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Key Takeaways

• DU offers tailored support for veterans seeking career transitions through industry-aligned academic programs and real-world skill development.
• Veterans gain confidence as they apply structured thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills from service into classroom learning and professional goals.
• Online courses provide the flexibility many veterans need while building a foundation for long-term career advancement.
• Sharing stories of veteran students promotes visibility, encouragement, and inspiration within both military and academic communities.

Air Force veteran Noah Washko didn’t take long to decide that the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies was the ideal place to get his master’s degree. He’d already seen DU’s impressive setting and services as his fiancée got her master’s degree there. When he learned about the benefits for service members and the flexible format, he was sold.

“It was a really easy process to get things going,” Washko says. Now entering his last term, he says he’s delighted he chose to use his at DU.

“I feel lucky as a veteran that I’ve gotten to take advantage of those benefits to attend this graduate school.”

Originally from Ohio, Washko was stationed in Colorado Springs after he joined the Air Force—an assignment that changed the course of his life. He fell in love with Colorado and with a woman who would become his wife.

When his enlistment ended, Washko decided to leave the military but wanted to stay in Colorado. He was ready for a fresh start but unsure of his next steps. Although his military experience was in security, he wanted to pursue a different career path. He began to look at good colleges for veterans nearby.

Using GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Benefits

Looking at DU’s offerings, the Environmental Policy & Management master’s program seemed like the right fit for Washko’s love of the outdoors. The master’s degree program offered a flexible format, expert instructors, and career-relevant content. He could even get a concentration in Natural Resources Management.

Financial support was key. Because he had 100% eligibility for the GI Bill, Washko’s tuition was fully covered by Yellow Ribbon benefits, with no extra paperwork or applications required.  The DU advisors ensured he had a seamless experience.

“Having that support has been a critical part of getting through this program,” Washko says. “The communication – whether it’s through my College of Professional Studies advisor or the Veterans Resource Center on campus—it’s been very open and incredibly helpful.”

With hybrid online/in-person courses, Washko is able to get a GI Bill housing allowance to help support his family while he studies – a family that’s growing. This year, in the middle of his program, Washko and his wife had their first baby.

“It’s been a lot. It’s been hectic,” he chuckles. “The [College of Professional Studies format] is pretty conducive to getting it all done while still working and now taking care of a baby and generally having a lot on my plate.”

Career-Relevant Environmental Skills

At a DU career fair, Washko was connected to an internship with Pure Cycle, a water utility and land development company. Through this hands-on experience, he’s gained practical skills in permitting processes and essential water management principles.

He credits the Environmental Policy & Management master’s program for equipping him with industry-relevant knowledge.

“It’s definitely prepared me to enter this new field that I was a little bit anxious about getting into,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot about natural resource management and now I feel confident I can go in and contribute effectively.”

Washko wholeheartedly recommends DU’s College of Professional Studies to other military and veteran students.

“I feel lucky as a veteran that I’ve gotten to take advantage of those benefits to attend this graduate school,” he says.

Washko expects to graduate with his master’s in Environmental Policy & Management in March of 2025.

See why the University of Denver is ranked among US New & World Report’s Best Colleges for Veterans. Explore the College of Professional Studies’ career-focused programs or apply now.

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