Admissions
How to Apply
Start your application now and finish anytime. Learn more about the application requirements and process below.
If you're currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at CU Boulder and would like to pursue a certificate in the Outdoor Recreation Economy program, please contact us at oreinfo@colorado.edu.
If you miss the application deadline, you may be able to register for individual courses now and complete the certificate application for the next term. We encourage you to contact us at oreinfo@colorado.edu to discuss your options.
Admissions Help
Contact us at oreinfo@colorado.edu for questions about your application.
Spring 2025
May 6, 2024:
November 4, 2024:
Course enrollment begins
January 3, 2025:
Application deadline
(all application documents must be submitted)
January 13, 2025:
Estimated program start date
Summer 2025
August 16, 2024:
March 10, 2025:
Course enrollment begins
May 3, 2025:
Application deadline
(all application documents must be submitted)
May 12, 2025:
Program start date
A complete application includes:
- Online Application
- Capacity is limited, so it is to your advantage to apply early.
- A copy of your transcript providing evidence of completion of a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent.
- Please submit an unofficial copy of your transcript with the application.
- All international transcripts should be submitted in the native language and include each course completed and the grade/mark earned. Credentials written in languages other than English must also be accompanied by a certified English translation.
- International students may also need to submit official scores from a test of English proficiency. Applicants should have at a minimum:
- a TOEFL score of 75 (internet-based),
- an IELTS score of 6.0 or
- a Duolingo score of at least 120.
- After your application is submitted, request that the TOEFL testing agency report your official score directly to the University of Colorado Division of Continuing Education. The institution code for CU Continuing Education is B880. To report your official Duolingo scores, click "Send Results" from inside the application, then choose University of Colorado Boulder - Continuing Education. IELTS scores should be reported in the application. In addition, you must provide the following information to your IELTS test center when requesting that your scores be sent to CU Boulder (IELTS does not use school codes):
CE Records - Graduate Programs
Division of Continuing Education
University of Colorado Boulder
178 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0178
- Test scores are not required for all international students. You are not required to submit test scores if your native language is English or if, within two years from your desired admission term at CU Boulder, you have completed at least one year of full-time study at either a U.S. college/university or at a non-U.S. college/university where English is the native language of instruction.
- This program is fully online. Please note that international students are not eligible for U.S. student visas if taking fully online programs. International students who do not require a visa are welcome and encouraged to enroll in the program.
You will be notified of the admission decision within two weeks after submitting your application. If admitted, you will receive a separate email with your student ID number and instructions for activating university accounts, as well as how to enroll in courses.
Transfer Credit
In order to receive an Outdoor Recreation Economy graduate certificate, you must complete only program-designated classes. No transfer credit will be accepted.