Professional Development and Travel Funding Opportunities for Students
Student Travel & Professional Development Funding is a student fee funded program that provides funding for professional development travel, graduate school entrance exams, and professional licensure exams and courses.
These grants help pay for the following:
- Travel (transportation, lodging, registration fees) expenses to participate in regional, national, or international professional development events.
- Professional licensure or certification exam registration fees.
- Graduate school entrance exam registration fee.
92% of student participants stated they gained valuable leadership skills by participating in the Student Travel Program.
Travel and/or exam must be related to the participant’s area of study or leadership position on campus. Student Travel & Professional Development Funding does not support travel or exams unrelated to a student’s area of study, attending courses at other schools, or general research costs. Study abroad and other forms of travel for academic credit are not permitted.
If all eligibility requirements for individual programs are met, it is possible for a student to receive funding from more than one of the above programs up to once per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). It is important to note that funding from multiple programs cannot be used toward the same experience.
Available Professional Development Programs
Student Travel Program
Funding to travel to a professional development event anywhere in the world! Includes funding for conferences and conventions, seminars, workshops, competitions (non-athletic, co-curricular only). Program provides funding for registration, transportation, lodging, etc.
Graduate School & Professional Licensure Program
Any required graduate school entrance exam (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.). Professional licensure or certification exam or course related to the student’s area of study or leadership position on campus.
Local & Online Professional Development Program
Provides funding to cover registration fees for online or local (no overnight stay) professional development events such as, but not limited to the following: conferences and conventions, seminars, workshops, competitions (non-athletic, co-curricular only).
Identity-Based Leadership & Professional Development Program
The Identity-Based Leadership & Professional Development Program supports students with marginalized identities by providing them with opportunities, knowledge, and resources to develop themselves and their communities personally, professionally, and socially.
Program Outcomes
In order to qualify for funding, participation in the Local & Online Professional Development Program, Student Travel Program, and the Graduate School Entrance Exam & Professional Licensure Program must directly contribute to all 3 program outcomes:
Academic Enrichment
Program participation must enhance and contribute to the student’s academic enrichment at MSU Denver. There has to be a direct connection to the participant’s area of study and/or program.
Skill Development
Program participation must contribute to the development of one or more of the following types of skills:
- Conceptual skills (Analytical, leadership skills, critical thinking, creative thinking, communication skills).
- Technical skills (Hard skills).
- Human or Interpersonal Skills (Soft skills).
Click here to learn more about essential skills for career readiness.
University Mission Statement
Program participation must contribute to the University’s mission statement:
The mission of MSU Denver is to provide a high-quality, accessible, enriching education that prepares students for successful careers, post-graduate education, and lifelong learning in a multicultural, global, and technological society. To fulfill its mission, MSU Denver’s diverse university community engages the community at large in scholarly inquiry, creative activity, and the application of knowledge.
“I believe attending this conference helped me define my career and academic goals because it educated me to the many possibilities out there.”
Faculty Accompanying Students to Professional Conferences & Events Program (FAS Program)
To support faculty members accompanying students to a professional conference or other professional event (e.g. competition, research site to collect data), the Provost’s Office has allocated $40,000 for this program. These funds may be used by full-time faculty to cover their transportation, registration, and lodging expenses, when accompanying students to a qualifying conference or event. Preference will be given to faculty who are accompanying students that have an active role (e.g. a student giving a conference presentation). For full details on the program, please review the criteria below. The maximum award is $1,200 per faculty member per academic year.
Contact the Classroom to Career Hub about Student Travel & Professional Development
Program Contact: David Bourassa
Student Travel & Professional Development Funding is a student fee funded program within the Classroom to Career Hub.
Phone: (303) 615-0606
Email: [email protected]
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