On March 3, 1864, John Evans founded the Colorado Seminary near Denver City. At the time, Denver City was a mining camp and Mr. Evans, who was a former governor of the Colorado territory, hoped to civilize the town. It was initially a Methodist institution and it struggled to gain footing in its first few years. In 1880, after shutting down for a few years due to financial problems, the school reopened and was renamed the University of Denver, although the official name of the school is still Colorado Seminary.
The school operated in downtown Denver, but the rough-and-tumble atmosphere in the mining town were deemed unsatisfactory for education. The school relocated to land donated by potato farmer, Rufus Clark, seven miles south of downtown. As Denver City grew from a gold rush boom town into a cosmopolitan city, the university grew with it.
The University of Denver established one of the first business schools in the United States as well as the first school of social work between the Mississippi and the West Coast. In 1945, after the end of World War II, enrollment grew by 30 percent as soldiers took advantage of the GI Bill.
Today, the University of Denver is ranked among the Top 100 universities in the country by US News & World Report and is one of the top five in the nation for study abroad participation. It is also ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a high-volume research institution.
University of Denver Accreditation Details
The University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, indicating that the university meets the highest standards for universities in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission sets standards of integrity, issuing accreditation status based on the academic mission, strategy, resources, teaching effectiveness and other criteria that indicate excellence in education. In addition to regional accreditation, programs at the University of Denver are accredited by the following institutions:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- American Bar Association
- American Chemical Society
- American Library Association
- American Psychological Association
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Council on Social Work Education
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Music
University of Denver Admission Requirements
Students who have not earned college credit after high school graduation enter the University of Denver as freshmen. Students should complete either the Pioneer App or the Common App. Students must provide official SAT or ACT scores as well as official high school transcripts. All supplements in the Pioneer or Common App must also be completed.
Transfer students must also complete either the Pioneer or Common App and provide all supplemental materials. Transfer students must also provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Spaces are limited for transfer students and they are accepted on a rolling basis.
Graduate students must submit at least one transcript from an accredited college or university that shows the conferring of a bachelor's degree or higher. Students must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 in order to apply. Some programs may also require official GMAT, LSAT, GRE or MAT test scores.
University of Denver Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition at the University of Denver is $1,320 per credit hour. Graduate tuition are as follows:
- Arts, Humanities & Social Science – $31,680 for 24 credits
- Daniels College of Business – $47,520 for 36 credits
- Engineering & Computer Science – $31,680 for 24 credits
- Josef Korbel School – $47,520 for 36 credits
- Morgridge College of Education – $31,680 for 24 credits
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics – $31,680 for 24 credits
- Online Master of Social Work – $10,021 for 11 credits
- Online MBA Program – $12,500 for 10 credits
- Professional Psychology – $47,520 for 36 credits
- Social Work – $47,520 for 36 credits
Financial aid is available, and 84 percent of undergraduate students receive some type of financial aid. Aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. Grants and scholarships are considered gift aid as they do not have to be repaid while loans must be repaid. Students may also be offered employment to offset the cost of their tuition.
The University of Denver Financial Aid Office only manages federal aid like loans and grants for graduate students. Students will need to research scholarships and fellowships for graduate education on their own. Graduate financial aid packages may include grants, scholarships, loans and work-study.
Online Degrees Available
Applied Quantitative Finance
A Master of Science in Applied Quantitative Finance prepares students for careers that require an understanding of in-depth finance theories as well as financial models. Emphasis is placed on professional conduct and ethical standards. Students are provided hands-on investment experience managing the Marsico Fund and the University of Denver is the only school participating in the Deutsche Banks' Global Commercial Microfinance Consortium. The program combines in-depth study of finance theories and principles with advanced technology. Students use options to create hedging and return enhancement strategies as well as how to develop financial models for investment banking. Students may concentrate their studies in:
- Asset Management
- Corporate Finance
- Investment Banking
Students may also design their own concentration based on their career goals.
Conflict Resolution
The Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution combines both in- and out-of-class approaches to resolving conflict. Students gain an understanding of bargaining and negotiation techniques as well as related ethical issues. Students review cases of conflict to gain an understanding of how to manage and improve social patterns as well as policy choices between individuals. Students take courses such as Conflict Resolution, Negotiation Theory & Practice, Mediation Theory & Issues, Conciliation & Reconciliation, Communication & Collaboration as well as Organizational Dynamics. Students must also complete a practicum for this degree program.
Sport and Performance Technology
The Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Technology is designed for individuals who wish to enter careers in sports, performing arts, health and fitness or mental health. Students develop an ability to improve performance in those they assist. The program is designed to provide training in areas of principles of performance, quality practice and learning as well as coaching, leadership, team development and consulting. Students are able to apply what they learn through the Center for Performance Excellence, a non-profit consulting organization that serves the community. Students must complete a capstone project that consists of reviewing a video of consultation sessions, receiving supervision and reflective practice.
Related Resource: Top 30 Online Master's in Liberal Studies Degree Programs
The University of Denver provides students with outstanding education and has for more than 100 years. Students are able to achieve their higher education goals and programs at the University of Denver help students move into new careers or advance in a current career.