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School of Graduate Studies
Take the Next Step in Your Academic Journey
8
Master's Programs
Hybrid
Online & In Person Classes
9
Graduate Certificates
Top 3 Reasons to Choose Graduate Studies at Western
Personalized Faculty Support & Mentorship
Western’s graduate programs ensure that students receive individualized attention, mentorship, and guidance throughout their studies.
Unique & Industry-Focused Programs
Many of Western’s graduate programs are tailored to niche industries, giving students specialized knowledge and hands-on experience that aligns with their career goals.
Flexible & Career-Friendly Structure
Many of Western’s graduate programs are designed with working professionals in mind, offering online, hybrid, or low-residency options that allow students to balance their education with work, family, and other commitments.
Master's Programs
Western Colorado University’s School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is comprised of cutting-edge graduate programs committed to accelerating your career. Upon joining our graduate community, you will become part of an expansive network of graduate professionals who are eager to learn, interact and explore together.
Lead Community Health Initiatives with Impact
Western’s Master of Behavioral Science program trains students to take on essential roles in the behavioral and social sciences. With specialized tracks in Community Counseling and Rural Community Health, the program emphasizes real-world impact—preparing graduates to serve in areas like school counseling, juvenile justice, public health, and substance use prevention. Students gain the skills to support both individual and community well-being, addressing issues such as youth development, elder care, violence prevention, and the health effects of climate change.
Elevate Your Craft and Find Your Voice in a Community of Writers
Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting – an advanced degree in any of our five areas of creative writing provides you the opportunity to hone your craft, elevate your art, and inspire the world. Join our welcoming and inclusive community and become the writer you are meant to be.
Transform Research into Real-World Performance Solutions
Get ready to push the limits of human performance with the MS in Exercise and Sport Science: Applied Exercise Science and Performance (AESP). This hands-on, research-driven program equips you with the skills to excel in sports science, clinical exercise physiology, and human performance. Through expert mentorship, state-of-the-art labs, and real-world training, you’ll explore how the body adapts to extreme conditions—preparing you for a career in research, healthcare, and performance optimization.
Turn Research into Action for Communities and Ecosystems
The world needs a new kind of scientist: one whose ability to perform research with immediate relevance for solving problems is matched by their skills in collaborating with affected communities. These researchers produce accessible, socially just, and scientifically relevant results for utilization by both policymakers and the public while also striving for inclusivity within the scientific community. Western Colorado University’s MS in Ecology program provides contemporary scientific training to address pressing questions in the ecology, conservation, and management of the earth’s biota, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Build a Career Protecting People and Planet
Through experiential learning and project work with organizations in the Rocky Mountains and worldwide, students earning a Master’s in Environmental Management at Western Colorado University enhance their skills to tackle environmental problems and craft careers with government agencies, non-profits, and for-profit organizations.
Gain the Skills to Teach, Lead, and Transform
Whether you want to make a positive impact on the lives of your students as a teacher or pursue an administrative position in the school system, an advanced degree in education offers the credentials and skills you’ll need to accelerate your career.
Lead with Compassion, Teach with Purpose
Being a special educator is one of the most rewarding education careers. The field of special education is characterized by passionate, loyal education professionals who are not afraid to advocate for their students.
Turn Your Passion for the Outdoors into a Thriving Career
Designed for students or working professionals ready to take the next step in their careers within the outdoor sector, Western’s Outdoor Industry MBA has a flexible program for any candidate. Offering a comprehensive graduate-level MBA program, an accelerated degree program for undergraduate students, and various unique certificates, our department combines core business coursework with project management opportunities, invaluable networking with industry leaders, and hands-on learning to enhance your professional skills.
Graduate Certificates
Western Colorado University's graduate certificates offer a flexible, fast-track option for advancing your career without the full commitment of a master’s degree. Designed for working professionals or those exploring a new field, these programs provide focused, practical knowledge you can apply immediately on the job. Whether you're looking to upskill, specialize, or test the waters before pursuing a full graduate degree, our certificates are a smart, affordable way to move forward.
Gain the Necessary Skills for Business Decisions
Our Graduate Certificate in Economic and Legal Foundations in the Outdoor Industry is a 9-credit, fully online program designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of the economic and legal aspects unique to the outdoor sector. Through courses in managerial economics, business law, and natural resource regulation, students gain practical skills to navigate complex legal landscapes, make informed business decisions, and drive sustainable practices—all without committing to a full MBA program.
Develop Strategies for Conservation
Our Graduate Certificate in Ecological Restoration is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills in restoring degraded ecosystems without committing to a full master’s program. This certificate provides focused, practical training in ecological restoration practices, preparing students for careers in environmental consulting, land management, and conservation. The program emphasizes hands-on experience and applied learning, making it ideal for those looking to make an immediate impact in the field. By completing this certificate, students gain valuable expertise that can be directly applied to real-world ecological challenges, offering a flexible and efficient pathway to career advancement in environmental restoration.
Excel your Career in the Energy Sector.
