Admissions FAQs

Where should I send my application materials?

All application materials should be submitted through the online application.

Transcripts can be sent to the following address:

Office of Graduate Studies
Mary Reed Building
Room 5
2199 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208

For questions about receipt of application materials, please contact the office of Graduate Studies:
303.871.2831
303.871.4942 (fax)
grad-info@du.edu
www.du.edu/grad/

What should my statement of purpose include?

You should briefly describe your reasons for applying to the program, describing your professional and academic background, and why the Josef Korbel School matches your interests. Emphasis should be given to future career plans and how certain aspects of the Josef Korbel School (i.e., classes, centers, faculty advisors) will help you with your career aspirations.

Can my recommenders submit their letters of recommendation online?

Yes, the preferred method for submitting letters of recommendation is by providing you recommender's name and e-mail address through the online application. An e-mail will be sent to each recommender with instructions on how to upload a letter of recommendation.

Please remember to notify your recommenders prior to submitting your application because they will be contacted immediately after your application is received.

What is considered an official transcript?

In order for a transcript to be considered official, it must come in an envelope sealed and stamped with the registrar/school's official stamp. International transcripts must contain the official seal(s) of the school and come from the institution's records or registrar's office in the original language of instruction. Non-English transcripts need to be submitted with notarized or certified translations.

The Josef Korbel School requires two official transcripts from all schools where one or more credits (including study abroad schools/organizations) were completed.

Do I need to send in copies of my study abroad transcripts?

If the course numbers, credit hours and grades from the study abroad school are posted on the home university's transcript, then additional study abroad transcripts are not needed. However, if one or more of these items are missing, then two official copies (including English translations when applicable) are required before the application is considered complete.

What is the application process for dual degree programs?

Applicants must adhere to the admissions requirements of the Josef Korbel School and the other DU graduate school that you are applying to. Click here for our dual degree program options and application requirements.

I am interested in applying to the Master's International (MI) Program with the U.S. Peace Corps. Should I apply to the Peace Corps first or the Josef Korbel School first?

You should apply to the Josef Korbel School and the Peace Corps simultaneously. Upon acceptance to the Josef Korbel School, a copy of the acceptance letter must be sent to the Peace Corps before you can be recognized as a Peace Corps MI candidate.

Does the Josef Korbel School grant application fee waivers?

No, the school does not grant application fee waivers.

Should I have my transcripts sent directly to the Josef Korbel School?

You can have your transcripts sent directly  from your university's Registrar to the Office of Graduate Studies at the following address:

Office of Graduate Studies
Mary Reed Building
Room 5
2199 S University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208

You may also send the transcripts yourself, but they must be in a sealed envelope with the university's official stamp across the seal.

Can I check the status of my application online?

Yes, you can check the status of your application online. Visit DU's MyWeb Admissions page and sign in using the same username and passcode you set up to fill out your online application.Click on "Apply Online" and it will direct you to your online application checklist. If you forget your log in information, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 303-871-2544, or at korbeladm@du.edu and we can provide it.

Does the Josef Korbel School have formal interviews?

No, we don't require formal interviews as part of the application process. Prospective students and applicants are welcome to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to set up an information session, take a tour of our school and observe a class. Check out our Visit Us page for more information.

What is the Admissions Review Committee looking for?

Josef Korbel School students come from diverse educational, work and international experiences. The Admissions Review Committee takes an holistic approach when evaluating your application. With that said, the committee looks for candidates whose intellectual curiosity is supported by a strong academic record, excellent letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose that shows a clear understanding of how programs at the Josef Korbel School will help them reach their career goals. The committee is also interested in candidates with international experience, but it is not a requirement.

When will the Admissions Review Committee notify me of its admissions decision?

If applications are completed by the priority deadline, fall quarter applicants will be notified of the Admissons Review Committee's decision by early February and winter applicants will be notified by early November.  Completed applications received after these priority deadlines will require approximately 3 weeks for review and notification of the Review Committee's decision.

 

If admitted, when do I need to notify the school if I will accept or decline the admissions offer?

