Location: North Classroom, Room 1030
Phone Number: 303-315-7100
Email: clas.advising@ucdenver.edu 
Website: https://clas.ucdenver.edu/advising/

CLAS Academic Advising Overview

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Academic Advising team includes academic advisors and administrative professionals who partner with faculty and program advisors across the College to serve and support all prospective, newly-admitted, and continuing undergraduate students with a declared CLAS major, minor, certificate, or pre-health program. To learn more about our team, vision, values, goals, and student learning outcomes for academic advising, visit our About Us page.

CLAS Academic Advising Mission

The CLAS Academic Advising team creates and sustains an inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environment where students are empowered to build meaningful relationships and skills that foster lifelong learning and success.

CLAS Academic Advising System

Academic advising in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is a partnership between students, staff, and faculty. CLAS utilizes a shared advising system, which means all undergraduate students in a declared CLAS major have the support of at least two academic advisors they work with throughout their time at CU Denver: a CLAS Academic Advisor and a CLAS Major Advisor. Students with a declared CLAS minor or certificate will also have a minor or certificate advisor for each program. Students with a declared pre-health program course of study also benefit from the support and expertise of a Health Professions Advisor.

The following details the important contributions and expectations of CLAS Academic Advisors; CLAS Major, Minor, and Certificate Advisors; and CLAS Students as partners in the shared academic advising relationship. 

CLAS ACADEMIC ADVISORS

CLAS students with a declared CLAS major can identify their assigned CLAS Academic Advisor by clicking on the student profile icon toward the top, right side corner of their UCD Access homepage. A student’s CLAS Academic Advisor will be listed under the “Advisor” section in their student profile.

CLAS Academic Advisors:

• Advise on and help students track their progress with general graduation, CU Denver Core Curriculum, and CLAS graduation requirements
• Explain and support students with the knowledge they need to navigate CU Denver and CLAS systems, policies, procedures, and deadlines  
• Teach students to use advising and academic planning tools, including the Degree Audit and Planner, to create academic plans, make informed decisions about course registration, and track their degree progress  
• Support students in navigating important university and college processes, including transfer credit evaluation and graduation
• Provide information about and help students connect with campus and community resources 
• Promote students' sense of belonging by sharing information about meaningful engagement and involvement opportunities
• Advocate for and empower students to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals  

CLAS Major, Minor, and Certificate Advisors

CLAS Major, Minor, and Certificate Advisors are not assigned in UCD Access as they are designated by program. Students can find a list of designated CLAS Major and Minor Advisors on the CLAS Major and Minor Advising page. Information for CLAS Certificate Advisors is available on each certificate program's website. 

CLAS Major, Minor, and Certificate Advisors:

• Advise on and help students track their major, minor, or certificate program requirements
• Evaluate transfer credits and their applicability to major, minor, or certificate program requirements
• Confirm students’ completion of major, minor, or certificate program requirements in preparation for graduation
• Help connect students to program-specific experiences or opportunities, including internships, directed research, independent studies, faculty-led study abroad programs, service learning, or capstone projects
• Engage students to explore career and graduate school opportunities and resources
• Refer students to relevant campus and community resources
• Advocate for and empower students to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals  

CLAS Students

CLAS students share in the responsibility for their success in CLAS at CU Denver.

CLAS Students:

• Learn and track their progress with general graduation, CU Denver Core Curriculum, CLAS Graduation, and major, minor, or certificate program requirements
• Connect at least once a semester with all academic advisors, including CLAS, Major, Minor, Certificate, and Health Professions Advisors
• Know and follow CU Denver and CLAS policies, procedures, and deadlines
• Use advising and academic planning tools, including the Degree Audit and Planner, to prepare for academic advising, make informed decisions about academic plans and course registration, and track degree progress
• Identify personal, academic, and professional goals with the support of academic advisors and campus partners
• Ask for help and use relevant campus and community resources 

Health Professions Advising

Director/Advisor: Trishia Vasquez
Phone Number: 303-315-7541
Main Office Email: ucdhealthcareers@ucdenver.edu
Mian Office Phone Number: 303-315-7536

The mission of the Health Professions Programs Office at CU Denver is to educate and challenge students interested in a future in the health professions to be leaders, visionaries, and lifelong learners who will positively impact local, national, and global health on many levels.

