CU Boulder Continuing Education allows you to pursue a graduate certificate without having to apply for admission into our MS or PhD degree program.

Due to the popularity of our programs, you cannot enroll in standalone courses as a non-degree seeking student, you must pursue a full certificate. There are great advantages to completing a certificate if you subsequently decide to seek admission to our graduate program: students who complete a certificate are able to transfer up to 24 credits toward a graduate degree. If certificate requirements are not completed before admission to a graduate program, you are only able to transfer up to 9 credits, without exceptions. Transfer of credit is contingent to approval by CU Boulder’s Graduate School and the aerospace department.

Graduate courses used to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements are not accepted for transfer.

Certificates for non-degree seeking students:

If you are a current, degree-seeking student at CU Boulder, there are also additional certificate options.

How to Enroll:

  • Application deadlines
    • ​​​Fall - July 15
    • Spring - December 15
  • Admissions Requirements
    • Completed undergraduate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or its equivalent.
    • Completion of undergraduate courses in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations, as well as two semesters of undergraduate calculus-based physics, and at least two semesters of upper-division undergraduate courses in engineering or physics.
    • Ability to program at a level that will enable successful completion of graduate course assignments.
    • You will need the following items to apply:
      • Current resume
      • An unofficial transcript providing evidence of completion of a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent.
      • International applicants must submit official scores from a test of English proficiency if English is not your native language. Please visit the Graduate School’s English Proficiency Requirements webpage for more information. International applicants should have at a minimum:
        • TOEFL score of 83 (only internet-based tests accepted), IELTS score of 6.5, or Duolingo score of 120.
    • You will receive communication regarding your admission decision within a few weeks after completing your application. If admitted, you will receive an email with your student ID number and instructions for activating university accounts, as well as how to enroll in courses and other helpful information.

Awarding a Completed Certificate

  • Completed your certificate? Congratulations! Please fill out the Certificate Award Request Form.
    • This form is for both degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students.
    • A grade of B or higher is required in all courses to earn a certificate.
    • If you are also pursuing other graduate certificates, you cannot use the same courses to count for both certificates.

Informational resources:

Contact:

Aerospace Engineering Sciences Graduate Program Advisor Maureen Craig.