If you are accepted for fall enrollment, you have until May 1 to accept a seat in the entering class. If you are accepted for winter enrollment, you have until November 30 to accept a seat in the entering class.

Can I visit the campus before making my admission decision?

Yes, we encourage you to visit us, see our campus and sit in on a class. To schedule a visit, please see our Visit Us page. There are also Open House events offered throughout the year when you can meet with faculty, staff and current students to learn more about the programs and opportunities at the Josef Korbel School. These events are also listed on our Visit Us page.

Can I defer my admission?

Deferral requests may be submitted to the Josef Korbel School of International Studies Director of Graduate Admissions.
The following items must be submitted to request a deferral:

1. A $500 tuition deposit plus a separate $200 deferral fee. Both payments are non refundable. The tuition deposit can be paid online with a credit card or directly from your checking or savings account. It can also be paid by mailing a check or money order. The deferral fee must be paid with a separate check or money order sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Checks can be made out to the University of Denver.

2. A written statement outlining the reasons for requesting a deferral, which must also include the following statement:

"I understand that these payments are non refundable if I fail to enroll in the term agreed upon. Regardless of the reason for not enrolling, both my deposit and my offer of admission will be forfeited."

The Josef Korbel School of International Studies has two entry quarters for admission: fall and winter. Deferrals can be requested for either quarter for up to one academic year. If your deferral is granted, you are expected to enroll for the quarter specified on your Deferral Request Form. Any scholarships for the Josef Korbel School of International Studies will also defer and be disbursed upon matriculation.

If your deferral is not granted, the checks will be shredded or credit placed back on your credit card or checking/savings account.

 

Does the Josef Korbel School allow transfer credits?

Yes, the Josef Korbel School allows you to transfer up to 15 graduate quarter hours or 9 semester hours of relevant course work from accredited universities. This must be approved by the Director of Student Affairs.

If you pursue a master's degree at the Josef Korbel School, the transfer credits:

1.) Cannot be from an already completed degree, and

2.) Must carry a grade of "B" or higher.

If you pursue a PhD at the Josef Korbel School, the transfer credits:

 1.) Must come from a relevant and completed MA degree, and

2.) Must carry a grade of "B" or higher.

How many students attend the Josef Korbel School?

For the 2006-2007 school year the Josef Korbel School has 438 MA students and 42 PhD students. The average age of our student body is 26 years old.

What is the student/faculty ratio?

The Josef Korbel School has approximately an 18:1 student/faculty ratio.

What is the average class size?

The average class size is 20-24 students per class.

In what organizations can students become involved?

The Josef Korbel School houses 11 different academic centers, including the Center for U.S.-China Cooperation, and 14 different student organizations, such as CORD (Center on Rights Development), Human Rights and Human Welfare and the Peace Corps Community.

For additional information on these groups along with a complete list of all of organizations and institutions, please visit Research Centers and Institutes. For additional information on student organizations, please visits Student Groups. 

May I change my program after I have been admitted?

Actually, you are applying for admission into the Josef Korbel School and not into a specific program. Therefore, enrollment is not capped per program and you can change your program once you're admitted (i.e. from Human Rights to Development, etc). 

Can I complete the degree program on a part-time basis?

Yes, you can attend the Josef Korbel School part time, but must complete an MA degree within five years and a PhD within seven years. While there are many classes offered in the evenings and a few on Saturday, there are quarters during which students will be required to take classes during the day to meet all the degree requirements.

Do you offer distance learning/online courses?

The Josef Korbel School does not offer distance learning or online courses at this time.

What is the typical course load like?

The Josef Korbel School operates on a quarter system: Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters (Summer quarter is optional), each of which is 10 weeks long. Students generally take three to four classes per quarter; most classes are five credits, however, some three credit courses are offered as well. Classes meet once a week for three hours each in either the morning (9AM-12 PM), afternoon (2-5 PM) or evening (6-9 PM). Students can generally expect to spend approximately 10-15 hours per week outside the classroom preparing and studying for each course.

Do I need any prerequisites to prepare for the Josef Korbel School?

We'd like you to have some experience with a foreign language and a basic understanding of economics and international relations. But you are not required to take any specific courses before entering the Josef Korbel School.

