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School of Graduate Studies

Committed to your professional success.

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Western Colorado University’s School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is comprised of cutting-edge graduate programs committed to accelerating your career. Upon joining our graduate community, you will become part of an expansive network of graduate professionals who are eager to learn, interact and explore together.

Areas of Study

School of Graduate Studies

Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated Degree Programs
Several GPCW students pose with their newly published books.

Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

Graduate Program in Creative Writing
M.A. in Education

M.A. in Education

Master of Arts | Teacher Licensure | Principal Licensure

M.A. in Education
M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM)

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM)

Master of Arts

M.A. in Gallery and Museum Management (MGMM)
Boy and girl looking at laptop on desk

M.A. in Special Education

Master of Arts

M.A. in Special Education
School of Graduate Studies

M.S. in Ecology

Master of Science

M.S. in Ecology
Exercise sport science

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP)

Master of Science

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP)
An outdoor industry MBA faculty member hikes the Judd Falls trail wearing a Western cotopaxi backpack. Mt. Crested Butte can be seen in the background.

Marketing and Branding in the Outdoor Industry

Graduate Certificate

Marketing and Branding in the Outdoor Industry
NEW
School of Graduate Studies

Master in Environmental Management (MEM)

Master in Environmental Management

Master in Environmental Management (MEM)
Outdoor Industry MBA students look at skis in the Blister Review show room

Outdoor Industry MBA

Master of Business Administration

Outdoor Industry MBA
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Responsible Organizational Leadership in the Outdoor Industry

Graduate Certificate

Responsible Organizational Leadership in the Outdoor Industry
NEW
A student walks with an elderly community member on Western's indoor track

Rural Community Health

Master of Behavioral Science (MBS)

Rural Community Health
A student uses a laptop to study in the Rady Building

Sustainable Financial Management in the Outdoor Industry

Graduate Certificate

Sustainable Financial Management in the Outdoor Industry
NEW

Prospective Students

School of graduate studies

Discover Western’s School of Graduate Studies.

Western’s School of Graduate Studies offers ten degree programs and 23 specialized degree concentrations. Serving over 400 graduate students, these programs bring together distinguished professors and practitioners in a supportive academic environment dedicated to excellence.

If you have questions about graduate studies at Western, contact graduatestudies@western.edu or request information below.

Apply Now
Request Information

Making an impact

Western’s graduate programs serve our region, our nation and the world by educating advanced students to make substantial contributions to their professions.

School of graduate studies

Graduate Student Resources

Helpful information to guide your graduate journey.

We recognize that applying to graduate school can seem like a big undertaking. If you have questions about our programs, enrollment, financial aid, the admissions process or anything else, please feel free to reach out to the Graduate Studies Office at graduatestudies@western.edu. Our helpful team is happy to provide personalized assistance to facilitate your seamless transition to Western’s School of Graduate Studies. The links below provide a list of resources and helpful information to guide you through applying to our graduate programs.

Graduate Student Resources Prepare and Apply Accepted Student Checklist

Dedicated to excellence

A panel of faculty members from the Graduate Program in Creative Writing listens to students as they read their theses.

Financial Aid

Graduate program

Investing in your graduate education.

We know that the decision to pursue a graduate degree is a significant commitment of time, energy and resources. At Western, you’ll have the option to receive financial support from a variety of sources, including loans, scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships. Upon admission, we encourage you to research whether you are eligible for FAFSA and submit the application as soon as possible. The friendly staff in the Financial Aid and Cashier’s Office are available to provide you more information about financing options. The link below provides more information about how to apply for financial aid.

Learn More

Committed to your success

Western graduate students gain access to an external network of resources and opportunities that are exciting, real and immediate.

