Applications for graduate study at the University of Denver must be submitted online. All materials must be received in the Office of Graduate Studies by the program’s stated deadline. Click here to begin your online application.

For prospective students who started an application prior to November 8, 2011, please complete your in-progress application by clicking here.

A $60 non-refundable application fee is required for an application to be processed.

Some programs have specific course and/or degree prerequisites or requirements. Applicants must earn and submit proof of earning the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to beginning graduate coursework at DU. Some doctoral programs also require a master’s degree or equivalent in order to be considered for admission. Contact your academic program, or see the program bulletin, for credential requirements.

DU must receive transcripts from every previously attended institution, including study abroad and college coursework completed in high school. All U.S. transcripts must be official and received in the Office of Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope. University of Denver students and alumni do not need to provide DU transcripts as these will be requested by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Students who have earned a degree outside the U.S. must also submit proof of graduation, typically through a degree certificate or diploma. If you have been educated outside the U.S., we encourage you to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for assistance regarding transcript-related materials. DU’s in-house foreign credential evaluation may take up to four weeks. This evaluation must be complete by the program’s stated deadline. Applicants with education credentials from outside of the U.S. are encouraged to apply early.

Some programs require standardized test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores must be received directly from the appropriate testing agency by the program’s stated deadline. Non-native English speakers are required to provide scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please note: this requirement is independent of citizenship status.

The minimum TOEFL score accepted by DU is 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-based). The minimum IELTS score accepted by DU is 6.0. Non-native English speakers who hold a post-secondary degree from an institution where English is the only language of instruction and examination or who hold a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree from a U.S. institution are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. There are no exemptions for graduate teaching assistants.

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) must demonstrate fluency in spoken English by scoring a 26 on the TOEFL speaking section or 8.0 on the IELTS speaking section. Individual graduate programs reserve the right to set higher test score requirements. Please check the list of TOEFL/IELTS requirements.

ETS Institution Code: 4842

Some programs require an essay or personal statement. The essay or statement should be submitted via upload through the online application process.

Most graduate programs require submission of a resume or C.V. This should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work. The resume should be submitted via upload through the online application process.

Graduate programs may specify other admission requirements, for example: portfolio, research paper, writing sample, additional essays, experience summary, and/or proof of professional licensure. When possible, these requirements should be submitted via upload through the online application process. Contact your academic program or see the program bulletin for more information on specific admission requirements.

Most programs require three letters of recommendation. These letters should be solicited and uploaded by recommenders through the online application system. Letters must be received by the program’s stated deadline.

Some programs may require an interview or audition. Academic program staff will contact eligible applicants to schedule. Interviews are not scheduled through the Office of Graduate Studies. 

To be considered for financial support, domestic applicants should apply early and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline. Information about financial aid can be found on the Office of Financial Aid website. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Some programs provide competitive awards in the form of fellowships and/or assistantships. Contact your academic program for more information. 

We encourage you to be actively engaged in the admission process. You can check your application status online at myWeb.

Copy of Passport

Upload or submit a copy of the photograph and legal name page of your passport with your online application. If you do not have a passport, you will need to make arrangements to obtain a passport before an I-20 can be issued by the University of Denver.

Financial Verification and SEVIS Forms

Prior to receiving an I-20, you must complete the Financial Verification Form and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Supplement Form. You must also provide an original bank letter showing cash availability and/or a letter of sponsorship with your signature and your sponsor's signature.

You may upload or submit these forms with your application or after you have been admitted to the University of Denver. If you wait until you have been admitted, however, it will take longer for us to prepare the I-20.