Graduate Admission
Graduate Admission Overview
We want your graduate admission process to be stress-free, and we are here to support you!
Graduate Application Requirements
All of our graduate programs require an online graduate application. Below are the required items necessary to complete your application.
Begin your online application at https://gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply/
There is a $60 non-refundable application fee for domestic students or a $70 fee for international students. This will be submitted in the online graduate application.
There are several opportunities for an application fee waiver. Read our FAQs below.
There are seven short-answer questions pertaining to your professional background, research interests, and other areas you will answer within the application.
You will upload a prepared Statement of Purpose addressing why you want to attend graduate school at Colorado State University.
You will identify at least three individuals who can speak to your abilities as a student, engineer, scientist, and/or researcher. The graduate application system will facilitate collecting reference materials from the individuals you specify, but be sure to inform your references they will be receiving the automated request.
Provide an up to date resume or curriculum vitae reflecting your educational, professional, and research experience, including any presentations and publications.
Unofficial Transcripts:
Our departmental Graduate Admissions Committee will review graduate applications with unofficial transcripts to determine if you will be recommended for admission through March 15 (fall start) and October 1 (spring start). After those dates, official transcripts must be submitted with your application.
ALL applicants MUST provide official transcripts if recommended for admission to be officially admitted to CSU. The Graduate School considers applications incomplete without official transcripts, and you will be contacted by our department to submit official transcripts to Colorado State University.
Official Transcripts:
- Request one official original transcript from each college or university attended to be sent the CSU Office of Admissions – Graduate Admissions (institution code 4075) and it must include all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
- Any document uploaded by you rather than directly by your previous institution is considered unofficial.
- Current CSU students do not need to request CSU transcripts. Admissions will automatically attach your CSU transcript once your application is complete.
- Most U.S. and some Canadian institutions allow for official e-transcripts to be emailed to gradadmissions@colostate.edu through a third party.
International Applicants:
- International applicants are required to provide official certified English translations of all transcripts, mark sheets, diplomas, and graduation certificates in addition to the original transcripts.
- International applicants who have already earned a degree must also upload a degree certificate showing the degree earned.
- International applicants must mail official documents to Graduate Admissions at Colorado State University: 1062 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1062
The Graduate School’s “Guide to Submitting Your Transcripts” can be found at https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/apply/
International applicants must meet CSU’s Graduate School English proficiency requirements.
Submit official original test scores as outlined at the website above (institution code 4075).
If the Department recommends you for admission to a graduate program, you will be contacted by the Department to submit official transcripts and documentation to CSU.
Check the status of your application at any time online at https://gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply/
Graduate
Application Deadlines
Applications received by the priority deadline will automatically be reviewed for Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) consideration.
Fall Term (August) Start
JANUARY
15
Priority Deadline
MAY
1
Final Deadline
Spring Term (January) Start
OCTOBER
1
Priority Deadline
DECEMBER
1
Final Deadline
Fall 2024
Virtual Information Sessions
To help guide you through the graduate application process, we host a series of virtual information sessions each semester.
Register for a session below to receive the Zoom link a few days before the session.
General Information Sessions
(On-Campus Graduate Programs)
Learn more about our on-campus graduate degree options, the application process, application fee waiver information, then have your questions answered!
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Craft Your Application Sessions
(On-Campus Graduate Programs)
Receive guidance and best practices for writing your statement of purpose and supplement short answer questions for your application.
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
General Information Sessions
(100% Online Master of Engineering)
Learn more about our fully online Master of Engineering program, the application process, application fee waiver information, then have your questions answered!
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Friday, January 12
8:00a - 8:45a (MST)
Register Now
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You are not required to secure a faculty advisor prior to submitting your application materials.
Yes. Our Master of Science and PhD students are frequently offered graduate teaching or research assistantships. These assistantships typically include full coverage of tuition along with a monthly stipend.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) are offered directly by faculty members and are based on faculty funding and faculty-student research interest. GRAs are offered to graduate students throughout the year, meaning a student may be offered an assistantship after starting their graduate program, based on availability of faculty funding.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) are offered by the CEE Department contingent on funding. Your application to our MS or PhD graduate program serves as your application for a GTA, and all admitted students are reviewed. If you are considered for a GTA, you will be contacted by the department – there is no additional application or action needed on your part to be considered for a GTA.
We do not provide GTA or GRA funding to students seeking a Master of Engineering (coursework only) degree. These students are generally self-funded. You might consider consulting the Financial Resources page for the Graduate School.
Our Graduate Admissions Committee considers applications holistically and will review all completed applications. We are not able to provide a preliminary review, but will fully review all completed graduate applications.
Yes, our departmental Graduate Admissions Committee will review graduate applications with unofficial transcripts to determine if you will be recommended for admission through March 15 (fall start) and October 1 (spring start).
ALL applicants MUST provide official transcripts if recommended for admission to be officially admitted to CSU. The Graduate School considers applications incomplete without official transcripts, and you will be contacted to submit official transcripts to Colorado State University.
No. The GRE is no longer required by our department for admissions. Students who did take the GRE and have strong test scores may upload their test scores as supplemental materials to their application. Doing so may help strengthen your overall application package if your application has weak areas.
Yes.
- The Graduate School is introducing three Free Graduate Application Days (https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/free-graduate-application-days/) coinciding with the opening of the Fall 2025 graduate application in August of 2024. The three free days are December 1, 2024 , January 14, 2025 , and January 15, 2025. During these days, it is free to apply provided you submit required application material (see above link for details).
- Application fee waivers can also be requested by applicants with affiliation to specific programs or organizations: https://gradadmissions.colostate.edu/register/fee_waiver_request
- Starting with fall 2025 applications application fee waivers will also be available for applicants with degrees from Land-Grant Institution and applicants with degrees from regionally/HLC accredited Colorado Institutions!
- The CEE Department has a limited number of funds to pay for application fees for graduate students who submit a full application, including unofficial transcripts, minus the application fee.
The English proficiency requirement is established by the CSU Graduate School, not by our department.
For the most current guidelines, visit https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/admissions-resources/english-proficiency/
If you do not meet the posted requirement, it is recommended you retake an English proficiency test.
Students who apply to the Ph.D. program without a master’s degree have significant research and publication experience. If you do not have significant research and publication experience, please apply for the Master of Science degree.
We do not advise applicants apply for admission past the deadlines.
For international students, it becomes even more difficult to approve applications after the deadline unless you already reside in the U.S. or are over six months from the desired start date of your program. This is due to the length of time that it takes to review applications, approve applications through the Graduate School, and go through the visa process.