Welcome to our Centers, Institutes and Programs

The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) not only houses Academic Departments, but a handful of Centers, Institutes and Programs that enrich the experiences of all MSU Denver students and beyond. These specials areas provide unique opportunities to on and off-campus community members to expand their knowledge, grow their skills and engage in meaningful interactions with people across various experiences and backgrounds.

Division of Fine and Performing Arts

The Center of Visual Art is associated with the Division of Fine and Performing Arts where students come to create, perform, and inspire.

Center for Visual Arts

Center for Visual Art

The Center for Visual Art (CVA) is an off-campus MSU Denver art gallery which exposes students to leading-edge art that would not otherwise be seen in Denver and the Rocky Mountain West. CVA provides diverse, high-quality art experiences that bring local and international artists, MSU Denver students and the broader community together to advance the global urban dialogue. CVA offers:

  • Year-Round Exhibitions
  • Free Community Events
  • Learning Lab
  • Creative Connection

Division of Humanities and Social Sciences

The Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry and the Family Literacy Program are associated with the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences where students come to learn about the human condition and systems that guide our behavior.

Dphi logo next to an open book

Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry

The Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry, or Dphi, enriches Denver’s intellectual and cultural life through programs that reframe perspectives, challenge assumptions, and stimulate dialogue about human thought, history, science, art and culture. Dphi organizes numerous events centered on major themes, issues or questions of abiding human concern. Dphi offers:

  • The Human Context Podcast
  • Collaborative Community Partnerships
  • Enriching Cultural Programming
FLP Photo 3

Family Literacy Program

Since 1994, Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Family Literacy Program (FLP) has helped break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by building the literacy skills of whole families—parents and their children. By emphasizing learning within a family context, the Family Literacy Program enhances the relationships between parents and children and strengthens parents’ roles as supporters of their children’s education. FLP offers:

  •  English as Second Language (ESL)
  •  High School Equivalency Classes in English and Spanish
  •  Parents as Teachers
  •  Early Family Literacy: Multilingual Preschool

Division of Mathematics and Sciences

The Center for Advanced STEM Education is associated with the Division of Mathematics and Sciences where students come to acquire scientific literacy and a path to discovery in a modern, technological society.

Student in front of STEM sign

Center for Advanced STEM Education

The Center for Advanced STEM Education (CASE) mission is to engage and support STEM students with an emphasis on historically underrepresented. Through inclusive programming, CASE enhances students’ skill sets to prepare them for well-paying STEM careers, provides co-curricular learning opportunities and collaborates with internal and external partners to improve STEM learning and teaching. CASE offers:

  • Building Identity Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Scholarship Program
  • Rocky Mountain Alliance for Minority Participation (RM-AMP) Program
  • Noyce U-R STEM Math and Science Teaching Scholarship Program
  • Learning Assistance (LA) Program

Interdisciplinary Alliances

The Institute for Public Service is associated with the College’s Interdisciplinary Alliances and Innovation where we educate our students in specific disciplinary fields with an interdisciplinary viewpoint.

Online student studying outside Denver capitol

Institute for Public Service

Making a difference, being part of something that is larger than one’s self, upholding the principles and practices of a free and engaged citizenry: these are but a few doctrines that underlie the human motivation to serve. The Institute for Public Service works to empower and build the next generation of public service leaders. The Institute for Public Service offers:

  • Public Service Learning Opportunities
  • MSU Denver Presidential Internship Program
  • The Solution Studio

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

We are CLAS

Temporary Campus Location (March 16-August):

1041 9th Street Park

Mailing Address:

Campus Box 37
P. O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362

Phone: 

303-615-0600

Email: 

[email protected]

Contact Us