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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.

    Our U.S. News & World Report 2020 Best Graduate Schools rankings:

    #1 Best Public Affairs Program in Colorado (#25 in the nation)
    #1 in Environmental Policy and Management in Colorado (#11 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Finance and Budgeting in Colorado (#17 in the nation)
    #1 in Nonprofit Management in Colorado (#21 in the nation)
    #1 in Public Management and Leadership in Colorado (#23 in the nation)
    #3 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (#23 in the nation)

     

    Logo indicating that the School of Public Affairs is accredited by NASPAA

    Degree programs

    Start your admission application!

    Doctoral applications for fall 2020 due Feb 1. Undergraduate applications for summer 2020 due March 15. Master's applications for summer 2020 due May 1. GRE no longer required for admission to master's degree programs.

    Start your admission application

    Schedule a visit

    A great way to learn more about the School of Public Affairs is to schedule a meeting, take a personalized tour or shadow a class.

    Request an appointment

    Support our students

    Help to remove financial barriers for criminal justice and public affairs students.

    Give to the School of Public Affairs

    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.

    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.

    Certificates and professional development

    Certificate programs

    A worker scales a pile of rubble in the aftermath of a disaster

    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

    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.

    Request information

    Undergraduate programs

    Graduate programs

    Certificate programs

    Featured events

     

    Attend our events

    We host more than 100 events each year featuring distinguished practitioners, community leaders and politicians.

    Join our mailing list

    School of Public Affairs Prospective Graduate Student Webinar

    Feb 5, 2020 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    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.

    School of Public Affairs Graduate Open House

    Feb 6, 2020 | 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Room Number: 470
    CU Denver Building
    1250 14th Street
     Denver, CO
    During this Open House, we'll provide an overview of graduate options available via the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs along with information about the application process and admissions.

    First Friday Breakfast: The Census is Coming. Be Counted!

    Feb 7, 2020 | 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Room Number: Terrace Room (2nd Floor)
    Lawrence Street Center
    1380 Lawrence Street
     Denver, CO
    A new Census will start in Colorado in April 2020, and the data will be used to re-apportion the U.S. Congress and for re-districting of state legislatures. The data are also used to guide federal funding formulas to provide state and local monies for health, education, transportation and other areas. Colorado voters recently approved a new, more independent (and perhaps less political) process for changing legislative boundaries. How will the new process work with the Census data? Please join us for this important discussion about the U.S. Census in Colorado. Registration opens soon.

    Featured news

    • School of Public Affairs hosts “Women in Leadership: A View from Governmental Agencies”

    • CU Denver School of Public Affairs convenes discussion with expert panel on 2019 Colorado election results

    • CU Denver School of Public Affairs hosts 2019 APPAM conference in Denver

    • School of Public Affairs hosts First Friday Breakfast event themed on Colorado’s Energy Future

    • CU Denver School of Public Affairs hosts event on technology in the criminal justice system

    • CU Denver School of Public Affairs hosts 2019 IPPA Spring Policy School

    Featured research

    A Comparative Diagnosis of Policy Conflicts: Examining Unconventional Oil and Gas Development across the US

    Professors Tanya Heikkila and Christopher Weible, University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs Jennifer Kagan and Jill Yordy

    Evaluate the Efficacy of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs

    Lonnie Schaible, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, CU Denver School of Public Affairs Nazia Hasan, Stephanie Ames, Ilana Winchester and Jeanette Norman

    Strengthening the Carrying Capacity of Local Health and Social Service Agencies to Absorb Increased Hospital/Clinical Referrals

    Associate Professor Danielle Varda, CU Denver School of Public Affairs Stephanie Bultema

    School of Public Affairs

    CU Denver
    Lawrence Street Center

    1380 Lawrence Street

    500

    Denver, CO 80204

    303-315-2228

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