University of Colorado – Denver

Founded in 1912, the University of Colorado - Denver is a public university in Colorado with an emphasis in research. It actually consists of two separate campuses that operate under the same name. Its main campus originally opened as an extension campus associated with the UC School System. This branch allowed students to take a few classes on campus and take classes through the mail. The medical campus branch of the university opened in 1883 and offered medical and surgical courses before adding a nursing program. The two separate campuses later merged and became UC-Denver. The university now offers more than 100 major programs in science, technology, nursing and other fields.

UC-Denver made a name for itself because of its emphasis on research, and that emphasis led to the university appearing on several lists of the best schools in the nation. The Chronicle of Higher Education noted the high productivity rate of its students, especially in regards to genetics and other biology/anatomy programs. U.S. News and World Report added the university to its list of the best public medical schools and the top research graduate schools. It also appeared on a list of the best public colleges in the west put out by The Princeton Review and as one of the best colleges in the country on a list compiled by Forbes.

University of Colorado - Denver Accreditation Details

UC-Denver has accreditation from a number of agencies and organizations across the country. The United States Department of Education now limits financial aid packages only to those enrolled in an accredited program or college. Primary or regional accreditation, which is the most important type of accreditation, comes from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The NCACS ensures that students have all the opportunities, experiences and classes necessary for graduating. UC-Denver also has something called program accreditation, which comes from organizations affiliated with a specific field of study. For example, the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) accredited the civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science programs on campus. Other program accreditation comes from groups like:

• Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
• American Physical Therapy Association
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
• American Society of Landscape Architects
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
• Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• American Dental Association
• Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
• Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration

University of Colorado - Denver Application Requirements

UC-Denver is unique because it guarantees that all students will receive an answer from the university within three weeks of submitting an application. Unlike other colleges that ask students to write an extensive essay as part of the application process, UC-Denver simply asks that students answer some basic questions and submit the online forms. The first step is about section that has spaces for students to list his or her name, current address, birth date and social security number. The education section asks them about their backgrounds and goals, including where they attended high school, if they earned a high school diploma, what they want to study and when they plan to start college.

The classes section requires that students give a list of courses they took in the past, which ensures that they took all the mandatory courses for attending college in Colorado. Students must take classes in English, math, science, a foreign language, social sciences and a few electives. The last step before submitting is a small section that asks students about any criminal charges or disciplinary actions they faced in the past. They can then submit the application, pay the application fee of $50, mail a high school transcript and arrange for UC-Denver to receive scores from the SAT or ACT.

Tuition and Fees

As one of the most affordable colleges in Colorado, UC-Denver tries to make all classes affordable for all students. Colorado residents pay $378 per credit hour for lower level courses and $389 per credit hour for upper level classes. Residents of other states pay $934 per credit hour for both upper and lower level courses. The university also charges a fee of $100 for each course that a student takes online and $50 for each hybrid course they take, which is a class that combines online learning and independent learning. Students living on campus are also responsible for a dorm room and meal plan, and all students must pay for their own expenses, including textbooks and other supplies.

The university offers financial aid packages to all students who submit the FAFSA in advance of starting classes. Most students will qualify for some type of loan, and parents of enrolled or accepted students can apply for loans as well. UC-Denver also has scholarships, grants and work-study programs for students who need help. After receiving an acceptance letter, students should visit the Scholarship Office page on the official university website to learn about the scholarships available and how to apply.

Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute

UC-Denver has a strong reputation because of its health care and medical programs. students enrolling in one of the programs offered by the Department of Ophthalmology will have the chance to work at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute. The facility is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays to assist locals with their eye care and vision needs. Patients can chat with a doctor about symptoms they experienced, get a routine checkup or get a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses. The institute accepts most major insurance companies and offers payment plans for those who do not have insurance.

The Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute also offers multiple programs for current students. It has a residency program available that provides on the job training and support for medical school students and recent graduates. There are also multiple fellowships available for students interested in studying glaucoma and various types of eye surgeries. Special receptions and events take place every year for doctors who need to continue their education and want to meet with other licensed doctors. The Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute at the University of Colorado - Denver provides lots of opportunities for currently enrolled students, alumni and doctors who graduated from other schools.