GENERAL INFORMATION

The College

The Metropolitan State College of Denver is the largest public four-year college in the United States. The college offers arts and sciences, professional and business courses and programs to a diverse student population. Excellence in teaching and learning is MSCD's primary objective.

The college's mission is to provide high-quality, accessible, enriching education that prepares students for successful careers, postgraduate education and lifelong learning in a multicultural, global, and technological society. The college fulfills its mission by working in partnership with the community at large and by fostering an atmosphere of scholarly inquiry, creative activity and mutual respect within a diverse campus community.

More than thirty years ago, the state legislature created MSCD as Colorado's urban "College of Opportunity." Since then it has occupied an important niche in the state's system of higher education, because, by statute, it was designed to be unique.

• MSCD is required to serve adult students. First-time college students who are 20 years of age or older and hold a GED or high school diploma are automatically admitted to MSCD, irrespective of their academic record.
• MSCD is required to serve traditional-aged students of all levels of achievement and potential. As a result, the college enrolls a rich mix of recent high school graduates, many with excellent grades and test scores and others with more modest achievement.
• MSCD is required to be accessible to all citizens. That is why tuition has been and remains among the lowest in the state.

The college's role and mission are rooted in a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. MSCD graduates praise faculty for their attention to teaching and willingness to help students succeed. According to a survey of college and university alumni conducted for the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), MSCD alumni ranked the college number one in meeting their educational goals. In fact, 99 percent of the college's graduates said MSCD's programs and curriculum met their goals.

The college awards bachelor of science, bachelor of arts and bachelor of fine arts degrees. Students can choose from 49 majors and 70 minors offered through three schools: Business; Letters, Arts and Sciences; and Professional Studies. Programs range from the traditional disciplines, such as history and biology, to contemporary fields of study, such as Chicano studies and health care management. The college offers several bachelor's degree programs unique in Colorado, including aviation management, health care management, land use, meteorology, and surveying and mapping. Students may also design their own degree through the Individualized Degree Program.

Students

As an urban college committed to serving the local community, MSCD attracts students from a diverse mixture of age groups, socioeconomic classes, ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles. The college's curriculum and philosophy reflect that diversity and enrich the urban experience.

Current enrollment is 17,307. Students range in age from 17 to 70 with a median age of 24. Ethnic minorities make up 24 percent of the students.

About 55 percent of students are enrolled full-time and 80 percent work full-or part-time. Sixteen percent are traditional students, beginning college before age 20, while 84 percent represent nontraditional age groups. Ninety-five percent of students reside in the six counties of the Denver metropolitan area:

MSCD has nearly 400 full-time faculty. Professors are master teachers, recruited and evaluated for their ability to teach and engage students. All classes are taught by academic instructors. As a culturally diverse team of academicians, 34 percent of full-time faculty are women and 20 percent represent ethnic minorities.

The MSCD faculty is among the most productive in the state. In 1996, the CCHE reported that each full-time faculty member was responsible for teaching 21.5 credit hours, which is at least 9 credit hours more than the number taught at Colorado's two largest universities.

The college also brings real-world education into the classroom by hiring part-time faculty who work in the Denver metropolitan community and use their expertise and experience in the arts, business, communications, law, politics, the sciences and technology in their teaching.

The Campuses

The Metropolitan State College of Denver is located at the Auraria Higher Education Center, a 127-acre campus in downtown Denver at Speer Boulevard and West Colfax Avenue. The Community College of Denver and the University of Colorado at Denver share the facilities with MSCD.

The campus includes more than one million square feet of space for classrooms, laboratories, and offices. Some administrative offices are located in restored Victorian homes in Denver's historic Ninth Street Park located on the Auraria site. The campus also features a child care center, a comprehensive library housing 731,000 volumes, and one of the most unusual student union facilities in the country -- the historic Bavarian-style Tivoli Brewery Building. Excellent physical fitness facilities include a block-long physical education/events center with a swimming pool, a weight room, game courts, dance studios, and event seating for 3,000.

The Auraria Higher Education Center's proximity to downtown Denver enables students and faculty to use the community as a learning laboratory and to connect classroom theory to the cultural, economic, social, and political practices of the city.

The college also has two satellite campus sites operated by the Extended Campus Program. Metro South, located at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard in Arapahoe County, serves the south, southeast, and southwest metropolitan areas. Metro North, located at 11990 Grant Street in Adams County, serves the north, northeast, and northwest areas. Each site is located 14 miles from the Auraria campus along the I-25 corridor.

A variety of courses are offered during the evenings and on Saturdays on the Auraria campus and at Metro South and Metro North. Twenty-four degree programs can be completed entirely by taking courses scheduled during the evenings and weekends. MSCD offers classes in traditional formats as well as telecourses, online courses and correspondence courses. General information about these programs can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Academic Advising Center. The Class Schedule clearly identifies all evening and weekend courses.

