections 7: Additional Business Requirements

Any Additional Business degree requirements will appear in Section 7.  Bachelor of Science degree students with a catalog year of 2019 or later will need to complete MTH 1320 and BUS 3040.

DPR Section 8: Business Degree Residency Requirements 

Section 8 tracks how close you are to completing the residency requirement.  All College of Business students must complete at least 30 business credits in residency at MSU Denver.

DPR Section 9: Additional Courses

The next area lists Additional Courses which are any class that was taken or transferred that doesn’t meet a specific General Studies, Additional College of Business, Major, Business Core, or Concentration/Minor requirement. These are commonly called open/unrestricted/general electives. Typically business majors need between 15 and 20 credits of open electives to get to 120 total credits to graduate.

Transfer students: If one of your classes shows up in the Additional Courses section of your DPR, but you feel it should meet a specific requirement (for example, you took a speech class at a community college outside of Colorado and it isn’t meeting your Oral Communication requirement), you can appeal to the respective department to get course credit. See an academic advisor for assistance.

DPR Section 10: Insufficient Courses

The next section is insufficient courses. In general this section includes classes in which you received an insufficient grade [F, W (Withdraw), or AW (Administrative Withdrawal)].

This block could also include classes that exceeded the total amount of transfer credits accepted by MSU Denver.  For example, you took 70 credits at ACC. But because MSU Denver only accepts a maximum of 64 credits from Community Colleges, 6 credits (2 classes) would appear in the Insufficient Block.

DPR Section 11: In Progress

This shows all classes you’re currently taking, the number of credits, and the current Term. The “R” for course grade stands for Registered.

DPR Section 12: Over the Limit or Not Counted 

This block includes remedial courses like MAT 055 or MAT 099 that were taken at MSU Denver or transferred in but do not count toward your 120 credit requirement.  

Degree Progress Report (DPR) has several built-in functions including What If and future course planning features, a GPA Calculator, and Class History review.

How to use the “What If” function:

You can use the What If function to see how your current classes would apply to a different major or program of study (including adding minors or double majors).

To use it, select the What If tab towards the top of your Degree Progress Report.

At the top of the page, select your current catalog year. Using the pull-down menus, select the program (major) you are interested in and/or add a minor or concentration.

If adding a second (double) major or new minor, click on the use current curriculum button. Select the additional major or minor under  “Additional areas of study” section. Hit the Process button and it should display your new requirements.

If you want to change your major/minor/concentration, you should schedule an appointment with an academic advisor and fill out the Change of Major form (or you can fill it and submit it on-line here:
https://cbus.msudenver.edu/cbusservices/MajorMinor.aspx). During your appointment, you should double-check with your advisor about how changes might affect your progress toward graduation.

Future Course Planning Feature

You can also use the “What If Analysis” to see how future classes fit into your degree plan.  Click on the Use Current Curriculum Box. Add classes by subject and number.  Once you’ve added your classes, click on the Process button.

Future courses will show up as in-progress on your DPR with a PLAN for Grade and Planned Term.

How to use the GPA Calculator:

Click on the 3 dots (vertical ellipsis) next to the print and email icons at the top of your DPR.  Select GPA Calculator. You can then use the Calculator to do one of the following: (1) estimate what GPA you will need to average over your remaining credits to graduate with a desired GPA (2) estimate what your GPA will be at the end of a semester and (3) estimate how many credits and what average GPA you will need in order to achieve your desired GPA.  Enter required information and hit the Calculate button.

Class History Review

Click on the 3 dots (vertical ellipsis) next to the print and email icons.  Select Class History. DPR will then show your courses and grades by semester.

You can also download your unofficial transcript by going to your Student Hub and clicking on Register.  Under the Records tab, there should be an option to select/download an Unofficial Transcript. Official transcripts must be ordered off the MSU Denver website https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/transcripts/

Which math should I take?

College of Business BS degree students should take MTH 1310 (Finite Math) or MTH 1311 with MTH 1312 (Finite Math with Required Lab). Except for CIS and Business Intelligence Majors, students may also take MTH 1110 (College Algebra), MTH 1108 with MTH 1109 (Stretch Algebra), or MTH 1111 with MTH 1101 (College Algebra with Lab) instead of Finite Math.  CIS and Business Intelligence Majors should only take MTH 1310 or MTH 1311 with MTH 1312.  If you are a CIS or Business Intelligence Major and you are transferring in College Algebra or took it before switching majors, please talk with your Advisor.

