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.
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 request information below.
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.

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

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.
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.
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.
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
Additional Resources
Department Information
School of Graduate Studies
Executive Director
Marlo FrazierExecutive 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