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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

    Learn more

    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

    Graduate

    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

    April Criminal Justice Series
    Apr 27, 2021 | 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
    Topic and details to come!
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    May First Friday with the School of Public Affairs: Reflections on the Legislative Session
    May 7, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:15 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Topic TBA More details coming soon!
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    See all events

    Featured news

     

    • USNWR-ranking-2022

      School of Public Affairs ranks number 28 in country, number 1 in Colorado

      Mar 30, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      U.S. News & World Report today released its 2022 Best Graduate Schools Rankings, in which the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs is ranked number 28 in the nation overall, for public affairs programs. U.S. News also released its 2022 rankings for public affairs specialties, in which the School of Public Affairs was ranked highly in all five of its 2021 specialty rankings and is newly ranked in a sixth specialty category. This year’s overall ranking and specialty rankings maintains the school’s position as the top-ranked school of public affairs in Colorado.
      Full story
    • Arts-OpEd-Hansberry

      Individuals are key to Colorado’s creative economy resurgence

      Mar 29, 2021 by Dr. Jane Hansberry
      Dr. Jane Hansberry writes about the impact of COVID-19 on jobs in the arts and cultural sector and encourages individuals to do help with its resurgence through donations and ticket purchases.
      Full story
    • Worker repairing electrical line after winter snow storm

      The Unequal Cost of Brittle Power Infrastructure

      Mar 18, 2021 by Dr. Serena Kim
      The Texas winter storm in February 2021 and the ensuing blackout exposed problems of the unregulated power market, aging electricity infrastructure, and the lack of preparedness for frequent extreme weather events. But it also revealed social inequities in such problems. Dr. Serena Kim discusses the lessons that Coloradans can learn from Texans.
      Full story
    • Pink-Collar-Crime-1600

      Pinking Up White-Collar CrimeOpens in a new window

      Mar 16, 2021
      If you want to know about women and white-collar crime, consult Professor Mary Dodge, PhD—who literally wrote the book on the subject.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • Thumbnail_First_Fridays_03-05-21

      Kennedy, Marks Share Challenges, Opportunities for CU and CU Denver

      Mar 8, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      On March 5, the CU Denver School of Public Affairs hosted “The Future of Higher Education for the CU System and CU Denver,” part of the First Fridays with the School of Public Affairs virtual event series. Guest speakers were CU President Mark Kennedy and CU Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks. The conversation was moderated by School of Public Affairs Dean Paul Teske.
      Full story
    • intelligent-com-rankings

      University of Colorado Denver Receives Accolades in Sustainability, Business Analytics, Early Childhood EducationOpens in a new window

      Feb 19, 2021
      Several master’s programs at the University of Colorado Denver were recently awarded top ranking status, according to Intelligent.com’s 2021 report. This includes programs in the Business School, School of Education & Human Development, and School of Public Affairs focusing on sustainability, business analytics, early childhood education, and more.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • CU-Denver-Campus

      Fall 2020 Dean’s ListOpens in a new window

      Feb 8, 2021
      Every semester, each school and college publishes a Dean’s List honoring students who demonstrate high scholastic achievement.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • MCJ-number-24-ranking-2021

      Online MCJ Program Ranked Number 24 in Nation

      Jan 27, 2021 by Toula Wellbrook
      The Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs has been ranked number 24 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs rankings for 2021, placing the program third in Colorado.
      Full story
    • Opioid-OpEd

      Addressing the Opioid Crisis Amid Increasing Uncertainty

      Jan 19, 2021 by Dr. William L. Swann
      Before the arrival of COVID-19, the United States was amid one of its worst public health crises in decades: the opioid epidemic. To those experiencing, treating, and supporting someone with opioid use disorder (OUD), the deadliest pandemic since 1918 couldn’t have come at a crueler time. Dr. William Swann describes his recent research on the opioid pandemic.
      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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