Following are the simple steps to apply for a graduate program in Geography at the University of Denver. If you have any questions about the process, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies.

1. Apply Online / Application Deadlines
Applications for graduate study in Geography at the University of Denver must be submitted online. All online materials must be submitted, and all supplemental materials must be postmarked, by the program's stated deadline:

January 15 (fall quarter admission and financial aid consideration)
March 20 (fall quarter admission)
September 20 (winter quarter admission)
December 20 (spring quarter admission). For the MS in GIS program, applications are accepted on a year-round basis.

The Department will review for summer admission only for MSGIS online applicants whose files are complete by May 15.

For the MA and PhD programs, applications are accepted once a year. The deadline is January 15 for fall quarter admission and financial aid consideration.

A $65 non-refundable application fee is required for an application to be processed. Application fee waivers are available for McNair Scholars.

2. Transcripts / Course and Degree Prerequisites and Requirements
An appropriate undergraduate degree in geography or related discipline is normally required with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A master's degree in geography or cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in graduate courses is normally required for admission to the doctoral program. If bachelor's and master's degrees are not in geography, the following prerequisites are required: introductory physical geography, introductory human geography, computer cartography, and geographic statistics.

Applicants are required to submit an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, or are presently attending, where two quarter hours (or one semester hour) or more were completed. Proof of a bachelor's, and if applicable, a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required.  Applicants must also account for any study undertaken outside the United States. If study abroad course work with grades and course titles do not appear on a transcript, those records must be obtained as well.  All 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.

3. Test Scores
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is required of all applicants, with a combined score of at least 300 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the exam. Scores must be received directly from the appropriate testing agency by the program's stated deadline. The institution code for the University of Denver is 4842. For the MS in GIS program only: applicants who have completed at least 12 hours in the University's GIS certificate program, with a GPA of 3.5 or better, could waive the GRE requirement or the undergraduate GPA requirement, but not both. Students who have completed the certificate program can automatically waive the GRE requirement.

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's Geography graduate programs is 88 (iBT) or 570 (paper-based). The minimum IELTS score accepted by Geography is 6.5. 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. Please visit http://www.du.edu/learn/graduates/internationalapplicants.html for a list of TOEFL/IELTS requirements.

4. Personal Statement
A personal statement of at least 300 words is required. The statement should be submitted via upload through the online application process. The personal statement should include information concerning your life, education, practical experience, special interests and specific purpose for applying to the University of Denver.

5. Recommendation Letters
Three letters of recommendation are required. These letters should be solicited and uploaded by recommenders through the online application system. Letters must be received by the program's stated deadline.

6. Financial Support
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: February 15. Information about financial aid can be found on the Office of Financial Aid website. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

The department provides limited funding including merit-based aid, such as graduate scholarships and teaching assistantships, and need-based grant aid. Applicants who submit a FAFSA will be automatically considered for department funding opportunities.

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

Mailing Address
Mail official transcripts and any supplemental admission materials not submitted with the online application to:

University of Denver
Office of Graduate Studies
Mary Reed Building, Room 5
2199 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208-4802

International Applicants
For complete international applicant information, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies' International Student Application Information. International applicants are strongly encouraged to have their applications complete at least eight weeks prior to the program's application deadline.