Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs (CTUCS, CTU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Colorado Technical University began as a technical training school in 1965. Since its inception, it has grown and evolved into a full-fledged university offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as professional certificates.

In 2003, Career Education Corporation took ownership of the university. CEC colleges and universities are known for their hands-on approach to learning, as they provide students with exposure to expert faculty members and industry-current programs and technologies. This approach is consistent with the school’s own mission to “provide career-oriented education by teaching applied real-world, industry current programs in selected areas, serving the needs of students for employment and career advancement and the needs of industry for highly qualified professionals at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels.”

The main campus remains in Colorado Springs, but the private, for-profit university now also operates several satellite campuses in Pueblo, Colorado; North Kansas City, Missouri; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Additionally, there are two branch campuses near Denver: The Denver North campus in Westminster, Colorado, and the Denver South campus in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

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Information Summary

Ranks 65th in Colorado and 3992nd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	24.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$13,374
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	309 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	39% / 28%
Enrollment Total (all students)	26,184

Academics

The majority of students are enrolled in the university’s computer and information sciences programs, with engineering and business other popular selections. But, these are far from the only choices the university offers.

Colleges

There are five colleges under which programs are organized: the College of Business and Management; the College of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies; the College of Engineering and Computer Science; the College of Health Sciences; and the College of Information Systems and Technology.

Students seeking a two-year education can obtain an associate of science degree in majors such as accounting, digital media design, or medical assisting. The university awards associate of applied science degrees in a handful of majors, like criminal justice or surgical technology, and an associate of nursing degree is also available.

Other options for students are bachelor’s degrees in several business-related areas, as well as fields of study involving computer science and information technology, healthcare, criminal justice and digital media, among numerous others. Master’s degrees can be obtained in an array of business administration and science fields, and the school awards Doctor of Computer Science and Doctor of Management degrees.

Students may also enroll in diploma programs in medical assisting and practical nursing.

New Programs

Two of the school’s newest programs are the Associate of Science in Health Administration Services (ASHAS) and a Master of Science in Management (MSM) with a concentration in enterprise information systems, both of which were launched in 2010.

Online Learning

Students who have a demanding lifestyle, whether due to work or personal responsibilities, can opt to take courses online. Distance learners will benefit from the university’s Virtual Campus learning experience, which won “Best of the Best” honors in the Academia and Education category at the 2009 Computerworld Honors program. The virtual campus tool allows student to click into virtual classrooms to read, view, or listen to class materials. Students can also click on the virtual commons to meet new people or join an extracurricular activity.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Prospective new students for all degree programs must meet the same basic admissions requirements. Applicants must have a high school diploma or a GED and must complete a personal interview with an admissions representative. All new students, along with undergraduate applicants to some of the university’s campuses, may be required to take the Accuplacer exam, a placement test that provides insight into applicants’ skill levels in reading, writing, and math. Certain programs may require minimum scores on specific entrance exams.

Undergraduate transfer applicants need to submit proof of high school graduation or equivalency while graduate transfers must submit transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Those transferring into a master’s program may transfer only two program-related courses. All prospective transfer students are required to participate in an admissions interview.

International students must meet all of the basic admissions requirements, and they must provide statements of financial support. International students must commit to attending full-time for at least one complete academic year, and those pursuing a graduate degree must submit proof of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

International students for whom English is not their native language must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This proof can include transcripts demonstrating graduation from an English-speaking secondary or postsecondary institution; a minimum grade of “C” in an ESL or college-level English course from an accredited postsecondary institution; or a TOEFL score of 500 for undergraduate applicants, 550 for nursing and graduate school applicants, or 213 on the internet-based test.

Financial Aid

Sometimes, the only thing tougher than narrowing down a major is figuring out how to pay for college. Fortunately, there are numerous financial aid options available for qualified students. The first step for any student is to figure out is he or she qualifies, and that begins with completing the FAFSA form, a federal financial aid application that will determine whether a student is eligible for funding from the federal government. Often, this funding is awarded through grants like the Pell Grant, which can provide as much as $5,500 per academic year to students with financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is another common government award.

Students may also seek state-based grants, such as the Colorado Student Grant Program. These grants are typically based on financial need and may be limited to residents of the state in which the university is located.

Scholarships are another possibility. Like grants, they are monetary gifts which do not need to be repaid, and they may be based on financial need or academic merit. Scholarships might also be given on the basis of a student’s affiliation with a particular school or community group, or on the basis of a combination of these areas. These awards can come from private citizens, companies or foundations, or they can be awarded by the college.

Financially needy students may apply for loans as well. They may be taken out by a student or a parent, and unlike grants and scholarships, they need to be repaid, usually with interest.

Prospective Colorado Tech students with financial aid questions should contact one of the school’s financial aid advisers or thumb through the course catalog for detailed information.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3539th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Colorado.

Students

The total enrollment of the student body is approximately 2,300 students, many of whom reside within the state of Colorado. A sizable portion of the student body may take at least some of their classes online, but that does not mean they are isolated from their instructors or their peers. When students enroll they have the opportunity to build a relationship with a Career Services professional, who will serve as a mentor and guide on their educational journey. Career Services counselors can help students prepare for interviews, put together resumes, and even plan out their career paths.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Additional School Information

The goal of its Department of Military Education is to address the unique educational needs of military personnel, veterans, and their spouses by making degree programs flexible and accessible. Some of the benefits of the school’s military education program are: A military tuition rate for active-duty soldiers, reservists, National Guard members, and their spouses; a military-friendly deployment policy; transfer credits for eligible military experience; and specific grant and scholarship programs aimed at military personnel, veterans, and spouses.

It was one of these programs, the Wounded Warrior Scholarship program, that helped Sabrena Whitt, wife of wounded veteran Conrad Whitt, earn an associate of science degree in criminal justice in 2010. The program began in 2007, and within three years, had already awarded more than 100 scholarships exceeding two million dollars to wounded military personnel and their spouses.

Accreditation

Accreditation is granted by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Department of Higher Education, Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Several of the university’s colleges have earned specific accreditation of their own, and the school’s faculty and staff are affiliated with many prestigious organizations, including the American Library Association, the Better Business Bureau, and the Society for Values in Higher Education.

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs