A Focus on Teacher Scholars
UNC is uniquely positioned among Colorado’s public research universities and distinguished by its focus on the teacher scholar; outreach to and support of underserved students; our faculty-student collaboration in transformative research, scholarship, and creative works; and a history of innovative education no other Colorado university can claim. This combination translates into high quality academic experiences for our undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, and has a positive impact on the world around us through community and civic engagement.
Our Academic Opportunities
UNC is a four-year public doctoral research university offering multifaceted degree opportunities—whether students are recent high school graduates seeking bachelor’s degrees on campus, or professionals taking online classes to complete an advanced degree.
Undergraduate
With more than 100 degree programs, national recognition for excellence, and faculty who are passionate about teaching and research, UNC offers our students a transformational education experience in a right-sized setting. Learn more about our faculty, academic quality, undergraduate research and beautiful campus.
Graduate
For more than 100 years, the University of Northern Colorado has offered outstanding graduate degree programs. Learn more about our small class sizes, expert scholar teachers, Office of Graduate Research, sophisticated facilities and affordable tuition.
Extended Campus
Explore our off-campus and online degree options and learn more about expert faculty, flexible offerings and accredited degrees. UNC faculty who take part in off-campus and online instruction are among our most enthusiastic instructors.
International
UNC offers our unique educational experience and academically rigorous programs to students from all around the world. Learn more about UNC’s exemplary international programs.
Academic Snapshot
16
Week semesters
Fall: Late August to mid-December
Spring: Early January to early May.
Average Class Size ranges from 25-35 students depending on the program. 60% of courses have fewer than 30 students.
College of Performing and Visual Arts annually hosts more than 250 public events.
Colleges
- Education and Behavioral Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Natural and Health Sciences
- Monfort College of Business
- Performing and Visual Arts
- University College
100
Undergraduate
Programs
120
Graduate
Programs
60
Extended Campus Programs offered in Denver, Loveland, Colorado Springs or online.
U.S. News and World Report ranks UNC’s online master of education degree program 8th best in the nation.
UNC's Sport Administration graduate program earned a top 5 worldwide ranking from the leading publication covering the international sport business community. UNC was one of only two U.S. universities to make the top 5 in SportBusiness International magazine's first-ever ranking of sport management courses around the world.
Downbeat magazine has named UNC’s University Orchestra the top university orchestra in the U.S. seven times in the past 10 years.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has selected UNC to receive Community Engagement Classification in 2015--one of only three universities in Colorado to hold the designation.
Through the years, UNC has ranked in the top 25 on the Peace Corps college list. Since the inception of the Peace Corps 50 years ago, more than 500 UNC alumni have served.
Among U.S. undergraduate-only physics programs, UNC ranks in the top 35 for the largest number of bachelor's degrees granted, according to the American Institute of Physics.
U.S. News & World Report ranked multiple programs at the University of Northern Colorado among the top 15 in the country, including UNC’s online master of education degree program (8th) and rehabilitation counseling (15th).
UNC Research Opportunities
UNC research, amounting to $20 million in external funding over the past two years, includes faculty studying traumatic brain injuries and concussions, snake venom in cancer treatments, biofuel alternatives from a "diesel tree," West Nile virus, noise-induced hearing loss and prevention, lasers to monitor volcanoes, and bats.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Undergraduate students also deepen learning through hands-on work and meaningful research. UNC recognizes undergraduate students for their scholarly accomplishments and research by publishing the bi-yearly Undergraduate Research Journal.
Graduate Research Opportunities
UNC's graduate education includes a variety of master's degrees that complement the University's mission and purposes and a select number of doctoral programs that emphasize scholarship and research, clinical practice, pedagogy, or performance.