1999-2000 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

*Call 303-556-6226 to confirm time and location.

DEGREES AND PROGRAMS

The Metropolitan State College of Denver is organized into three schools. The schools are listed below with the majors and minors offered by each. The curriculum requirements for each of the programs are described in the Catalog in the special sections prepared by each school. Programs marked with an asterisk (*) do not require completion of a minor.

+Emphasis may replace the minor.

Individualized Degree Program

The Individualized Degree Program offers students the opportunity to design a major or a minor to meet their specific educational goals when those goals cannot be met by majors and minors currently offered by MSCD. Each student works closely with an advisor in the Center for Individualized Learning and a faculty mentor to design a coherent program of study to meet the student's specific educational objectives. Each student's proposed program shall be approved by the department chair from which the majority of credit is drawn and by the dean of the appropriate School. All requirements for any bachelor's degree from the college apply. Either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in Individualized Studies may be sought. Specific information and assistance is available from the Center for Individualized Learning at 303-556-8342, Central Classroom 106. See page 44 of this Catalog for more information.

Accreditations/Approvals

The Metropolitan State College of Denver is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (30 North LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 1-800-621-7440). Individual academic programs within the following areas are accredited or approved by the following agencies:

*Accreditation
**Approval

Certificates of Completion

Certificate programs provide opportunities to successfully complete a series of five to eight academic credit courses that focus on a particular area of career interest. Each certificate program is designed to stand alone or merge with your degree program major or minor. The certificate title and date of award will appear on your transcript. The certificate program is coordinated by the Office of Extended Education, 303-741-6394.

Certificate Programs Available:

School of Business
Personal Financial Planning
Real Estate
Noncredit Financial Planning
Noncredit International Trade

School of Letters, Arts and Sciences
German Translation
Basic Competency in German
Basic Competency in French
Basic Competency in Spanish
Spanish Translation Program
Public Administration
Career and Personal Development
Gerontology (Liberal Arts Orientation)

School of Professional Studies
Gerontology (Professional Services Orientation)
International Technical Writing
Multimedia Production
Corporate Video Production
Technical Writing and Editing
High Risk Youth
Coaching
Activities for Older Adults
Recreation Assistant
Aquatics Assistant
Extended Day Aide
Conditioning Specialist
Officiating
Literacy Instructor

Basic Degree Requirements

Requirements for All Bachelor's Degrees

To earn a bachelor of science, a bachelor of arts, or a bachelor of fine arts degree, a student must satisfy the following minimum requirements, plus any others stipulated for the degree for which a student is a candidate.

• Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for all coursework.
• Complete at least 40 semester hours in upper-division courses (3000- and 4000-level courses).
• Complete all General Studies requirements listed for the degree and major.
• Complete a three-hour Multicultural course requirement.
• Complete a three-hour Senior Experience course requirement. This course must be taken at MSCD.
• Complete one subject major consisting of not less than 30 semester hours. With certain exceptions (see the Degrees and Programs section on page 7 of this Catalog), complete a minor consisting of at least 18 semester hours. If a student completes two majors, the second major satisfies the minor requirement. Completing two areas of emphasis under one major does not constitute the completion of two majors. Completion of two majors does not result in two degrees or diplomas. Coursework used to meet requirements for one major or minor may not be used to meet requirements for another major or minor. Students may not major and minor in the same discipline and are encouraged to obtain verification from an advisor if uncertainty exists.
• Complete all special requirements of a department and school.
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all MSCD courses that satisfy the requirements for the major, and for all MSCD courses that satisfy requirements for a minor. Students should check with an advisor for special GPA program requirements.
• Complete a Graduation Agreement with the department when they have completed between 60-90 hours.
• Academic residency (classroom credit) requirements:
• Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of classroom credit at MSCD, including the last 12 semester hours applicable to the degree.
• Complete at least 8 upper-division (3000- and 4000-level courses) semester hours of the major and 3 upper-division semester hours of the minor at MSCD (classroom credit).
• Students should be aware that University of Colorado at Denver pooled courses and courses taken interinstitutionally or at one of the other state colleges will not satisfy academic residence requirements at MSCD.
• Complete the Senior Experience requirement.

Credit limitations:

• No more than 30 semester hours of omnibus-numbered courses may be applied toward graduation requirements.
• No more than 30 semester hours taken by extension and/or correspondence may be applied toward a bachelor's degree.
• No more than 4 semester hours in human performance and leisure activity or varsity sports courses will be counted toward a bachelor's degree for students who are not majoring in human performance, sport and leisure studies.
• No more than 7 semester hours in music ensemble courses will be counted toward a bachelor's degree for students who are not majoring in music.

