The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at CU Denver offers a wide range of graduate coursework, certificates and micro-credentials, and degrees. Our graduate programs provide students with the opportunity to work with cutting-edge facilities and renowned faculty. In addition to high-quality classroom instruction, graduate students are encouraged to take opportunities to participate in seminars, workshops, and experiential opportunities to develop additional real-world skills necessary to successfully transition into their careers.
CLAS offers five PhD programs, 20 master's programs and 15 graduate certificates. Information on the range of degree programs includes links to contact information for Graduate Directors and program descriptions in each program and department below.
- 2026-2027 Graduation Deadlines - Reference this sheet in the semester in which you will graduate to stay abreast of the requirements and deadlines.
- Application for Candidacy - This form is submitted by doctoral students two weeks ahead of their comprehensive exam, and submitted by Master's students by the published deadline in the semester in which they will graduate. Please make sure it is typed and once signed by you, your Advisor, and Program Director, please submit to CLAS.Graduate@ucdenver.edu.
- Exam Request Form - We are phasing in a new workflow during AY2026-27. During this period, students can elect to follow either the new workflow (which uses Microsoft Forms and automatically routes the form to obtain the necessary approvals) or the old workflow (which requires editing a fillable PDF document and contacting the required approvals for their electronic signatures). Whichever workflow is chosen, it should be completed at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled final thesis/dissertation defense or project/portfolio presentation. Doctoral students (only) are additionally required to submit an Exam Request Form (with either workflow) at least two weeks ahead of their comprehensive exam, along with their application to candidacy.
New workflow (recommended). Make sure you are on the CU Denver network (use the VPN if off-campus) and fill in and submit the request using the following link: CLAS Graduate Exam Scheduling & Approval Form.
Old workflow (still active through AY2026-27). Fill in the PDF document (download here), obtain the necessary signatures, and submit to CLAS.Graduate@ucdenver.edu.
- Thesis Approval Form - As with the Exam Request Form, we are phasing in a new workflow during AY2026-27. During this period, students can elect to follow either the new workflow (which uses Microsoft Forms and automatically routes the form to obtain the necessary approvals) or the old workflow (which requires editing a fillable PDF document and contacting the required approvals for their electronic signatures). Whichever workflow is chosen, it should be completed prior to the defense date.
New workflow (recommended). Make sure you are on the CU Denver network (use the VPN if off-campus) and fill in and submit the Thesis Approval Form using the following link: CLAS Thesis & Dissertation Approval Form.
Old workflow (still active through AY2026-27). Fill in the PDF document (download here), obtain the necessary signatures, and submit to CLAS.Graduate@ucdenver.edu.
- Intercampus Enrollment Form - Please use this form to enroll in courses at the University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado Springs campuses. Once signed by you and your Program Director, please submit to CLAS.Graduate@ucdenver.edu. Your Program Director may sign in the "Home campus dean's signature" line. Please confirm with your Program Director that the course you are taking will be approved toward your graduate degree program.
- Leave of Absence Request Form - Please use this form to request a leave of absence from your program (requests may not exceed one year). Once completed with all required signatures, please submit to CLAS.Graduate@ucdenver.edu.
- Schedule Adjustment Form - Please use this form only when registration options are not available on your student portal (UCDAccess) or when signatures are required for adding or dropping. Once signed by you and your instructor, please submit to CLAS.Graduate@ucdenver.edu (please leave authority signature blank).
- Special Processing Form - Please use this form to register for independent study, thesis, dissertation, directed research, practicum, internship credits, etc. Once signed by you and your instructor, please submit to CLAS.Graduate@ucdenver.edu (please leave authority name and signature blank).
Student Advising
All students are likely to be assigned a faculty mentor or advisor. However, please note that your Program Director also serves as a graduate advisor by default to support you through your program. To find your Program Director and/or Program Administrator, please select your program in the selector below
Communication
Economics
Political Science
Sociology