Online Students’ Frequently Asked Questions

Students using the GI Bill do not have a specific requirement for in-person classes or programs unless they want the full time housing rate. If you are using the Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 31 VR&E you must take at least 12 credits hours with at least one hybrid or on campus course to receive the full housing benefit. If students using these chapters take all 12 credits online they will receive half of the national average of the housing stipend.

Yes. When submitting the application, you will be asked in detail about your plans here at MSU Denver. Begin by selecting “online bachelor’s degree” or “online graduate certificate” from the list of drop-down options on the application, then select your major, masters, or certificate in the second drop down.

You can’t apply without selecting a major, but it is easy to change your mind later. If you know you want to earn a degree online, be sure to choose an online major even if you know you plan to change it later.

Almost all the online programs have the same application requirements as on-campus programs. What you need to apply is determined by your student type. Visit the Student Types – Admissions Requirements page and find the description that best matches your situation and the specific information you need to apply.

Undergraduate Applicants

The How to Apply page lists current application deadlines application deadlines each semester and instructions on completing the application.

Graduate Applicants

Please email the Graduate Admissions Coordinator for deadlines for the graduate programs you are interested in.

The complete list of undergraduate and graduate online programs at MSU Denver can be found on our Programs page.

For programs that are offered online and in-person you can take a mix of on-campus, hybrid, and online classes as part of your online program. A fully online program means all required degree components are offered at least once per year in a virtual environment – meaning you won’t have to come to campus if you don’t want to.

However, if the program you enroll in is only offered online, there may not be classes available in other formats such as on-campus and hybrid.

Yes. We accept credit for online programs the same way we accept credit for on-campus programs. Your transcripts will be evaluated by the Office of the Registrar without regard to the course delivery method (meaning online, hybrid, on-campus, etc.) and you will receive an official transcript evaluation so you can see how your credits transfer in.

Yes! We accept credit from other regionally accredited institutions. We accept credit from institutions fully accredited by one of the seven U.S. regional accrediting commissions recognized by the CHEA. If you have questions about accreditation at institutions you attended in the past, please contact online learning.

College transcripts can be submitted from the institution you previously attended to [email protected]. Official copies of high school transcripts and GEDs can be sent to [email protected].

Check out Transferology to get an idea of how many credits from your previous college will transfer to MSU Denver.

Yes! The majority of college credits do not expire. There are very few classes that do expire, and we can help you in determining which of those classes might be affected. Email us at [email protected] so we can look at your case individually.

Yes! Students are eligible to be considered for financial aid whether they learn in person, online, or in a hybrid format, so long as they have a complete aid file with the Financial Aid office. For more information on financial aid at MSU Denver, please visit our Financial Aid website.

Yes! The Online Learning scholarship is available to new or readmitted students for students who apply and enroll in a fully online program. Check out the scholarship details on the Online Learning website to see if you’re eligible, and don’t forget to apply for the scholarship once you are accepted to MSU Denver. You can see a list of online programs on the MSU Denver Programs page.

No, the tuition is the same as on-campus programs. However, the associated fees for online courses are different. You can review the student tuition and fees in detail by visiting the Bursar’s office website.

MSU Denver offers a special grant program called the Roadrunner Promise. Students who are Colorado residents pursuing their first degree and fall within certain income thresholds may be eligible to pay no tuition and fees. Please refer to the Office of Financial Aid’s Roadrunner Promise page  to learn more.

Technical Support

• Error messages, holds, etc.
• How to use Navigate to register for classes.
• Get help scheduling an advising appointment.
• Meet online with a peer mentor who can walk you through registering for classes.
• Review a detailed Registration Guide for help with a different problem.

Advising for Declared Students

If you have declared a major, your academic advisor is going to be the best person to contact for help with course scheduling and registration. You can find your assigned academic advisor and schedule an appointment in Navigate Student.

Advising for Undeclared Students

If you haven’t declared a major yet and need help deciding what courses to register for, consider engaging with an exploratory advisor. The fastest way to get an appointment with an exploratory advisor is via Navigate Student in your Student Hub or by phone at 303-615-2025. Email general questions to [email protected]

You can schedule an appointment with your academic advisor using Navigate Student. If you need additional help, please visit the Advising support page.

Yes, MSU Denver offers virtual tutoring and writing services via the Tutoring and Writing Center. We also offer 24/7 in-demand tutoring with Pear Deck Tutor.

Yes, students in online programs have access to personalized success coaching to help them overcome obstacles they might be facing.

Canvas is our learning management system. This is the system you will log into to access course content, take virtual exams, submit assignments, interact with other students, and email your professor.

If you want to familiarize yourself with Canvas before classes begin, watch this video tutorial or review the University Canvas Course Guide.

You have a few options:

• • • Logging in and learning the basics: Learn how to log in to Canvas and view tutorials.
    • More complex training: Find the “2020 Canvas Student Training” course within your Canvas profile. This will be the most comprehensive training.

• Wing it! If you are pretty comfortable using a computer and you don’t get to the tutorial, make sure to visit your first course about 30 minutes before class begins. It is very intuitive and you should easily become familiar with the interface.
• Technical Support. Students have direct access to Canvas support by calling the ITS Helpdesk at 303-352-7548.

You can access Canvas through the Student Hub. By using your NetID and password, you will gain access to all the content for your classes.

If you can’t login to Canvas, call the IT Service desk. If you haven’t set up your NetID yet, please review this tutorial before calling the service desk at 303-352-7548

If some of your courses are missing, call the IT Service desk at 303-352-7548. If you prefer, you can submit a ticket here.

If you have questions once you access your classes, 24/7 support is available under “Help” in the global navigation bar on the left side of the screen.

You can access your course two days before the start of the semester. This allows you to review your courses, but faculty will not begin teaching until the first days of classes.

If you can’t access Canvas, call the IT Service desk. If you haven’t set up your NetID yet, please review this tutorial before calling the service desk at 303-352-7548

It depends. Your online asynchronous classes are delivered 100% online with no required scheduled meeting times while synchronous classes are delivered 100% online at scheduled times through live virtual meeting technology.

Asynchronous classes are delivered 100% online with no required scheduled meeting times while synchronous classes are delivered 100% online at scheduled times through live virtual meeting technology.

You need a reliable internet connection and a smartphone or laptop to be successful. We strongly encourage students to invest in a laptop, if possible, as completing coursework via your phone might be difficult. Some courses may require extra software or tools but those will be discussed by the professor of each course.

No, students in online programs will not ever need to come to campus to take an exam. Some exams are offered virtually, and some require proctoring. You will work with your instructor to determine a local location to take the exam or with a proctor of your choice.

You can take as many or as few credits as you wish to take. However, to qualify for financial aid you must register for at least 6 credits each semester (or about two classes).

Yes! There is no difference between an online course and an in-person or hybrid learning experience. Our programs and the university are accredited regardless of mode of delivery.

No, your diploma will not say “online”. Your diploma will state that you are a graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver and it will include your degree title (e.g., Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts). The diploma will not include the specific area of study and it will not indicate if you took classes on campus or online.

No, online classes have the same quality and content (curriculum) as in-person classes.