We recommend Business students take MTH 1310 or MTH 1311 with MTH 1312 instead of College Algebra.   Finite Math and Finite Math with Lab prepares students for MTH 1320, Calculus for the Management and Social Sciences, and several upper division Business Core classes.

MTH 1320 (which is also commonly called Business Calculus) is an Additional College of Business requirement.  It is a prerequisite for four upper division Business Core classes (CIS 3300, CIS 3320, FIN 3300, and MGT 4950) and some major specific courses (MKT 3010, MGT 3550, FIN 3600, etc.). The typical Math progression for College of Business BS degree students is MAT 055 (if required), MTH 1310 or MTH 1311 with MTH 1312, and then MTH 1320, Business Calculus.

BA degree students have different requirements. See your academic advisor for more information.

When do I need to take math?

College Level Math is a prerequisite for most of your Business Core and major classes. If you do not take Math within your first semester or two, you may delay your graduation and/or not being able to take classes that count towards your Business Degree.

What are the prerequisites for MTH 1310?

You will need a minimum score on one of the following standardized tests or a C- in one of the identified classes. For ALL of the following, test results/grades are good for five years.

• An ACT Math Score of 19 or higher
  • If you scored between 19 – 23 on the ACT, you will be required to take MTH 1311 with MTH 1312, Finite Math with required Lab. With a 24 or higher, you can take MTH 1310 (Finite Math without the lab).
• An SAT Math Score of 500 or higher (March 2016 or later exam)
  • If you scored between 500 – 579 on your SAT, you will be required to take MTH 1311 with MTH 1312, Finite Math with required Lab; A 580 or higher will enable you to take MTH 1310 (Finite Math without the Lab).
• An 85 or higher on the Elementary Algebra (EA) Accuplacer
  • If you score between 85 – 99, you will be required to take MTH 1310 with Peer Study (MTH 0031). With a score of 100+, you can take MTH 1310 without MTH 0031.
• A 220 or Higher on the Advanced Algebraic Functions (AAF) Accuplacer
  • If you score between 220 – 234, you will be required to take MTH 1311 with MTH 1312, Finite Math with Required Lab. With a score of 235 – 259, you can take MTH 1310. If you score a 260 or higher, you can take MTH 1320, Business Calculus
• MAT 055/MAT 099/MAT 0300:
  • A grade of C- or better in either MAT 055 (STEM Prep); MAT 099 (Intermediate Algebra); or MAT 0300 (Algebraic Literacy).

Students with College Level Math Credits

Students transferring Business Calculus, Survey of Calculus, Calculus I, Pre-Calculus, Finite Math, or College Algebra do not need to take MTH 1310, Finite Math.

Students who took or transferred in MTH 1410 (Calculus I) or higher or MAT 125/MAT 1400, Survey of Calculus, do not need to take MTH 1320. If you took a Business Calculus class elsewhere, you may need to get the course evaluated for credit.

If you are transferring in a Math class or have Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Concurrent Enrollment credit for a Math course, please notify an academic advisor.

If you took either the QAS or AAF Accuplacer elsewhere within the past 5 years, you can transfer your scores in. See the Testing website for more information at: https://www.msudenver.edu/testing/

What if I don’t meet MTH 1311 with MTH 1312 prerequisites?

If you do not meet the ACT or SAT score requirement, your ACT/SAT scores are expired (more than 5 years old), or you took MAT 055, MAT 0300, or MAT 099 more than 5 years ago, see an academic advisor to discuss your math placement strategy. The Math Department now allows students to take MAT 0300 (Algebraic Literacy), without a required Accuplacer test.

Most students should at least try taking the AAF Accuplacer. You can take the Accuplacer twice for free at the Tivoli Testing Center, Room 347, or on-line. Check the Testing Center website for current hours and instructions at https://www.msudenver.edu/testing/. Appointments suggested but not required for on-campus tests. Bring a photo ID.

Where can I find AAF Accuplacer study materials or help?

There are a number of AAF Accuplacer study guides and prep materials available on the MSU Denver Tutoring Center and Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences websites: https://www.msudenver.edu/tutoring/ and https://www.msudenver.edu/math/math-placement-testing/

Students can also request one-on-one or remote assistance through the Tutoring Center; attend one of the periodic Accuplacer review sessions held by the Math Department; or use free outside resources such as the College Board’s Accuplacer Test Prep https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org/login and Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/.

