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 applyPreparing 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 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)
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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 a robust program of events each year featuring distinguished practitioners, government and nonprofit leaders, media, and others. We hope you'll us!
SPA PhD Program Overview Webinar
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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.
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SPA Masters of Public Administration Overview Webinar
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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.
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SPA Master of Public Policy Overview Webinar
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05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Cost/fee: Free During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about our Masters of Public Policy Program. We will discuss course offerings, admission requirements, and how we prepare you to design, analyze, influence, and implement policy in your field. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
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SPA Masters of Criminal Justice Overview Webinar
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12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Cost/fee: Free During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about our Masters of Criminal Justice Program. We will discuss course offerings, admission requirements, and how we prepare you to be a leader and change-maker in your field. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
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Featured news
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Six Questions for SPA Alum Alaina McWhorter, Special Projects Manager at the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation
Dec 6, 2023 byThanks to her credentials from CU Denver as a Master of Public Administration and Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP), Alaina McWhorter catapulted her public service career from an entry- to mid-level financial analyst to a government affairs specialist advising executive leadership at the State Legislature, the City and County of Denver, and numerous nonprofit partners on best practices to achieve policy goals and program outcomes.Full story -
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Six Questions for SPA Alum Joel Gunn, Deputy Coroner and Coroner Investigator at the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office
Nov 29, 2023 byJoel 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 -
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 byNaureen 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 -
Six Questions for SPA Alum Tracy Altman, Founder and Executive Director at Museum of AI
Nov 8, 2023 byPhD 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 -
Six Questions for SPA Alum Monica Cutler, Associate Director of Advancement Communications at CU Denver
Nov 1, 2023 byMonica 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 -
Six Questions for SPA Alum Dallas Elgin, Research Scientist at RTI International
Oct 25, 2023 byDallas 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 -
Five Questions for SPA Alum Jane Hansberry, former Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs
Oct 18, 2023 byRetired 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 -
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, 2023The 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