Requirements for a Second Degree

For an additional bachelor's degree, students must comply with the following:

• The first bachelor's degree must be recognized by MSCD.
• General Studies will be considered complete unless deficiencies exist according to the major department.
• Students must complete all requirements for a new major with a minimum of a new eight MSCD classroom upper-division semester hours in the major department.
• Students do not need to complete a minor unless specifically required by the major department for the contemplated degree.
• Students must satisfy the Multicultural and Senior Experience course requirements for the second degree, if not fulfilled in the first degree.
• Students must spend at least two additional semesters in residence.
• A minimum of 30 semester hours of classroom credit at MSCD is required in addition to the credits completed by the student for the earlier degree.
• Credit limitations for a bachelor's degree will continue to exist for the second degree.
• A Graduation Agreement must be completed as outlined in this Catalog.

The General Studies Program

Philosophy of the General Studies Program

The Metropolitan State College of Denver seeks to prepare its graduates for a lifetime of learning, which, in our changing and complex society, requires focused expertise (such as that provided by a major area of study) and the ability to communicate with and learn from experts in other fields. Undergraduate education fosters the critical thinking necessary for the exploration of unfamiliar disciplines and for the synthesis of learning and exposes students to the richness and variety of the intellectual universe.

General Studies Information

Students must use a single catalog to meet all degree requirements, including those in the General Studies, major and minor. Some changes in General Studies requirements have been made retroactive. As a consequence, many General Studies requirements and policies described in this Catalog may be followed by students using earlier catalogs.

General Studies Goals

The General Studies Program is designed to help graduates achieve the following competencies:

MSCD students should be able to:
1. Write and speak with clarity;
2. Read and listen critically;
3. Draw conclusions from quantitative data;
4. Recognize faulty reasoning;
5. Organize ideas; and
6. Communicate with experts in other disciplines and learn from them.

MSCD students should:
7. Have an open attitude toward different approaches to problems
8. Have an informed awareness of the principle human achievements in history, arts and letters, society, and science, and
9. Be introduced to the basic methods, knowledge, problems or attitudes characteristic of a field.

Structure of the General Studies Program

The General Studies Program is structured to foster the development of skills and to encourage students to use their mastery of skills to explore knowledge in a variety of disciplines. The General Studies Program provides two levels of experience:

Level I-Skills

Level I courses provide students with the basic skills of reading and listening critically, recognizing faulty reasoning, drawing conclusions from quantitative data, organizing ideas, and writing and speaking with clarity.

Level II-Breadth of Knowledge

Level II courses introduce students to the basic methods, knowledge, problems or attitudes characteristic of a field, encourage in students an open attitude toward different approaches to problems, enable students to communicate with experts in other disciplines and learn from them, and cultivate in students an informed awareness of the principle achievements in history, arts and letters, social science, and science. In addition, in Level II courses students will continue to develop their skills in language and mathematics.

Distribution and Credit Requirements

To complete their General Studies Program, students must take approved courses that fulfill the following distribution and credit requirements:

*A transfer course or courses of at least 2 semester hours judged to be similar in skill development and content to a Level I course will satisfy an individual Level I course requirement. Equivalency will be determined by the department offering the Level I course.
**One-hour deviations in the Level II categories may be allowed.
***A student's completed General Studies Program must contain at least 33 semester hours.

Basic Rules:

• Only approved courses may be used to satisfy the General Studies requirements. A current listing of these courses is on page of this Catalog, in the General College Requirements brochure and in the Course Descriptions section of this Catalog.
• General Studies courses need not be counted toward General Studies requirements. They may be taken as electives or to satisfy requirements in the major or degree program.
• Departments or programs may specify, by prefix and number, some General Studies courses in addition to courses required for the major or a professional credential.
• Courses taken using the pass-fail option cannot be counted for General Studies.

Note: More details on the General Studies requirements can be found on pages 47-58.

ADMISSIONS

Admission Requirements

The college uses two categories for classifying applicants: those who are younger than 20 and those who are 20 or older. Based on the college's modified open admission system, each category has its own admission requirements and procedures.

Students maintain the status of continuing student while absent from the college for less than one year; however, following two full semesters of absence, students should call the Office of Admissions to determine whether an updated application for re-admission will be required. For more information, see Admission of Previously Enrolled Students (page 18).

Application Deadline

Applications complete with all required credentials will be accepted through the first week of classes. However, for the best possible selection of courses, students are advised to apply early.

Applicants Younger Than 20

Applicants who are younger than 20 on September 15 for either the summer semester or the fall semester, or February 15 for the spring semester, will be classified as traditional applicants. They will be considered for admission using the requirements described below.