Can I retake the AAF Accuplacer?

You can take the AAF Accuplacer twice for free. You can retake the Accuplacer more times, but after the second time you will have to pay a fee and may be required to meet additional conditions (for example, attend mandatory Accuplacer tutoring sessions). See the Tivoli Testing Center for requirements and fees for taking the Accuplacer more than a second time. (Veterans taking the Accuplacer through Vocational Rehab may be able to take it as many times as they like for free. See your Vocational Rehab Coordinator for more information.)

I placed into MTH 1311 with MTH 1312. What does that mean?

MTH 1312, Finite Math Lab, is 50-minute class separate from your MTH 1311 course. The Labs are supervised small study groups. During Labs, students will receive supplemental instruction from a Math instructor, prepare for lessons and tests, and have access tutoring resources. MTH 1311 and MTH 1312 classes are paired—meaning there is a specific Lab section for each MTH 1311 class.  If you placed into MTH 1310, you can still opt to take MTH 1311 with MTH 1312.

Why do I need to take a separate math lab or peer study?

The Math Department has determined that Math Labs significantly improve student success rates in Finite Math and College Algebra. If you scored into a Lab but don’t want to take it, you can take/retake the Accuplacer for a better score. You cannot opt out if your score puts you into a Lab.

It’s been a long time since I took college algebra or finite math and I’m not sure I want to jump right into MTH 1320. What should I do?

You have a few options: you can take the Accuplacer and get an objective measure of your math skills. Alternatively, you can take MTH 1320 and take advantage of MSU Denver’s Student Success Tutoring Center and other resources. You may also want to talk directly with Math Department staff for advice.

How do I register for math?

You won’t be able to register for math if you do not have ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer scores on file; have not transferred in a prerequisite course; or your transcript is still pending evaluation. If you have proof of your scores/grade (for example, you can access your SAT score via the College Board website or have an unofficial transcript), an academic advisor can give you an override to register for a Math class. However, you still need to provide official documentation (for example, send your official transcripts to MSU Denver) even with an override in place.

How do I register for MAT 055?

Because MAT 055 is a remedial course, you are encouraged to speak with your academic advisor before taking this course. You can register for MAT 055 with Lab: MAT 025 on your own, regardless of whether you even have any test scores on file. MAT 055 sections can be found under the subject “CCD Mathematics” since these courses are taught through the Community College of Denver.

MAT 055 and MAT 025 are paired courses; there is a specific lab assigned to each MAT 055 section. Paired courses have the same section number (MAT 055 01C with MAT 025 01C; MAT 055 05C with MAT 025 05C, etc.) If you do not have high enough or any test scores on file, you will only be able to register for MAT 055 sections with a “C” in the section number as these are the courses with paired labs. You will need to register for the correctly paired MAT 055 and MAT 025 sections and you will need to register for both classes at the same time; otherwise you will get a prerequisite error.

The easiest way to register for MAT 055 with MAT 025 is to use the Add/Drop/Waitlist link under your main registration page. (Go to your Student Hub, hit the Register button, and select Add/Drop/Waitlist Classes.)

• Look up matching MAT 055 and MAT 025 sections under the subject “CCD Mathematics” and write down the 5-digit CRNs for both. (A CRN is a unique course identifier). Remember to look for matching sections numbers (01C, 02C, etc).
• Go back to the Add/Drop/Waitlist main menu. Type in the CRNs for both the matching MAT 055 and MAT 025 sections in two of the CRN boxes along the bottom of the registration page.
• Hit the “Submit Changes” button. It should tell you that you are “Web Registered.”

If you get a registration error double check you are registering for the correct paired course. If it says, “This course must be taken with [a specific CRN],” write down that CRN and its match in the CRN boxes and try again. If you still get a registration error, see an advisor for assistance.

How do I register for MAT 0300?

Because MAT 0300 is a preparatory course (meaning it is not considered College level and doesn’t count towards your 120 total credits to graduate), you are encouraged to speak with your academic advisor before taking it.  MAT 0300 does not have prerequisites so you can register for it without needing test scores on file or advisor overrides.  MAT 0300 sections can be found under the subject “CCD Mathematics” in the MSU Denver class schedule.  These courses are taught through the Community College of Denver (CCD) and held in their Confluence Building.  Please note that these courses typically have different start/end dates than MSU Denver classes to coincide with CCD’s semester.  You will be also required to work with CCD Admissions to get a CCD Student ID number and access to course material via their on-line learning management system.

