University of Denver Snapshot Card

25+

Online master’s programs

$1,000 to $1,400+

Per credit hour

—

Public university ranking

R1

Public research university

Key policies

Institution type:

Public

Regional accreditation:

ALA

Admissions model:

Deadline-based

GRE/GMAT required:

Waiver available

Out-of-state premium:

Varies

Notable Programmatic Accreditations

  • AACSB
  • CACREP
  • CSWE
  • NASP
Written By - Bob Litt
Last Updated: June 20, 2026
University of Denver Online Master’s Programs

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  • Working professionals seeking an AACSB-accredited online MBA or specialized business master’s (finance, analytics, marketing)
  • Social work candidates who need a CSWE-accredited MSW with flexible online delivery and structured field placements
  • Aspiring licensed professional counselors who need CACREP-accredited clinical mental health training
  • Librarians and information professionals seeking an ALA-accredited MLIS with concentrations in archives, data science, or school librarianship
  • Mid-career professionals willing to invest in a private R1 brand for career advancement
  • Budget-conscious students who need tuition under $500/credit — DU’s private pricing is significantly above public-university alternatives
  • Students who want a fully asynchronous, self-paced format with no cohort requirements
  • Applicants seeking online master’s programs in nursing, engineering, public health, or criminal justice — DU doesn’t offer these online
  • Learners who prefer a semester-based calendar — DU’s quarter system means faster-paced terms

University of Denver Online Master’s Programs

The University of Denver (DU) is a private, R1 research university in Denver, Colorado, with a graduate portfolio that leans heavily into business, social work, counseling, education, and information science. Its online master’s programs draw on four core academic units — the Daniels College of Business, the Graduate School of Social Work, the Morgridge College of Education, and the School of Library and Information Science — each carrying programmatic accreditations that matter for licensure and career advancement.

DU operates on a quarter system rather than a traditional semester calendar, which means shorter, more intensive terms and up to four entry points per year for many programs. Most online programs use a cohort-based model with asynchronous coursework, though some — particularly in counseling and social work — include synchronous sessions or in-person intensives. The result is a graduate experience designed for working professionals who want a recognized private-university credential without relocating to Colorado.

This page breaks down what DU offers online at the master’s level, how it compares to peer institutions, and who it serves best — and who should look elsewhere.

Quick Decision Guide

This guide gives you a fast read on whether DU’s online master’s programs align with your priorities before you dive into program details.

Quick Fit Summary: University of Denver online master’s programs are built for working professionals who want strong programmatic accreditations (AACSB, CSWE, CACREP, ALA) from a nationally recognized private university — and who can absorb private-university tuition to get them. DU is strongest in business, social work, counseling, and library/information science, and weakest as a fit for budget-driven learners or those seeking large-scale program variety.

Cost Signal: DU’s tuition typically ranges from approximately $1,000 to $1,400+ per credit hour depending on the program, placing it firmly in the private-university premium tier. Total program costs vary widely — from roughly $48,000 for shorter 48-credit programs to $90,000+ for the 90-credit clinical mental health counseling MA.

Learning Model Signal: Quarter-based academic calendar. Most programs are cohort-based with asynchronous coursework; some programs (MSW, clinical mental health counseling) include synchronous sessions and/or in-person intensives or field placements.

Admissions Signal: Selective, deadline-based admissions. GRE/GMAT requirements vary by program — many business programs offer test waivers based on GPA and professional experience. Holistic review considers transcripts, essays, recommendations, and relevant experience.

Flexibility Signal: Quarter system provides up to four start dates per year for many programs. Some programs (MSW, counseling) admit only in the fall quarter. Cohort pacing provides structure but limits individual schedule flexibility.

Main Tradeoff: You pay a premium for strong programmatic accreditations, an R1 research brand, and cohort-based rigor. If accreditation specificity and institutional reputation matter more than cost, DU delivers. If budget is the deciding factor, public universities and competency-based alternatives will serve you better.

What University of Denver Is Known For

DU’s online reputation rests on four pillars, each tied to a specific academic unit with measurable credentialing authority.

Daniels College of Business — AACSB Accreditation.

Daniels is one of fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide holding AACSB accreditation, and DU extends that accreditation to its online MBA and specialized business master’s programs. For students targeting finance, consulting, or corporate strategy roles where employer recognition of business school accreditation matters, this is a concrete differentiator. The online MBA offers multiple concentrations and integrates GMAT/GRE waiver options for experienced professionals.

