Students in Southern Colorado will now have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering through a new 2+2 degree program. Students will begin at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and complete the last two years of studies with a choice between University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) or University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) thanks to the new agreement.

“The main benefits of this 2+2 partnership are that UCCS engineering students may live and work in their home community for half of their degree, saving time and efficiencies in commuting, tuition, moving, and housing,” said Ying Shang, Dean of the UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science. “When they finish in Denver or Boulder it will expand their career opportunities statewide. It is our hope this will help us meet the civil engineering needs in Southern Colorado.”

The program begins in the fall 2025 semester.

This partnership between CU campuses will allow students enrolled in the UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science access to a guaranteed admission pathway to CU Denver and CU Boulder civil engineering programs. To be eligible, students must maintain consistent or improving grades throughout their technical coursework at UCCS in core math, science, engineering, and computer science coursework. Students will complete at least 60 credits toward the required coursework at UCCS, including all math and physics courses. During their final term at UCCS, students will then transfer to CU Denver or CU Boulder to complete the last two years of their degree.

Jason Meyer, owner of GMS, Inc., a full-service civil engineering consulting company, is excited about the program.

“The civil engineering industry urgently needs more civil engineers, and the UCCS pathway program will help increase the number of civil engineers in Colorado,” he said. “Having individuals with a connection to Southern Colorado will help foster new employees who want to make the region their home and tackle challenging infrastructure needs.”

Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder, said, “The University of Colorado Boulder is pleased to partner with UCCS in this much needed new program. The state of Colorado and the nation are in desperate need of more civil engineers to renew our infrastructure with sustainable and resilient solutions that help provide a high quality of life for all our citizens. We look forward to bringing more students into the profession through this innovative pathway.”

“We are thrilled to work with UCCS and open the doors to more students from Southern Colorado into impactful engineering careers that elevate the lives of them and their families and serve the state broadly,” said Martin Dunn, the dean of the College of Engineering, Design and Computing at CU Denver. “We are about making education work for all. Students who choose to come to downtown Denver will experience amazing opportunities — excellent classroom instruction, practical hands-on work in our labs, and opportunities to intern with local engineering firms.”

To find out more about the program, click here.

About UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science

The UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science produces skilled graduates across 25 engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity fields. With undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and certificates, the college helps our students meet career goals. New buildings and labs, an international senior design program, and undergraduate and graduate research opportunities enhance learning and prepare students to succeed in industry, government, research and entrepreneurship.

About CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder is recognized as the top-ranked engineering school in the Rocky Mountain region and a top-ranked public across the nation. The college is dedicated to generating new knowledge in engineering and related fields while equipping its more than 10,000 students to become leaders in society.

About CU Denver College of Engineering, Design and Computing

At the CU Denver College of Engineering, Design and Computing, we focus on providing our students with a comprehensive engineering education at the undergraduate, graduate and professional level. Faculty conduct research that spans our five disciplines of civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, bioengineering, and computer science and engineering. The college collaborates with industry from around the state; our laboratories and research opportunities give students the hands-on experience they need to excel in the professional world.