How do I register for MTH 1311 with MTH 1312? 

Note the test score/class prerequisites above. If you are required to register for MTH 1311 with MTH 1312, you can register for them at the same time using the Add/Drop/Waitlist link under your main registration page. Look up the paired MTH 1311 and MTH 1312 sections you want to take under “Mathematical Sciences” and write down the 5-digit CRNs for both (CRNs are unique course identifiers). Go back to the Add/Drop/Waitlist main menu and type in the CRNs for both sections in two of the CRN boxes along the bottom of the registration page. Hit the Submit Changes button. It should say “Web Registered.” If you get a registration error, see an academic advisor or call the Math Department for assistance.

If I have completed or am transferring in finite math, precalculus, or college algebra, which math do I take next?

You should take MTH 1320, Business Calculus, which is one of your Additional College of Business requirements (provided you are pursuing one of the College of Business Bachelor of Science degrees).  If you are pursuing an Economics degree, you should take MTH 1210, Statistics.  If you are pursuing one of the College of Business Bachelor of Arts degrees, you do not need to take an additional Math class.

I have taken calculus; do I need to go back and take finite math or college algebra?

Provided you received a C- or higher in a college-level calculus class—at MSU, or at another accredited school that will transfer to MSU as such—you do not need to take MTH 1310 or College Algebra. Your advisor can help you with the necessary paperwork

Which English class should I take?

If you are not transferring in credit for an English course that satisfies your first Written Communication requirement, you will take one of the following: ENG 1008 and ENG 1009; ENG 1010 with Writing Studio (ENG 1001), or ENG 1010. To get into ENG 1010 (no Writing Studio), you need one of the following scores (valid for five years):

• English section of the ACT: 18 or above
• English portion of the SAT (March 2016 or later): 470 or above
• Accuplacer Next Generation Writing test: 246 or higher
• Accuplacer Sentence Skills Test: 95 or higher

Students who do not meet these minimum scores, who do not have test results, or whose scores have expired must complete the First Year Writing (FYW) Placement writing sample, described in the following section. Consult with the English Department (King Center, Room 402) for additional information on placement options.

If you have credit for ENG 1010, you should register for ENG 1020, Research and Argument Writing. If you need an override for ENG 1010 because your AP/IB/or transfer credit hasn’t been evaluated, please visit or contact the English Department (King Center, Room 402) directly.

What should I know about the First Year Writing (FYW) Placement?

You can take the FYW Assessment on-line or on-campus at either the Testing Services Office in Tivoli Room 347 or the English Department in King Center Room 402. Bring a valid photo ID and student ID number.  You can find instructions for taking the FYW here: https://www.msudenver.edu/testing/

Your essay will then be assessed by English Department staff (normally this takes about two weeks). The English Department will email you about which course you can take: ENG 1008, ENG 1010 with a Writing Lab, ENG 1010, or ENG 1020. You MUST respond to the email to register for an English class. You will be required to provide course preferences and sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement. Read the email carefully and follow the English Department’s directions

What if I have credit for ENG 1020 but not ENG 1010?

Occasionally, students transferring in to MSU Denver will receive credit for ENG 1020 but not ENG 1010. You will still need to take a second Written Communication course to meet your MSU Denver requirements. You can meet this requirement in several ways:

• You can take the College Composition College-level Examination Program (CLEP) exam to get credit for ENG 1010. For more information on CLEP testing and standards see the Alternative Credit Options/Prior Learning Assessment section in the University Catalog.
• You can take ENG 1010.
• If you meet the prerequisites, you can take either ENG 3525 (Professional and Scholarly Writing) or HIS 3000 (Historical Writing and Thinking).

Which Oral Communication Class Should I Take?

Most College of Business degree students must take either COMM 1010 (Presentational Speaking) or COMM 1100 (Fundamentals of Oral Communication). Neither class has prerequisites, so you can take them your first semester!  Military and Veterans with a rank of E-5 or higher will receive credit for COMM 1010 and do not need to complete an Oral Communication course.

Global Business Studies and Economics Majors may take any Oral Communication class (see the General Studies Requirement in your Catalog). 

COMM 1100 is recommended for Global Business Studies students.

What’s the Difference Between COMM 1010 and COMM 1100?