Western Colorado University’s Energy Geoscience Graduate Certificate is a 15-credit, fully online program designed to equip professionals with specialized knowledge in areas such as alternative energy, carbon and hydrogen storage, geothermal resources, and energy minerals.
Create Brands that Capture Audiences
The Graduate Certificate in Marketing and Branding in the Outdoor Industry is a 9-credit program tailored for professionals aiming to lead strategic marketing initiatives within the outdoor sector. Delivered entirely online with evening classes, this certificate offers flexibility for working individuals and can be completed in 12–18 months. The curriculum focuses on industry-specific content, enabling professionals to develop the capacity and skill necessary to effectively and strategically lead marketing efforts for their organizations, better understand consumer behavior, manage and measure marketing campaigns, and enhance sales performance to derive better business value in the outdoor industry. By completing this certificate, students gain practical expertise that can be directly applied to real-world challenges, offering a flexible and efficient pathway to career advancement in outdoor industry marketing.
Gain Skills in Outdoor Product Development
Western Colorado University’s Graduate Certificate in Outdoor Product Innovation and Management is a 9-credit, fully online program designed for professionals aiming to lead sustainable product development in the outdoor industry. Through courses in sustainable product development, supply chain logistics, and sustainable finance, students gain practical skills to navigate the entire product lifecycle—from material sourcing to global distribution—without the commitment of a full MBA program.
Become an Industry Leader
Our Graduate Certificate in Responsible Organizational Leadership in the Outdoor Industry is a 9-credit, fully online program designed for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities within the outdoor sector. The curriculum emphasizes strategic planning, ethical leadership, and organizational behavior, providing practical skills to effectively lead and manage organizations. With evening classes tailored for working individuals, this certificate offers a flexible pathway to career advancement without the commitment of a full MBA program.
Inspire Collaboration through Effective Leadership
The Graduate Certificate in Restorative Facilitation equips students with the skills to lead community-based dialogue, healing, and accountability processes in schools, justice systems, and organizations. Designed for educators, counselors, justice professionals, and community leaders, the certificate focuses on trauma-informed practices, restorative justice principles, and inclusive facilitation techniques. Courses are fully online and tailored for working professionals, offering a flexible path to deepen your impact without committing to a full graduate degree.
Innovate and Drive Service Practices
Our Graduate Certificate in Service Excellence and Sustainable Operations in the Outdoor Industry is a 9-credit, fully online program designed for professionals aiming to enhance customer experiences and operational sustainability within the outdoor sector. Courses cover resort and hospitality management, natural resource regulation and economics, and sales and customer experience, equipping students with practical skills to innovate in service delivery and drive sustainable practices. With flexible evening classes tailored for working individuals, this certificate offers a focused pathway to career advancement without the commitment of a full MBA program.
Manage the Financial Health of Companies
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Financial Management in the Outdoor Industry is a 9-credit, fully online program tailored for professionals aiming to enhance their financial acumen within the outdoor sector. The curriculum covers sustainability accounting, managerial finance, and sustainable finance, equipping students with the skills to assess and manage the financial health of organizations while integrating ethical and environmental considerations. Designed for working professionals, the evening classes offer flexibility, providing a practical pathway to career advancement without the commitment of a full MBA program.
Flexible Course Delivery
In-Person & Online Classes
Many of our master’s programs and graduate certificates are designed with flexibility in mind. Depending on the program, courses may be delivered in a fully in-person format, fully online (asynchronous), or as a hybrid that blends both. This allows you to tailor your graduate experience to fit your professional and personal schedule.
Each program varies in how it delivers courses, so we recommend checking directly with your selected program for specific details about course formats, scheduling, and any in-person requirements. Our faculty and admissions team are happy to help you find the path that works best for you.
Department News
Press Release
Mari Sandoz’s Legacy Lives On: Nature Writing Students Claire Thompson and Lizbeth Bárcena Awarded First Scholarships
Two students in Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing’s Nature Writing concentration are the beneficiaries of the newly established Mari Sandoz Scholarship. Claire…
Press Release
Western Receives $230,000 in Grants to Strengthen Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
News
CMarie Fuhrman’s New Collection, Salmon Weather, Reflects on Change, Connection to Place
Press Release
Elizabeth Bradfield Named New Poetry Concentration Director at Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing
News
Western’s Kevin J. Anderson Co-Produces HBO Max’s Dune: Prophecy
Events
Independence Day - No Classes
Friday, July 4, 12:00am
Gunnison Balloon Rally
Friday, July 4, 6:45am
Independence Day Celebration
Friday, July 4, 4:00pm
High School Mountain Bike Camp
Sunday, July 6, 8:00am
High School Mountain Bike Camp
Sunday, July 6, 1:00pm
Classes begin second 5 week
Monday, July 7, 12:00am
Helpful Information to Guide Your Graduate Journey
We recognize that applying to graduate school can seem like a big undertaking. Here’s a list of resources and helpful information to guide you through applying to our graduate programs.
School of Graduate Studies
Contact Information
Contact Location
Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 115
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231