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What is an Associates of General Studies?
The Colorado Re-Engaged (CORE) Initiative enables four-year institutions in Colorado to award an earned associate degree to eligible students who have stopped-out from a baccalaureate program after earning at least 70 credit hours. In enacting the supporting legislation, the Colorado Legislature recognized that the COVID-19 pandemic forced many students – particularly those from low-income communities – to stop attending the state’s colleges and universities before attaining a bachelor’s degree. These stop-out students have invested a significant amount of time and money to advance their knowledge and skills through higher education, but do not have an academic credential to reflect this investment. For more information from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, visit their site.
If you are looking for information regarding your MSU Denver undergraduate or graduate degree or diploma, please visit the MSU Denver Graduation webpage.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Been out of enrollment from MSU Denver for at least two consecutive semesters
- Must have stopped-out (no longer attending MSU Denver) within the last 10 years
- Did not earn a bachelors degree from another college/university
- Cannot have completed 15 or more credits from the Colorado Community College System (see Reverse Transfer information)
- Earned 70 credit hours
- Completed a minimum of 18 credits at MSU Denver
Associate Degree Requirements:
- At least 18 of the former student’s earned credits should have been earned by completing state-recognized General Education courses with a grade of C- or higher.
- These 18 credits may have been earned at MSU Denver or at other institutions in the state that offer courses meeting the state’s guaranteed transfer (gtPathways) requirements.
- Courses completed must include at least 18 credit hours in the university’s General Studies program.
- Have a cumulative GPA for all course work of at least 2.0.
To opt-in, please complete the AGS Opt-In Form.
Interested in pursuing your Bachelor's degree instead?
Check out our Finish What You Started (FWYS) program and see if you qualify for the $1,000 scholarship. In addition to semesterly funds, you will receive personal, professional and academic support as you work to finish your degree. Learn more here (link to MSUDenver.edu/FWYS)!
Note: If you opt-in and are awarded the AGS degree you no longer qualify for this FWYS program.
FAQ
Yes, you can still work towards completing your bachelor’s degree. You will need to reapply and be readmitted to the university and meet with an academic advisor to go over what you need to do to complete your Bachelor’s degree.
Note: If you opt-in and are awarded the AGS degree you no longer qualify for this Finish What You Started program.
Please contact the Degree Evaluation Team at [email protected] who will review your degree progress report and let you know what are your next steps.
No, the AGS does not cost you anything. If you qualify, the Degree Evaluation Team will award your degree based on already completed courses and will mail you a diploma free of charge. AGS degrees will be awarded once a year for the Fall semester. Diplomas will arrive 8-10 weeks after the end of the Fall semester.