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School of Public Affairs

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    Admission application deadline extended for master's programs

    New deadline for spring 2024: January 1

    Master of Criminal Justice | Master of Public Administration | Executive Master of Public Administration | Master of Public Policy

    Learn more and apply

    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 2024 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 (#18 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Finance and Budgeting in Colorado (#18 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Management and Leadership in Colorado (#18 in the nation)
    #1 in Local Government in Colorado (#21 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Policy Analysis in Colorado (#29 in the nation)
    #2 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (#20 in the nation)

    Learn more.

    Master of Public Policy

    New Degree Earned: MPP Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes The Master of Public Policy prepares students to design, advocate for, and evaluate public policy, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of public policies from inside or outside of government. Students gain understanding of public policy design and analysis techniques, and the role of politics and power in influencing the making and implementation of public policy.

    Graduate Certificate in Managing for Social Equity

    New Degree Earned: Graduate Certificate Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes This certificate provides you with the knowledge and skills to strengthen principles and practices that support equity, diversity, and inclusion within government and nonprofit organizations and in their interactions with the larger society.

    Graduate Certificate in Public Management

    New Degree Earned: Graduate Certificate Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes This certificate will provide you with the historical, political, and legal context of government organizations in the United States. You will learn and apply concepts relevant to managing government organizations, managing human capital, group development and performance, organizational communications, information management, and ethical and evidence-based decision-making.

    Request program information

    • Bachelor's programs
    • Master's programs
    • Doctoral program
    • Certificate programs

    Learn more about our Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration programs.

    Request information

    Learn more about our Master of Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Public Policy programs.

    Request information

    Learn more about our Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs program.

    Request information

    Learn more about our non-degree, graduate certificate programs.

    Request information

    View our upcoming courses

    Application deadlines

    • Fall
    • Spring
    • Summer

    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

    Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

    Closeup of the pediment of a building with the words "Equal Justice Under Law" etched in relief

    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

    Flower bed in full bloom in front of the State Capitol Building in Denver

    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

    Firefighters contending with a wildfire

    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

    A team-building activity where participants have to support a heavy stick with only one finger each

    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.


    Featured events

    Attend our events

    We host a robust program of events each year featuring distinguished practitioners, government and nonprofit leaders, media, and others. We hope you'll us!

    Join our events mailing list

    SPA Graduate Programs Overview Webinar

    Dec 5, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about graduate program options, admission requirements, program directors, and how we prepare you to lead, solve, and make change in your field. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
    Add event to:
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    SPA Graduate Programs Overview Webinar

    Dec 6, 2023 | 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about graduate program options, admission requirements, program directors, and how we prepare you to lead, solve, and make change in your field. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
    Add event to:
    • Outlook
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    • Google Calendar

    SPA PhD Program Overview Webinar

    Dec 12, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about our PhD in Public Affairs program. Hosted by Deserai Crow, our Program Director, and Evelyn LoGiudici, our Recruitment and Admission Senior Professional, we will discuss the admission process, course requirements, research opportunities, and more. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
    Add event to:
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    SPA Masters of Public Administration Overview Webinar

    Dec 13, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about the three different versions of the Master of Public Administration program (i.e. traditional, executive, accelerated). We will discuss course offerings, admission requirements, and how we prepare you to advance public service in Colorado and beyond. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
    Add event to:
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    • Google Calendar

    See all events


    Featured news

     

    • Joe Gunn Table Mountain Investigation Selfie (1)

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Joel Gunn, Deputy Coroner and Coroner Investigator at the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office

      Nov 29, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      Joel Gunn is a Deputy Coroner and Coroner Investigator for the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office in Golden, Colorado and has held this position for for the past three-and-a-half years. Prior to working for Jefferson County, he was a Deputy Coroner for the Douglas County Coroner’s Office in Castle Rock.
      Full story
    • Naureen Singh_headshot

      Five Questions for SPA Alum Naureen Singh, Youth Support and Development Specialist at the Asian Pacific Development Center; Policy Director of Colorado Sikhs

      Nov 15, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      Naureen Singh is a Youth Support and Development Specialist at the Asian Pacific Development Center and the Policy Director of Colorado Sikhs. Naureen has also earned her commission and currently works on addressing claims of unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment in the United States Air Force. She graduated with her Master of Criminal Justice degree from the University of Colorado Denver. Singh has extensive professional experience with grassroots organizing, interfaith coalition building, and community building. Recently, she has been selected to lead the Colorado Sikh History Project.
      Full story
    • Tracy Altman headshot

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Tracy Altman, Founder and Executive Director at Museum of AI

      Nov 8, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      PhD in Public Affairs alumna Tracy Altman is the founder and Executive Director at Museum of AI, which produces immersive experiences and informal learning programs about artificial intelligence. Their mission is to explain AI so people are aware of its potential and pitfalls, and can apply it in their work and daily lives. Besides algorithms, they emphasize creative uses, decision making, public policy, and ethical considerations. They aim to improve technology learning through experience design.
      Full story
    • Monica Cutler_headshot

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Monica Cutler, Associate Director of Advancement Communications at CU Denver

      Nov 1, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      Monica Cutler, Associate Director of Advancement Communications at CU Denver, supports the work of the entire CU Denver Advancement team primarily in digital marketing, which includes mass emails, event registrations, social media outreach, and website management. She discusses what's meaningful about her career, how her education at the School of Public Affairs has impacted her work, and more.
      Full story
    • Dallas Elgin Headshot

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Dallas Elgin, Research Scientist at RTI International

      Oct 25, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      Dallas Elgin is a research scientist at RTI International where he leads research and evaluation studies focused on increasing the effectiveness, equity, and efficiency of programs and policies designed to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social determinants of health (SDOH) among children and families.
      Full story
    • Jane Hansberry headshot

      Five Questions for SPA Alum Jane Hansberry, former Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs

      Oct 18, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      Retired Associate Clinical Professor Jane Hansberry discusses her public service career, changes in the field, and memories from her time at the School of Public Affairs.
      Full story
    • Faculty-Martell-Christine-10-2021-300x300

      CU Denver School of Public Affairs Associate Dean and Professor Christine Martell Selected as a Fellow by the National Academy of Public Administration

      Oct 3, 2023
      The National Academy of Public Administration today announced that 60 leaders in the field of public administration, including School of Public Affairs Associate Dean and Professor Christine Martell, have been selected for the 2023 Class of Academy Fellows.
      Full story
    • Family

      A multi-generational family of alumni reminisces about their shared appreciation of their time at the School of Public Affairs

      Aug 21, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      The School of Public Affairs recently had the honor of sitting down with a unique trio of alumni – Elsa Holguín (MPA '11), her husband Ed Lucero (MPA '98), and her daughter Denise Gomez (MPA '16) – a multi-generational example of the impact of SPA’s programs in the greater community.
      Full story

    See all news

    School of Public Affairs

    CU Denver

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    Denver, CO 80204


    303-315-2228

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