Graduate School of Social Work — CSWE Accreditation.

DU’s online MSW carries Council on Social Work Education accreditation, which is a licensure prerequisite in every U.S. state. The program offers advanced standing for BSW holders and four concentration tracks. The 900+ hour field placement requirement means this isn’t a fully-remote experience, but the CSWE credential is non-negotiable for anyone pursuing clinical or macro social work licensure.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling — CACREP Accreditation.

DU’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling holds CACREP accreditation, which is increasingly required (or strongly preferred) for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials across states. At 90 credit hours, it’s a substantial commitment — but CACREP accreditation signals that the curriculum meets national standards for counselor preparation.

School of Library and Information Science — ALA Accreditation.

DU’s MLIS program is accredited by the American Library Association, the gold standard for library science education. The fully online option includes concentrations in school librarianship, archives and preservation, data science, and knowledge management — a broader range than many ALA-accredited competitors offer online.

Beyond accreditation, DU’s quarter system is itself a structural differentiator. Shorter terms mean students move through material faster, with more frequent start points. For working professionals, this can reduce time-to-degree — though it also demands consistent engagement with no long semester breaks to recover.

Online Master’s Programs at University of Denver by Subject

DU’s online master’s portfolio spans six subject areas, anchored by its strongest professional schools. The programs below represent DU’s known online offerings at the master’s level. Note that tuition figures vary by program and academic year — contact DU directly or use a tool like the graduate school cost calculator for personalized estimates.

DU’s business programs run through the Daniels College of Business, and all carry AACSB accreditation. The MBA is the flagship, offering concentrations in finance, marketing, strategic management, and business analytics among others. The specialized MS programs — in Finance (with CFA exam integration), Business Analytics, and Marketing — provide more targeted paths for students who already know their functional focus. The MS in Leadership and Organizations, housed in Morgridge College of Education, takes a different angle: organizational development and human capital strategy rather than traditional business functions.

ProgramDegreeCreditsDurationAccreditationIn-Person RequiredKey Notes
Master of Business Administration (MBA)MBA6018–24 monthsAACSBNoGMAT/GRE waiver available; multiple concentrations
MS in FinanceMS4818–24 monthsAACSBNoCFA exam preparation integrated
MS in Business AnalyticsMS4818–24 monthsAACSBNoData-driven decision-making focus
MS in MarketingMS4818–24 monthsAACSBNoDaniels College of Business
MS in Leadership and OrganizationsMS4818–24 months—NoMorgridge College of Education; concentrations in strategic innovation, human capital, philanthropic leadership

Across these six subject areas, DU’s online master’s portfolio reveals a clear pattern: the university’s strongest programs are those backed by nationally recognized programmatic accreditations. Business (AACSB), social work (CSWE), clinical mental health counseling (CACREP), and library and information science (ALA) all carry the top-tier credentials in their respective fields — and these are the programs where DU’s online presence is most competitive nationally. By contrast, the education and communication programs, while competently delivered through Morgridge College and the communication department, do not carry specialized programmatic accreditations, which means they compete more on DU’s institutional reputation and cohort structure than on unique credentialing authority.

The other defining pattern is depth over breadth. DU doesn’t try to be a comprehensive online university with dozens of programs spanning every discipline. Instead, it concentrates on a focused set of professional fields where it can deliver accredited, cohort-based experiences. Students who know they want one of DU’s core accredited programs will find a high-quality, well-credentialed option. Students who are still exploring broadly or who need programs in fields like nursing, engineering, public health, or criminal justice will need to look elsewhere.

How University of Denver Compares

The universities most often considered alongside DU share a profile: private, nationally recognized, with strong online graduate portfolios and premium pricing. The comparison below puts DU next to four peers that prospective students frequently evaluate in parallel.

FactorUniversity of DenverGeorge Washington UniversityNortheastern UniversityPepperdine UniversityRegis University
Tuition ModelPer-credit, private premium (~$1,000–$1,400+/credit)Per-credit, private premiumPer-credit, private premiumPer-credit, private premiumPer-credit, private (lower than DU)
CalendarQuarters (4 terms/year)SemestersSemesters/quarters vary by programSemesters/trimesters8-week terms
Key AccreditationsAACSB, CSWE, CACREP, ALAAACSB, CSWE, NASPAACSB——
Learning FormatCohort-based; async with some sync/hybridAsync + some syncAsync; experiential/co-op integrationAsync + some hybrid intensivesAsync, accelerated
Best Known For (Online)Business, social work, counseling, library sciencePolicy, international affairs, education, cybersecurityBusiness, IT, analytics, leadershipEducation, psychology, businessBusiness, education, counseling, nursing

