Colorado School of Mines

Academic Programs

The Colorado School of Mines is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission and offers Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, post-master Certificates and Doctorates in 4 primary areas of study. The school is comprised of three colleges with a total of 14 academic departments: College of Applied Science and Engineering; College of Engineering and Computational Sciences; and College of Earth Resource Sciences and Engineering. The largest program on campus is Engineering, with Petroleum Engineering and Mechanical Engineering being the most popular disciplines. Per the Mission Statement, “Colorado School of Mines educates students and creates knowledge to address the needs and aspirations of the world’s growing population. Mines embraces engineering, the sciences, and associated fields related to the discovery and recovery of the Earth’s resources, the conversion of resources to materials and energy, development of advanced processes and products, fundamental knowledge and technologies that support the physical and biological sciences, and the economic, social and environmental systems necessary for a sustainable global society. Mines empowers, and holds accountable, its faculty, students, and staff to achieve excellence in its academic programs, its research, and in its application of knowledge for the development of technology.”

Student Life

There are over 4,600 undergraduate students enrolled in the Colorado School of Mines, many living on campus among the 8 residence halls and living communities. The School sponsors several clubs and student organizations, including club sports and intramurals. For the varsity athlete, the blue and silver Orediggers, led by Marvin the Miner & Blaster the Burro, field teams in 10 sports and participate in NCAA Division II competition. Each Spring semester, “E-Days” (Engineering Days) is a 3-day festival featuring the ‘Ore Cart Pull.’ Freshmen are encouraged to participate in the “M-Climb” as a rite of passage. Students understand the stated Core Values of the school: collaboration, integrity, perseverance, creativity, life-long learning and a responsibility for developing a better world. “The Mines student graduates with a strong sense of integrity, intellectual curiosity, demonstrated ability to get a job done in collaborative environments, passion to achieve goals, and an enhanced sense of responsibility to promote positive change in the world.” As the Mission Statement concludes: ‘Education and research in engineering and science to solve the world’s challenges related to the earth, energy and the environment.’