COMM 1010-Presentational Speaking teaches students how to design and deliver effective, ethical presentations. The ability to adapt to different audiences and contexts- such as professional or public situations- is emphasized.  COMM 1100-Fundamentals of Oral Communication provides students with insight and tools from communication research to analyze communication situations and develop effective, ethical messages appropriate to purpose, audience, context and medium.

I’m transferring in from a Colorado Community College, which Oral Communication class should I take? 

We recommend you take COM 115/COM1015, Public Speaking.  This course will transfer in as COMM 1010. If you took COM 125, Interpersonal Communication, speak with an Academic Advisor.

For more detailed information on MSU Denver’s General Studies program, visit https://www.msudenver.edu/generalstudies/

Arts & Humanities requirement

MSU Denver students are required to take two 3-credit Arts & Humanities courses from a specific list. Starting with the 2018-19 catalog, the College of Business does not have a specific Arts & Humanities requirement, so you can take any two classes you like from the approved Arts & Humanities course list. You can find this in the General Studies Approved Courses handout or in the University Catalog.

Students should also consider taking classes that satisfy both the Arts & Humanities requirement and either the Global Diversity requirement or the Multicultural requirement. (More on each of these requirements below.) These classes are listed in the catalog under the Arts & Humanities requirement and indicated with (Global) or (Multicultural). See your specific catalog to identify such courses.

Historical requirement

Students must take one 3-credit Historical course from a specific list. The College of Business does not require a specific Historical course, but students should consider taking satisfying the Historical requirement with a class that also meets either the Global Diversity requirement or the Multicultural requirement. (More on each of these requirements below.) These classes are listed in the catalog under the Historical requirement and indicated with (Global) or (Multicultural). See your specific catalog to identify such courses. As of the 2019-20 Catalog, only HIS 1150: Multicultural America satisfies both the Historical requirement and the Multicultural requirement.

Natural and Physical Science requirement

MSU Denver students are required to take six total credits in the Natural and Physical Sciences, from a specific list of approved courses. For lab courses, such as BIO 1080 & BIO 1090, you must complete both class and lab to get Natural & Physical Science credit. Some courses satisfy both the Natural and Physical Science requirement and the Global Diversity requirement. These classes are listed in the catalog under the Natural and Physical Science requirement and indicated with (Global). See your specific catalog to identify such courses (3 classes as of 2019-20).

Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement

All CBUS majors must take ECO 2010 (Macroeconomics) and ECO 2020 (Microeconomics). For all BS students, these courses will meet your Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements. Our BA programs may require additional courses in this area; see your specific catalog for more details. 

Global Diversity requirement

All students must take an approved 3-credit Global Diversity course from a specific list. This class can also be used to satisfy (or partially satisfy) another General Education requirement, such as the Arts & Humanities (half of 6 credits), Historical, or Natural and Physical Science (half of 6 credits) requirement.

Multicultural requirement

Separate from the Global Diversity requirement, students also must take a 3-credit Multicultural class from a specific list available in the catalog. This class can also be used to satisfy (or partially satisfy) another requirement, such as the Arts & Humanities (half of 6 credits) or Historical requirement. Some of these classes could also count toward majors in Economics (ECO 3600: Economics of Race and Gender), Management (MGT 4830: Workforce Diversity), or Marketing (MKT 3750: Multicultural Marketing). (All example courses from 2019-20 Catalog; be sure to check your catalog.)

CIS 1010 (Introduction to Computers)

CIS 1010 is a prerequisite to CIS 2010 (Foundations of Information Systems), which is one of the Business Core classes. Alternately, students can take the CIS Placement Test, which measures knowledge of Excel and other computing skills and concepts. A score of 75% or above lets you register for CIS 2010 (once you meet other prerequisites) without taking CIS 1010 first. Information of the CIS Placement Test is available here: https://www.msudenver.edu/testing/cis2010-placement-test/.

Open (Unrestricted) Electives

Because of the Business Core, Additional College of Business requirements, and course prerequisites, College of Business BS students need very few open electives to get to 120 credits—usually between 11 and 20 additional open electives. Students can use these electives to earn a minor (most are 18-21 credits); a double major (each business BS major requires at least 24 credits or 8 classes); or a concentration (for example, International Business). Discuss these options with your academic advisor.

MSU Denver offers great elective options. Some make for a great change of pace, such as 1-credit Career and Professional Development (CPD) courses on Stress Management, Career Evaluation Workshop, Women’s Self-Defense, and more. There are 2-credit Human Performance and Sport (HPL) classes like Tennis, Fencing, and Yoga. (Some require additional fees.) Look up elective options by subject (Anthropology, History, Beverage Management, Drawing, Music, etc.) on the class schedule.

