University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) History and Academics

History

Colorado University offered classes at various locations during the early 1920s. The need for a permanent campus was strong. Governor Love and David Packard (co-founder of Hewlett-Packard Company) promoted the push for a permanent home for the institution. The Cragmor Sanatorium property was sold to the state of Colorado for $1, and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs moved to the Austin Bluffs Parkway location in 1965.

The university originally offered programs in business and engineering because of the ties to HP. The first building added to the property was Dwire Hall, which was completed in 1972. The university merged with the Beth-El College of Nursing in 1997. In an attempt to connect with the military and improve national security, the university added programs such as Space Security Center, Institution for Science and Space Studies, and Network Information.

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs purchased 87,000 square feet of land in 2001 that now houses the Beth-El College of Nursing.

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Information Summary

Ranks 11th in Colorado and 1086th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	79.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$25,843
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	26 / 1210
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	69% / 40%
Enrollment Total (all students)	13,123

Academics

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The university offers 36 bachelor’s degrees, 19 master’s degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees. The university consists of 4 colleges and 2 schools that include School of Public Affairs; College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences; College of Engineering and Applied Science; College of Education; Graduate School of Business Administration, and Beth-EL College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The university offers degrees in areas such as English, Religious Studies, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing, Information Systems, Special Education, Marketing, International Business Management, Visual and Performing Arts, and Women’s and Ethnic Studies.

A few of the academic departments that represent the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs include Department of Special Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of English, Department of Communications, Department of Anthropology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Economics.

Some of the major buildings on campus in which students should become familiar with are Main Hall (1914), administrative building containing admissions; Cragmor Hall (1959), administrative building containing financial aid, Dwire Hall (1972), building for business and economics classes; Engineering and Applied Sciences (1985); Columbine Hall (1997), building where most classes are held; University Center (2001), the center of campus life; Campus Recreation Center (2007); and Science and Engineering Building (2009).

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs offers online courses and degrees for students interested in distance education. A few of the programs include the Master’s of Curriculum and Instruction, Master’s of Science in Nursing, Masters of Engineering in Systems Engineering, Certificate in Homeland Defense, Instructional Technology Certificate, Master’s of Business Administration, Doctorate in Nursing Practice, and TESL/TEFL Certificate.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Students may begin applying for admission as far as one year prior to the semester in which students plan to attend. Students are encouraged to apply at least 90 days before the first day of the enrolling semester. The university has a rolling admission policy so students may still receive admission up to two weeks after the semester starts.

First years students who wish to receive admittance into the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs must complete an application and submit a non-refundable application fee, copy of GED or official high school transcript, official transcript of all previous college level courses, personal essay, and letters of recommendation. Students that meet the Assured Admission Criteria may also receive admittance into the university.

The criteria needed to enter the College of Business and Administration include top 30 percent ranking, a composite score of 24 on the ACT (22 math and 24 English), and a combined score of 1080 on the verbal and math on the SAT. The College of Engineering and Applies Sciences includes top 30 percent ranking, a composite score of 25 on the ACT, and a combined score of 1120 on the verbal and math on the SAT. Admission into the Department of Letters, Arts, and Sciences includes top 40 percent ranking, a composite score of 24 on the ACT, and a combined score of 1080 on the verbal and math on the SAT. Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences requires top 30 percent ranking, a composite score of 24 on ACT, 3.3 GPA or higher, and a combined score of 1080 on the verbal and math on the SAT.

Graduates of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs may Fast-Track the application process by applying according to the Fast-Track admission rules. The requirements include a completed application form, a completed residency form, a non-refundable application fee, an official transcript from all attended institution after graduating from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, a copy of transcript from Student Information system, and letters of recommendation. Fast-Track admission is not permitted in the following programs: College of Education (Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, Counseling), Nursing (MSN), School of Public Affairs (MPA and MCJ), any PhD program, Business Administration (MBA), and Psychology (MA) and Geropsychology (PhD).