Key takeaways from this comparison:

  • DU vs. George Washington University: Both are private, nationally ranked universities with AACSB business programs and CSWE-accredited social work degrees. The key difference is programmatic focus: GWU’s online strengths skew toward policy, international affairs, and cybersecurity, while DU leads in counseling (CACREP) and library science (ALA). DU’s quarter system also creates a different pacing experience — faster rotations with more frequent start dates.
  • DU vs. Northeastern University: Northeastern’s signature is its experiential model, embedding co-op and portfolio-based learning into online programs. DU’s approach is more traditionally academic and cohort-structured. Northeastern offers a broader online catalog, particularly in IT, analytics, and leadership. DU counters with stronger programmatic accreditations in social work and counseling — areas where Northeastern has less depth.
  • DU vs. Pepperdine University: Both are private universities with strong reputations and premium pricing. DU holds a clear advantage in the breadth and specificity of its programmatic accreditations: AACSB for business, CSWE for social work, CACREP for counseling, and ALA for library science. Pepperdine’s online offerings are more concentrated in education, psychology, and business, without the same accreditation specificity in social work or counseling.
  • DU vs. Regis University: Both are Denver-area private universities, but they serve different markets. DU is R1 with a stronger research reputation, broader online program selection, and more nationally recognized accreditations. Regis is smaller, less expensive, and differentiates through its Jesuit mission and strength in nursing and healthcare administration — areas DU doesn’t cover online. If budget matters and your field is healthcare, Regis may be the better fit. If you need AACSB business, CSWE social work, or CACREP counseling credentials, DU is the stronger choice.

Best For

DU’s online master’s programs are strongest for specific learner profiles where the university’s accreditations, format, and institutional reputation align with concrete career needs.

  • Working professionals who need an AACSB-accredited online MBA or business master’s. Daniels College’s AACSB accreditation carries weight with employers, particularly in finance, consulting, and corporate strategy roles. If your target employers care about business school accreditation — and in competitive industries, they often do — DU delivers a credential that fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide hold.
  • Social work candidates pursuing licensure who want a CSWE-accredited online MSW. Licensure requirements in every state trace back to CSWE accreditation. DU’s MSW offers four concentration tracks and an advanced standing path for BSW holders, making it viable for both career-changers and experienced social workers seeking clinical or leadership-level credentials.
  • Aspiring licensed professional counselors seeking CACREP-accredited preparation. As more states move toward requiring or preferring CACREP accreditation for LPC licensure, DU’s 90-credit MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling positions graduates favorably. The program is demanding — intentionally so — but it meets the highest current standard for counselor preparation.
  • Librarians and information professionals seeking career advancement through an ALA-accredited MLIS. DU’s MLIS is fully online with specialization options (archives, data science, school librarianship, knowledge management) that many competitors don’t offer in a remote format. ALA accreditation is the baseline requirement for most professional library positions.
  • Students who value cohort structure and quarter-system pacing. DU’s quarter system means shorter, more intensive terms with more frequent start dates. If you prefer structured cohort progression and don’t mind a faster pace, DU’s format works in your favor. If you want maximum self-pacing freedom, it probably doesn’t.

Not a Best Fit For

DU isn’t the right fit for every online master’s student. These profiles point to specific mismatches between what DU offers and what certain learners need.

Budget-driven students seeking tuition under $500/credit. DU’s per-credit costs are firmly in the private-university premium tier. Students who prioritize affordability above accreditation specificity will find significantly lower pricing at public universities like Colorado State University or competency-based models like Western Governors University.

Students seeking fully self-paced, asynchronous programs with no cohort obligations. DU’s cohort model provides structure but limits individual flexibility. Students who need to start and stop on their own schedule, or who prefer competency-based progression, should consider institutions designed around that model.

Applicants interested in online master’s programs in nursing, engineering, public health, or criminal justice. DU simply doesn’t offer these online at the master’s level. Students in these fields should look to universities with established online programs in those areas — for example, Johns Hopkins University for public health or Purdue University for engineering.

Students who prefer a traditional semester calendar. DU’s quarter system means 10-week terms rather than 15-week semesters. Some students find the faster pace energizing; others find it relentless. If you’ve consistently performed better in semester-length courses, factor this into your decision.