Freshmen (first-time college students):

• The college will admit students who are likely to successfully complete an academic program and who meet state requirements for the college as established by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE).
• Applicants who do not meet the stated admission requirements will be considered on an individual basis that includes a careful review of all credentials, including letters of recommendation and a personal interview.
• Applicants who have not graduated from high school but have received the Colorado General Educational Development (GED) certificate or its equivalent will be accepted. ACT or SAT test results are not required with a GED.
• Applicants must request that the following information be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions from the high school or testing agency:
  • ACT or SAT test results
  • high school transcript with GPA and class rank
• This information may be submitted at the end of the sixth, seventh, or eighth semester of high school, but no later than four weeks before the expected term of enrollment. An official, final transcript with date of graduation is required no later than the fourth week of the term of enrollment. Students should request the transcript and verify that the high school transcript with date of graduation has been mailed by the high school and has been received by the Office of Admissions.
• Applicants who have submitted a complete application by the deadline and who have a 76 index (see chart on page 21) or higher, will be admitted. Students who have lower than a 76 index will be considered on an individual basis.

College Transfers:

• Applicants with 30 or more semester hours completed with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA will be offered admission. Students with fewer than 30 hours will be considered on an individual basis, based on high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores, and college work completed.
• Applicants who have less than a cumulative 2.0 grade point average from all colleges and universities attended will be considered on an individual basis that includes a careful review of all credentials, including letters of recommendation and a personal interview.
  
  
• Applicants must request that the following information be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions from the high school, testing agency, and/or college or university:
• ACT or SAT test results
• high school transcript with GPA and class rank
• transcript from each college or university attended or currently attending
  

• These credentials should be received at least four weeks prior to the first day of classes. All required credentials must be received before a final admission decision can be made.

Applicants 20 Years of Age or Older

Applicants who are 20 or older on September 15 for either the summer semester or the fall semester, or February 15 for the spring semester, will be considered for admission using the requirements described below for a first-time college student or a college transfer student:

Freshmen (first-time college students):

• Applicants will be admitted to the college upon indicating on the application for admission that they have graduated from high school or that they have received a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
• By signing the application for admission, degree-seeking applicants are certifying that they will request either a high school transcript with date of graduation or GED test scores be sent to the Office of Admissions. Degree-seeking students will not be permitted to register for a second semester until this credential is received.
• The ACT or SAT is not required for admission but is highly recommended for advising purposes.

College Transfers:

• Applicants will be admitted to the college, regardless of their cumulative college GPA, if they indicate on their application for admission that they have graduated from high school or that they have received a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
• By signing the application for admission, degree-seeking applicants are certifying that they will request that either a high school transcript with date of graduation or GED test scores be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. In place of these credentials, college transfer students should request to have college transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions for transfer credit purposes. Degree-seeking applicants are required to have all college and university transcripts on file to receive a complete transfer evaluation.
• The ACT or SAT is not required for admission but is highly recommended for advising purposes.

Application Instructions

Applications for admission are considered in the order in which they are received each semester. All credentials received by the college become the property of MSCD and will not be returned to the student. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the Office of Admissions of any changes to the application for admission prior to the first day of classes. If changes are not reported to the Office of Admissions, the registration process could be delayed for subsequent semesters. Failure to report academic changes may result in rejection, dismissal, and/or loss of credit. International (visa) applicants should refer to the Admission of International Students section on page 19 in this Catalog.

To apply for admission:

• Applications are available from The Metropolitan State College of Denver, Office of Admissions, Campus Box 16, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362, 303-556-3058 or online at www.mscd.edu.
• A $25 nonrefundable application fee ($40 for international applicants) is required with the application for admission. Re-admit applicants are not required to submit an application fee.
• Submit a completed application and application fee directly to the Office of Admissions. The application and all required credentials (see Admission Requirements) should be received at least four weeks prior to the first day of classes.
• It is the student's responsibility to request that all required credentials be mailed directly from the issuing institution or agency to the Office of Admissions. Hand-carried documents will not be accepted.
• Although an applicant's record may be summarized on one transcript, an official transcript from each institution attended is required.
• The application for admission and all credentials received by the college will be kept on file for three semesters. After that time the file will no longer be maintained for students who do not enroll. Applicants wishing to attend MSCD must begin the admission process again.

Admission of Previously Enrolled Students

Re-admit students are defined as individuals who have previously enrolled and have received a grade or grade notation at the college.

Re-admit students who have not been in attendance at MSCD for one or more years should:

• Submit a completed application for admission. Check the re-admission box on the top right corner of the application. No application fee is required for re-admission.
• Ensure that the application and any required credentials are received at least four weeks prior to the first day of classes of the semester for which admission is sought.
• Submit transcripts from institutions attended since last attending MSCD.

