Transfer Students

A transfer student is any student who has earned college credit after graduating from high school or receiving a GED. The number of credits completed determines what is required in the admission process.

Apply early for faster processing times and best selection of classes.

The Transfer Services Team with the Office of Admissions helps students successfully transfer from other colleges to MSU Denver. They also visit community colleges and college fairs. Check out when we will be in your area.

Review the guidelines which explain how MSU Denver determines eligibility of transfer credits.

Still have questions?
Email [email protected] to connect with a Transfer Admissions Counselor.

Phi Theta Kappa’s 2020 Transfer Honor Roll

This distinguished honor is awarded to the top 25% of colleges who earned the highest transfer friendliness rating nationwide.

The State of Colorado has established Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreements (STAA) between many community colleges and four-year universities that prescribe a curriculum for students to engage in while at community college that are guaranteed to transfer to four-year universities. Many of the majors available to community college students are a part of this agreement and you can access transfer guides that outline the Guaranteed Transfer pathway. Additionally, MSU Denver provides transfer guides for many of their programs that are not a part of the STAA. By using these transfer guides, you can ensure that your time will be well-spent while taking classes for transfer.

You can view all transfer guides here: https://www.msudenver.edu/admissions/transfer-toolbox/

We encourage students to meet with their academic advisor often at their current college to discuss classes that will transfer to MSU Denver. We also recommend meeting with an MSU Denver Transfer Admissions Counselor on a regular basis to ensure that you are on-track.

You can only transfer credits by requesting that your previous institution send MSU Denver official transcripts. We cannot evaluate unofficial transcripts or copies of your official transcripts. If you have attended more than one college and wish to transfer credits from all of your previous institutions, we require official transcripts from each institution, even if you transferred those credits to your most recent institution previously. We cannot evaluate secondhand transfer credits that were previously evaluated by another institution.

Following are links to the transcript ordering portals for many colleges in Colorado.

Aims Community College:

https://www.aims.edu/departments/registration-records/transcripts

Adams State University:

https://www.adams.edu/records/transcript-request/

Arapahoe Community College:

https://www.arapahoe.edu/admissions/records-and-enrollment-services/transcripts

Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology:

https://www.belrea.edu/order-my-transcript/

Colorado Christian University:

https://www.ccu.edu/academics/transcripts/

Colorado College:

https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/registrar/transcripts.html

Colorado Mesa University:

https://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/transcripts.html

Colorado Mountain College:

https://coloradomtn.edu/transcripts/

Colorado Northwestern Community College:

https://www.cncc.edu/transcript-request

Colorado School of Mines:

https://www.mines.edu/registrar/transcripts/

Colorado State University:

https://registrar.colostate.edu/transcripts/

Colorado State University Global:

https://csuglobal.edu/student-success/offices-services/ordering-transcripts

Colorado State University, Pueblo:

https://www.csupueblo.edu/registrar/transcripts.html

Colorado Technical University:

https://www.coloradotech.edu/alumni/transcript-requests

Community College of Aurora:

https://www.ccaurora.edu/alumni/transcripts

Community College of Denver:

https://www.ccd.edu/employees/departments/office-registration-records/records/transcript-request

DeVry University:

https://www.devry.edu/students/transcript-services.html

Fort Lewis College:

https://www.fortlewis.edu/life-at-flc/student-services/registrars-office/transcripts

Front Range Community College:

https://www.frontrange.edu/graduation-and-beyond/transcripts

Johnson & Wales University:

https://catalog.jwu.edu/academicinformation/transcripts/#text

Lamar Community College:

https://lamarcc.edu/alumni-relations/transcript-request/

Morgan Community College:

https://www.morgancc.edu/current-students/transcripts/

Naropa University:

https://www.naropa.edu/life-at-naropa/alumnx-relations/transcript-requests/

Northeastern Junior College:

https://www.njc.edu/records/transcript-requests

Otero College:

https://www.otero.edu/servicesandsupport/transcriptrequest.aspx

Pikes Peak Community College:

https://www.ppcc.edu/admissions/records/transcripts/request-transcripts.php

Pueblo Community College:

https://www.pueblocc.edu/Transcripts

Red Rocks Community College:

https://www.rrcc.edu/student-records/order-transcript

Regis University:

https://www.regis.edu/about/offices-services/academic-records-registration/forms

Trinidad State College:

https://trinidadstate.edu/transcripts/index.html

University of Colorado, Boulder:

https://www.colorado.edu/registrar/students/transcripts

University of Colorado, Denver:

https://www.ucdenver.edu/registrar/student-resources/transcripts

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs:

https://registrar.uccs.edu/transcripts

University of Denver:

https://www.du.edu/registrar/transcripts-grades-records/transcripts

University of Northern Colorado:

https://www.unco.edu/registrar/etranscripts.aspx

Western Colorado Community College (WCCC):

WCCC is a division of Colorado Mesa University (CMU). See previous listing for CMU for transcripts.

