Preparing leaders for government and nonprofits
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.
U.S. News & World Report 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings
#1 Best Public Affairs Program in Colorado (#29 in the nation)
#1 in Environmental Policy and Management in Colorado (#10 in the nation)
#1 in Nonprofit Management in Colorado (#16 in the nation)
#1 in Public Finance and Budgeting in Colorado (#19 in the nation)
#1 in Public Management and Leadership in Colorado (#21 in the nation)
#1 in Local Government in Colorado (#25 in the nation)
#2 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (#20 in the nation)
CU Denver and the School of Public Affairs are Celebrating 50 Years!
Whether you’re an alum, current student, faculty and staff member, donor, or neighbor, you’re a valuable part of the CU Denver community. Help us celebrate the last 50 years and a future that works for all.
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Learn more about our Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration programs.
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Learn more about our Master of Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Public Policy programs.
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Learn more about our Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs program.
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Learn more about our non-degree, graduate certificate programs.
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Application deadlines
Bachelor's programs: May 27
Master's programs: May 1*
Certificate programs: June 11
*Applications are accepted for the fall term only for the accelerated Master of Public Administration program.
View admission requirements and application instructions
Bachelor's programs: July 31
Master's programs: August 1*
Doctoral program: February 1*
Certificate programs: August 21
*Applications are accepted for the fall term only for the accelerated Master of Public Administration and PhD in Public Affairs programs.
View admission requirements and application instructions
Bachelor's programs: December 31
Master's programs: December 1*
Certificate programs: January 22
*Applications are accepted for the fall term only for the accelerated Master of Public Administration program.
View admission requirements and application instructions
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.
First Fridays: 50 Years of Colorado Environmental and Water Issues
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08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Cost/fee: Free The School of Public Affairs is celebrating our 50th anniversary of public affairs education! This academic year's series of First Fridays will provide 50-year retrospectives on important topics for Coloradans—as well as a look ahead to the next 50 years. Please join us—in person or virtually—for the second half of our event series.
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Criminal Justice Series: Public Policy and Human Trafficking
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05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Cost/fee: Free Room Number: Terrace Room
Lawrence Street Center
1380 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO
Brought to you by the Center for Community Safety and Resilience at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs.
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Herrick Roth Community Seminars on Democracy: Lessons on Democratic Backsliding with Adam Kaplan, Democracy, Media & Communications Specialist
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05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Cost/fee: Free Presented by the Herrick Roth Community Seminars on Democracy, a series of the Center for Policy and Democracy at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs.
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Featured news
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Russian Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Discusses Democracy, Peace, and Propaganda with CU DenverOpens in a new window
Mar 20, 2023Democracy was in focus at CU Denver when Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dmitry Muratov recently visited the campus on a blustery Colorado Tuesday. The all-day event was hosted by the School of Public Affairs (SPA) and coincided with the school’s 50th anniversary, the launch of the Center on Policy and Democracy, and the newly re-energized Herrick Roth Lecture Series on Democracy. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the community gathered to hear the Russian journalist speak on topics like the role independent media, higher education, and world citizens play in creating peace and sustaining democracy.Opens in a new window Full story -
Center for Community Safety and Resilience Presents Analysis of Decade-long Colorado Crime Data
Mar 16, 2023 byThe new Center for Community Safety and Resilience (CCSR), housed at the School of Public Affairs at CU Denver, hosted an event to disseminate the findings of a recently produced report on crime rates in Colorado from 2010 to 2021. The report co-authors are School of Public Affairs faculty Professor and CU Regent Callie Rennison and Dr. Sheila Huss, clinical assistant professor and interim co-director of the CCSR.Full story -
Unprecedented Improvements Lift Denver StudentsOpens in a new window
Mar 8, 2023If you were at student in the Denver Public Schools between 2008 and 2019, you may not have realized it at the time, but you were likely benefiting from the most comprehensive and effective education reform initiative in the history of the United States.Opens in a new window Full story -
CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs: For 50 Years, a Place to Lead, Solve, and ChangeOpens in a new window
Feb 28, 2023This year, as CU Denver celebrates its own golden anniversary, SPA is also celebrating 50 years of education, research, and outreach that helps cities and communities operate better and more equitably.Opens in a new window Full story -
What is the Difference between Public Policy and Public Administration?Opens in a new window
Feb 28, 2023Look around you: From roads that link neighborhoods to city governments that introduce recycling programs, to people that raise funds to build playgrounds and concert venues, our world is shaped by civics and public affairs. And students who are interested in a career in these sectors can make big impacts in their communities. At CU Denver, students can choose an educational path that focuses on public administration or public affairs—but how do these degree choices differ?Opens in a new window Full story -
Center for Policy and Democracy Hosts Inaugural Conference on Policy Process Research on Auraria Campus
Feb 27, 2023 byCU Denver’s new Center for Policy Democracy, (CPD) housed at the School of Public Affairs and co-directed by Professors Tanya Heikkila and Chris Weible, hosted the inaugural Conference on Policy Process Research (COPPR) on the Auraria Campus from January 12 to 14, 2023. Of the nearly 400 policy process researchers who attended the hybrid conference, more than half represented institutions outside the U.S. An evening reception was hosted at the Tivoli Turnalle on January 13.Full story -
Six Questions for Denver City Council Member Chris HerndonOpens in a new window
Feb 21, 2023For Aaron Franz, a CU Denver student and veteran, the future is always on his mind. That’s why he decided to meet with CU Denver’s February Alumni Resident: Denver City Council Member Chris Herndon MPA ’13. As an International Studies major hoping to pursue a career in public administration, Franz had the opportunity to talk with Herndon about transitioning to being a civilian after serving, higher education later in life, and future career goals.Opens in a new window Full story -
School of Public Affairs launches re-imagined Center for Community Safety and Resilience
Feb 17, 2023 byThe School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver established the new Center for Community Safety and Resilience (CCSR), a collaborative and innovative center whose mission is to advance research-based evidence and practice toward individual and community safety, resilience, and justice through effective programs, practitioner and community education, and public policy advocacy and analysis.Full story