Students who are returning after nine years of absence from the college are required to resubmit all credentials.

Admission of Nondegree Students

The nondegree student classification meets the needs of students 20 years of age or older who wish to take college courses but who do not currently intend to work toward a baccalaureate degree at MSCD. With the exception of high school students who have completed the approval process, nondegree students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify for admission.

Nondegree students may change to degree status by completing a Change of Status Form and submitting all required transcripts to the Office of Admissions.

Admission Notification

Students are notified by mail as soon as decisions are made. Once admitted, students will be mailed instructions regarding course registration and other relevant information. No tuition deposit is required.

Students denied admission may appeal the decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Director of Admissions along with new and compelling academic information, letters of recommendation and other supportive documentation.

Additional Admission Programs

Summer Semester Only

Applicants younger than 20 years of age who have graduated from high school or have received a General Educational Development (GED) certificate and are applying for the summer semester, and who do not wish to continue after the summer semester, may be admitted under a provisional status. These applicants are not required to submit admission credentials. Please check the appropriate box under the MSCD Plans section on the Application for Admission. Applicants for the summer semester who wish to continue for the fall or spring semester must meet stated admission requirements before the semester begins.

High School Concurrent Enrollment Programs
(High School Students Only)

High School Student Education and Enrichment Program

The Student Education and Enrichment (SEE) program is The Metropolitan State College of Denver's High School Concurrent Enrollment Program for college-ready students. SEE is designed to supplement a student's existing education through early participation in college-level classes. This advanced program should not be interpreted as an alternative to high school completion but is, instead, a cooperative college/high school effort to provide educational enrichment and early college attendance to qualified high school students. SEE students must meet the following criteria:

• current enrollment in a Colorado high school as a junior or senior
• able to benefit from specialized or accelerated classes
• demonstrated ability to do college-level work

To apply for admission, the student must, with approval from the appropriate high school authority, submit an admission application with the required $25 application fee accompanied by the following documents:

• recommendation from a high school counselor or administrator describing how the student will benefit from early college attendance
• written parental approval
• official high school transcript

Upon receipt of these documents, the student's record is reviewed and the admission decision is made. However, if additional or supporting information is needed, the student may be required to have an interview with an admissions counselor. The admission decision will be based on the student's academic preparation and past performance, recommendation of the high school official, and the student's personal motivation and readiness for a traditional college experience.

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program

The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP) is a sponsorship program enacted by state law in 1988 that provides juniors and seniors in high school the opportunity to take college classes for both high school and college credit. The program is intended to provide high school students with an optional learning environment.

This program allows a high school student to register for college classes, in most cases up to six semester credit hours (or two courses). These courses may be used for both high school and college credit. To participate in the program, students must first seek approval from their high school and school district. The district determines the number of credit hours the student may take and makes the financial arrangements. The student is responsible for payment of all tuition and fees by the college payment deadline before the semester begins. Specific deadlines and further information relative to this program and the application process may be obtained by calling the Office of Admissions at 303-556-3058.

Meritus at MSCD (Senior Program)

Individuals 60 or older, who do not wish to earn credit, are invited to attend tuition-free classes of their choice on a space-available basis. The Meritus program is designed to give special encouragement and assistance to retired citizens to continue their personal educational growth in a stimulating and friendly campus setting. For information and to enroll call the Center for Individualized Learning at 303-556-8342, Central Classroom 106.

Admission of International Students

All students who declare a country of citizenship other than the U.S. on their applications for admission must contact the Office of Admissions.

• Admission of U.S. permanent residents (or refugees, political parolees, and political asylum cases, etc.) and students on temporary visas other than F-1 or J1:
  • Official transcripts including secondary level education should be submitted four weeks prior to the beginning of the first day of classes of the semester for which admission is sought.
  • Applicants may be required to pass an English proficiency examination.
  • Applicants may be required to register for and complete certain courses during their first two semesters.
• Admission of applicants on student (F-1 or J1) visas:

Applicants should submit an International Student Application for Admission and other required documentation. Students who are academically admissible and have met the minimum English proficiency and financial support requirements, will be issued the U.S. Immigration Form I-20. Questions regarding the admission of students from abroad or permanent residents should be directed to the Office of Admissions.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

A transfer credit evaluation is performed for admitted degree-seeking students after official transcripts are received by the Office of Admissions. Within approximately four weeks, students receive two copies of the transfer credit evaluation, one of which is taken to the major and minor departments for advice on how credits might apply to their programs.