Health Professions Advisors on the Denver Campus assist in planning a course of study designed to improve a student’s chance of success in a health career of their choice by sharing information about career paths in the health professions, work role and environment, related careers and relevant professional development or graduate school programs. We can provide insight into career options, professional opportunities, and extracurricular opportunities to improve your chances of success in the health career of your choice, including, but not limited to: dentistry and dental hygiene, medicine, medical technology, respiratory therapy, nursing, optometry, osteopathy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. A comprehensive list of health career options and additional information to help you mold your academic experience to your specific goals is available on the health professions programs website at https://clas.ucdenver.edu/health-professions-programs/.

Undergraduate Pathway Programs

BA/BS-MD Program

The BA/BS-MD degree program at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) | Anschutz Medical Campus is designed to address Colorado’s health care needs by selecting up to ten exceptional students each year who are dedicated to serving the health care needs of the state. The program is a partnership between the University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Being accepted to the program enables students to complete their undergraduate degree at the CU Denver Downtown Campus and earn a 'reserved' spot in the University of Colorado School of Medicine provided the student meets specific academic, non-academic, and professional requirements annually.

The University of Colorado BA/BS-MD Program is committed to fostering the growth and development of all students, including supporting individuals who have experienced limitations in accessing quality education and economic opportunities. We conduct an objective, comprehensive review of all applications (experiences, attributes, and metrics) consistent with non-discrimination policies and in accordance with federal law. 

For more information, visit https://clas.ucdenver.edu/health-professions-programs/babs-md-program-information, or contact Ms. Trishia Vasquez, Program Director, at trishia.vasquez@ucdenver.edu.

BA/BS-DDS Program

The BA/BS-DDS degree program at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) | Anschutz Medical Campus is designed to address Colorado’s oral health care needs by selecting up to five exceptional students each year who are dedicated to serving the oral health care needs of the state. The program is a partnership between the University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine.

Students who successfully meet all program requirements including a successful interview with the School of Dental Medicine (SDM) Admission Committee, will be eligible for a “reserved” spot in the CU SODM matriculating class.

The University of Colorado BA/BS-DDS Program is committed to fostering the growth and development of all students, including supporting individuals who have experienced limitations in accessing quality education and economic opportunities. We conduct an objective, comprehensive review of all applications (experiences, attributes, and metrics) consistent with non-discrimination policies and in accordance with federal law.

For more information, visit https://clas.ucdenver.edu/health-professions-programs/babs-dds-program, or contact Ms. Trishia Vasquez, Program Director, at trishia.vasquez@ucdenver.edu.

BA/BS-DPT Program

The BA/BS-DPT early admission program (EAP) is divided into 2 phases:

Phase I is a pre-application process demonstrating student interest in the early admission program. Application to Phase I occurs at the completion of the first semester of baccalaureate course work. Up to 10 qualified students are accepted into Phase I each year.

Phase II is formal admittance into the EAP for students from Phase I who have completed at least 45 semester credits as an undergraduate (typically sophomore level) and demonstrated a high level of success in their initial academic coursework to be considered for this early admission opportunity. Up to 3 qualified students are accepted into Phase II each year.

This program is designed to address Colorado’s health care needs by selecting exceptional students each year who are dedicated to serving the health care needs of the state.  

Students seeking Early Admission may select any major and are encouraged to obtain a broad liberal arts education incorporating a wide range of science courses while participating in the additional educational opportunities available on the CU Denver campus. Students who meet all requirements for Phase II EAP are formally admitted to the PT Program in the final semester of their bachelor's degree curriculum after completing all requirements. For more information, visit https://clas.ucdenver.edu/health-professions-programs/pt-early-admit-program or contact Ms. Trishia Vasquez, Program Director, at trishia.vasquez@ucdenver.edu.