Do I need to speak a foreign language?

You don't have to be proficient in a foreign language before you can attend the Josef Korbel School. However, all of our programs require you to be proficient in a language before you graduate. You can achieve language proficiency by passing the proficiency exam. For those whose language of choice is Arabic, you can also achieve language proficiency by passing a 300-level Arabic Language course.

This requirement can be waived under several circumstances:
* If English is your second language,
* If you are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) or in the Peace Corps Master's International Program, or
* You majored in a foreign language during your undergraduate degree.

For additional information on languages offered, please visit University College and the Languages and Literatures Department.

Do I have to take the GRE?

Everyone applying to the PhD program, a 90 credit hour MA program, or the MDP Program must submit their GRE scores. This requirement is only waived for applicants of certificate programs and the MA in Homeland Security Program.

What are the GRE and GPA requirements?

While the Admissions Review Committee takes an holistic approach in reviewing applications, academic success is essential. Average GRE scores (including international students' scores) for 2008-2009 were: 575 (verbal), 600 (quantitative) and 5.0 (analytical). The average GPA for incoming Josef Korbel School students during the 2008-2009 academic year was 3.5/4.0.

May I submit GMAT or LSAT scores instead of the GRE?

We will not accept the LSAT score in lieu of the GRE. Dual JD/MA applicants must submit a GRE score.

Only if you are applying to the dual degree MA/iMBA program can you elect to have you GMAT score submitted in lieu of the GRE requirement. You can elect to use your GMAT score in lieu of the GRE for the 90-credit hour MA programs, but you will not be considered for a guaranteed scholarship as we only use GRE scores for the funding opportunities.

Official GMAT scores must be directed to the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, institutional code 4842. Scores can then be forwarded to the Josef Korbel School Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please contact Brad Miller or Nicole Vilegi, Office of Graduate Admissions, at korbeladm@du.edu upon submission of GMAT scores.

Can I take the GRE more than once?

Yes, you can take the GRE and TOEFL more than once. If there are multiple scores available, the Josef Korbel School takes the highest score for each section. Be sure to submit scores to our university each time you take the exam. For additional information about the GRE or TOEFL, including how to register or order your official test scores, please see: www.ets.org.

Do I need to take the TOEFL?

If English is your second language, you must take the TOEFL. Exceptions are made for applicants who received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction and examination. If this institution is outside of the United States, a statement from the Office of the Registrar verifying that the above conditions were met must be submitted.

We also accept the IELTS in lieu of the TOEFL.

What are the TOEFL requirements?

A score of at least a 240 on the computer-based TOEFL, a 587 on the paper-based TOEFL and a 95 on the internet-based TOEFL. We also accept the IELTS with a minimum score of 7.0.

How long before my standardized test scores expire?

ETS (Educational Testing Services) retains test scores for five years. If you took the GRE more than five years ago, you must retake the exam.

The TOEFL expires in two years, any exam scores prior to that time will not be considered official and/or valid.

What is DU's institutional and department codes for the GRE and TOEFL?

Our institutional code for the GRE and TOEFL is 4842. The department code for the GRE and TOEFL is 1901.

Who should I contact with questions?

General information and inquiries about the Josef Korbel School including the admissions process, degree offerings and departmental scholarships:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Josef Korbel School of International Studies
University of Denver
118 Ben M. Cherrington Hall
2201 South Gaylord Street
Denver, CO 80208
korbeladm@du.edu
303.871.2544
303.871.3585 (fax)

Questions about the receipt of application materials and application status:

Office of Graduate Studies
Mary Reed Building
Room 5
2199 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208
grad-info@du.edu
303-871-2831
303-871-4942 (fax)

Questions about credit transfer policy:

Office of Student Affairs
Josef Korbel School of International Studies
University of Denver
101 Ben M. Cherrington Hall
2201 South Gaylord Street
Denver, CO 80208
korbelsta@du.edu
303.871.2134
303.871.2124 (fax)

 

 

 

Can I take language classes at DU?

You can take language classes at DU, however, you are unable to receive credit towards your Josef Korbel Degree for these classes.

Click here for available resources for language study.