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The University of Colorado Denver was first opened in 1912 as an extension center with just one full-time faculty member. By 1956, CU Denver was expanding into the former Denver Tramway Company Building and renamed. In 2004, it merged with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center to create one large institution. CU Denver is one of three publicly funded research institutions within the University of Colorado system. Endowed for $593 million, CU Denver educates around 18,000 on-site and 11,000 online students. The University of Colorado Denver has a main 352-acre urban campus in Colorado's capital and an Anschutz Medical Campus 10 miles away in Aurora.

According to the U.S. News, CU Denver is the 199th best national university, 116th top public school, and 157th best college for veterans. In particular, CU Denver features America's 12nd best online graduate criminal justice and 36th best online graduate teaching programs. Forbes ranked the University of Colorado Denver as the nation's 189th best research center. The Princeton Review included CU Denver in its "Guide to 353 Green Colleges." CU Denver places in the Chronicle of Higher Education's top 10 for faculty scholarly productivity. Modern Healthcare lauded CU Denver as the fifth best school for physician executives. The ARWU names CU Denver among the top 400 global universities.

University of Colorado Denver Accreditation Details

Last reaffirmed in 2011, the University of Colorado Denver has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA). This agency is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit colleges in 19 states. Online programs have earned discipline-specific accreditations from:

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
• Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)

University of Colorado Denver Application Requirements

The University of Colorado Denver has a selective admissions process with a 73 percent acceptance rate. First-year freshmen pursuing a bachelor's degree online must have completed a high school diploma. Scoring at least 550 on the GED is also acceptable. On average, admitted students rank in the top 25 percent of their class. CU Denver uses an admissions index to weigh GPA with SAT or ACT scores. Freshmen must have an index over 93 to qualify. Successful candidates have an average GPA of 3.3, ACT score of 23, and SAT score of 1060.

Transfers into CU Denver's online undergraduate programs must hold at least 24 credits from regionally accredited colleges. Any incoming transfers with a minimum GPA of 2.0 may be considered. The Business School is more selective with a 3.0 GPA requirement. International students must score at least 75 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS. Online graduate programs mandate achieving an accredited bachelor's degree from an approved university. In general, academic records should show a GPA above 3.0. Graduate students must have satisfactory GRE or GMAT scores from the last five years.

Before the program's final registration date, interested students should apply online to the University of Colorado Denver by sending:

• Completed application for admission (Parts I and II)
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• One official transcript from every school
• Standardized testing score reports
• One to three letters of recommendation
• Proof of English language proficiency

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduates from Colorado will pay $389 per credit hour. Non-resident undergraduates are charged $934 per credit. Non-residents studying exclusively online earn a discount at $467 per credit. Online courses also charge an extra $100 distance learning fee. Online labs are another $50. At the graduate level, Colorado residents are charged an average of $469 per credit. Non-residents are typically billed $1,234 per credit. But out-of-state online students earn a discount at $563 per credit. Online program costs can vary though. For instance, the online Professional MBA costs $506 (in-state) and $607 (out-of-state).

Around 75 percent of beginning, full-time CU Denver students earn assistance. More than $30 million in financial aid is granted yearly. Online students could qualify for institutional awards, such as the Alumni Association Scholarship, Teacher Cadet Scholarship, Bob Kossman Scholarship, and Pioneer Fund Scholarship. Those enrolling at least half-time could receive the Federal Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant. In-state residents may obtain the Colorado Student Grant or Colorado National Guard Tuition Assistance Program. Veterans earn tuition benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Online learners could also cautiously borrow Federal Direct Subsidized, Federal Direct Unsubsidized, Federal Perkins, or Grad PLUS loans.

Online Degrees Available

CU Online offers high-quality, accredited education without stepping on the Denver or Anschutz campuses. Online students can currently select from eight bachelor's, 14 master's, and four doctoral programs. More than 450 courses are available online with a comfortable, collaborative learning approach. There's a student-faculty ratio of 16:1 to keep virtual interactions frequent. Online degrees from the University of Colorado Denver include:

B.A. in Criminal Justice

Within the School of Public Affairs, the B.A. in Criminal Justice program allows CU Denver students to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills mitigate or rebuke crime. The 120-credit curriculum spans four years full-time with courses in corrections, criminology, forensics, homeland security, juvenile justice, and law enforcement. There's a dual B.A./Master of Criminal Justice program too.

Top 10 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Degrees

M.A. in Information and Learning Technologies

Fully accredited by the NCATE, the online M.A. in Information and Learning Technologies program offers two specializations in eLearning Design and Implementation or School Library. The two-year program consists of 30 credits of courses from media literacy and information storage to mobile learning. Teachers can conveniently complete the mandatory 90-hour field practicum in local school districts.

Doctor of Pharmacy (iPharmD)

At CU Denver, the Doctor of Pharmacy (iPharmD) program features a flexible, distance-designed format where all didactic courses are online and APPE rotations are available nationwide. Working pharmacists will improve their medication therapy and clinical care skills while maintaining their practice. The 65-credit curriculum can be completed in two years full-time for ambulatory, inpatient/acute, and community pharmacy experience.

Other online degrees at the University of Colorado Denver are B.A. in Public Service, B.A. in English Writing, Master of Engineering, M.S. in Nursing Informatics, and Ed.D. in Education Leadership.