Application Requirements

Application Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• One academic or professional recommendation submitted with the application. A recommendation form completed by a college or university instructor in the natural sciences or mathematics is preferred, if available. Character references from friends or family will not fulfill this requirement. You may submit an optional second letter if you think it would assist your application.
• Official transcripts for all college/university coursework. Transcripts must be official and may not be stamped "Student Copy" or "Issued to Student." Official transcripts should be submitted to sendtranscripttoRU@regis.edu (digital) or by mail to:
  Regis University
  Office of Admissions
  3333 Regis Boulevard
  Mail Code: A-12
  Denver, CO 80221-1099
• All documents submitted during the application process become the property of Regis University.
• The natural science and mathematics coursework must have been completed within the last 6 years. The Program Director may allow substitution of other coursework for specifically identified prerequisite courses or may waive the within-6-years requirement for courses on a case-by-case basis. Probationary admission may be granted to students with deficiencies in the above criteria.

Prerequisites

Completion of the following pre-requisite collegiate coursework with a grade of C or higher from a regionally accredited college or university is required:

• A year of general or introductory biology for science students with laboratories.
• A semester of ecology (must be a course with ecology content and with an introductory biology pre-requisite).
• A semester of general and/or inorganic chemistry for science students with laboratory.
• A semester of collegiate statistics.
• A course in English composition.
• Additional courses in ecology and evolution recommended but not required.

To request consideration for a requirement/prerequisite waiver, a course substitution, or inclusion of graduate course work in GPA calculation send an email with your full name, contact information, when you plan to apply, the specific details of your request, and the rationale for your request to Envirobioms@regis.edu.

Application Cycle and Deadlines

• Admission to the program is rolling, and submit the online application form. Early application provides an advantage in gaining admission because spaces in the class are filled throughout the spring. We recommend student applications be received in full (electronically submitted application, mailed transcripts, standardized-test score, and recommendation letters) by May 1 for the best opportunity for admission.
• All complete applications received by May 31 will be given full consideration by the admissions committee within the context or remaining space in the class.
• Applications received in June and July will still be given consideration for admission on a space available basis.
• The Environmental Biology program has one annual start.
• Courses begin the third week of August

Regis University Guaranteed Admissions Program

Regis University students may be eligible for Guaranteed Admission into the M.S. in Environmental Biology if they successfully meet all the following requirements:

• Complete at least three years of full-time study (six regular semesters) through Regis University.
• Must be enrolled full-time in courses for the Spring semester that would fulfill remaining Regis University graduation requirements. (An exception can be made for up to 9 SH of outstanding coursework that the student intends to complete in the subsequent summer).
• Must not have a record of academic misconduct on file in the appropriate Dean’s Office.
• Have a cumulative Regis College grade point average of 3.00
• Complete the required pre-requisite coursework with minimum grades of B or higher in Regis College as indicated below (unless otherwise indicated).

M.S. Environmental Biology guaranteed admission course requirements:

• BL 258* and BL 259 or 259H General Biology I: Organismic & Laboratory
• BL 260* and BL 261 or 261H General Biology II: Molecular and Cellular & Laboratory
• BL 402 and BL 403 or ENVS 402 and ENVS 403 Principles of Ecology and Laboratory
• CH 210* and CH 211 or CH 220 and CH 221 Principles of Chemistry 1 and Laboratory (C or higher)
• MT 272 Statistics for Life Sciences
• RCC 200 or RCC 200H Writing Analytically
• At least two upper-division courses with introductory science course pre-requisites in Biology (BL) or biologically-focused Environmental Science (ENVS) focused on Ecology or Evolution.

*Introductory biology and chemistry lecture courses for which credit has been granted via AP, IB, or College Articulation agreements in high school are waived.

• Applicants also must meet the physical requirements of being able to hike for an hour outdoors and being able to spend full days outdoors for field work for the program
• Obtain a positive recommendation from the Guaranteed Admissions Program Advisor who will base this recommendation on verification of the student’s meeting the requirements, information gathered from Regis faculty about student preparation and maturity, a short informal in-person or phone interview, and any other information relevant to the appropriate fit between the student and the program.

No formal recommendations, official transcript submission, or additional supplemental application items to the M.S. program are required but may be submitted should the applicant wish to.

Regis College students not meeting the Guaranteed Admissions criteria remain eligible to apply to the program and have their applications competitively reviewed.

Students approved for Guaranteed Admission will automatically progress into the graduate program, after completing the requirements for the Regis undergraduate degree while maintaining the above conditions of eligibility.

AJCU Priority Admissions Program

Non-Regis students from Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) member institutions (United States Jesuit Colleges and Universities) may be eligible for Priority Admission into the M.S. in Environmental Biology if they successfully meet all the following requirements:

• Complete at least three years of full-time study (six regular semesters) through an AJCU school or schools.
• Must be enrolled full-time in courses that would fulfill remaining AJCU school graduation requirements by the end of the current academic year. (An exception can be made for up to 9 SH of outstanding coursework that the student intends to complete in the subsequent summer).
• Must not have a record of academic misconduct on file at the AJCU institution.
• Must submit two positive recommendations (at least one from a natural-science faculty member at the AJCU school) that provide evidence of student academic capacity, maturity, and fit with the program.
• Must submit official collegiate transcripts from the AJCU school and any other school where the student completed courses required for program admission or completed more than 9 SH of coursework.
• Have a cumulative AJCU-school grade point average of 3.00 or above in the required coursework listed below.
• Complete the required pre-requisite coursework with minimum grades of B or higher (unless otherwise indicated).
  
  M.S. Environmental Biology AJCU priority admission course requirements:

• Year of introductory biology* with laboratories.
• A semester of ecology (must be a course with ecology content and with an introductory biology pre-requisite).
• A semester of collegiate chemistry for science students* with laboratory. (C or higher)
• A semester of collegiate statistics.
• A course in English composition.
• At least two upper-division courses with introductory science course pre-requisites in Biology or biologically Focused Environmental Science focused on Ecology or Evolution (B or higher).

*Except for introductory biology and chemistry lecture courses which credit has been granted via AP, IB, or College Articulation agreements in high school and recognized by the AJCU institution. These pre-requisites are waived in this circumstance.

• Meet the physical requirements of being able to hike for an hour outdoors and being able to spend full days outdoors for field work for the program.
• Obtain a positive recommendation from the Guaranteed Admissions Program Advisor who will base this recommendation on verification of the student’s meeting the requirements, information gathered from Regis faculty about student preparation and maturity, a short informal in-person or phone interview, and any other information relevant to the appropriate fit between the student and the program.

AJCU students not meeting the Priority Admissions criteria remain eligible to apply and have their applications competitively reviewed.

Students approved for Priority Admission will progress into the M.S. in Environmental Biology program, after completing the requirements for the undergraduate degree the AJCU institution while maintaining the above conditions of eligibility.

Requirements for Accepted Students

Accepted students will receive further information concerning the following requirements after a tuition deposit has been received. These are necessary to allow student involvement in externships and health care or clinical research settings.

• Background Check. Accepted students will be submitted for clearance by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) via a background check. If the report demonstrates criminal activity, continued participation in the program may not be allowed.
• Proof of Current Health Insurance. Accepted students will be required to submit proof of current health insurance or enroll in University approved insurance plans by September 1 of the academic year.
• Vaccinations and Health Tests. Accepted students will need to submit proof of:
  • Two measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations (or one if born before 1957)
• The ability to hike for an hour over uneven ground

These vaccinations can be done at a physician's office, if not already completed. Please call the referral number on your insurance card to find an office within your plan.

Please email us with questions or inquiries.