Our professional master’s degree is highly flexible, with evening and online/recorded sessions, designed to fit the busy lives of working professionals.  Students may take a part-time or full-time course load in order to progress at a pace that suits their individual situation.   

Although work experience is not required, most students find that such background is helpful in gaining maximum benefit from their time in the program.


Eligibility Criteria

An undergraduate degree in engineering, science, or a technical field (including areas such as physics, applied mathematics, and computer science). If you do not have an undergraduate degree in engineering or a technical field, then you may be admitted to the degree based on work experience or other relevant career goals.

A cumulative GPA of a 3.0 (from all undergrad transcripts) from a regionally accredited institution. If your undergrad GPA is below a 3.0, graduate coursework may satisfy this requirement. If you are an international applicant, once you apply the International Admissions Office will determine the equivalency of your GPA on the 4.0 scale. You are welcome to use an outside entity to assess your GPA to get a rough estimate, but the University will conduct their own evaluation.

If your GPA is below a 3.0, there are a few options:

  • Applicants who submit GRE scores are required to score in the median to high range (mid-150 range in each section or higher). CU Boulder’s GRE institution code is 4841. You do not need to supply a department code. Our program does not accept the GMAT in lieu of the GRE.
  • Start as a non-degree seeking student to help boost your GPA.
  • Five or more years of relevant work experience may substitute for a lower GPA.

While work experience is not required, most students have some experience and bring a wealth of practical knowledge, insight and expertise to the classroom, enriching the learning experience for all.  Classes benefit from students with a diverse set of experiences and a common desire to learn and excel in their careers.   

Application Requirements 

  1. Online Application Form 
  2. Resume: Upload your most recent resume to your online application.

    • Your statement should be limited to one page, one-inch margins and at least 11 pt. font.
    • Please describe your professional goals and how the EMP can help you achieve them. Include challenges you have faced in your past, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other experiences, and how they have shaped your decision to pursue your professional and/or educational goals.
    • We are committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive graduate program. Please describe how your educational, professional, or personal (for example, cultural, economic, or social) experiences prepare you to contribute to the emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion during your graduate career at the University of Colorado Boulder. These contributions may come in the form of research, work experience, professional service, personal perspectives, etc. You do not need to disclose any aspect of your identity or personal experiences in this statement.

    • You are required to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) in the online application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs.
    • While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of a second institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance, and whether or not courses were completed.
    • Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancelation of your admission or dismissal from the university.
    • ONLY after you are recommended for admission will you need to provide official transcripts
  3. Letters of Recommendation: Not required.

    • Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA that does not meet the 3.0. requirement can potentially be admitted by submitting strong GRE scores (see above information under "cumulative GPA". The institution code is 4841.  No department code is needed. The EMP does not accept GMAT scores.

    • Application Fee – $60 for domestic and $80 for international applicants.
    • The Engineering Management Program does NOT offer application fee waivers.
    • The Graduate School offers application fee waivers for participants in the following programs: AmeriCorps (currently serving), Black in AI (BAI), Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Initiative, Gates Millennium Scholars, Leadership Alliance, Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program (LSSURP), Louis-Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), McNair Scholars Program, Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program, Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Scholar Program, Peace Corps (currently serving), Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), SMART, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and Teach for America. 
    • If you are affiliated with one of these programs, please send us proof of your affiliation to gradadm@colorado.edu after you have started an application and before you submit, and we will process your fee waiver for you. 
    • If you are in the U.S. military you will receive an automatic fee waiver as a thank you for your service (active duty, veteran, previously served, and active reserve are all eligible for this automatic fee waiver).
    • If you are undocumented and/or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiary, please contact gradadm@colorado.edu to inquire about possible fee waivers.

International Applicants

  1. Financial Statement: International applicants are required to provide a financial statement if you are taking classes on campus. For distance students this is not required.
  2. In addition to the Graduate Program Application Requirements mentioned above, all international applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency.  This requirement can be met if:

    • Your native language is English, or
    • You have completed at least one year of full-time study at a U.S. institution (or at an institution in a country where English is the native language) at the time you apply, and within two years from your desired admission term. This can be confirmed by your transcripts.
    • You take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a score of 102 or higher, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and receive a score of 7.5 or higher or the Duolingo and receive a score of 125 or higher. These are the minimum scores we require, applicants with lower scores will not be admitted. Official test scores are only valid for two years from the date of taking the test. For a list of countries that scores are not required please see the International Admissions webpage. Please note that applicants from India will be required to provide this for Engineering Management. The institution code is 4841. You do not need to supply a department code.