Financial Aid

Financing an education is easy with the FAFSA application. Students complete this free application to determine eligibility for various forms of financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, and student employment. Students must apply by early March to receive priority in available funding. Most scholarships have the early March deadline as well. Contact the Financial Aid Office at the University of Colorado at Colorado Spring for specific information of deadline dates.

Students may qualify for a number of grants to finance an education. The grant amounts depend on the financial need, but the grants generally range from hundreds to thousands of dollars in financial assistance. Possible grants that students may qualify for include Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Colorado Student Grant, Colorado Graduate Grant, and University of Colorado at Colorado Spring Tuition Grant.

Available scholarships range from scholarships offered by the university, academic areas, organizational affiliation, talents etc., to military affiliation and more. The university has collected a total of $590 million in endowment funding system wide since the beginning of the fund so there is much money for students to earn from the university. Possible scholarships include Marvin Strait Scholarship Endowment, Irving Memorial Scholarship, AFAS General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant, AFCEA Scholarship, Alumni Scholarship, and American Association of University Women Educators Scholarship. There are millions of dollars in scholarship monies waiting for students who qualify.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4131st for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Colorado.

Students

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs has over 160 organizations and clubs in the following areas: arts, cultural/religious, academic, leadership, and athletic/hobbies. These organizations and clubs bring meaning to the college experience. Students make new friends and take part in new experiences that last a lifetime. A few of the groups and organizations include Asian Pacific Islander Student Union (APISU), Student Diversity Council, Campus Crusade for Christ, Society for Automotive Engineers, Math Club, Band Club, Unique Step and Dance, Young Democrats, College Republicans, Beard Club, Kayak Club, Nerds Engaging in Random Fire Fights (NERFF), and Triathlon Team.

Students who wish to live on campus can choose between apartment and residential hall living. Summit Village is the residential hall and Alpine Village is the name of the apartments.

The university has a wireless network that contains 360 access points on campus. The primary buildings are completely wireless and so are the Gallogly Events Center, Centennial Hall, and Science and Engineering building.

The university Campus Recreation Center opened in 2007 and has many wonderful amenities, including a 12-foot bouldering wall, a multi-purpose room, a two-court gym, a fitness area with equipment, and indoor pool, and outdoor rental, ski/board tuning shop, and bike repair. There is a wide selection of intramural sports to choose from such as indoor hockey, basketball, badminton, softball, flag football, water volleyball, kickball, and cricket. Sports Clubs are another group that students may join on campus. These sports teams travel through the region to compete against other universities and colleges. The teams include cycling, baseball, hockey, climbing, triathlon, soccer, and tennis.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The 13 collegiate sports teams participate in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and in the NCAA Division II athletics. The teams consist of men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, golf, men’s and women’s cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. The Mountain Lions have a school mascot called Boomer, and the school colors are black and gold.

The Lion’s Den gymnasium at the University Center is the where the varsity volleyball and basketball team play. The other varsity teams compete and practice off campus at nearby high schools, colleges, and other locations and facilities when necessary. Mounting pressure from athletes and faculty forced the university to replace the existing athletic facility. The temporary fix had major problems with space. The university decided to utilize the funding for something more versatile. The university decided to start planning for a major event center that could host camps, convocation events, and conferences instead of weight rooms, athletic amenities, and an indoor track. The new center led to the construction of a quality football and soccer field at the complex. The intramural sports teams, varsity soccer, and varsity softball teams practice and compete at the new facilities. Plans for the new Mountain Lion athletic facility have been put on hold for now.

Bibliography

Abbott, Carl, Stephen J. Leonard, and Thomas J. Noel. Colorado: A History of the Centennial State. Boulder: University of Colorado Press, 2005. Print.
Amodeo, Jessica. University of Colorado Off the Record. Pittsburgh: College Prowler, 2006. Print.
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. 2 May 2011. Web. 2 May 2011.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs