- Welcome!
- Event Calendar
- Walk-In Hours
- Important Dates
- Restricted Courses
- Course Delivery Methods
- Online Application
- Online Registration Process
- Manual Registration Process
- Building Access
- Campus Emergency Notifications
- Accessibility Information
- FAQs for Meritus Scholars
- Information for Faculty
- Meritus Scholars Stakeholder
- Giving
- Contact Us
- Campus Map to CIL's Location
How do I know if a course has open seats?
Not sure if the course you want to take has open seats? Use our course schedule handout to help you identify courses with open seats.
Welcome!
The MSU Denver Meritus Scholars program allows persons aged 60 years or older to participate for free in courses offered by the University on a non-credit basis. Most courses are eligible for this program based on the approval of the instructor and the availability of space. For more information on which types of courses are eligible and instructions on applying for the program, please see our Participant Resources below.
Participants may attend courses on campus as well as online and hybrid courses.
Please see the Registration Process below. You may also contact us at [email protected] if you have enrollment questions that are not answered below.
MSU Denver Events
The Meritus Scholars Program emails a bi-weekly event announcement featuring a sampling of upcoming university events to participants personal email addresses.
You can also view the complete event calendar for the university at MSU Denver Events & Calendars, where you can filter by specific categories to find events suited to your interests.
Please let us know if you have any questions or comments, by emailing [email protected], and please remember to take your university ID to all events.
Walk-In Hours
In Person Information and Registration Assistance
Walk-in hours have been suspended for the remainder of 2024. Participants can email the program at [email protected] for assistance. Walk in hours will resume Monday, January 6, 2025. The spring walk in schedule will be posted at that time.
Happy Holidays!
Important Dates
Important Dates
- Online Application Form for Spring 2025 is now available. Deadline to submit is Monday, January 13, 2025.
- Online course registration form for Spring 2025 will be available Monday, December 30, 2024. Spring registration forms will be processed beginning, Tuesday January 21, 2025, the first day of class.
- Meritus Scholars participants are not permitted to be registered until the first day of the semester as tuition paying students have priority in the registration process.
- Spring 2025 registration form submission deadline: Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Restricted Courses
Restricted Courses
While the large majority of MSU Denver classes are available to Meritus Scholars participants on a space available basis, some classes with specific studio or technical requirements may not be. Participation in courses is always at the discretion of the instructor. Also, participants are restricted to attending two courses per semester.
Restricted Courses
- Courses with substantial fees
- Non-credit courses
- Correspondence courses
- Self-paced courses
- Art Studio courses
- Communication Design courses
- Creative Writing courses
- Private Music Instruction
- Courses requiring a lab or specialized equipment, including restaurant (RST) and beverage management (BVG)
- Field trips
- Master’s degree courses
Course Delivery Methods
Delivery Methods with In-Person Option or Requirement
In-Person: Instructional activities are facilitated in-person at scheduled times, either on-campus or at other physical locations.
Hybrid In-Person: Instructional activities are facilitated through scheduled in-person sessions and either A) asynchronous online instruction, or B) scheduled meetings using live virtual meeting technology.
Dual Mode: In-Person: Instructional activities are facilitated in-person. The section is combined with an online section, creating a learning environment with in-person and online learners. Students are not able to switch between learning experiences during the semester.
Hyflex: Instructional activities are facilitated through: A) In-person class meetings; B) asynchronous online instruction; and C) online instruction using live virtual meeting technology. Students have the flexibility to choose between in-person, asynchronous, and live virtual instruction throughout the course.
SyncFlex: Instructional activities are facilitated in-person and online using live virtual meeting technology. Students have the flexibility to choose between in-person and live virtual instruction each class session.
Field Experience, Practicum, Internship, etc.: Experiential, hands-on learning that takes place in a location pertinent to the learning outcomes of the course.
Delivery Methods with Online Requirements
Asynchronous Online: Instructional activities are facilitated online with no required scheduled meeting times. Assignments and assessments take place on a specific schedule. There are no location-specific requirements.
Synchronous Online: Instructional activities are facilitated online at scheduled times through live virtual meeting technology. There are no location-specific requirements.
Dual Mode: Online: Instructional activities are facilitated online. The section is combined with an in-person section, creating a learning environment with online and in-person learners. Students are not able to switch between learning experiences during the semester.
Hybrid Online: Instructional activities are facilitated online through both asynchronous online instruction and at scheduled times through live virtual meeting technology. There are no location-specific requirements.
Self-Paced Asynchronous Online: Instructional activities are facilitated online with no scheduled meeting time and no location-specific requirements. Students choose the pace of their progress within the course with few or no established due dates.
Study Abroad: Instructional activities are facilitated in another country and guided by faculty.
