Admissions Requirements

Degree, Certificate & Non-Degree Program Requirements

It is important to note that the sections below contain all potential requirements. Please review the specific admissions application requirements for your program of interest.

Please review our Graduate Admissions Deadlines webpage for more information about upcoming deadlines.  

The application for spring and fall 2024 programs is open! Use the “Apply Now” button to submit your application today. 

Degree Program Requirements

This section is for Master’s Non-Thesis, Master’s Thesis, Professional Masters and Doctoral Programs.

Transcript Requirements

To apply to Mines, you will need to send the Office of Admissions your transcripts from all universities you have previously attended. You may submit unofficial or official transcripts for the application review process*. Please view the descriptions below for an explanation of unofficial vs. official and instructions for sending your transcripts** to us.

Unofficial Transcripts
We accept unofficial transcripts in English for the application review process. An unofficial transcript is defined as:

Any transcript not sent to Mines directly from another university. For example:

    • A transcript uploaded by you, the student, to your Applicant Portal
    • A transcript emailed to us by you or anyone other than the university you are requesting it from
    • A transcript mailed to us in an envelope without a university stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope

An unofficial transcript must include your name and the name of the university.

Methods for Submitting Unofficial Transcripts

  1. Via your Mines Applicant Portal: After submitting your application, you will gain access to your Applicant Portal. Your Applicant Portal will allow you to upload your unofficial transcripts. Here you can also check the status of your application file and admissions decision.
  2. Via email: Send your transcript as a pdf file to grad-admissions@mines.edu.

Official Transcripts
We also accept official transcripts in English for the application review process. An official transcript is defined as:

  • Any transcript sent directly to Colorado School of Mines from another university

Methods for Sending Official Transcripts

1. Directly from your current/prior university via email to us at grad-admissions@mines.edu
2. Directly from your current/prior university via any electronic document sending service
3. Directly from your current/prior university via postal mail, in a sealed envelope with a university signature, stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope to:

Colorado School of Mines
Office of Admissions – Graduate Admissions
Starzer Welcome Center
1812 Illinois Street
Golden, CO  80401

4. Delivered to the Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope with a university signature, stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope.

*Please Note: If you are accepted and decide to attend Mines, prior to enrolling, you are required to submit final official transcripts and diplomas in English from all prior universities attended.
**Please Note: If you attended a university outside of the United States and you are admitted and decide to enroll at Mines, you must also submit an official credential evaluation of your transcript and diploma performed by a NACES member. The cost of an evaluation is approximately $160 USD.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Scores

    • The GRE is required for some programs. Please see the program specific admissions requirements for more information 
    • To learn more about how to request that your official GRE scores are sent to Mines. See the GRE website. 
    • The Colorado School of Mines’ institutional GRE code is 4073. All official score reports are sent to the Office of Admissionsso no need to indicate a specific department when requesting your scores.  
    • Exceptions:
      • Below are the departments that will accept GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) in place of GRE scores: 
        • The Division of Economics and Business 
        • Space Resources Program 
        • The Division of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
        • Natural Resources and Energy Policy (NREP) 
      •   Natural Resources and Energy Policy (NREP) will also accept Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) scores in place of the GRE, Please email grad-admissions@mines.edu to submit your LSAT scores.   
    • Your GRE scores are valid for five years. 
    •  

Letters of Recommendation

    • Most graduate programs require Letters of Recommendation as part of the admissions application requirements. Please see your program of interest webpage for specific requirements.
    • Please have your recommenders submit letters of recommendation through the online application system (details below) or by emailing them to:  grad-admissions@mines.edu. Letters of recommendation must come directly from the recommender. 
    • Inform your recommenders that they will submit their recommendation letter through the online application system. An email will be sent to the email address you provide on their behalf. Please ensure that you enter their email address correctly in your application. Once the recommender submits their letter, you will be able to see this update in your Applicant Portal.  
    • We recommend requesting letters from contacts who are knowledgeable of your academic and professional capabilities and experiencesIn particular, faculty members whom you have worked closely with or supervisors/colleagues from a related job or internship experience 
    • We encourage your recommenders to specifically describe your qualifications with regard to the degree program into which you are applying to. 
    • All letters of recommendation must be received by the admissions application deadline for your application file to be completed. Learn more about the application deadlines. Application files without all materials, including the letters of recommendation (if required), will not be sent for review until they are complete 

Statement of Goals/Statement of Purpose

    • The purpose of this requirement is to briefly introduce yourself to the Graduate Admissions Review Committee by sharing your professional, academic and personal goals and why you believe Colorado School of Mines is the best place to achieve those goals. In addition, any skills or experience that you have and believe are applicable to a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship award should be addressed in the statement. Please keep your statement to one to two pages in length, at the most (~500-750 words). 

