Registration

Registration for Fall semesters typically opens in early November; for Spring semesters, in early April. Prepare accordingly with the useful links below:

• Spring 2026 MS Courses
• Course Permissions Form
• How to register for Classes in UCDAccess
• Schedule Adjustment Form
• Special Processing Form (to request independent study, MS Project, or MS Thesis)
• Late Withdrawal Petition form

Advising & Degree Planning

Students are encouraged to meet their assigned academic advisor every semester. Schedule an appointment with your advisor by emailing [email protected]

• MS Plans and Course Categories
• MS Track I Curriculum Flowchart
• MS Track II Curriculum Flowchart
• MS Track III Curriculum Flowchart
• MS plan of study
• Time extension Request Form
• Leave of Absence Request Form

Defense Forms

Below is useful information for MS students who are in Track I (Thesis) or Track II (Project). Students should plan to defend their thesis/project in the semester that they graduate.  

• Graduate Education Key Dates & Deadlines
• Graduate Education Thesis Formatting Guidelines
• MS Exam request Form - submit two weeks before your MS Thesis or MS Project defense
• MS Thesis Approval Form - submit two weeks before your MS Thesis defense. 

Graduation

Students must apply for graduation on or before census date of the semester in which they plan to graduate. Below are the steps to apply for graduation:

1. Submit your MSCS Application for Candidacy to [email protected]. This form must be signed by your advisor. You can find a Sample MSCS Application for Candidacy here.
2. Follow the steps to Apply for Graduation in UCDAccess.

Have questions about receiving your official diploma? Email [email protected]

Have questions about attending Commencement? Email  [email protected]

Funding & Financial Aid

We know that paying for school can feel overwhelming, and we're here to help. Whether you're exploring scholarships, financial aid, or other funding opportunities, the links below provide helpful resurces to guide you through your options and next steps.

• Office of Financial Aid - for all questions regarding aid packages and FASFA
• Bursar's Office - F or all questions regarding tuition and fees
• CU Denver Scholarships - for all questions regarding available scholarships
• Handshake - to search for on-campus employment opportunities 
• CEDC Funding Request Form- to request funding for eligible events, projects, or activities.

While employment opportunities may be available for MS students, MS students are not eligible for part-time instructor positions or funded assistantships within the department- only hourly appointments. Hourly positions do not include tuition reimbursement. Department positions include TA (teaching assistant) positions, GA (graduate assistant positions) and RA (research assistant) positions.  All available TA, GA and RA positions are posted on Handshake, the student employment website.  Applications are not accepted via email.  Please note, funding is not guaranteed for any student.

Internships

Graduate students are encouraged to find internship opportunities during their time in the program. Please note that internship credit cannot be applied toward degree progress. All internships must go through the Experiential Learning Center. Learn more about internships here.

Registration

registration for Fall semesters typically opens in early November; for Spring semesters, in early April. Prepare accordingly with the useful links below. 

• Spring 2026 PhD Courses
• Course Permissions Form
• How to register for Classes in UCDAccess
• Schedule adjustment form
• Special Processing Form (to request independent study or dissertation)
• Late Withdrawal Petition Form

Advising & Degree Planning

Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor every semester. Schedule an appointment with your advisor by emailing [email protected]. 

• PhD Curriculum Flowchart
• PhD Coursework Guide
• Request for transfer of credit
  
• Time Extension Request form
• Leave of Absence Request Form

Preliminary Exam Resources

• Preliminary Exam Guide
• Preliminary Exam Sign-Up Sheet

Comprehensive Exam Resources

• Comprehensive Exam Guide
• PhD Application for candidacy
• CSIS PhD progress form
• EAS PhD progress form
• Comprehensive exam request form

Proposal Defense Resources

• Guidelines for proposal defense
• PhD Proposal request form

Final Defense Resources

• Final Defense Guide
• Graduate Education Key Dates & Deadlines
• PhD Final Exam Request Form - Submit two weeks before your final defense
• PhD Dissertation Approval Form - Submit two weeks before your final defense.

Graduation

Students must apply for graduation on or before Census date of the semester in which they plan to graduate. Below are the steps to apply for graduation:

1. Complete your PhD Application for Candidacy to [email protected]. You can request a copy of the application you submitted during your comprehensive exam by emailing [email protected].
2. Follow the steps to Apply for Graduation in UCDAccess.
   

Have questions about receiving your official diploma? Email [email protected]

Have questions about attending Commencement? Email [email protected]

Funding & Financial Aid

We know that paying for school can feel overwhelming, and we're here to help. Whether you're exploring scholarships, financial aid, or other funding opportunities, the links below provide helpful resurces to guide you through your options and next steps.

• Office of Financial Aid for all questions regarding aid packages and FASFA
• Bursar's Office for all questions regarding tuition and fees
• CU Denver Scholarships for all questions regarding available scholarships
• Handshake- to search for on-campus employment opportunities
• CEDC Funding Request Form- to request funding for eligible events, projects, or activities.

There are a few opportunities for funding as a PhD candidate. Department positions include GI (graduate instructor), TA (teaching assistant) positions, GA (graduate assistant positions) and RA (research assistant) positions. Department positions are hourly based positions and do not include tuition reimbursement. These positions are competitive and are based on availability, need, and qualifications. All available department positions are posted on Handshake, the student employment website.

Students are eligible for GI positions once they have completed a minimum of one semester at CU Denver with the recommendation of their advisor. Preference is given to students who have successfully completed their prelims.

Internships

Graduate students are encouraged to find internship opportunities during their time in the program. Please note that internship credit cannot be applied toward degree progress. All internships must go through the Experiential Learning Center. Learn more about internships here.