Continuing Education

The mission of the Division of Continuing Education is to provide quality, innovative, lifelong learning opportunities to a diverse student population by extending the educational resources of the University of Colorado Boulder. A variety of credit courses, noncredit programs, certificate programs and seminars are offered though Continuing Education, which also administers CU-Boulder’s Summer Session. Only university-approved faculty teach in Continuing Education programs.

The office is located at 1505 University Avenue in Boulder, 303-492-5148 (or 1-800-331-2801). The fax number is 303-492-5335, and the website is conted.colorado.edu.

Evening Credit Program

Offered in conjunction with CU-Boulder’s academic departments, the Evening Credit Program provides credit courses in the evening on the Boulder campus. These affordable, smaller-sized classes are provided through various departments including anthropology, communication, economics, English, film studies, art and art history, geography, mathematics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, Spanish, theatre and more.

Online Credit Program

The Online Credit Program offers online courses representing and approved by more than 25 departments on campus. Term-based courses follow a traditional semester schedule and allow for rich interaction with the instructor and other classmates. Self-paced courses offer students the flexibility of progressing through the course at their own pace, and to finish in less than a full semester or take up to six months. 

Applied Music Program

The Applied Music Program offers students the opportunity to earn CU credit for beginning or continuing music lessons on guitar, piano, voice, winds, brass, drums, percussion or strings. Instruction is available in individual or group sessions depending on the instrument.

Individualized Instruction

Individualized Instruction provides an opportunity for students to receive credit for university courses by meeting with faculty members outside the regular classroom setting. This option may be used when the student cannot reasonably be expected to enroll in the main campus course.

Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program

The Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions program is a partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Continuing Education. It is designed for career changers who were academically successful as undergraduates but have not completed the prerequisite science courses needed to apply to graduate medical programs. Students enter the program in a cohort and take all course work together. Academic advising, tutoring and preparation for applying to medical schools are provided.

ACCESS and High School Concurrent Programs

In conjunction with CU-Boulder academic departments, ACCESS (Available Credit Courses for Eligible Special Students) enables nondegree students to enroll in Boulder main campus undergraduate and graduate credit courses after most degree-seeking students have registered. Colorado high school juniors and seniors interested in the challenge of university course work may enroll in ACCESS as part of the High School Concurrent Program. In addition to earning college credit, students may also earn credit toward high school graduation requirements.

Extraordinary Program

Through Continuing Education, academic departments can offer special courses that target audiences both on and off campus and provide academic credit for those offerings. Once a course proposal is submitted, Continuing Education coordinates the approval process and provides administrative support to the course initiator. Programs initiated from outside the university community may be considered for approval as well as noncredit and certificate programs.

CU Complete

The goal of CU Complete is to assist former students in the completion of degrees they began at CU-Boulder in the past. Advisors work with each student individually and offer a degree analysis, recommendations, resources and assistance in completing remaining requirements.

Science Discovery

Science Discovery is a science education outreach organization designed to heighten student interest and increase literacy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Science Discovery connects K-12 students and teachers to current CU science through a broad array of programs including summer camps, after-school classes, in-school programs, teacher professional development workshops and Teen Science Cafés. Programs capitalize on CU-Boulder’s scientific resources, facilities and expertise (including CU graduate and undergraduate students) in order to excite students about STEM, expose them to a variety of STEM careers and professionals and inspire a future generation of scientists and engineers. Science Discovery reaches more than 25,000 students and teachers throughout Colorado.

International English Center

The International English Center (IEC) offers language learning, culture and academic preparation programs for international students planning to matriculate at universities and for members of the campus and local community with limited English proficiency. The IEC also contracts with corporate groups to provide language training and professional development courses.

Outreach and Engagement: Reaching Off Campus and into Communities

Extending educational opportunities to the citizens of Colorado is a vital part of the university and a core mission of the Division of Continuing Education. Its Office of Outreach and Engagement serves the entire CU-Boulder campus by supporting a variety of outreach and engagement activities. These include administering the CU-Boulder Outreach awards for faculty-driven outreach and engagement projects, managing the campus-wide Outreach and Engagement website, organizing a range of local and statewide community programs and directing the Learn More About Climate initiative.

Summer Session and Maymester at CU-Boulder

Summer Session offers over 500 campus courses and enrolls about 8,000 students in a relaxed, comfortable learning environment. Online and on-campus courses are available to students who wish to enhance or accelerate their academic progress. Courses are also open to students visiting from other colleges, teachers, high school students or others interested in pursuing their professional development or enrichment.

Maymester and Augmester are special three-week summer sessions immediately following the end of spring semester or immediately before fall semester begins. They provide intense, accelerated courses for those who need academic credits in an abbreviated time period.