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

    • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) helps the Admissions Review Committee better understand your past and current professional work, research, teaching and academic experiences to further determine your candidacy and funding opportunities. We recommend including any grants awarded, publications in which you have been published in a research capacity relevant to your field of interest and any professional affiliations you are involved with, especially leadership positions held within those affiliations.

Application Fee (Non-Refundable)

    • U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents application fee – $75
    • International Citizens application fee – $95
    • The application fee is waived for current Mines students, alumni and staff
    • There isn’t an application fee for non-degree applicants
    • For GEM Fellowship applicants and students participating in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, please contact grad-admissions@mines.edu to verify your status and have your application fee waived

Please note: Our online application system will only accept application fees paid by credit or debit card. 

 

Tips to Complete Your Application

Deadlines
It’s critical to note the admissions application deadlines and ensure all of your application file materials are submitted on or before this date.

Fall Deadlines
Spring Deadlines

Supplemental Materials

  • If you want to submit any additional information, outside of your program requirements, please submit them via your Mines Applicant Portal. Supplemental materials can include: an additional statement of purpose, a publication, additional letter of recommendation, an article, award or recognition that you believe adds value to your application file.
  • In order to expedite the admissions review process, copies of test scores and transcripts are acceptable to complete your application file until official paperwork arrives.  
  • Once your application is successfully submitted you will receive a confirmation email to the email address provided in your application This confirmation email will also include your Applicant Portal login credentials. Within this Portal, you can check the status of your application and receipt of application materials. Here you can also submit supplemental materials. 
  • When all the required application materials are received by the Office of Admissions, your application file will be complete and ready for review. We will send an email notifying you of this status update 

Reach out to the Office of Admissions at grad-admissions@mines.edu if you have any questions. 

 

Credential Evaluation (International Students Only)

All international student transcripts must be accompanied by a certified English translation and course-by-course credential evaluation in order to complete your application. A credential evaluation is a comparison of your academic record to standards in the U.S., a verification of validity and a translation of your grades to the U.S.-style system. The cost for an evaluation ranges from about $160-200 (USD).

 

SpanTran is our recommended international transcript evaluation service. They have created a custom application for Colorado School of Mines graduate school that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here: SpanTran Application – Colorado School of Mines Graduate School.

Though SpanTran is preferred, you may use any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member that performs course-by-course credential evaluations. Don’t forget to designate Mines as a recipient of your evaluation.

After the evaluation agency completes your evaluation, it will be sent to us electronically. You may qualify for an exception to the credential evaluation requirement if:

  • You attended a high school that follows the U.S.-style curriculum, an AP curriculum or an IB curriculum;
  • You attended a school accredited by the Middle States Association;
  • You are fully sponsored by an official government embassy, government agency, or an organization with an active agreement with Colorado School of Mines, such as Saudi Aramco or KGSP; OR
  • You attended Taylor’s University in Malaysia.

If you see the requirement for a credential evaluation in your Applicant Portal checklist and you believe you qualify for one of the exceptions listed above, please email _grad-admissions@mines.eduto request a waiver.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (International Students Only)

Applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents and whose native language is not English, must prove English proficiency as part of the application process except when applying for a university-approved online program and will be studying outside of the U.S.. Applications that do not have valid proof of English proficiency are considered incomplete and will not be released to the department for review. The English proficiency requirement may be fulfilled by meeting one of the following:

TOEFL

Colorado School of Mines institution code: 4073. Mines requires a minimum score of 79 Internet-based test with minimum section scores as shown below. Tests must have been taken within the past two years and must not expire during the application process. If you have multiple valid TOEFL tests, we do accept TOEFL MyBest Scores or will superscore your section scores if necessary.

SubjectInternet TOEFL (iBT)
Reading20
Listening21
Writing17
Speaking21
Total79

TOEFL AT-HOME TEST: We will accept the TOEFL At-Home Test with the same score requirements as those listed above. This test is now available in most countries.