PSC 1010 (Accounting and some Finance Students only)

American National Government: PSC 1010 is a prerequisite for ACC 3090 (Income Tax I), a required Accounting Core course. Finance students interested in sitting for the Certified Financial Planning (CFP)® exam should consider taking this course and ACC 3090 to meet part of their education requirements for the CFP exam.

Here’s a downloadable PDF of the Course Recommendation Form Graduation Planning Worksheet. It looks like this:

Prior Learning Assessment and the College of Business

Earn credit for what you already know! MSU Denver and the College of Business (CBUS) value college-level knowledge you have acquired outside the traditional classroom.  As a result, we accept or offer the following prior learning assessment (PLA) opportunities:

• National Standardized Tests including College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Departmental Credit by Examination/Portfolio Assessment
• Evaluation of Military Training and Occupations

Recent examples of College of Business students granted PLA credit:

• A Financial Planner took the FIN 4400 Department Exam meeting a FIN elective requirement and saved $1,100
• A bilingual student took the Spanish Language 1 and 2 CLEP exams and received 16 credits, saving $6,500
• A Veteran received Global Diversity, COMM 1010, and 6 credits of open electives towards their degree, saving $3,900

CBUS Students can complete more than 50% of their degree through Prior Learning Assessment, including most General

Studies courses, open electives, 7 of 12 Business Core classes, and additional CBUS requirements for Bachelor of Science programs. The College of Business also offers opportunities to take Department Exams for some major courses. We have listed PLA options for CBUS course requirements below.

Potential Savings and Fast-Tracking Careers

Potential cost savings are tremendous. The average MSU Denver 3- credit class costs approximately $1,300 (with fees and Colorado Opportunity Fund stipend applied), whereas each CLEP test costs $124 for the exam and sitting fee and department exams and sitting fees are $157 each (fees subject to change). For each PLA test passed, a student can save over $1,100 in tuition and fees.

PLA also offers students the opportunity to fast track their careers—for students on a 4-year graduation plan every 15 credits of prior learning assessment earned could result in 1 less semester needed to complete a degree at MSU Denver.

Residency and Other Requirements Still Apply

While there is no current limit to the number of credits a student can be awarded from department and standardized exams, students must still meet degree, minor, and certificate residency requirements for the College of Business and MSU Denver. For example, College of Business students must take a minimum of 30 credits of business classes at MSU Denver to be awarded a degree. Department Exams and Standardized tests are considered transfer credits and do not meet residency requirements. Students can learn more about their residency requirements by reviewing the University Catalog or by speaking with their academic advisor.

There are other restrictions on awarding PLA as well. For example, you can’t take a Department Exam for a similar college course that your previously attempted. You must also be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program and be in good standing in order to take exams. You can learn more about applicable restrictions here: https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/prior-learning-assessment/.

How to receive PLA Credit for National Standardized Tests

Students who have already taken National Standardized Tests (CLEP, DSST, AP, and IB exams) need to send official tests scores to MSU Denver Admissions to receive credit. There is typically a fee associated with sending transcripts. You must meet minimum scores to receive credit (for example, if you received a 3 on the AP United States History exam, you will receive credit for HIS 1210; if you received a 2, you will not receive credit). You can find score minimums and course equivalencies in the University

Catalog under Alternative Credit Options/Prior Learning Assessment (make sure you are looking at the catalog from your year; if you do not know your Catalog year, check your Degree Progress Report or speak with your advisor).

To send official test transcripts:

• CLEP scores can be sent through the College Board website: https://clep.collegeboard.org/scores/send-scores-transcripts
• To access/send AP scores, go to https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores
• To access/send IB scores, go to https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma- programme/assessment-and-exams/requesting-transcripts/

Eligibility for Nationalized Standardized Testing / DSST Information

Only high school students are eligible to take Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams—if you have already graduated from high school, you can take one of the more than 30 College Level Examination Program exams and/or Department Exams. Active Duty Military members, Air Force Civil Service employees, and Coast Guard spouses have the option to take the College Level tests for free or reduced costs through DSST (to see current DSST eligibility requirements and learn more about the program go to https://www.dantes.mil/dsst/).  You can find out how your DSST exams fit into Colorado’s Guaranteed Pathways program here: https://highered.colorado.gov/sites/highered/files/2020-03/colorado-standard-dsst-exam-credit-and-cut-scores.pdf

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Talk to your Academic Advisor or a Prior Learning Specialist to determine if CLEP testing is right for you (College of Business courses that have CLEP options are listed below). Once you and your advisor or Prior Learning Specialist determine which CLEPs you would like to take, follow the instructions on the PLA website for ordering/testing information: https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/prior-learning-assessment/. Once you have completed the CLEP exam, send MSU Denver Admissions your transcript. Keep in mind, it may take a month or more for a transcript to be received, processed, and credited to your degree. If you are a graduating senior, do not wait until the last minute to take CLEP exams or you may miss your graduation window.