New Participants Online Application and Registration
New Participants complete the Meritus Scholars New Participants Application, submission deadline for Spring 2025 is Monday, January 13, 2025.
- The application process assigns a university identification number (aka 900#), a NetID (user name), university email address, and provides access to an official university identification card.
- Submit the form no later than one week prior to the first day of a course.
- Late submissions may delay your access to university systems and your ability to complete registration.
- Once this form has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email that the application process is complete. This email will also contain your university credentials (university ID #, NetID, and MSU Denver email address), instructions on setting up your MSU Denver account, and instructions on obtaining your university identification card.
- You must set up your MSU Denver account before completing the online registration form. You will need your university identification number, your MSU Denver NetID, and MSU Denver email account to complete set-up of your account.
- Complete the Meritus Scholars Online Registration Form after you set up your MSU Denver account. The form is available beginning Monday, December 30, 2024. Submission deadline is Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Spring 2025 Online Course Registration December 30, 2024 - February 5, 2025
Returning Participants complete, beginning Monday, December 30, 2024, the Meritus Scholars Online Registration Form.
- If you have not participated in over a year, please complete the Meritus Scholars New Participants Application , or contact Susan Heath, Meritus Scholars Coordinator at [email protected] so your credentials can be reactivated in the university system. You cannot register until you are active in the system.
- If you do not have an official MSU Denver identification card, please contact the Meritus Scholars Coordinator, Susan Heath, at [email protected].
Manual Registration Process
If you have issues using the online registration form, you have the option of using the Meritus Scholars Paper Form.
Please see the information above regarding course restrictions.
If you would like to use the online registration form, you will need to enable your MSU Denver email account. New participants check your email for your university identification number, NetID, email address, and instructions. Returning participants that need to re-activate their account, please contact the Meritus Scholars Coordinator, Susan Heath, at [email protected].
Building Access
IDs for Building Access
Continuing participants can pick-up their campus badge / ID card from the ID Station in the Tivoli, room 269 on the second floor. See the Tivoli ID Station website for hours. You must have a university identification number on file with the Tivoli ID Station in order to pick up your ID. Please also have your Colorado State Driver’s License or Colorado State ID with you to prove your identity. You can email [email protected] to confirm your university identification number is on file.
New participants contact [email protected] to obtain your university identification number prior to visiting the Tivoli ID Station.
Your first ID is free, but if you lose it, you will have to pay a replacement fee of $24.00.
Campus Emergency Notificatons
- During an emergency or to notify the community of closures, the Auraria Campus utilizes a text, email, and voice messaging Emergency Notification System called Rave to deliver important information to faculty, staff, and students.
- Visit this Emergency Notification System webpage to register, review, and/or update your information. Log in using your MSU Denver email address and your Rave password. Use the “forgot password” link if you have issues logging in.
Accessibility Information
Meritus Scholars participants can receive limited accommodations when attending courses. The Meritus Scholars program is an audit program and therefore no tests or homework are required of the participant. Therefore, accommodations for extended times for taking tests or completing homework assignments are not available. Instructors are not required to grade Meritus Scholars participant’s assignments. However, accommodations for course materials in an accessible format are available to participants.
Participants with mobility issues can use the Accessibility van to travel around campus.
Participants must contact the Access Center at 303-615-0200 to request disability related accommodations.
FAQs for Meritus Scholars Participants
Through Meritus Scholars, anyone who is at least 60 years old may audit courses at MSU Denver at no cost to them on a non-credit, space available basis. Participants must be 60 years of age the semester before they want to attend classes.
No. You only apply for admission IF you want to take the course for credit, which involves paying regular tuition and fees. Meritus Scholars participants do not formally register for the courses they wish to audit, nor do they need to apply to be admitted to the University.
Do not contact Admissions or Registration to register in the Meritus Scholars Program. Contact the program at [email protected].
No, this is a non-credit program. If you wish to earn credit, then you should apply through the regular admissions process.
Access is usually available approximately 48 hours after your registration form is received either by email or in person.
Yes, starting Fall 2023 due to new building restrictions on campus. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Your credentials consist of the following three items, which are used to access university systems and email:
MSU Denver Identification Number (also known as the student ID # or 900#)
MSU Denver Email Address – Example: [email protected]
MSU Denver Net ID – this is the portion of the email address before @msudenver, which in the example above is “pickles”.
New participants receive their credentials, via email, approximately 48 hours after the pre-registration form is received by the Meritus Scholars program. The credentials are used to set up your MSU Denver account, which must be completed prior to accessing Canvas.
If you are a returning participant who can’t access their email, or log on to your MSU Denver account, and need your credentials, please email [email protected] for assistance.