 

IELTS

Minimum overall band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. We are now accepting the IELTS Indicator At-Home Test with the same score requirements. This test is now available in most countries. If you have multiple valid IELTS tests, we will superscore your band scores if necessary. Tests must have been taken within the past two years and must not expire during the application process

 

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test is an acceptable test of English proficiency. A minimum overall score of 105, with no subscore below 100 is required.

 

Cambridge English

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency exams with a minimum score of 176, with no skill below 169.

 

Other ways to prove English proficiency:
  • Completion of a university degree program in an English-speaking country (see chart below) within the last two years from the date of acceptance to Mines
  • Completion of at least one year of full-time study (minimum 18 credit hours) at a college or university in an English-speaking country (see chart below) with a grade point average to meet our institutional requirement. Completed within the last two years from the date of acceptance to Mines.
  • Completion of two semesters of English composition with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.  (These courses must be completed on an A-F grade scale.) Completed within the last two years from the date of acceptance to Mines.
  • You are currently on a university-approved OPT program. A letter from the university is required.
  • You have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in an English-speaking country (see list below), are living in an English-speaking country, working in a STEM field and are using English in your work on a daily basis. An employer letter is required.
  • You are a citizen of one of the following English-speaking countries:
    ANTIGUA and BARBUDA NEW ZEALAND
    AUSTRALIA NIGERIA
    BAHAMAS NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
    BELIZE PHILIPPINES
    BOTSWANA SAMOA
    CANADA SOUTH AFRICA
    GHANA TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
    IRELAND UGANDA
    JAMAICA UNITED KINGDOM
    LIBERIA UNITED STATES
    MAURITIUS ZAMBIA

Financial Statement (International Students Only)

A financial statement of support is only required if you are accepted and choose to attend Mines. It is not required during the application process. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will contact you with more information about obtaining your DS-2019 or I-20 after you have completed the Enrollment Decision Form in your Applicant Portal.

Online Courses (International Students Only)

Students from around the world and across the country are invited to apply.  However, by law, there are certain limitations. Find out more here: Online Education – Export Control

 

 

 

Certificate Program Requirements

This section is for graduate and post-Baccalaureate certificates. Due to the length of the certificate program transcripts are required upon submitting your intent to enroll. Delay in submitting your transcripts could affect registration and graduation.

Transcript Requirements

To apply to Mines, you will need to send the Office of Admissions your transcripts from all universities you have previously attended. You may submit unofficial or official transcripts for the application review process*. Please view the descriptions below for an explanation of unofficial vs. official and instructions for sending your transcripts to us.

Unofficial Transcripts
We accept unofficial transcripts in English for the application review process. An unofficial transcript is defined as:

Any transcript not sent to Mines directly from another university. For example:

    • A transcript uploaded by you, the student, to your Applicant Portal
    • A transcript emailed to us by you or anyone other than the university you are requesting it from
    • A transcript mailed to us in an envelope without a university stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope

An unofficial transcript must include your name and the name of the university.

Methods for Submitting Unofficial Transcripts

  1. Via your Mines Applicant Portal: After submitting your application, you will gain access to your Applicant Portal. Your Applicant Portal will allow you to upload your unofficial transcripts. Here you can also check the status of your application file and admissions decision.
  2. Via email: Send your transcript as a pdf file to grad-admissions@mines.edu.

Official Transcripts
We also accept official transcripts in English for the application review process. An official transcript is defined as:

  • Any transcript sent directly to Colorado School of Mines from another university

Methods for Sending Official Transcripts

1. Directly from your current/prior university via email to us at grad-admissions@mines.edu
2. Directly from your current/prior university via any electronic document sending service
3. Directly from your current/prior university via postal mail, in a sealed envelope with a university signature, stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope to:

Colorado School of Mines
Office of Admissions – Graduate Admissions
Starzer Welcome Center
1812 Illinois Street
Golden, CO  80401

4. Delivered to the Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope with a university signature, stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope.

*Please Note: If you are accepted and decide to attend Mines, prior to enrolling, you are required to submit final official transcripts and diplomas in English from all prior universities attended. 

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Scores

The GRE is not required for admission into graduate certification programs.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

    • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) helps the Admissions Review Committee better understand your past and current professional work, research, teaching and academic experiences to further determine your candidacy and funding opportunities. We recommend including any grants awarded, publications in which you have been published in a research capacity relevant to your field of interest and any professional affiliations you are involved with, especially leadership positions held within those affiliations.

