General Information

CU Boulder offers several special online programs. These include the following programs offered through the Coursera platform:

Due to the nature of these program offerings, special online programs do not align with some standard campus policies as well as enrollment processes for course and program withdrawal, admission and conferral.

Drop or Withdraw from a Course

If you enrolled in a special online programs class but are no longer interested in continuing, you may be eligible to drop or withdraw from the class. Learn more about drop/withdrawal eligibility below, detailed by program. Then complete a drop/withdrawal request form:

Course Drop/Withdrawal Request Form

You're not eligible to drop or withdraw from a special programs class if any of the following is true:

  • Your enrollment hasn't been processed yet.
  • You've received a final grade in the class.
  • You've accessed the final exam or final assessment.

CU Boulder on Coursera

The ME-EM, MS-CS, MS-DS and MS-EE on Coursera programs follow the same drop and withdrawal policies, detailed below.

Withdraw from Program

If you’re enrolled in a special online program but are no longer interested in continuing, submit an official withdrawal request through the Program Change/Discontinuation Form.

If you’re currently enrolled in classes, you'll need to first drop all active courses through the Course Drop/Withdrawal Form before submitting a program withdrawal request.

If you choose to withdraw from a program, you'll no longer be eligible for certificates or degrees from that program.

Update Program

If you're interested in changing from one CU Boulder on Coursera program to another, you must first declare an interest in the other program and enroll in a course before requesting this program change. Also, please note:

  • All programs begin in a non-degree seeking status.
  • Performance-based admission earned in one program is not transferable to another program. You'll need to earn performance-based admission in the new program.
  • Only courses/credits accepted in the new program will count towards degree completion, but all grades earned at the graduate level will still be counted in your GPA.
  • Academic standing applies to all graduate programs.
  • Graduate School rules do not allow double counting of credits for credentials of the same level, i.e., a course cannot fulfill a credit for two master’s programs or two certificates. It can only be used towards one certificate and one master’s degree.

If you're already active in two or more CU Boulder on Coursera programs and need to update your primary program, please designate a primary program by submitting the Program Change/Discontinuation Form.

If you have questions about credits being applicable towards one program or another, contact the program directly.

Certificate and Degree Conferral

Master’s degrees and certificates are automatically conferred once you have:

  • Successfully met all program requirements and
  • Declared an interest in the program(s)

If you're unsure whether you have declared an interest in a program, check Buff Portal, reach out to the program or email reg-specialprograms@colorado.edu.

Students in special online programs do not need to apply to graduate. Please see the CU Boulder on Coursera Calendar for Coursera program conferral dates.

Students in special online programs are eligible to join the rest of campus in Commencement activities once they complete their program requirements. Information about program-specific celebrations is provided by the programs.