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)
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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: 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
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
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.
SPA Prospective Graduate Student Webinar
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12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Cost/fee: Free During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about graduate program options, course offerings, admission requirements, and program directors. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
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First Fridays: 50 Years of Colorado Politics
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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 our second event of the series. Registration opens soon.
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SPA Master of Public Administration Program Options Webinar
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12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Cost/fee: Free During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about graduate program options, course offerings, admission requirements, and program directors. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
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Featured news
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An Interview with SPA Alum Nga Vương-Sandoval, U.S. Refugee Advisory Board Project Manager
Sep 30, 2022 byJoan Fishburn, Career Services and Alumni Engagement Manager, recently interviewed Nga Vương-Sandoval (MCJ' 02) to talk about her lifelong commitment to advocating on behalf of refugees, immigrants, and other displaced people here in Colorado and around the world. Nga speaks from experience. As a child, Nga and her family fled their homeland due to the Việt Nam War and became refugees. They were displaced in refugee camps before resettling in the U.S. and were known as "boat people."Full story -
Q&A with retired Graduate Academic Advisor Antoinette Sandoval
Sep 1, 2022 byGraduate academic advisor Antoinette Sandoval has been an integral member of the CU Denver School of Public Affairs staff since 1997 and has positively impacted hundreds of students throughout her career. Antoinette retired from SPA on August 31, 2022. Learn more in this Q&A with Antoinette.Full story -
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Mandela Fellows Receive Training at Denver’s Posner CenterOpens in a new window
Jun 25, 2022Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship program has seen participation from more than 5000 young African leaders from all countries on the continent. That’s according to the Department of State’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) program website.Opens in a new window Full story -
Grand County hosts Mandela Washington FellowsOpens in a new window
Jun 24, 2022This month, a group of 23 young professionals traveled from their homes in Africa to the University of Colorado Denver, as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. The fellowship is a six-week leadership and academic program, where participants can further their careers and make international connections.Opens in a new window Full story -
Recollections on Supporting Team Unstoppable
May 23, 2022 byMaria Limon, Rural Technical Assistance Manager and Fostering Youth Leadership Specialist for the Center on Domestic Violence at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs, shares powerful experiences of working with Team Unstoppable, a group of youth leaders at several high schools in Denver for the last year and a half. They are “an unstoppable movement using humanity’s compassion and love to end all forms of violence.”Full story -
CU Denver CityCenter Announces 2022-23 TIAA Chancellor’s Urban Engaged ScholarsOpens in a new window
May 10, 2022One faculty member from each school and college has been selected to receive the TIAA Chancellor’s Urban Engaged Scholars award for the second year. Presented by CityCenter, this award recognizes the outstanding contributions of CU Denver faculty to the Denver-metro region through research and creative activities that drive our community forward.Opens in a new window Full story -
CU Denver Student Chloe Frazee Finds and Becomes a Lifeline at CU DenverOpens in a new window
May 5, 2022Growing up in Los Angeles with her mother and grandmother who were Mexican immigrants, CU Denver Student Chloe Frazee never imagined she would attend college, let alone graduate. “Mom worked a lot, and my grandma couldn’t speak English,” she says. At 15, Frazee and her older brother moved to Colorado to live with their godparents. “I’d been struggling with school and moved to be closer to family here.”Opens in a new window Full story