Statement of Goals/Statement of Purpose

  • The purpose of this requirement is to briefly introduce yourself to the Graduate Admissions Review Committee by sharing your professional, academic and personal goals and why you believe Colorado School of Mines is the best place to achieve those goals. In addition, any skills or experience that you have and believe are applicable to a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship award should be addressed in the statement. Please keep your statement to one to two pages in length, at the most (~500-750 words). 

Eligibility and Tuition

ELIGIBILITY

  • Students interested in enrolling in a graduate certificate typically must have completed a bachelor’s degree by the start date of their first certificate course. Please check your Program requirements.
  • Prerequisite coursework may be required. Review the program requirements in the Mines Catalog.

TUITION

  • Certificate courses are charged tuition at the graduate tuition rate, regardless of course level, if you have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Certificate courses are not eligible for financial aid at Colorado School of Mines. Please reach out to your program of interest for potential aid opportunities.

ELIGIBILITY (International Students Only)

F-1 and J-1 visas cannot be issued for residential graduate certificate programs. If you are on or need an F-1 or J-1 visa at Mines or a different visa type (such as H1B) and are interested in one of these programs, please contact ISSS at isss@mines.edu.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (International Students Only)

Applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents and whose native language is not English, must prove English proficiency as part of the application process except when applying for a university-approved online program and will be studying outside of the U.S.. Applications that do not have valid proof of English proficiency are considered incomplete and will not be released to the department for review. The English proficiency requirement may be fulfilled by meeting one of the following:

TOEFL

Colorado School of Mines institution code: 4073. Mines requires a minimum score of 79 Internet-based test with minimum section scores as shown below. Tests must have been taken within the past two years and must not expire during the application process. If you have multiple valid TOEFL tests, we do accept TOEFL MyBest Scores or will superscore your section scores if necessary.

 

 

TOEFL AT-HOME TEST: We will accept the TOEFL At-Home Test with the same score requirements as those listed above. This test is now available in most countries.

 

IELTS

Minimum overall band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. We are now accepting the IELTS Indicator At-Home Test with the same score requirements. This test is now available in most countries. If you have multiple valid IELTS tests, we will superscore your band scores if necessary. Tests must have been taken within the past two years and must not expire during the application process

 

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test is an acceptable test of English proficiency. A minimum overall score of 105, with no subscore below 100 is required.

 

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Minimum overall score of 53 with no communicative skills score below 50. Tests must have been taken within the past two years and must not expire during the application process.

 

 

Other ways to prove English proficiency:
  • Completion of a university degree program in an English-speaking country (see chart below) within the last two years from the date of acceptance to Mines
  • Completion of at least one year of full-time study (minimum 18 credit hours) at a college or university in an English-speaking country (see chart below) with a grade point average to meet our institutional requirement. Completed within the last two years from the date of acceptance to Mines.
  • Completion of two semesters of English composition with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.  (These courses must be completed on an A-F grade scale.) Completed within the last two years from the date of acceptance to Mines.
  • You are currently on a university-approved OPT program.
  • You have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in an English-speaking country (see list below), are living in an English-speaking country, working in a STEM field and are using English in your work on a daily basis. An employer letter is required.
  • You are a citizen of one of the following English-speaking countries:
    ANTIGUA and BARBUDA NEW ZEALAND
    AUSTRALIA NIGERIA
    BAHAMAS NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
    BELIZE PHILIPPINES
    BOTSWANA SAMOA
    CANADA SOUTH AFRICA
    GHANA TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
    IRELAND UGANDA
    JAMAICA UNITED KINGDOM
    LIBERIA UNITED STATES
    MAURITIUS ZAMBIA
  •  

Online Courses (International Students Only)

Students from around the world and across the country are invited to apply.  However, by law, there are certain limitations. Find out more here: Online Education – Export Control

 

 

 

Non-Degree Program Requirements

This section is for those students interested in taking graduate courses at Mines but do not plan on pursuing a degree or certificate at this time.

Eligibility and Tuition

Eligibility

  • Students interested in completing graduate-level coursework as a non-degree student must have completed a bachelor’s degree by the start date of the first graduate course.
  • Prerequisite coursework may be required. Review requirements in the Mines Catalog.

Tuition

  • Non-degree courses are charged tuition at the graduate tuition rate, regardless of course level, if you have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Non-degree courses are not eligible for financial aid at Colorado School of Mines.

Application Process

Non-degree applicants must wait for the course schedule to be published before submitting the application. You can view the course schedule by following these steps.

