Tuition paid by EMP students is determined by a combination of Colorado state, university, and program policy. Students are either admitted through the on-campus or distance education programs. The on-campus educational experience typically includes access to some resources and services that cannot be made available to distance education students, including the courses on the CU Boulder campus outside of CAETE. The difference between Colorado resident and Colorado non-resident rates is set by the State. In certain cases, students can switch between tuition categories after admission. The most frequent cases are where students seek to reduce tuition by either switching from non-resident to resident status or from on-campus to distance education.
Switching from Non-Resident On-Campus Status to Distance Education
To switch from non-resident on-campus to distance education, a student needs to have become employed as a full time professional in their field of expertise. The program encourages full-time students to do internships, which are generally classified as temporary jobs with salary and/or benefits below typical professional rates but in an area closely related to the student's field of study. However, internships are expected to be complementary with and not in conflict with an on-campus education; the student and the employer are both expected to understand that the student will need sufficient time to attend classes and pursue other normal on-campus educational activities necessary to complete a degree. Consequently, taking an internship is not sufficient to trigger a switch from on campus status to distance education status for tuition purposes. On campus students who have become employed full time in a regular professional position in their field can petition to switch categories by providing the employer name and supervisor contact information to CAETE administration. CAETE administration will contact the employer and may require other proof of employment depending on the circumstances. There may be other requirements outside the scope of the program (e.g., visa related requirements) for international students wishing to make this switch.
Switching from Resident On-Campus Status to Distance Education
Switching from resident on-campus to distance education requires permission of the Faculty Director of the Program and of CAETE.
On Campus Students wishing to Take Occasional Courses through Distance Education
In some cases, students may wish to take a course in the distance education format for convenience even though not qualified to switch from status as an on campus student to distance education student, for example, if the course conflicts with another course the student wishes to take in the same semester. The student would need permission of the instructor, the Faculty Director of the Program, and of CAETE. Tuition rates would remain unchanged from on campus rates. Typically, this is only approved for at most two courses during the student's attendance at the University.