Western Colorado University:

https://western.edu/about/administration/academic-affairs/office-of-the-registrar/transcripts-and-verifications/

The Colorado Department of Higher Education possesses records for schools that closed after 2012 and has records from the following institutions:

• American Pathways University
• Argosy University – Denver Campus
• Art Institute of Colorado
• Colorado University of Commerce
• CollegeAmerica
• ITT Technical Institute (ITT)
• Jones International University (JIU)
• Wellington University

https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/how-do-i/transcript-requests

If your school does not have a transcript ordering process or send transcripts manually, they can send them to the following addresses:

MSU Denver Registrar

Campus Box 84

P.O. Box 173362

Denver, CO 80217

[email protected]

If you have earned 24 college credits, you are not required to submit your high school transcripts. If you have earned less than 24 college credits, you may be prompted to provide your high school transcript or GED scores. If you are prompted to provide this information, you will be notified by student email of additional requirements after you apply and submit official transcripts.

We will consolidate multiple records into one record when you reapply as a previously enrolled student. This includes all academic coursework completed at MSU Denver and any transcripts that you submitted during your last attendance. For issues with record consolidation, please contact the Registrar at 303-556-3991.

A course by course evaluation completed by a professional transcript evaluation service, in addition to the official transcript(s), will be required.

The service agency must be a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

We suggest that you choose a service that can send us a copy of your verified transcript(s) together with the evaluation report, such as WES ICAP or ECE.

If the evaluation service does not send us your verified academic documents, the issuing institution must directly send us your official academic records.

All records must be translated to English.

You may be able to earn credit for work and life experiences, through prior learning assessments, and as a result of certification, licensure, or other training.

You may earn college credit through subject-specific testing upon receiving a satisfactory score. This could include the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DSST, Advanced Placement courses, and International Baccalaureate (IB).

MSU Denver may grant college credit using the American Council of Education Military Guide. We are happy to provide guidance to military students and student veterans in selecting a program of study and in optimizing the use of credit for prior learning. Following are course equivalency sheets for your reference.

• PLA Military Occupations Course Equivalency
• Military ACE Course Equivalency

Content of credit accepted in transfer may not duplicate coursework previously taken. Military service credit is evaluated when official copies of transcripts from military schools are received and after meeting with the Prior Learning Specialist. Courses are evaluated according to the American Council on Education (ACE) Guidelines.

• Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine personnel should submit a Joint Services Transcript. To order a Joint Services transcript, go to https://jst.doded.mil/.
• Air Force personnel should submit a Community College of the Air Force transcript. To order a CCAF transcript, go to http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp. Please Note: CCAF is a regionally accredited institution.

In addition, 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. military.
• 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 CAS 1010 (Public 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 U.S. military for at least 6 months.

Applicable credit and waivers will be granted upon presentation of evidence of either continued active service, transfer to the Reserve component, or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.

Student can may also obtain credit by an exam process.

Students must meet all of the following requirements:

• Currently enrolled in good standing within a degree or certificate program.
• If registered for a course for which this course is a prerequisite, the exam must be completed within the first three weeks of the semester.
• No previous collegiate enrollment for a similar course
• Not completed or been enrolled in a more advanced course unless the course is a designated gtPathways course. This restriction includes courses designated at a higher level (i.e. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 within the same subject prefix (e.g. HIS, ENG).

If you have experience that may qualify as college-level learning, you may submit a portfolio for consideration for academic credit. A portfolio is a collection of documents you put together to show what you already know and can do. Many professionals in business, education, design, and consulting use portfolios in their work. Your PLA portfolio includes a narrative, which is your discussion of your college-level knowledge, like a research paper that is supported by theory or concepts. It might also include evidence, such as certificates, letters of recommendation, and samples of work that will support your narrative and verify to the Portfolio assessors that you have the knowledge and should be awarded credit. Your portfolio should address the learning objectives, or outcomes, of the courses you want to earn credit for and detail your experience acquiring this knowledge. It is read by subject-matter experts who make sure that what you already know is equivalent to what you would have learned if you had taken the course.

• Portfolio assessment is available in many, but not all, academic departments.
• Portfolio credit must match a MSU Denver course. To verify this information, visit the university’s Course Descriptions.
• Portfolio fee is $379 per course (fees are subject to change).
• EDS Portfolio Development Workshop course is required to submit a portfolio for prior learning credit.
• To earn credit, students must be a continuing student enrolled in good standing in a degree or certificate program.

