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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 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)

    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.
    50th_Mark_SPA_50thMark_Color_Horizontal

    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.

    Learn more

    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

    Application deadlines

    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Spring

    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

    Our response to COVID-19

    Learn more

    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

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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.


    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

    First Fridays: 50 Years of Colorado Environmental and Water Issues

    Apr 7, 2023 | 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

    Apr 18, 2023 | 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

    Apr 27, 2023 | 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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    See all events


    Featured news

     

    • UCD_Muratov_02-28-23_600w

      Russian Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Discusses Democracy, Peace, and Propaganda with CU DenverOpens in a new window

      Mar 20, 2023
      Democracy 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
    • 03-06-23 CJ Series Group Photo_600w

      Center for Community Safety and Resilience Presents Analysis of Decade-long Colorado Crime Data

      Mar 16, 2023 by Toula Wellbrook
      The 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
    • CEPA Advancement Article_600w

      Unprecedented Improvements Lift Denver StudentsOpens in a new window

      Mar 8, 2023
      If 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
    • SPA-1600x900

      CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs: For 50 Years, a Place to Lead, Solve, and ChangeOpens in a new window

      Feb 28, 2023
      This 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
    • MicrosoftTeams-image-6-1600x900

      What is the Difference between Public Policy and Public Administration?Opens in a new window

      Feb 28, 2023
      Look 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
    • SPA_COPPR_release_600w

      Center for Policy and Democracy Hosts Inaugural Conference on Policy Process Research on Auraria Campus

      Feb 27, 2023 by Toula Wellbrook
      CU 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
    • Screen-Shot-2023-02-20-at-9.49.47-AM-1230x726

      Six Questions for Denver City Council Member Chris HerndonOpens in a new window

      Feb 21, 2023
      For 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
    • CCSR_Release_600w

      School of Public Affairs launches re-imagined Center for Community Safety and Resilience

      Feb 17, 2023 by Toula Wellbrook
      The 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

    See all news

    School of Public Affairs

    CU Denver

    Lawrence Street Center

    1380 Lawrence Street

    500

    Denver, CO 80204


    303-315-2228

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