Transfer credits will be accepted under the following guidelines:

• Credit must have been earned at an institution of higher education holding full regional accreditation.
• Grades earned must be "A," "B," "C" or equivalent. Courses with "D," "F" or similar grades will not be accepted in transfer. A summary of transfer credit from each institution will be indicated on the MSCD academic record. Neither transfer course grades nor previous grade point averages will be indicated or affect the MSCD grade point average.
• Course content must be similar to those courses offered at MSCD.
• A maximum of 64 semester hours from two-year institutions will be applied toward an MSCD degree. A maximum of 90 semester hours of credit will be applied toward an MSCD degree for acceptable work completed at a four-year institution or a combination of two- and four-year institutions.
• Transferable courses are accepted at the same level, i.e., lower-division or upper-division, at which they were offered at the previous institution. For example, all transferred community college courses will apply to the MSCD degree as lower-division credit.
• Students who have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree will receive junior standing at MSCD, provided all courses included in the degree carry a grade of "C" or better and, based on the course-by-course evaluation, otherwise meet minimum MSCD transfer credit standards. Students may need to complete additional MSCD lower-division requirements.
• Applicants having completed the Colorado community college core curriculum, as certified on their community college transcript, are considered to have satisfied The Metropolitan State College of Denver's minimum General Studies requirements. However, additional specific lower-division courses may be required for certain degree programs.
• Once transfer credits are evaluated, the total number of these credits applicable to a degree will not be reduced unless the student repeats already-awarded transfer credit at MSCD, or interrupts MSCD enrollment for three or more consecutive semesters and readmits to the college under more restrictive transfer credit evaluation policies.
• In accordance with policies established by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to address student disputes regarding student transfer between Colorado public institutions, MSCD has instituted procedures for resolving transfer credit disputes. These procedures are available from Transfer Services in the Office of Admissions.

Questions pertaining to transfer credit evaluation should be referred to the Office of Transfer Services, Central Classroom Building, room 108, 303-556-3058.

Preparatory Course Credit Policy

No preparatory courses are applicable toward an MSCD degree after spring 1993. For details, please see an advisor in the Academic Advising Center.

Transfer Services

The Office of Transfer Services offers assistance to students transferring from other institutions. Specific services include preliminary and/or official transcript evaluation, educational planning, transition to academic departments, and resolution of transfer problems. Transfer counselors are available by appointments and for walk-ins; evening appointments are available. Transfer Services works closely with Transcript Evaluation to provide students information about their transfer credits and how those credits may be applied. Questions pertaining to transfer credit evaluation should be referred to the Office of Transfer Services, Central Classroom Building, Room 103, 303-556-3774.

ENROLLMENT

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation offers a mandatory orientation program for all first-time college students and transfer students under 20. Transfer students 20 and older, as well as parents and non-degree seeking students, are strongly encouraged to attend orientation sessions. The year-round sessions cater to the specific needs of first-time college students, transfer students, women, and parents of traditional age freshmen. Sessions are scheduled on different days and at various times to accommodate the needs of our diverse commuter populations. Sessions are also offered at the North and South campuses to provide further flexibility. Orientation sessions cover a variety of topics including degree planning, academic concerns, students' rights and responsibilities, student support programs, commuter issues and an opportunity to ask and discuss individual questions. Students are provided with a packet of valuable information which includes a catalog, student handbook, general requirements brochure and critical information from many of the student support programs and services. Orientation is invaluable in laying a solid foundation for students' future academic success. Approximately 4,000 students and parents are served by this program each year. For further information see the Class Schedule or call 303-556-3677 or 303-556-3559.

Reading, Writing and Mathematics Placement Examinations

All first-time college students are required to take a series of three exams before registering for their first-semester classes. The exams measure college entry-level skills in reading, writing and mathematics, and the scores are used to help advisors and students select appropriate courses. For additional information call 303-556-3677.

Academic Advising

The Academic Advising Center exists to support students in achieving their educational goals in an expedient, satisfying manner. The following are among the routine services provided to students in the Center: individualized developmental advising; academic counseling; course planning and scheduling; degree audits; help with decision-making on major/minor selection; and referrals to other offices and departments as appropriate for the resolution of special problems. Students may meet with an advisor by appointment or on a walk-in basis. All first-time college students, transfer students under 20 and students undecided on their majors are required to seek academic advising in the Advising Center. Students who have decided on a major should meet with an advisor in their major department to plan their academic program and receive current materials. For additional information call 303-556-3680.

REGISTRATION

All continuing students in good standing at the college are eligible to register each semester.

Students are responsible for ensuring that there is a correct and up-to-date address and phone number on file with the college. Address changes may be made with the Registrar's Office, through MSCD's Web site, (www.mscd.edu), by writing or faxing (303-556-3999) the address and phone number change to the Registrar's Office.

