Associate of General Studies (AGS)

The Colorado Re-Engaged (CORE) Initiative enables four-year institutions in Colorado to award an earned associate degree to eligible students who have stopped-out from a baccalaureate program after earning at least 70 credit hours. In enacting the supporting legislation, the Colorado Legislature recognized that the COVID-19 pandemic forced many students – particularly those from low-income communities – to stop attending the state’s colleges and universities before attaining a bachelor’s degree.  These stop-out students have invested a significant amount of time and money to advance their knowledge and skills through higher education, but do not have an academic credential to reflect this investment. For more information from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, visit their site.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Been out of enrollment from MSU Denver for at least two consecutive semesters
• Must have stopped-out (no longer attending MSU Denver) within the last 10 years
• Did not earn a bachelors degree from another college/university
• Cannot have completed 15 or more credits from the Colorado Community College System (see Reverse Transfer information)
• Earned 70 credit hours
• Completed a minimum of 18 credits at MSU Denver

Associate Degree Requirements:

• At least 18 of the former student’s earned credits should have been earned by completing state-recognized General Education courses with a grade of C- or higher.
• These 18 credits may have been earned at MSU Denver or at other institutions in the state that offer courses meeting the state’s guaranteed transfer (gtPathways) requirements.
• Courses completed must include at least 18 credit hours in the university’s General Studies program.
• Have a cumulative GPA for all course work of at least 2.0.

Opt-In Form