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School of Public Affairs

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    Preparing leaders for government and nonprofits

    Learn more about our programs

    Lead. Solve. Change. 

    Public affairs topics are at the center of almost every national debate. 

    From education policy to affordable housing, criminal justice reform to energy independence, these issues affect our neighborhoods, our cities and our society as a whole. To move forward and find solutions, the country needs leaders and collaborators with in-depth knowledge and a long-term vision.

    Determined to make a difference in your community? 

    As Colorado’s top school for public affairs, public administration and criminal justice, CU Denver School of Public Affairs is a great place to start.

    Logo indicating that the School of Public Affairs is accredited by NASPAA

    U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Graduate Schools rankings

    #1 Best Public Affairs Program in Colorado (#28 in the nation)
    #1 in Environmental Policy and Management in Colorado (#9 in the nation)
    #1 in Nonprofit Management in Colorado (#14 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Finance and Budgeting in Colorado (#14 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Management and Leadership in Colorado (#22 in the nation)
    #1 in Urban Policy in Colorado (#30 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Policy Analysis in Colorado (#32 in the nation)
    #3 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (#24 in the nation)

    Learn more.

    Our response to COVID-19

    Learn more

    Support our students

    Help to remove financial barriers for criminal justice and public affairs students.


    Support scholarships at the School of Public Affairs

    APPLICATION DEADLINES

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    GRE no longer required for admission to master's degree programs

    Bachelor's degree programs: 
    Summer - May 31 / Fall - July 31 / Spring - Dec 31

    Master's degree programs:
    Summer - May 1 / Fall - Aug 1 / Spring - Dec 1
    (Accelerated MPA students admitted for fall semesters only.)

    PhD program:
    Fall - Feb 1
    (PhD students admitted for fall semesters only.)

    Certificate non-degree programs:
    Summer - June 11 / Fall - Aug 21 / Spring - Jan 22

    Start your admission application:

    Apply to a bachelor's degree program

    Apply to a master's / doctoral degree program

    Apply to a certificate non-degree program

    Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

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    Defend the innocent, use big data, solve crimes

    Our criminal justice programs prepare students for a changing workforce and continued learning. Some use their degree as a stepping stone to executive positions in law enforcement, crime analysis and human services, while others want to expand their knowledge of criminal justice before law school.

    Browse our criminal justice programs.

    Degree Programs in Public Affairs

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    Put good policy ideas into practice

    Our programs in public affairs, public administration and public service prepare leaders for the government and nonprofit sectors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 percent of all jobs are in these sectors, and with 30 percent of government employees eligible to retire in 2016, the demand for public administrators continues to rise.

    Browse our public affairs programs.

    Certificate programs

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    Focus on your interests and passion

    Our certificate programs provide a great opportunity to add to your skills and knowledge in your particular area of interest, whether you want to advance in your current job or transition into a new one. Credits earned in certificate programs can be applied toward our master’s degree programs.

    Browse our certificate programs.

    Professional & Leadership Development Programs

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    Strengthen your skills, grow your network

    The School of Public Affairs is home to nationally renowned programs that provide training to current and future leaders. From public managers to education policy experts, our program participants have developed new skills, expanded their networks and recharged their careers.

    Browse our leadership training programs.

    Request information about our programs:

    Undergraduate

    Graduate

    Certificates

    Featured events

    Attend our events

    We host more than 100 events each year featuring distinguished practitioners, community leaders and politicians. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our events will be held virtually, unless otherwise indicated.

    Join our events mailing list

    December First Friday with the School of Public Affairs
    Dec 3, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    The Legacy and Looking Forward: The Center on Domestic Violence When Barbara Paradiso, Director of the Center on Domestic Violence at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs, passed away suddenly in July 2021, the efforts to combat domestic violence lost a titan. This event is a remembrance and honoring of Barb’s legacy, as well as a retrospective of the work of the Center and the impact of its concentration and certificate program in Gender-Based Violence. We will hear from alumni of the program, faculty, and center staff, and will also touch on the impact of COVID-19 on instances of domestic and other violence in America.
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    Financing Your Graduate Education
    Dec 14, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Financing Your Graduate Education During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about options available to you to help you finance your graduate education at the School of Public Affairs. We will discuss scholarships, fellowships, and loan opportunities. You will have the opportunity to ask question during the presentation
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    Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs Overview Webinar
    Dec 14, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about the PhD in Public Affairs offered at CU Denver. We will cover topics such as the admissions process, required coursework, financing options, and research opportunities. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
    Add event to:
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    See all events

    Featured news

     

    • New-MPP-Release

      CU Denver School of Public Affairs to launch Master of Public Policy in Fall 2022

      Nov 10, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      In its November meeting, the CU Board of Regents approved a new Master of Public Policy (MPP) program to be offered by the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs beginning with the fall 2022 semester.
      Full story
    • QandA with Lydia Buttrick

      Q&A with criminal justice student Lydia Buttrick

      Nov 5, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      In this School of Public Affairs interview, student Lydia Buttrick discusses her motivation to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Human Development & Family Relations at CU Denver and her internship experience with a criminal defense law firm in Denver and how it lead to a full-time job.
      Full story
    • Mary-Guy-Beijing

      New class of CU Distinguished Professors: leaders in research, education, serviceOpens in a new window

      Nov 4, 2021
      Congratulations to Professor Mary Guy of the School of Public Affairs for being named a CU Distinguished Professor for her leadership in research, education, and service.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • City-Statewide-Ballot-Propositions-Explained

      City, Statewide Ballot Propositions ExplainedOpens in a new window

      Oct 28, 2021
      For anyone who might feel hesitant to vote in a year that doesn’t feature a presidential election or other prominent races, we offer the advice of Paul Teske, PhD, dean of CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • What-Is-Numeracy

      What Is Numeracy?Opens in a new window

      Oct 27, 2021
      In an effort to explain numeracy, we consulted with two faculty experts at CU Denver—Lucy Dwight, PhD, in the School of Public Affairs and Stephanie Santorico, PhD, in the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Simply put, “It’s the basic ability to critically assess information that relies on numerical data,” said Dwight, who teaches quantitative methods.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • CU-Denver-2021-Pandemic-Awards

      Announcing the Winners of the 2021 CU Denver Pandemic Research and Creative Activities AwardsOpens in a new window

      Oct 27, 2021
      The University of Colorado Denver is proud to announce the winners of the CU Denver 2021 Pandemic Research and Creative Activities Award. Winners from the School of Public Affairs include Dr. Deserai Crow, Professors Angela Gover and Chris Weible, and PhD candidates and lecturers Stephanie Bultema and Jongeun You.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • Auraria Campus

      Q&A with public administration student Tressa Carter

      Oct 1, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      In this School of Public Affairs interview, student Tressa Carter discusses her motivation to pursue the Pathways Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration-Master of Public Administration program, her experiences as a non-traditional student, and advice for future students.
      Full story
    • QandA with Sawyer Victor

      Q&A with criminal justice student Sawyer Victor

      Sep 14, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      In this School of Public Affairs interview, student Sawyer Victor discusses his motivation to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice as a fully online, out-of-state transfer student, his career interests, and more.
      Full story
    • QandA with Tatum Watson

      Q&A with public administration student Tatum Watson

      Sep 1, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      In this School of Public Affairs interview, student Tatum Watson discusses her motivation to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, her experiences as a transfer student and as a student in the Pathways Bachelor of Public Administration-Master of Public Administration program.
      Full story

    See all news

    School of Public Affairs

    CU Denver
    Lawrence Street Center

    1380 Lawrence Street

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    Denver, CO 80204

    303-315-2228

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