Cu DENVER/ University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (sspps) Pathway PROGRAM

The University of Colorado, through collaborative efforts of the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) has launched a CU Denver/ SSPPS Pathway Program to better serve the health care needs of the State of Colorado.  This Program will assemble up to 20 exceptional students each year. Applicants must be currently enrolled at CU Denver, in their freshmen year of college (first time enrolled in college), and have an interest in serving the health care needs of Colorado as a Pharmacist.

Being accepted to the program allows students to earn a reserved spot at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences provided they meet specific academic, non-academic, and professional requirements annually.

Applications open in the fall of each year, and close in late February/early March of the next year. Decisions for acceptance typically happen in late March.

The University of Colorado CU Denver/SSPPS Pathway Program is committed to fostering the growth and development of all students, including supporting individuals who have experienced limitations in accessing quality education and economic opportunities. We conduct an objective, comprehensive review of all applications (experiences, attributes, and metrics) consistent with non-discrimination policies and in accordance with federal law. 

For more information, visit https://clas.ucdenver.edu/health-professions-programs/cu-denver-university-colorado-skaggs-school-pharmacy-and-pharmaceutical-sciences-pipeline-program or contact Ms. Trishia Vasquez, Program Director, at trishia.vasquez@ucdenver.edu.

Cu DENVER/ CU Nursing Bridge Pathway

The University of Colorado College of Nursing (CU Nursing) is proud to announce the creation of a new partnership for Colorado residents enrolled with the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) and interested in pursuing a career in nursing. The CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Pathway is designed to address Colorado’s health care needs by selecting up to 20 first-time enrolled in college (FTIC/new freshmen) exceptional students each year who are dedicated to serving the health care needs of the state.

The CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Pathway is designed for students who are Colorado residents and are currently enrolled at CU Denver who have an interest in progressing into the CU Nursing Traditional (TRAD) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pathway located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. This bridge pathway is designed to be a 3+2 pathway consisting of 3 years of prerequisite coursework at the CU Denver (Phase I) + 2 years of nursing coursework at CU Nursing (Phase II) Anschutz Medical Campus resulting in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The Bachelor of Science pathway at CU Nursing is the highest ranked nursing program in the state of Colorado and has some of the highest NCLEX (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) pass rates.

With this partnership, select students at CU Denver will have the opportunity to receive early admission to the CU Nursing TRAD BSN pathway. In the years leading up to enrollment in the TRAD program, accepted students will receive personalized advising as well as exposure to nursing concepts/experiences provided by both CU Denver and CU Nursing. Additionally, students accepted into the CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge will have an opportunity to earn a health-related certificate to enhance success in the nursing program. Each certificate earned will be visible on the CU Denver transcript.

For more information, visit https://clas.ucdenver.edu/health-professions-programs/cu-denvercu-nursing-bridge-pathway or contact Ms. Trishia Vasquez, Program Director, at trishia.vasquez@ucdenver.edu.

CU DENVER/ TJU/NJH Bachelor of Science in respiratory Therapy Pathway

CU Denver has entered a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) to create a Pathway Program to become a Respiratory Therapist. Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and National Jewish Health in Denver are collaborating to offer this unique program. This opportunity is designed for full-time, first-time in college students (freshmen students), at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), who are interested in becoming Respiratory Therapists.

The Program is designed to be a 2+2 program consisting of 2 years of pre-professional coursework at CU Denver (Phase I) + 2 years of Respiratory Therapy coursework at TJU/NJH (Phase II) leading to a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT). Phase 1 of the Program is designed for students who have interest in and/or intent to apply to the TJU/NJH BS RT Program. Acceptance in Phase 1 of the program results in formal assistance to meet the requirements necessary for transfer into BS RT Program. Please note that phase 1 does NOT guarantee admission into the TJU/NJH BS RT Program

For more information, contact Ms. Trishia Vasquez, Program Director, at trishia.vasquez@ucdenver.edu.

CLAS Academic Advising Partners

Students who are exploring or making decisions about their college major (CLAS Undeclared), first-year College of Arts & Media (CAM) students, and undergraduate non-degree students are advised and supported through the Center for Undergraduate Exploration and Advising (CUE&A).