Graduate Students
Hello, current CMDI graduate students. You'll find answers to frequently asked questions, courses for the upcoming semester, helpful contacts and more below. Don't hesitate to reach out to CMDI Graduate Program Manager if you need assistance. We're here to help!
Are you looking for information on classes? Use CU Boulder's Class Search to search by program, view available courses and register.
Jorge Garza
CMDI Graduate Program Manager
cmdigrad@colorado.edu
Toby Hopp
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs
Tobias.Hopp@colorado.edu
303-535-7685
Office: Armory 1B12
For department-specific information:
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctoral:Deadlines for Doctoral Degree Candidates, Graduation Checklist
Master's:Requirements and Deadlines, Graduation Checklist
To graduate, all students must apply online in MyCUInfo at the beginning of the semester in which they plan to graduate. Master’s students must also submit a Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree at this time. Students should also contact the Graduate Program Manager to go over the requirements.
PhD students who have their research or creative work accepted for presentation at a conference or comparable venue may request up to $500 ($1,000 for international travel) in CMDI travel funds during an academic year. Students should submit their travel requests to their department’s Director of Graduate Studies. Once the DGS approves the request, the Graduate Program Manager will initiate the scholarship award process. If the student has an outstanding student account balance, any awards will first go toward paying that balance. The remainder will be disbursed as a direct deposit into the account set up for assistantship pay.
Additional travel funding is available through the graduate school and UGGS.
Comprehensive exam procedures vary by department. Students should work with their advisor and Director of Graduate Studies in preparing for the exam. Students should also contact the Graduate Program Manager to go over the requirements.
Students must submit an Exam Report to the department at least three weeks before the comprehensive exams. View doctoral and master’s exam reports »
The form should include the names and departments of your committee members and should be approved by your Director of Graduate Studies and submitted to Matt Laszewski for graduate school approval. Digital copies are preferred. The approved form will be signed by your committee members at the defense. Doctoral students must also submit a Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree at this time.
Please contact the Graduate Program Manager to get signed up for controlled enrollment courses. Some departments require additional paperwork, so check with your advisor/instructor to see if anything else is needed. For independent studies, the student and the instructor need to agree in advance on the expectations and method(s) of evaluation for the semester’s work.
Research and Creative Work
The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information is home to several internationally recognized centers of academic excellence that provide valuable new research and insight on contemporary issues:
- Center for Communication and Democratic Engagement
- Center for Documentary and Ethnographic Media
- Center for Environmental Journalism
- Center for Media, Religion and Culture
- Center for Race, Media and Technology
- Immersive Media Lab
- Media Archaeology Lab
- Media Economies Design Lab
- NEST Studio for the Arts
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In CMCI, graduate students and graduate studies are critical to who we are and what we do. Each of the various graduate programs across the college work constantly to bring diverse voices, perspectives and populations together, aiming always for an intellectual community that is as responsive to a politics of justice as it to a disciplinary curriculum.
Equipment / Labs
As a CMDI student, you will gain access to podcasting booths, broadcasting studios, an immersive media lab, equipment vaults and more. The equipment vaults"include hundreds of cameras, audio and light equipment, along with other gear, available for all CMDI students to check out free to rent. Develop your portfolio and experience by learning and practicing various brands and styles.