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School of Graduate Studies

Committed to your professional success.

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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.

Areas of Study

School of Graduate Studies

Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated Degree Programs
Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

Graduate Program in Creative Writing
M.A. in Education

M.A. in Education

Master of Arts | Teacher Licensure | Principal Licensure

M.A. in Education
M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM)

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM)

Master of Arts

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM)
Boy and girl looking at laptop on desk

M.A. in Special Education

Master of Arts

M.A. in Special Education
School of Graduate Studies

M.S. in Ecology

Master of Science

M.S. in Ecology
Exercise sport science

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP)

Master of Science

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP)
School of Graduate Studies

Master in Environmental Management (MEM)

Master in Environmental Management

Master in Environmental Management (MEM)
Outdoor Industry MBA

Outdoor Industry MBA

Master of Business Administration

Outdoor Industry MBA
A man gives a presentation to a large group of students in an auditorium

Responsible Organizational Leadership in the Outdoor Industry

Graduate Certificate

Responsible Organizational Leadership in the Outdoor Industry
NEW
School of Graduate Studies

Rural Community Health

Master of Behavioral Science (MBS)

Rural Community Health
School of Graduate Studies

Sustainable Financial Management in the Outdoor Industry

Graduate Certificate

Sustainable Financial Management in the Outdoor Industry
NEW

Prospective Students

School of graduate studies

Discover Western’s School of Graduate Studies.

Western’s School of Graduate Studies offers ten degree programs and 23 specialized degree concentrations. Serving over 400 graduate students, these programs bring together distinguished professors and practitioners in a supportive academic environment dedicated to excellence.

If you have questions about graduate studies at Western, contact graduatestudies@western.edu or request information below.

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Making an impact

Western’s graduate programs serve our region, our nation and the world by educating advanced students to make substantial contributions to their professions.

School of graduate studies

Graduate Student Resources

Helpful information to guide your graduate journey.

We recognize that applying to graduate school can seem like a big undertaking. If you have questions about our programs, enrollment, financial aid, the admissions process or anything else, please feel free to reach out to the Graduate Studies Office at graduatestudies@western.edu. Our helpful team is happy to provide personalized assistance to facilitate your seamless transition to Western’s School of Graduate Studies. The links below provide a list of resources and helpful information to guide you through applying to our graduate programs.

Graduate Student Resources Prepare and Apply Accepted Student Checklist

Dedicated to excellence

A panel of faculty members from the Graduate Program in Creative Writing listens to students as they read their theses.

Financial Aid

Graduate program

Investing in your graduate education.

We know that the decision to pursue a graduate degree is a significant commitment of time, energy and resources. At Western, you’ll have the option to receive financial support from a variety of sources, including loans, scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships. Upon admission, we encourage you to research whether you are eligible for FAFSA and submit the application as soon as possible. The friendly staff in the Financial Aid and Cashier’s Office are available to provide you more information about financing options. The link below provides more information about how to apply for financial aid.

Learn More

Committed to your success

Western graduate students gain access to an external network of resources and opportunities that are exciting, real and immediate.

Scholarships

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

News & Research

Western’s Provost Receives Alumni Award from Purdue

Western’s Provost Receives Alumni Award from Purdue

Read More about Western’s Provost Receives Alumni Award from Purdue
CMarie Fuhrman presenting in front of audience

Western’s CMarie Fuhrman Releases New Anthology & Public Radio Podcast

Read More about Western’s CMarie Fuhrman Releases New Anthology & Public Radio Podcast
museum manager hanging up artwork

Western’s MGMM Program Receives Donated Gallery

Read More about Western’s MGMM Program Receives Donated Gallery
Outside of Crawford Hall on Western's campus

Lacie Wise Earns Education Department’s Exceptional Resident Award

Read More about Lacie Wise Earns Education Department’s Exceptional Resident Award
Creative writing students working in classroom

Nature Writing and Western Press Books to Produce Inaugural Book

Read More about Nature Writing and Western Press Books to Produce Inaugural Book
Kevin Anderson Dune

GPCW Publishing Concentration Director Celebrates the Release of DUNE

Read More about GPCW Publishing Concentration Director Celebrates the Release of DUNE
MEM student doing fieldwork

Conservation Grant Helps Fund Recreation Management Project

Read More about Conservation Grant Helps Fund Recreation Management Project
Fuhrman teaching at whiteboard

Western Instructor Named to Top Writer’s Honor

Read More about Western Instructor Named to Top Writer’s Honor
students rock climbing

Outdoor Industry Connects with Western

Read More about Outdoor Industry Connects with Western
GPCW growth

Graduate Program Pushes Caps on Enrollment During Pandemic

Read More about Graduate Program Pushes Caps on Enrollment During Pandemic

Faculty & Staff

Additional Resources

Accepted Student Checklist

Accepted Graduate Student Checklist Welcome! As you prepare for your first year of graduate studies with Western Colorado University, please complete the following checklist:

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Financial Aid

Graduate Financial Aid Investing in Graduate Education The decision to pursue graduate study represents a significant commitment of time, energy and resources. Graduate students at Western receive financial support from a variety of sources, including personal savings, loans, scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships. The majority of M.A. students fund their education primarily through loans and […]

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Graduate Student Resources

Graduate Student Resources Who to Ask If you need help, begin with some of the resources listed below. If you are not sure where to go or are not sure what your question is, you can start by emailing the Graduate Studies Office at graduatestudies@western.edu. Academic Resources Graduate Course Catalog: Course Descriptions, Degree Requirements, Academic […]

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Prospective Students

Prospective Students Discover Western’s School of Graduate Studies Western’s School of Graduate Studies offers ten degree programs and 23 specialized degree concentrations. Serving over 400 graduate students, these programs bring together distinguished professors and practitioners in a supportive academic environment dedicated to excellence. If you have questions about graduate studies at Western, contact graduatestudies@western.edu or use […]

Learn More

School of Graduate Studies Commencement

Graduation Requirements SPRING 2023 COMMENCEMENT: MAY 6, 2023 Graduation Requirements Graduate students are required to file an “Application for Graduation” petition via MyWestern with the Office of the Registrar during the first two weeks of the semester in which they expect to complete all degree requirements. Degrees are awarded at the end of the semester […]

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Department Information

School of Graduate Studies

Executive Director

Marlo Frazier

Executive Director, School of Graduate Studies Operations

Graduate Database Administrator & Analyst

Deanna Banker, B.S.

Graduate Database Administrator & Analyst

Graduate Program Coordinator

Corinne Sublette, B.A.

Graduate Program Coordinator

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 118
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

Take the Next Step

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Western Students campus

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Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

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Visit
Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni
Community
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Alumni
Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

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School of Graduate Studies

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Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.