Overview
The University of Northern Colorado, founded in 1889 as a State Normal School, granted its first master’s degree in 1913 and its first doctoral degree in 1929. Currently, the University offers graduate degree and postbaccalaureate professional educator licensure programs through four of its five colleges (Education and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural and Health Sciences, and Performing and Visual Arts). UNC offers the personal attention and high-quality instruction of a small private college with the focused research and public service of a university. It is located on a 240-acre campus just south of the Greeley city center.

In fall 2007, UNC enrolled nearly 1,870 graduate students, constituting 15 percent of the total student body. Seventy percent of the graduate students were women, 9 percent were members of ethnic minority groups, and 5 percent were international students. Fifty-five percent of the graduate students were enrolled part-time, and 86 percent were Colorado residents (it takes one full year to establish residency). An active Graduate Student Association participates in student government and the Graduate Council and supports graduate student initiatives.

Graduates of the UNC master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs find leadership positions in public schools; in nonprofit and for-profit health, service, or arts agencies; and in universities and colleges. Others work in private practice or in professional roles in their chosen fields. Many master’s graduates go on to doctoral programs in their disciplines.

The Location and Community
A pleasant city of 82,000 people, Greeley offers many cultural and recreational amenities. The climate is sunny and dry, facilitating a wide range of recreational pursuits such as biking, golf, hiking, backpacking, fishing, mountain-climbing, skiing, and many other outdoor activities. Other cultural, shopping, and recreational opportunities can be found all along the Front Range (from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Pueblo, Colorado). Nearby are Rocky Mountain National Park and the Pawnee National Grasslands. Denver and its cultural opportunities are just 1 hour away.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Graduate School offers programs of study leading to master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. There are thirty-one master’s programs (several of which have optional fields of emphasis). The post-master’s Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree is offered in educational leadership and school psychology. At the doctoral level, the Doctor of Arts (D.A.) in music is offered. The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is offered in educational leadership, elementary education, and special education. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is offered in applied statistics and research methods, biological education, chemical education, counselor education, educational mathematics, educational psychology, educational technology, higher education and student affairs leadership, human rehabilitation, nursing education, school psychology, and sport and exercise science. The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) is offered in counseling psychology. Individually designed graduate interdisciplinary programs may be approved for the M.A. and M.S. degrees. The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) is also offered. Master’s degrees require a minimum of 30 semester hours. The specialist degree requires a minimum of 30 hours past the master’s degree, and the doctoral programs all require a minimum of 64 hours past the master’s. All degrees require the passing of a comprehensive examination or an approved equivalent capstone project. Many of the research oriented master’s programs require a thesis, while practice-oriented programs usually require internships or practicums. Doctoral programs all require the completion of a dissertation.

Facilities & Resources
The University libraries contain more than 1.5 million catalogued pieces, including hardbound volumes, periodicals, monographs, government documents, archival materials, filmstrips, slides, maps, software programs, videos, and microforms. A new integrated library system, The Source, provides users with access to library collections worldwide. Other research facilities include the herbarium and greenhouses available for biological research and laboratories for chemistry, biology, and neuropsychology research in the College of Natural and Health Sciences, the Center for Educational Leadership, the Bresnahan-Halstead Center of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Kephart Memorial Child Study Center, National Center on Low-Incidence, and the Research Consulting Lab in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences; multidisciplinary health clinics and human performance laboratories and the Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute in the College of Natural and Health Sciences; and the Music Technology Center in the College of Performing and Visual Arts.

Expenses and Aid
In 2007-08, the graduate student tuition for a full load (12-16 hours) per semester was estimated to be $2885 for Colorado residents and $8345 for nonresidents. In addition, student fees were estimated at $325 per semester and student health insurance at $680 per semester.

Financial Aid:
Financial support includes graduate assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships, as well as need-based grants and loans. The University uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for need-based awards and loans. The deadline for priority consideration for all financial awards is March 1. Some programs have earlier deadlines. Full assistantships (appointments of .40 FTE or greater) usually include full tuition scholarships and have stipends that vary by nature of assignment, discipline, and relevant expertise. Most assistantships are available through academic departments and some administrative units. Inquiries should be directed to the appropriate unit for assistantships. Application for graduate scholarships or fellowships should be submitted to the appropriate office upon admission..

Housing/Living Expenses:
UNC has on-campus housing for graduate students, offered on a space-available basis. Applications for on-campus housing are sent to admitted graduate students on request. Apartment-style units range in rent from $1300 and up per semester. Family student apartments rent for about $550 per month. Most graduate students live in off-campus apartments or houses near campus, at rents of approximately $400 and up per month.

How to Apply / Application
The Graduate School Office is responsible for coordinating graduate admissions at UNC. Applications may be submitted at any time. Under UNC’s student-administered application process the student is responsible for collecting and submitting all materials required for admission at one time, with the application fee ($50 for domestic and $60 for international students) to the Graduate School. Students may also apply online. Most programs have established application and financial aid deadlines. Applicants should contact the specific department of interest to them for information about such deadlines and admission requirements.

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