Students who need a large online program catalog to explore before committing to a field. DU’s online portfolio is focused, not broad. If you’re still deciding between widely different fields, a university with a larger online catalog may give you more room to explore before specializing.

Admissions Snapshot

DU’s online master’s admissions are deadline-based and holistic, with requirements varying by program and college. Here’s what to expect across the portfolio.

General Requirements: Most programs require a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, official transcripts, a personal statement or statement of purpose, a current résumé, and two to three letters of recommendation. Some programs — particularly the MSW and clinical mental health counseling MA — have additional requirements such as prerequisite coursework, professional experience, or supplemental essays.

GRE/GMAT Policies: Many DU programs do not require standardized test scores. The Daniels College of Business offers GMAT/GRE waivers for MBA and specialized business master’s applicants who meet certain GPA and professional experience thresholds. The MSW and counseling programs generally do not require standardized tests. Always verify current requirements directly with the specific program, as policies evolve.

Application Components: Transcripts, personal statement, résumé, and recommendations form the core application. Some programs request writing samples, interviews, or supplemental materials. The clinical mental health counseling MA typically includes an interview as part of the admissions process.

Quarter-Based Admissions Cycle: Because DU operates on a quarter system, many programs offer admissions for fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters — giving you up to four entry points per year. However, some programs (MSW, clinical mental health counseling, higher education) admit only in the fall quarter. Planning your application timeline around the right quarter is important, especially for programs with cohort starts.

DU’s admissions process is selective but not exclusionary. The holistic review means that strong professional experience can offset a lower GPA, and test waivers remove a common barrier for experienced professionals returning to graduate school.

Tuition and Cost Overview

DU is a private university, and its tuition reflects that. Transparency about cost is essential because the investment varies significantly depending on the program.

Per-Credit Costs: DU’s online master’s tuition generally falls in the range of approximately $1,000 to $1,400+ per credit hour, depending on the program and academic unit. Daniels College of Business programs and the clinical mental health counseling MA tend to sit at the higher end of this range. Education and communication programs may be slightly lower, though still well above public-university pricing.

Total Program Costs: Given credit-hour ranges of 45 to 90, total estimated costs span a wide band:

  • A 45-credit MEd might total roughly $45,000–$63,000
  • A 48-credit MS program might total approximately $48,000–$67,000
  • A 60-credit MBA or MSW might total approximately $60,000–$84,000
  • The 90-credit MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling could exceed $90,000

These are rough estimates. DU’s actual tuition rates change annually, and program-specific fees (technology fees, field placement coordination fees, etc.) can add to the total. Use the graduate school cost calculator to build a personalized cost projection.

Financial Aid and Scholarships: DU online master’s students are eligible for federal financial aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans. The university and individual colleges offer merit-based scholarships and graduate assistantships, though availability for fully online students varies. Employer tuition reimbursement is another common pathway — DU’s quarter-based billing can align well with employer reimbursement cycles.

Cost-Value Framing: DU’s pricing is premium. What you get for that premium is specific and measurable: AACSB (business), CSWE (social work), CACREP (counseling), and ALA (library science) accreditations; R1 research university status; cohort-based instruction with faculty who also teach on campus; and an alumni network concentrated in business, social services, education, and information professions. If those accreditations and the DU brand directly serve your licensure or career goals, the premium has a concrete return. If your field doesn’t weight accreditation specificity or institutional prestige heavily, a less expensive program may deliver equivalent career outcomes.

Visit University of Denver’s official online programs page

If you’re evaluating DU alongside other institutions, these OMC rankings provide broader context for how its programs fit into the national online master’s landscape.

  • DU’s AACSB-accredited MBA and specialized business degrees compete in the space covered by our best online MBA programs ranking, where accreditation is a key differentiator. Students considering DU’s CSWE-accredited MSW should also explore the best online master’s in social work programs ranking to see how DU stacks up on cost, format, and specialization options. The CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling program is relevant to the best online master’s in counseling programs list. DU’s education programs through Morgridge College compete in the best online master’s in education programs space. For a broader view across all disciplines, the best online master’s programs overview offers a cross-cutting perspective on quality, cost, and flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. University of Denver holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which covers all of its degree programs, including those delivered online. Beyond institutional accreditation, several DU programs carry programmatic accreditations that directly affect licensure eligibility and employer recognition: AACSB for business programs, CSWE for the MSW, CACREP for clinical mental health counseling, and ALA for the MLIS. Online students earn the same accredited degree as on-campus students.