Professional Licenses and Certifications that may be evaluated for college credit include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Department of Labor Apprenticeships
• FAA Licenses
• Firefighter and EMT Certifications

For questions and support related to prior learning credit, contact a Prior Learning Specialist through the Office of the Registrar at 303-556-3991.

We suggest applying as far as possible in advance of the semester you want to start at MSU Denver. You may defer your admission for up to one academic year and the application is free. You can always make changes later but you cannot extend the deadlines for applying or submitting documents. Keep in mind that transcripts can take up to 4 weeks to process and financial aid can take about the same time to process, sometimes longer if it’s a busy season. You can view application deadlines and apply for admission on our Application splash page.

Your admissions acceptance is good for one academic year. You can register for classes within that timeframe. If you do not register within that timeframe, you will be required to reapply for admission.

You can also change to an earlier semester if registration for that semester is still open. You will need to complete a Semester Change Request form to switch to an earlier semester.

MSU Denver is proud to offer a high-quality education without the high-end price tag. Experience an urban campus and be part of one of the most diverse student communities in Colorado where learners connect with leaders and classrooms lead to careers.

• Visit Campus
• Explore what it means to Reimagine Possible
• Learn more about MSU Denver
• Take a look at the online viewbook
• Explore more than 100+ programs in formats that fit your life

You may be eligible for admission without standardized test scores. However, if you have test scores less than 5 years old (ACT or SAT), it is still a good idea to submit them as these scores can be helpful for advising purposes and course placement. If you do not have standardized test scores, you may need to take a placement test with the Office of Testing Services.

Learn more about Test Optional Admissions

Forms

Parents

Cost & Financial Aid Resources

Next Steps After Admission

MSU Denver only accepts credit from institutions of higher education holding full regional accreditation. Your school must be accredited by one of the following agencies: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southern Association of Colleges of Schools, or Western Association of Colleges and Schools. There very few exceptions, such as McAir Aviation flight training programs and Belrea Institute of Animal Technology.

If you have questions, please contact the MSU Denver Office of the Registrar to verify whether your previous college or university is regionally accredited by one of these agencies.

MSU Denver requires that you complete a minimum of 30 credit hours towards your bachelor’s degree at MSU Denver. Some programs may have more stringent requirements and it is advised that you discuss your program requirements with your academic advisor.

We do not impose an expiration date on transfer credits in most cases; however, if it has been a significantly long time since you completed foundational coursework, such as math and writing, you may be asked to complete placement testing. Additionally, if there have been fundamental changes to the curriculum of a specific course since you last took it, you may be required to retake that course. One example of a course that must be retaken or tested out of is ENG 1020, which we require students freshen up on if they have not taken in over 10 years.

If you have completed credits elsewhere, you can see what should transfer to your program at MSU Denver using Transferology, a third party partner of MSU Denver that allows you to enter your previously earned credits and see what those credits will be equal to at MSU Denver.

Transcript evaluation times can vary from semester to semester. During slower times of the year, such as summer and mid-semester, processing time may be between 1-2 weeks. During busier times of the year, it may take 2-4 weeks to process your transcript evaluation. Upon completion of the evaluation, you will be notified by student email and can then meet with your advisor. To ensure that your transcripts are evaluated in time to register for classes, please submit them by the priority application deadline for the semester that you intend on registering.

It can take up to 4 weeks to process transcripts and complete the official transcript evaluation. Check you student email often; we will notify you here once your transcript evaluation is complete. At that point, you can schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to formulate a course plan for your future semesters at MSU Denver based on your transfer credits. Until the official transcript evaluation is complete, your advisor will only be able to provide generic information and suggestions regarding the courses that you must complete.

Orientation is required for all degree-seeking students who have not yet completed Orientation at MSU Denver in their lifetime. If you are a re-admit student, you are not required to attend Orientation.

Transfer students are required to complete the following Next Steps:

• Setup your MSU Denver Student Account (NetID)
• Submit Official Transcripts
• Placement Testing (if you are notified of this requirement)
• Attend Orientation
• Meet with Your Academic Advisor
• Register for Classes
• Check your Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Auraria Campus has one on-campus dormitory-style housing unit called Lynx Crossing that is shared between MSU Denver, CU Denver, and Community College of Denver. This housing option is very limited and we encourage students to apply as soon as the application opens on January 1^st to ensure that you have the best chance of securing a spot.

We also have resources to assist with your search for off-campus housing and we provide a roommate finder service.

To determine what classes you should sign up for, you will need to first submit your official transcripts for evaluation for transfer credit. Upon completion of your evaluation, your transfer courses will populate to your student account. At that point, we recommend meeting with your academic advisor to review your transfer credits and devise a course plan for the coming semesters. You may also run a Degree Progress Report to see what transferred in and what you need to complete.

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to your admissions counselor to get the answers you need!