Department Exams / Portfolio Review

Departments may allow students to take Department Exams for credit.  College of Business Departments currently offering Department Exams include: Finance (including Banking courses), Economics, Management, and Marketing.  If you have knowledge in a business subject area, review your degree requirements and talk with the Department Chair about Department Exam options.

Prior to meeting with the Chair, you should get syllabi for classes you are considering taking a Department Exam for.  Contact the Department Administrator for course syllabi—they can also provide you course textbook titles and/or suggest materials that will help you study for exams. Review the syllabus carefully and be prepared to discuss how your prior learning covers course material. Once you have Chair approval and understand testing requirements/scoring, reach out to the Prior Learning Center and follow the next steps, including a final check of eligibility, at: https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/prior-learning-assessment/

The following is a list of CBUS Department Exams that have been previously offered:

• BUS 1850, Intro to Business (Marketing Department)
• BUS 1950, Business Communication (Marketing Department)
• MKT 3250, Personal Selling (Marketing Department)
• BUS 3040, Global Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability (Marketing Department)
• BNK 2700, Intro to Banking (Finance Department)
• FIN 3010, Financial Markets and Institutions (Finance Department)
• FIN 3420, Risk & Insurance (Finance Department)
• FIN 4400, Estate Planning (Finance Department)
• ECO 3100, Money and Banking (Economics Department)

Evaluation of Military Training and Occupations

 Military and Veteran students can receive credit for their service by submitting their DD214, Joint Service Transcript, and/or CCAF Transcript to Brandy Schooler, MSU Denver’s Prior Learning Specialist. She can be reached by phone at 303-605-5574 or by email at [email protected]. The Prior Learning Assessment website can be accessed here: https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/prior-learning-assessment/ and military specific information is available here: https://www.msudenver.edu/veterans/military-transfer-credit/

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.
• 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 COMM 1010 (Presentational 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 S. military for at least 6 months.

Some Professional Military Education and Occupations will also be eligible for credit as determined by American Council of Education Military Guide (https://www.acenet.edu/Programs- Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/military-guide-online.aspx)

PLA options by College of Business requirement

Below is a list of General Studies and Business classes with prior learning assessment options. Know your degree requirements, particularly your Quantitative Literacy class(es), so that you do not prepare for and take the wrong exam. You can find degree requirements by major in the University Catalog, or you can talk to your academic advisor.

General Studies Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Literacy Requirements

• ENG 1010, Composing Arguments (CLEP Exam, AP Exam, IB Exam)
• ENG 1020, Research & Writing (CLEP Exam, AP, Department Exam, DSST)
• Oral Communication (Military/Veterans over the rank of E-5 will receive credit for COMM 1010)
• Quantitative Literacy
• MTH 1080, Mathematical Modes of Thought (CLEP, IB, DSST)
• MTH 1210, Statistics (AP, DSST)
• MTH 1110, College Algebra (CLEP, IB, DSST)
• MTH 1400, Pre-Calculus (CLEP, IB)
• MTH 1410, Calculus I (AP, CLEP, IB). MTH 1410 covers the MTH 1320, Calculus for MGT & Social Sciences Additional Requirement for CBUS Bachelor of Science degrees

Other General Studies Requirements

• Arts & Humanities Electives (CLEP Exam, AP Exam, IB Exam, DSST)
• Natural and Physical Science (CLEP Exam, AP Exam, IB Exam, DSST)
• Historical Elective (CLEP Exam, AP Exam, IB Exam, DSST)
• Social and Behavioral Science Electives (CLEP, AP Exam, IB Exam, DSST)
• PSC 1010, American National Government (CLEP Exam)
• ECO 2010, Principles of Macroeconomics (CLEP; IB Exam)
• ECO 2020, Principles of Microeconomics (CLEP)
• Global Diversity (CLEP Exam, AP Exam, IB Exam, Military/Veterans who served overseas for 6 months will have the Global Diversity requirement waived)

