Graduate Degree Requirements

The various degree requirements of the departments, the University, and the Graduate School apply to all admitted graduate students. Before applying, you should acquire additional information about the degree from the department or college offering the degree, or the program coordinator listed on the degree webpage.

Credit Requirements

A minimum of 24 credits must be earned at Colorado State University, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission to the University. This credit requirement cannot be satisfied by transferring credits from other institutions. View the University Credit Requirements for more information about Colorado State University graduate degree requirements.

Each graduate program has additional credit requirements specific to each degree and/or program of study. Be sure to check each degree webpage for these requirements.

Registration Requirements (Continuous Registration)

Graduate School policy requires that all graduate students are continuously enrolled in their degree programs in both fall and spring semesters. This policy applies from your first semester of enrollment through your graduation term. If you are graduating in the summer semester, you are required to register for at least one graduate level credit hour (500 level or above), or for Continuous Registration (CR CONRG) for the summer session. If you do not plan to remain continuously enrolled, you should contact your advisor.

Courses are recorded for a single term and cannot be counted towards Continuous Registration for more than one term. Courses that extend past the end of a term, such as open entry courses, do not count for more than one term but only satisfy the enrollment requirement for the term of registration. An "I" (incomplete) grade on a course from a previous semester does not constitute a registration for the current term.

If you do not maintain continuous enrollment, you will be dropped from your degree program and required to re-apply for admission. Furthermore, if you are dropped from your degree program and still register for courses, these courses will not apply towards your degree requirements.

Speak with your advisor to verify if your degree program has particular conditions for continuous enrollment. Continuous Registration (CR CONRG) may not be an option in some degree programs.

Registration Fees

If you register for Continuous Registration (CR CONRG) you will be assessed a $150 fee. A $50 late fee will be assessed for registrations received on or after the first day of the semester (see important dates). You should speak with your student loan or financial aid officers to determine the impact of Continuous Registration (CR CONRG) on your loan status.

How To Register

Registration for Continuous Registration must take place through RamWeb - the Division of Continuing Education does not process these registrations. Follow these steps to register for Continuous Registration (CR CONRG):

  1. Login to RamWeb using your Electronic Identity (eID).
  2. Click on "Class Schedule Search" (under the Registration heading) and then select the term for which you are registering.
  3. Type "CR" into the Course Code text box and click the “Course Code Search” button.
  4. Check the box next to the CR CONRG course and click the “Register” button.
  5. Verify your enrollment in CR CONRG by reviewing your course schedule.

Transfer Credits

Most degree programs offered through Continuing Education allow the transfer of credits from other institutions for equivalent course work. Typically no more than six to nine credits can be transferred into a graduate degree program. View the University Transfer Credit Requirements for more information about credit for courses completed at other institutions.

The department advisors or program coordinators listed on each degree webpage will assist with transcript evaluation and determination.

Readmittance (Re-Applying to the University)

If you do not enroll for classes during either the fall or spring semesters prior to the registration deadline for admitted students (see important dates), you will need to be readmitted to the University before you register for courses.

How to Re-Apply

To re-apply, fill out the GS Form 1B located on the Graduate School website, and submit a $150 non-refundable processing fee to the Office of Admissions.

Time Limits

Courses to be applied toward fulfilling degree programs must have been completed within ten years immediately preceding the date of completion of requirements for the degrees. This includes courses transferred from another institution.