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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

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    Support our students

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

    Give to 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

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    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

    Criminal Justice Series Presents: Activism in Action with Jen Marolowe
    Sep 28, 2021 | 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    This academic year, we will highlight guest speakers' personal experiences of working and engaging in activism in justice-related causes. Join our first guest speaker, Jen Marlowe, who is an author, filmmaker, and activist for international human rights. She has been involved in a number of pursuits of justice for vulnerable people and groups worldwide and will discuss her work in these areas.
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    October First Friday with the School of Public Affairs: The Changing Face of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
    Oct 1, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Over the past two years, our parks and open spaces have seen more traffic than ever as people sought places for safe outdoor activity, and our recreation programs and facilities have been forced to evolve to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks among participants. Our panel of national and local experts will share their perspectives on the data and demographics underlying these topics, their innovative efforts to meet the needs, and how they see the evolving future of parks, recreation, and open space.
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    Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs Overview Webinar
    Oct 27, 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.
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    Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs Overview Webinar
    Nov 18, 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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    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

     

    • In memoriam: Barbara Paradiso, Center on Domestic Violence

      Jul 30, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      The movement to end domestic violence lost a titan in Barbara Paradiso, who passed away suddenly on July 26.
      Full story
    • Group photo of honored guests at Champions for Change event

      Remembering Barbara Paradiso, School of Public Affairs Center on Domestic Violence

      Jul 28, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      The School of Public Affairs mourns the loss of Barbara Paradiso, former director of the Center on Domestic Violence, who passed away suddenly on July 26.
      Full story
    • Sweden-retreat

      How a holistic research retreat can help our scienceOpens in a new window

      Jul 8, 2021
      After an existential crisis, we realized we needed to think more deeply about our careers, say Örjan Bodin and CU Denver School of Public Affairs professor Christopher M. Weible.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • gnomes-850

      Gnomes Invade Denver—#GnoMo ViolenceOpens in a new window

      May 31, 2021
      Gnomes are descending on Denver. Yes, they’re cute, but they also have an important message about healthy relationships. Last week, staff at the Center on Domestic Violence (CDV) in CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs and youth leaders at four DPS high schools kicked off the student campaign #GnoMo Violence.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • spring2020commencement_850w

      School of Public Affairs recognizes outstanding graduating students

      May 21, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      The School of Public Affairs congratulates the 2021 graduates and recognizes the outstanding students and capstone projects for the spring 2021 semester and the best dissertations from the 2020-21 academic year.
      Full story
    • Criminal Justice

      Q&A with criminal justice student Hannah Huyck

      May 5, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      In this School of Public Affairs interview, student Hannah Huyck discusses her motivation to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Victims and Victim Services, how her internship experience led to a promotion, and her future plans.
      Full story
    • Alumni-GOLD-board

      School of Public Affairs alumni volunteer time in service to school

      Apr 27, 2021
      Full story
    • Deanne_Criswell_850w

      CU Denver Alum Deanne Criswell Confirmed as First Female Leader of FEMAOpens in a new window

      Apr 22, 2021
      Today, Deanne B. Criswell, a University of Colorado Denver alum, was confirmed as the next administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). After graduating from CU Denver with a master in public administration in 2006, Criswell went on to manage the Office of Emergency Management for the City of Aurora, the third largest city in Colorado, from 2005 to 2011.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • 2021_Alumni_Awards

      School of Public Affairs alumni recognized with CU Denver Alumni Awards for 2021

      Mar 31, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      Each year the CU Denver Alumni Board honors individuals who have a record of distinction with the University of Colorado Denver and/or in their profession, community, and society at large. For 2021, three of the five award winners are alumni of the Master of Public Administration program at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs.
      Full story

    See all news

    School of Public Affairs

    CU Denver
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