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.
Financing Your Graduate Education
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07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Cost/fee: Free Financing Your Graduate Education
During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about options available to you to help you finance your graduate education at the School of Public Affairs. We will discuss scholarships, fellowships, and loan opportunities. You will have the opportunity to ask question during the presentation.
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Advocacy Coalition Framework Monthly Online Seminar Series
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11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost/fee: Free The Center for Policy and Democracy at CU Denver is proud support the monthly on-line seminar series on the “Advocacy Coalition Framework” featuring researchers from around the world.
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SPA Prospective Graduate Student Webinar
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12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
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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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 -
2022 Faculty Award RecipientsOpens in a new window
Apr 28, 2022Each year CU Denver honors one of the university’s greatest assets – our remarkable faculty – with the faculty excellence awards. These accolades recognize superior accomplishments in teaching, leadership and service, research and creative work, librarianship, faculty mentoring, and practices related to instructional, research, and clinical faculty.Opens in a new window Full story -
School of Public Affairs ranks number 29 in country, number 1 in Colorado
Mar 29, 2022 byU.S. News & World Report today released its 2023 Best Graduate Schools Rankings, in which the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs is ranked number 29 in the nation overall for public affairs programs. The school is also ranked in the Top 25 for five sub-specialty rankings.Full story -
Dealing with Disproportionality in Climate Change PolicymakingOpens in a new window
Mar 21, 2022We often assume the ideal about our governments: they should act proportionately to the problems at hand. Governments should respond to minor issues with minor policy changes and major issues with major policy changes. This assumption of proportionality cumbers the effectiveness of solutions found across literatures, including adaptive management, sustainable development, and direct and deliberative democracy.Opens in a new window Full story -
Graduate Student Ricky Abilez Wins Prestigious University of Colorado Thomas Jefferson AwardOpens in a new window
Mar 10, 2022Artist, educator, activist, and School of Public Affairs graduate student Ricky Abilez can officially add “University of Colorado Thomas Jefferson Award winner” to their ever-growing list of titles. The system-level award, which honors students, faculty, and staff members who are committed to advancing public service, education, and the arts, serves as a reminder to Abilez that the work they do matters.Opens in a new window Full story -
Alum Brad Reubendale: Nourishing a Nonprofit DreamOpens in a new window
Mar 3, 2022CU Denver alum Brad Reubendale, executive director of SAME (So All May Eat) Café on East Colfax, knows all too well what it means to lose everything. At 17, he and his family were excommunicated from the Missouri cult he’d been raised in. “The only humans I knew were my brothers and my parents until I got my feet back under me working in youth services for the Salvation Army.”Opens in a new window Full story -
Opinion: COVID opened the door to new energy thinking. We haven’t stepped through itOpens in a new window
Mar 1, 2022If a pandemic isn’t enough to accelerate the energy transition, then what is? Professors Tanya Heikkila and Chris Weible take on this question, along with PhD in Public Affairs alumnus Dr. Alex Osei-Kojo and Dr. Amy Pickle from Duke University.Opens in a new window Full story