A student may register for classes in several ways. Information on the registration procedure and registration dates is published in the Class Schedule, which is mailed to all continuing and new students.

Concurrent Enrollment

Students who find it necessary to register at MSCD and another college at the same time should check with MSCD advisors concerning the acceptance and application of transfer credits.

Interinstitutional Registration

Students enrolled at MSCD may register for courses at Arapahoe Community College, Community College of Denver and Red Rocks Community College. Courses taken at these institutions in no way alter existing MSCD degree requirements, but may apply toward degree requirements subject to specific approval by MSCD. Students should be aware that courses taken interinstitutionally will be counted as part of the 64 semester hours from community colleges applicable to a MSCD degree. Interinstitutional credits will not satisfy academic residence requirements at MSCD. In the event a conflict arises between the policies/procedures of MSCD and one of the colleges listed above, the most restrictive policy prevails. Students are advised to confer with department chairs and/or coordinators of academic advising before registering interinstitutionally.

Consortium Registration

Adams State College, Mesa State College and Western State College together with MSCD form a system of state colleges. Each member institution can provide any student in good standing with the materials needed to enroll temporarily in any other member institution without incurring additional matriculation costs. Information concerning tuition is available at the host institution. The process of enrolling as a system student should begin at least one month prior to the beginning of the registration period at the host institution. Information concerning current procedures for enrolling for courses at these other institutions is available from the Registrar's Office.

Enrollment Status

The enrollment status of a student in the interinstitutional registration or consortium registration programs is determined by the student's status at the home institution (institution where the student is seeking a degree). Students should ascertain before enrolling at an institution that desired courses will satisfy degree requirements at the home institution.

Course Audit Policy

Students may audit a class with the permission of the instructor and if seating is available. Academic credit is not awarded for an audited course. The cost for auditing a course is based on regular tuition as published in the current Class Schedule. Audit approval forms are available in deans' and academic department offices.

Changes in Registration

Enrolled students may adjust schedules by dropping and/or adding classes. See the current Class Schedule for complete information concerning dropping and/or adding classes and the tuition and fee refund schedule.

Students who reduce their course load after the fourth week of classes and before the beginning of the fifth week will receive an "NC" notation for each course they have dropped. A NC/Withdrawal Form must be submitted by the deadline to the Registrar's Office.

Students reducing their course load between the beginning of the fifth and the end of the tenth week of classes during fall and spring semesters may receive an "NC" notation for each course, provided faculty approval is granted. Additional restrictions regarding assigning the "NC" notation may be set by each school, department and/or faculty member for the period between the beginning of the fifth and the end of the tenth week of the semester (or proportional time frame). Students are advised to seek faculty signatures well before the deadline. A NC/Withdrawal Form must be submitted by the deadline to the Registrar's Office. See the sections on grades, notations, course load and class attendance in this Catalog.

Proportional time frames are applied for part-of-term courses, workshops and summer terms. Procedures for adding or dropping a part-of-term course after the course has begun are described in the current Class Schedule.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition Classification

A student is classified as an in-state or out-of-state student for tuition purposes at the time of admission. This classification is based upon information supplied by the student on the application for admission and is made in accordance with the Colorado Tuition Classification Law, CRS S23-7-101 et seq. (1973), as amended. Once determined, a student's tuition classification status remains unchanged unless satisfactory evidence that a change should be made is presented. A Petition for In-State Tuition Classification Form and the evidence requested should be submitted to the Registrar's Office if a student believes she or he is entitled to in-state status.

The tuition classification statute requires that in order to qualify for in-state status, a student (or the parents or legal guardian of the student in the case of students under 23 years of age who are not emancipated), must have been domiciled in Colorado for one year or more immediately preceding the first day of the semester for which such classification is sought.

Domicile for tuition purposes requires two inseparable elements: (1) a permanent place of habitation in Colorado and (2) intent to remain in Colorado with no intent to be domiciled elsewhere. Some examples of connections with the state that provide objective evidence of intent are: (1) payment of Colorado state income tax as a Colorado resident, (2) permanent employment in Colorado, (3) ownership of residential real property in Colorado, (4) compliance with laws imposing a mandatory duty on any domiciliary of the state, such as the drivers' license law and the vehicle registration law and (5) registration to vote. Other factors unique to the individual can also be used to demonstrate the requisite intent.

Any questions regarding the tuition classification law should be directed to an admissions officer at the college. In order to qualify for in-state status for a particular semester, the student must prove that domicile began not later than one year prior to the first day of classes for that semester. The dates for qualifying and for submitting petitions are published in the Class Schedule each semester.

Tuition and College Service Fees

The Board of Trustees of The State Colleges in Colorado, the governing board of the college, reserves the right to alter any or all tuition and fees for any semester without notice.