News & Research

Headshot of Laura Pritchett

Western’s MFA Director Laura Pritchett’s latest novel is born from a world on fire

Read More about Western’s MFA Director Laura Pritchett’s latest novel is born from a world on fire
A student does homework on a laptop in a library

Students get renewed access to Mango Languages learning platform

Read More about Students get renewed access to Mango Languages learning platform
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Western Poetry Faculty Member Chosen for Prestigious Poetry Prize

Read More about Western Poetry Faculty Member Chosen for Prestigious Poetry Prize
Western’s Provost Receives Alumni Award from Purdue

Western’s Provost Receives Alumni Award from Purdue

Read More about Western’s Provost Receives Alumni Award from Purdue
CMarie Fuhrman presenting in front of audience

Western’s CMarie Fuhrman Releases New Anthology & Public Radio Podcast

Read More about Western’s CMarie Fuhrman Releases New Anthology & Public Radio Podcast
museum manager hanging up artwork

Western’s MGMM Program Receives Donated Gallery

Read More about Western’s MGMM Program Receives Donated Gallery
Outside of Crawford Hall on Western's campus

Lacie Wise Earns Education Department’s Exceptional Resident Award

Read More about Lacie Wise Earns Education Department’s Exceptional Resident Award
Creative writing students working in classroom

Nature Writing and Western Press Books to Produce Inaugural Book

Read More about Nature Writing and Western Press Books to Produce Inaugural Book
Kevin Anderson Dune

GPCW Publishing Concentration Director Celebrates the Release of DUNE

Read More about GPCW Publishing Concentration Director Celebrates the Release of DUNE
MEM student doing fieldwork

Conservation Grant Helps Fund Recreation Management Project

Read More about Conservation Grant Helps Fund Recreation Management Project

Spotlight

School of Graduate Studies

Kelsey Sloane

Alumna

Kelsey Sloane is a curator, writer, and arts administrator from Troy, New York. She received her MA in Gallery Management & Exhibition Specialization (MGES, now MGMM) from Western Colorado University in 2020, and completed her BA with a dual degree in Art History and Arts Management from Purchase College in 2016.

School of Graduate Studies

Torrie Nickel

Alumni

“It all comes down to the fact that Western professors are very good at noticing when someone can excel,” says Nickel. “They see the possibility in someone and they foster and take people under their wings.”

School of Graduate Studies

Stephanie Edwards

Alumni

“At Western I got to work with professors and people from all over the country. This made for a more holistic understanding.”

School of Graduate Studies

Melanie Armstrong, Ph.D.

Faculty

"Melanie Armstrong brings scholarly and applied political approaches to her work with Western’s School of Environment & Sustainability, where she also serves as Public Lands Coordinator."

School of Graduate Studies

Jonathan Coop, Ph.D.

Faculty

“We can produce high-quality research and publish papers in scientific journals with our students. We’re out on the cutting edge of our field learning the things we don’t know yet."

Faculty & Staff

Additional Resources

Admitted Graduate Student Checklist

Spring and Summer 2024 Admitted Graduate Student Checklist We’re proud to welcome you to Western. Complete the following checklist items to officially begin your journey […]

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Admitted Graduate Students

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Financial Aid

Graduate Financial Aid Investing in Graduate Education The decision to pursue graduate study represents a significant commitment of time, energy and resources. Graduate students at […]

Learn More

Graduate Student Resources

Graduate Student Resources Your path to success. The resources listed below are designed to optimize your graduate experience, fostering a seamless and successful journey. If, […]

Learn More

Prospective Students

Prospective Students Discover Western’s School of Graduate Studies Western’s School of Graduate Studies offers ten degree programs and 23 specialized degree concentrations. Serving over 400 graduate […]

Learn More

School of Graduate Studies Commencement

Graduation Requirements SPRING 2024 COMMENCEMENT: MAY 4, 2024 Graduation Requirements Graduate students must file an Application for Graduation through MyWestern within the first two weeks […]

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Department Information

School of Graduate Studies

Executive Director

Marlo Frazier

Executive Director, School of Graduate Studies Operations

Graduate Database Administrator & Analyst

Deanna Banker, B.S.

Graduate Database Administrator & Analyst

Graduate Program Coordinator

Corinne Sublette, B.A.

Graduate Program Coordinator

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 118
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

Take the Next Step

Apply to
Western
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Apply to
Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

Visit
Western
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Visit
Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni
Community
A group of four alumni look at an old photo that one of them picked up from a selection of photos that were printed and laid out for the Ski Team Social event.

Alumni
Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

Request
Information
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Request
Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.