A Standout Graduate School Experience

Colorado School of Mines offers on-campus and online graduate programs tailored to meet the needs of students, industry and communities world-wide.

Rigorous, world-ready and respected by industry

The graduate student experience at Colorado School of Mines—whether you study on campus or online 

18 online programs

32 professional and non-thesis master’s degrees

GRE waived for professional master’s and certificate applicants

Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Colorado School of Mines has long been a leading research university in these fields worldwide, but we have expanded our focus over the years to become a global leader in emerging engineering fields and help our graduates build the skills needed to create lasting change in every major industry.

Whether you’re interested in pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree or want to complete a thesis or graduate certificate, you can expect a rigorous, world-ready and industry-respected educational experience. In addition to traditional engineering disciplines, such as civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, Mines also has several niche offerings not often seen on other campuses. The university offers a wide range of programs clustered in its unique focus areas related to the Earth, energy and environment in addition to high-tech fields ranging from quantum engineering to computer science and robotics. And many of Mines’ popular offerings are interdisciplinary initiatives focused on advanced manufacturing, underground construction and tunneling, nuclear science, aerospace systems and data analytics that are expanding Mines’ expertise and educational opportunities while preparing students for the in-demand roles of today and tomorrow.

No matter which option students choose to pursue, they can count on Mines’ extensive collaborative partnerships with industry, government and national laboratories to provide a rich, engaging and hands-on learning experience. Students get unparalleled opportunities to expand their knowledge and network alongside some of the country’s top experts and help solve real-world challenges.

Mines’ picturesque campus sits on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in scenic Golden, Colorado. With the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater and world-famous ski resorts to the west and downtown Denver only 20 minutes to the east, Mines provides its students and their families with easy access to some of the state’s most celebrated recreational areas, as well as the high-tech hub that is the state capitol. And while students regularly take advantage of job, research and internship opportunities across the region, not to mention all the Rocky Mountains have to offer, it’s the close campus community that often predominates for our students.

Even students who choose to complete their degree entirely online with programs ranging from data science specialties and humanitarian engineering to the world’s first space resources program, become part of a close community comprised of fellow students and faculty. While Mines’ online offerings are built to best support today’s industry needs, current and potential online students are also invited to help Mines grow its online offerings by identifying emerging and existing needs that Mines’ faculty and departments are uniquely positioned to fill.

Professional Master’s vs. Thesis-Based MS

Our professional master’s degree programs offer a rigorous, skills- and knowledge-enhancing curriculum. No cumulative thesis project is required of students completing these programs. While coursework is nearly identical for students completing a thesis-based program, those students work closely with faculty or an advisor to build and defend a cumulative, research-grounded thesis or project as a final requirement of their degree program.

Success By The Numbers

Jobs Accepted by Industry

Chart of jobs accepted by industry

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positive outcomes for MS graduates, 2019-20

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positive outcomes for MS class 2018-19, 18 months after graduation

Jobs Accepted by Location

US map of jobs accepted by Mines graduates

Mines Certificates: 5 Things to Know

  • Great choice for working professionals—particularly those with employer-provided development funding
  • Built and led by top Mines faculty
  • Complete just 3-4 courses to earn certificate
  • Targeted, skill-enhancing curriculum
  • A respected Mines credential

Homegrown, World-Renowned

Our location matters whether you study online or on campus.

Mines is located in one of the country’s fastest growing technology hubs. The Denver metro area is home to thriving, internationally known aerospace, aviation, IT, energy and communications industries. Our students are often connected to these businesses and industries through classroom projects, introduced through virtual and in-person Career Days (fall and spring semesters) and through faculty who are engaged with these businesses through their teaching, research and former students.

Mines is …

A Leader in Alumni Affinity

While Mines’ is routinely touted by U.S. News and other evaluators as one of the best public STEM universities in the country and world, we are even more highly touted by those who matter most—our alumni. Based on a survey of 146,345 U.S. college graduates by Gallup, Mines ranked No. 12 on a listing of the Top 25 U.S. Universities based on alumni reviews.

Focused on Earth, Energy and the Environment

While Mines offers a host of academic programs and offerings, the university is uniquely focused on solving problems and engineering answers to issues facing our planet, its needs and resources; energy production, efficiencies and technologies; and the sustainable and responsible stewardship of the environment, but also society.

Tops for Career Return on Investment

Mines is routinely called out as a best value and terrific return on investment—immediately after graduation and especially over 20, 30 and 40 years.

Home to Stellar Faculty

Teaching, tenured and research faculty at Mines are leaders in their fields. Many have recent industry experience and nearly all connect industry partners with their work, students and classrooms. The Wall Street Journal listed Mines as No. 2 on a list of top universities for combining research with classroom learning.

A Launching Pad for Successful Careers

Founded to serve the mining and extraction sector, the university has evolved in its offerings but never in its close ties to industry. The university is a preferred partner for industry and government agencies, and it shows. Mines graduate students are introduced to recruiters twice a year at Career Day, at program events and competitions, as well as in their courses and labs.

The Right Size

Mines has a very small community compared to most of our competitors, which are primarily engineering colleges within large flagship comprehensives. This translates to close contact with peers, faculty and industry.

In the Perfect Location

Mines students live and learn on a campus nestled in Golden, a small mountain town only a short bus or light rail ride from downtown Denver. The campus is home to dozens of research centers, laboratories, the U.S. Geological Survey, Payne Institute for Public Policy and others. Mines’ Advanced Energy Systems program is offered in connection with the nearby offices of the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).