Tuition and college service fees are determined by the trustees shortly before the beginning of each academic year. Information regarding tuition and fees is published in the current Class Schedule. Tuition and fees are payable at the time of registration.

Standard Fees

An application fee is required of all applicants for admission to the college. This fee is nonrefundable and will not be applied to tuition.

Tuition Adjustments

Please see the Class Schedule for the current semester.

Student Health Insurance

All full-time students* are required to participate in the college-sponsored student health insurance coverage unless proof can be provided that a student has comparable and valid outside health insurance coverage.**

Full-time students are automatically billed for student health insurance on their tuition bill under the insurance heading. Students who have outside insurance coverage are responsible for completing a waiver form by the deadline indicated in each semester's Class Schedule in order to have the insurance charge removed from their tuition bill (deadline changes from semester to semester). Waiver forms will not be accepted after the deadline listed in each semester's Class Schedule. It is the student's responsibility to become familiar with the college's policies and to adhere to the deadlines listed. No refunds will occur after the waiver deadline. Waiver forms and insurance brochures are available at either the Student Health Insurance Office located in the Health Center at Auraria (PL 150) or the Student Accounts Office (CN 110). Waiver forms are also printed in each Class Schedule.

Health insurance waiver forms are valid for only one year. Continuing students must complete a waiver form ANNUALLY prior to each fall semester. Students with a break in academic enrollment, and those who begin classes in the spring or summer, must complete a waiver form by the appropriate deadline (listed in the Class Schedule) for the semester they enroll and every fall semester thereafter.

Waiver form information will be mailed to the home address of all full-time students prior to the semester of enrollment.

Students who request a waiver form to provide proof of valid outside health insurance must:

• Complete the student health insurance waiver form.
• Attach a copy of a valid health insurance card in the space provided on the waiver form. Students who have valid outside insurance but have not been issued an insurance card must include the main policy holder's name, the insurance company's name, and the name and phone number of a contact person or the appropriate department at the insurance company that can verify current health insurance coverage.
• Submit the waiver form by the deadline indicated in each semester's Class Schedule (deadline changes from semester to semester).

Note: Students who have not been issued a health insurance card by their insurance company are required to pay for the student health insurance when they pay their tuition and fees. Once outside health coverage is verified, the insurance fee will be refunded to the student. The time it takes to verify coverage varies, depending on processing demands and insurance carrier responsiveness.

All covered services at the Health Center at Auraria are paid at 100 percent with no payment at the time of service, no deductible and no need for claim forms. The pre-existing condition exclusion clause is waived for services performed. Please see the current Student Health Insurance Brochure for a summary of the plan benefits, requirements and exclusions. Brochures can be obtained at the Health Center at Auraria.

Dependents of a student participating in the student health insurance program are also eligible for optional insurance coverage. Adult dependents (18 and up) may use the Health Center at Auraria (SHC) after they pay the semesterly SHC fee. Dependents 17 years old or younger are not eligible for services at the SHC. Please call the insurance office for information regarding pediatric care. In addition, students enrolled during the spring semester are given the option of purchasing summer health insurance without attending classes, provided that payment is received by the deadline listed in the summer Class Schedule. Graduating students have the option to purchase from one to six months of continuing coverage. Students with questions regarding student health insurance should contact the Student Insurance Office.

*For insurance purposes, at least 10 credit hours is considered full-time for fall and spring semesters, and eight credit hours is considered full-time during the summer semester.

**Individual insurance plans that are not required to meet state and federal benefit mandates are not considered comparable and consequently will not be considered proof of comparable coverage. Effective August 1, 1998, the "Colorado Resident Discount Program" will NOT be accepted as proof of comparable outside health insurance coverage for waiver purposes. This special program is not considered health insurance and was not designed by the state legislature for this purpose.

Student Health Insurance

Voluntary Program for Part-Time Students

Based on the mandatory insurance requirement which the college has adopted, the Student Insurance Carrier has permitted the college to offer the following Voluntary Health Insurance Program to part-time students. This program is exclusively for part-time students taking 6-9 credit hours in the fall and/or spring semester(s) and 6-7 credit hours during the summer semester. Students taking more or less credit hours than indicated above are NOT eligible for this voluntary program.

The Voluntary Plan has the same deadlines (as listed in the Class Schedule), plan design, cost and benefit levels as does the mandatory insurance plan referenced in the previous section. Part-time students interested in the voluntary option should contact the Student Insurance Office at 303-556-3873 for application details.

Student Dental Insurance

Voluntary Program for all Students

Voluntary Dental Insurance is available to all students taking one credit hour or more. Information and application forms can be obtained at the Student Insurance Office in the Health Center at Auraria (PL 150).