Business Core classes

• BUS 1850 (Department Exam, DSST Exam)
• BUS 1950 (Department Exam)
• CIS 2010 (CLEP, DSST Exam)

o CIS 1010, a prerequisite to CIS 2010, has IB and DSST options (these come in as CIS 1010 or CSS 1010). Students that have Access/Excel experience can also take the CIS Placement Test to place out of CIS 1010 and directly into CIS 2010. Passing the CIS Placement Test does not result in credits awarded for CIS 1010

• ACC 2010 (CLEP)
• MGT 2210 (CLEP)
• MKT 8900 (CLEP) – MKT 8900 is the lower division equivalent of MKT 3000. If you opt to take this exam, double check you have enough Upper Division credits to graduate (you need 40)
• MGT 8900 (CLEP) – MGT 8900 is the lower division equivalent of MGT 3000. If you opt to take this exam, double check you have enough Upper Division credits to graduate (you need 40)

Additional College of Business requirements (all CBUS Bachelor of Science Degrees)

• MTH 1410 (covers the MTH 1320 requirement; CLEP, AP, IB)
• BUS 3040 (Department Exam, DSST Exam. The DSST credit will come in as PHI 3360.  Students will need a degree exception to waive BUS 3040 for their requirements)

Other Business Classes

• BUS 2250, Personal Money Management (DSST Exam)
• MKT 3250, Personal Selling (Department Exam)
• BNK 2700, Intro to Banking (Department Exam)
• ECO 3100, Money and Banking (Department Exam)
• FIN 4400, Estate Planning (Department Exam)
• FIN 3420, Risk and Insurance (Department Exam)

• FIN 3010 (Department Exam)

Open[1] Electives. Most College of Business Students need approximately 15 to 20 credits of open electives to get to the 120 total credits required to graduate. Open elective credits can be fulfilled through PLA. Go to the Alternate Credit Options/Prior Learning section of the University Catalog to review AP, IB, DSST, and CLEP options. https://catalog.msudenver.edu/content.php?catoid=43&navoid=3174 If you are fluent in Spanish, German, or French and need open elective credits, you should consider taking a CLEP exam—you may be able to bring in as many as 16 credits.

Languages

• Available AP Exams: Latin, French, Italian, Japanese, German, Chinese, and Spanish
• Available IB Exams: Russian, Japanese, French, German, Spanish
• Available CLEP Exams: Spanish, French, German

Not for credit Computer Info Systems (CIS) and language proficiency Testing

 CIS Placement Test. Students needing to take CIS 2010, Foundations of Information Systems, have two options to get into the course. They can take or transfer in CIS 1010, Intro to Computers, or they can take CIS Placement Test to place out of CIS 1010. Students must pass the CIS Placement Test with a 75 or better and meet other course prerequisites to take CIS 2010. The test is free and can be taken twice. TA Study Guide and free resources are available here: https://www.msudenver.edu/computer-information-systems-business-analytics/resources/cis2010-literacy-screening-test/

Global Business Studies and International Business Majors students who have a foreign language other than those listed for CLEP and/or AP and IB credit, may take a language proficiency test and check off the Foreign Language option in their degree plan (unlike CLEP, AP, and IB exams, the language proficiency exams do not result in college credits)

There are two language proficiency test options:

• Foreign Language Achievement Tests (FLATS). FLATS is a language proficiency exam students order through Brigham Young University (BYU). Test fees for FLATs are $50. Information on the test can be found here: https://info.flats.byu.edu/non-byu-students/. MSU Denver students can take the exam at the Tivoli Testing Center. Before ordering the test, call the Testing Center for instructions (you will need to get the name of the proctor and instructions for receiving the test).
• Denver University’s Center for World Languages and Cultures Proficiency Exams. CWLC proficiency tests cost $75 and are only offered certain times throughout the semester on the University of Denver campus (I-25/South University). To see test offerings and register for one of these exams, students will go to the CWLC website at https://www.du.edu/cwlc/.

Students should check in with the Management Department Chair prior to taking any language proficiency test.

[1] Open electives may also be referred to as “general electives” or “unrestricted electives” – all terms mean the same thing.

See our Advising page.

*All CBUS faculty and advisors are located in the Administration (Admin or AD) building, which is at 1201 5^th St., Denver, CO 80204.