Graduate Degree Requirements
The various degree requirements of the departments, the University, and the Graduate School apply to all admitted graduate students. Before applying, you should acquire additional information about the degree from the department or college offering the degree, or the program coordinator listed on the degree webpage.
Credit Requirements
A minimum of 24 credits must be earned at Colorado State University, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission to the University. This credit requirement cannot be satisfied by transferring credits from other institutions. View the University Credit Requirements for more information about Colorado State University graduate degree requirements.
Each graduate program has additional credit requirements specific to each degree and/or program of study. Be sure to check each degree webpage for these requirements.
Registration Requirements (Continuous Registration)
Graduate School policy requires that all graduate students are continuously enrolled in their degree programs in both fall and spring semesters and during the semester they will complete their degree requirements, which includes the summer semester. This policy applies from your first semester of enrollment through your graduation term. You may fulfill this requirement for the fall and spring semesters by registering for any graduate credit-bearing course or for Continuous Registration (CR CONRG). If you are completing degree requirements in the summer semester, you are required to register for at least one credit or for Continuous Registration for the summer session.
You will be dropped from your degree program and required to reapply for admission if you do not maintain continuous enrollment in your degree program. Furthermore, if you are dropped from your degree program and still register for courses, these courses will not apply towards your degree requirements.
We recommend that you speak with your advisor to verify if your degree program has particular conditions for continuous enrollment or if you do not intend to remain continuously enrolled in your degree program.
Courses are recorded for a single semester and cannot be counted towards this enrollment requirement for more than one semester. Courses that extend past the end of a term, such as open entry courses, do not count for more than one semester but only satisfy the enrollment requirement for the semester of registration. An "I" (incomplete) grade on a course from a previous semester does not constitute a registration for the current semester.
Registering for Continuous Registration (CR CONRG) may not be an option in some degree programs.
Continuous Registration Fees
If you register for Continuous Registration (CR CONRG) you will be assessed a $150 fee. A $50 late fee will be assessed for registrations received on or after the first day of the semester (see important dates). You should speak with your student loan or financial aid officers to determine the impact of Continuous Registration on your loan status.
How To Register for Continuous Registration
Registration for Continuous Registration (CR CONRG) must take place through RAMweb - CSU OnlinePlus does not process these registrations. Follow these steps to register:
- Log in to RAMweb using your Electronic Identity (eID).
- Click on "Class Schedule Search" (under the Registration heading) and then select the term for which you are registering.
- Type "CR" into the Course Code text box and click the “Course Code Search” button.
- Check the box next to the CR CONRG course and click the “Register” button.
- Verify your enrollment in CR CONRG by reviewing your course
schedule.
Transfer Credits
Most degree programs offered through OnlinePlus allow the transfer of credits from other institutions for equivalent coursework. Typically no more than six to nine credits can be transferred into a graduate degree program. View the University transfer credit requirements for more information about credit for courses completed at other institutions.
The department advisors or program coordinators listed on each degree webpage will assist with transcript evaluation and determination.
Readmittance (Reapplying to the University)
If you do not enroll for classes during either the fall or spring semesters prior to the registration deadline for admitted students (see important dates), you will need to be readmitted to the University before you register for courses.
How to Reapply
To reapply, submit the GS Form 1B located on the Graduate School website and a $150 non-refundable processing fee to your academic department for approval.
Time Limits
Courses to be applied toward fulfilling degree programs must have been completed within ten years immediately preceding the date of completion of requirements for the degrees. This includes courses transferred from another institution.