If you need assistance setting up your MSU Denver account, password reset, trouble accessing Canvas course(s), email issues, or other IT related concerns, please contact the Meritus Scholars program at [email protected]. Please do not contact IT directly as they will contact the Meritus Scholars program with your concerns, which will delay your request.
Download directions to learn how to Search the course catalog and schedule
MSU Denver has many different course delivery options. For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar’s website. Scroll down the page to the Course Delivery Methods section.
- You can search for textbooks here: MSU Denver Bookstore
- Meritus Scholars participants are permitted to sell back textbooks to the Tivoli Station (formerly the Auraria Campus Bookstore). They buy back books year-round except for the first 2 weeks prior to and after the start of the school year.
- Present your university identification card when selling textbooks back to the bookstore.
- If you need assistance or have questions, please contact the Meritus Scholars program at [email protected]
You must set up your MSU Denver account before you can access Canvas.
Use this link to set up your account: Setting Up Your MSU Denver Account
- Scroll down to the Instructions and begin at #2. Item #1 is intended for tuition paying students and employees.
- You should be able to follow the instructions to set up your account. If you have any problems doing so, please call the IT Help Desk at 303-352-7548 or visit them in the Jordan Student Success Building (JSSB), Suite 130A, located to the right side of the Financial Aid window. Please take your university identification card and a photo ID with you.
Once your account is set up you will be able to access Canvas through the Student Hub. Click on “Web Services” then “Canvas”.
Canvas is the university’s learning management system (LMS) used by instructors to post course materials.
For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Because it’s built using current web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.
1. Logging in to Canvas
· Navigate to the Student Hub on the MSU Denver webpage.
· Under Web Services, click Canvas.
· You will be asked to log in. (Use your NetID and University ID#)
2. Navigating Canvas
Inside Canvas, you will have access to the Canvas Student Training course. Access this course to learn how to use Canvas.
3. Canvas Tutorials:
· Overview Video
· How to view all of your courses
· Using the dashboard
· Using the course home page
· How to submit an assignment
· How to reply to a discussion
While the large majority of MSU Denver classes are available to Meritus Scholars participants on a space available basis, some classes with specific studio or technical requirements may not be. Attendance in courses is always at the discretion of the instructor. Also, participants are restricted to attending two courses per semester.
Restricted Courses
- Courses with substantial fees
- Non-credit courses
- Correspondence courses
- Self-paced courses
- Art Studio courses
- Communication Design courses
- Creative Writing courses
- Private Music Instruction
- Courses requiring a lab or specialized equipment, including restaurant (RST) and beverage (BVG) management
- Field trips
- Master’s degree courses
No, Meritus Scholars participants do not have to meet pre-requisite requirements for courses they attend. They just need the approval of the instructor.
New Participants complete the Meritus Scholars New Participants Pre-Registration:
- Pre-registration allows entry into university systems, assigns a university identification number, and provides access to an official university identification card.
- Submit the form at least one week prior to the first day of a course.
- Late submissions may delay your access to university systems and your ability to complete registration.
- When this form has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email that the pre-registration process is complete. This email will also contain your university credentials and instructions on obtaining your identification card.
- Complete the Meritus Scholars Registration Form after you receive your confirmation email.
Returning Participants complete the new online Meritus Scholars Registration Form
- If you do not have an official MSU Denver identification card, please contact the Meritus Scholars Coordinator, Susan Heath, at [email protected].
No, you do not. Participation is only for your personal enjoyment and satisfaction.
This service is offered at no charge.
No, the program does not provide RTD bus passes to Meritus Scholars participants.
Campus parking is managed by the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC). Please visit their website at Parking & Transportation Services for detailed information.
Faculty Learn More about Meritus Scholars
Meritus Scholars Faculty InformationMeritus Scholars Stakeholder Information
Are you a Meritus Scholars Stakeholder?
Meritus Scholars participants interface with many different departments across campus, just as regular paying students. Meritus Scholars participants are auditors, 60 years of age and older, who do not pay tuition and fees. Therefore, they may not have access to the same university services as regular paying students, or they may have different access to university services. Please review our Meritus Scholars Stakeholder Information for guidance regarding participants. You can contact the Meritus Scholars Coordinator, Susan Heath, or the CIL Director, Sara Jackson Shumate if you have any questions or concerns at 303-615-0525 or email [email protected].
Donate to MSU Denver!
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Contact Us
CIL is moving! We are working remotely on November 4th - 8th, and will be at our new office spot in Central Classroom Room 223 starting November 11th. If you have other questions, feel free to phone us at 303-615-0525 or email us at [email protected].
Contact UsWant to make more of an impact with MSU Denver Students? You can donate to our many programs and crowdfunded projects by clicking the link.
Want to know more about our staff or find your advisor? Click this link.