School of Graduate Studies

The northern lights are seen over Lost Lake in Crested Butte.

Graduate Admissions Request Information

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13 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.

Groups of students sit on Taylor Lawn and discuss an assignment for a philosophy class.

The Master of Applied Ethics program at Western Colorado University is a graduate degree designed to help students apply ethical reasoning to real-world problems across fields like healthcare, education, business, policy, and environmental issues. The program blends philosophical foundations in ethics with practical, interdisciplinary training so students can analyze complex moral challenges, make informed decisions, and support ethical leadership in professional settings. It is geared toward people who want to strengthen critical thinking and moral decision-making skills while preparing for careers in areas such as public service, advocacy, organizational leadership, and consulting.

Master of Applied Ethics

Rural Health MBS student Maddie Gregurek greets a woman as she sits down at a table for lunch at the Senior Center.

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.

Master of Behavioral Science

A screenwriting student checks his script with the director of the short film they are making in class on the lawn outside of the Welcome Center

Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting – a low-residency 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.

Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Four students observe a person hooked up to lab equipment using a stationary bike.

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.

MS in Exercise & Sport Science

Two Ecology students study samples inside basket while wading in the Gunnison River.

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.

MS in Ecology

A student sweeps using a bug net in a wet meadow restoration area.

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.

Environmental Management

Student teacher Alyeska Riker helping students at the Gunnison Lake School

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.

MA in Education

A female student teacher demonstrates a lesson for a student in a wheelchair.

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.

MA in Special Education

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.

Outdoor Industry MBA

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.

Mem faculty, students, and alumni listen to speakers from the Crested Butte Land Trust while standing in a circle formation next to the Slate River on a sunny fall day.

The Resilient Communities Certificate is a 14-credit graduate program that prepares students to address complex environmental and social challenges facing communities today. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining environmental science, policy, economics, and planning, students learn how to design solutions that support climate adaptation, sustainable infrastructure, and long-term community resilience. The program emphasizes hands-on, applied learning and stakeholder collaboration, equipping graduates with the skills to navigate issues like resource management, environmental justice, and community development across government, nonprofit, and environmental sectors.

Community Resilience

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.

Economic & Legal Foundations

A wide landscape shot of a student collecting insect samples on the Taylor River.

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.

Ecosystem Restoration

Burning W on the top corner on W Mountain.

The Forests, Fires & Fuels Certificate focuses on helping professionals address wildfire risk and build more resilient forest ecosystems. Students study fire ecology, fuels management, forest restoration, and collaborative land management strategies, gaining practical skills to reduce wildfire hazards while supporting ecosystem health and community preparedness. It is designed for those working in forestry, public land management, conservation, and related fields, and can be completed as a standalone credential or alongside a graduate degree.

Forests, Fires & Fuels

Mars Charlebois speaks to MEM students and alumni about the Crested Butte Land Trust in the Gunsight Bridge area of Crested Butte, Colorado.

The Integrative Land Management Certificate is a graduate-level program within the Master of Environmental Management that prepares students to navigate complex public land challenges through an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach. Students study land stewardship, environmental policy, ecological systems, and collaborative decision-making to understand how conservation, recreation, agriculture, and development intersect across landscapes. The program emphasizes real-world learning, giving students experience working with diverse stakeholders to balance ecological health with community and economic needs. Graduates are prepared for careers in public land agencies, conservation organizations, and natural resource management roles

Integrative Land Management

A student types on a laptop while studying at the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering.

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.

Marketing & Branding

A student stands on a ridgeline at sunrise

The Mine Reclamation Management Certificate is a 14-credit graduate program that prepares students to restore landscapes impacted by mining activities. Students gain practical skills in soil reconstruction, water quality management, revegetation, regulatory compliance, and long-term land stewardship, with an emphasis on real-world, field-based learning. The program is designed for professionals working in environmental science, natural resources, and related fields, and equips graduates to help remediate abandoned and active mine sites while supporting ecological recovery and sustainable land use

Mine Reclamation Management

Outdoor Industry MBA students look at skis in the Blister Review show room

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.

Outdoor Product Innovation & Management

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.

MS in Exercise & Sport Science

A student talks with an employer during a speed networking session for the Rady Career Fair.

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.

Restorative Facilitation

Three gravity mountain bike athletes sit on a chairlift with big mountain views behind them.

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.

Service Excellence & Sustainable Operations

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.

Sustainable Financial Management

A Western student teacher works with a student on a laptop.

The Therapeutic Mentoring Certificate is a 12-credit program designed to prepare individuals for entry into the behavioral health field by building foundational skills in mental health theory, research, and practice. Focused on supporting youth, the program emphasizes strengths-based, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate mentoring approaches that promote psychological well-being and reduce mental health symptoms. Graduates are equipped to serve as trusted mentors and connectors to care, helping bridge gaps in access, particularly in underserved communities.

Therapeutic Mentoring

Department News

Dr. Kate Clark, Natalie Pax, Autumn Rosengren, and Mandi Leigh pose for a group photo at the 2026 Distinguished Achievement in Graduate Studies ceremony.

News