  • Review the course schedule and select your intended courses (access the course Course Schedule).
  • Course title, 5-digit CRN, course number and instruction format are needed when applying.
  • Submit an application for each term you intend to complete coursework.
  • Indicate the courses of interest when prompted.
  • Provide transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; unofficial transcripts accepted.
  • International non-degree applicants: If you are currently within the U.S., please submit a valid I-20 or DS-2019. If you are located and plan to remain outside of the U.S. for the duration of your coursework, no additional immigration documentation is required.

Registering for Courses

  • The Office of the Registrar will verify prerequisites (if applicable).
  • The Office of the Registrar will enroll you in your requested courses (space permitting).
  • You will receive an e-mail from the Office of the Registrar confirming your enrollment.

If you have questions about your registration after your application has been processed, please contact the Office of the Registrar. They are located in the Mines Student Center, Suite E280 1200 16th Street Golden, CO 80401 Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm and can be reached by emailing registrar@mines.edu or calling (303) 273-3200.

 

 

Additional Information for:

CURRENT MINES UNDERGRADS

Hello Orediggers! We are excited to see that you may be sticking around a little longer.

All Mines undergraduate students interested in applying for a graduate degree program as a combined BS/(Master’s or Doctoral) degree student should:

  • Contact the academic department offering the graduate degree or the Office of Admissions for application requirement details. Requirements vary by department.
  • Submit the graduate admissions application during your junior year. Click on the GradSchool@Mines button in Trailhead for an expedited application process.
  • Admission into a graduate degree program as a combined degree student may be granted after the student earns 60 undergraduate credits including transfer credit, and must be granted no later than the semester in which the student intends to apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree.

Application requirements for Mines undergraduate students

  • Application Fee: Waived. Respond to the prompts in the application appropriately indicating your affiliation and the fee will be covered.
  • Transcript: You will need to submit one (1) official copy of transcripts from all universities/colleges you have attended. Official Mines undergraduate/graduate transcripts are not needed. Please download your Mines unofficial transcript from Trailhead and upload this as your unofficial Mines transcript.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Please have your recommenders submit letters through the online application system or by email to: grad-admissions@mines.edu. Letters of recommendation should be solicited from recommenders who know your academic and professional capabilities. They should also describe your qualifications for the specific degree program to which you are applying. You should always contact recommenders to discuss using them as a reference. Please contact the Office of Admissions or your department of interest to determine the number of letters required.
  • Graduate Record Exams (GRE): Many departments waive the GRE requirement for Mines undergraduate students applying to a combined program. However, some departments require the GRE for combined program students. Please review your graduate program webpage to determine if GREs are required.
  • Statement of Goals/Purpose: The purpose of the statement of goals is to introduce yourself to the Graduate Admissions Review Committee. In the statement, you should address professional and personal goals and why Colorado School of Mines is the best place to achieve those goals. In addition, any skills or experience you have that you think are applicable to a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship award should be addressed in the statement. It is typically one to two pages in length.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): You will need to upload a current resume. The Career Center is a great resource!

You can check the status of your application within your Applicant Portal.

When applying to the combined program, we suggest that you:

  • Visit the Office of Admissions Combined Program page for more information. Contact the Office of Admissions, if you have any questions.
  • Contact the Financial Aid Office to see how the Combined Program will impact any aid you may be receiving.
  • Contact the Office of the Registrar to verify your undergraduate graduation date and for information about completing the required forms.

GO OREDIGGERS!

MINES ALUMNI

Hello Mines alums! Welcome back.

We’re here to help you take the next steps forward with another Mines degree. If you earned your Bachelor’s within the past five years, some of your requirements may be waived. Please contact your intended program to learn more.
As a Mines alum, you are not required to provide Mines with official transcripts. Please upload your unofficial transcripts to your Applicant Portal. Also, your admissions application fee is waived. Just respond to the prompts in the application indicating your Mines affiliation and the fee will be removed.

Please reach out if you need anything by emailing us at grad-admissions@mines.edu or calling (303) 273-3247. Go Orediggers!

MINES FACULTY AND STAFF

Take advantage of your tuition benefits as part of your Mines benefits. Also, your admissions application fee is waived! As you apply, just respond to the prompts, indicating your Mines affiliation and the fee will be waived. Let us know if you have any questions by emailing grad-admissions@mines.edu or calling (303) 273-3247. Go Orediggers!

Domestic ApplicantsInternational Applicants | Non-Degree Applicants

Learn More About Application Deadlines

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PhD Candidate, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering