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 2021 Best Graduate Schools rankings

#1 Best Public Affairs Program in Colorado (#25 in the nation)
#1 in Environmental Policy and Management in Colorado (#10 in the nation)
#1 in Public Finance and Budgeting in Colorado (#11 in the nation)
#1 in Nonprofit Management in Colorado (#13 in the nation)
#1 in Public Management and Leadership in Colorado (#22 in the nation)
#1 in Public Policy Analysis in Colorado (#25 in the nation)
#3 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (#24 in the nation)

Learn more.

Start your admission application

Request information about our programs:

Featured events

Prospective Graduate Student Info Session (Webinar)

Mar 3, 2021 | 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.

Add event to:

March First Friday with the School of Public Affairs-The Future of Higher Education for the CU System and CU Denver

Mar 5, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Cost/fee: Free

The Future of Higher Education for the CU System and CU Denver Prior to COVID-19, higher education was already undergoing transformation, with changes in state funding, student demographics, flexible curricula, questions about the value of degrees, and other challenges. Since the onset of the pandemic a year ago, higher education systems have been shaken up, with changes (and opportunities) likely to endure beyond the pandemic. Both the University of Colorado System and CU Denver are engaged in strategic planning efforts, so this is a great time to talk about these future challenges and opportunities. The School of Public Affairs is pleased to host a conversation with two nationally prominent leaders and two of the best thinkers about these issues.

Add event to:

School of Public Affairs Free GRE Strategy Session (Webinar)

Mar 9, 2021 | 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM

Cost/fee: Free

The GRE is no longer required for admission to the Master of Criminal Justice and Master of Public Administration programs, but it can help your application. The GRE is required for admission to the PhD in Public Affairs program.

Add event to:

March Criminal Justice Series

Mar 30, 2021 | 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM

Topic and details to come!

Add event to:

Which MPA is Right for Me? (Webinar)

Mar 31, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Cost/fee: Free

During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about the School of Public Affairs' three different versions of the Master of Public Administration program (i.e. traditional, executive, accelerated). Specifically, we will discuss structural, curricular, and cost similarities and differences. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.

Add event to:

Featured news

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
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
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
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
Biden picks familiar faces for top roles at FEMA, CIAOpens in a new window

Jan 15, 2021

President-elect Joe Biden is nominating New York emergency department commissioner Deanne Criswell to serve as the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator. Criswell, an alum of the Master of Public Administration program at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs, is the first woman nominated to head the agency.
Opens in a new window Full story
Alec Garnett, Colorado’s next House speaker, hopes you won’t think of himOpens in a new window

Jan 11, 2021

Colorado House of Representatives Alec Garnett poses for the portrait at the House chambers of Colorado State Capitol in Denver, Colorado on Thursday. November 12, 2020. Garnett, who is a CU Denver School of Public Affairs alumnus of the Accelerated Master of Public Administration program, will lead 73rd Colorado legislative session as speaker.
Opens in a new window Full story
School of Public Affairs’ Paul Taylor Serves As Facilitator for CU Boulder Community Safety Task ForceOpens in a new window

Jan 8, 2021

Paul Taylor, an assistant professor in the CU Denver School of Public Affairs, is working with the CU Boulder Community Safety Task Force as an external facilitator to help in increasing accountability, transparency, engagement, and trust between the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department (CUPD) and the broader university community.
Opens in a new window Full story
Advocating for Latinx StudentsOpens in a new window

Jan 4, 2021

In his December 2020 commencement address, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Carlos A. Samour, Jr. ’87 told CU Denver graduates to “make a difference,” whether for an individual, for a group, or for society as a whole. Justice Samour, who fled El Savador as a child with his family, encouraged CU Denver’s newest alumni to leave the world a better place than they found it. When student David Olguin graduates in 2022, he plans to do just that.
Opens in a new window Full story
Colorado Democratic electors cast nine votes for Joe BidenOpens in a new window

Dec 14, 2020

Colorado’s nine Democratic presidential electors cast their votes for Joe Biden at the state Capitol on Monday. First-time elector Alan Kennedy, an attorney and doctoral student at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs, said he hoped Monday’s nationwide vote brings acceptance of Biden’s presidential victory.
Opens in a new window Full story

School of Public Affairs

CU Denver

Lawrence Street Center

1380 Lawrence Street

500

Denver, CO 80204

303-315-2228

Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn

Alumni

University of Colorado Denver

Denver

Locations

Tools

Schools and Colleges

CU Denver

CU Anschutz Medical Campus

School of Public Affairs

Preparing leaders for government and nonprofits

Lead. Solve. Change.

Public affairs topics are at the center of almost every national debate.

Determined to make a difference in your community?

U.S. News & World Report 2021 Best Graduate Schools rankings

Our response to COVID-19

Support our students

Start your admission application

Request information about our programs:

Featured events

Attend our events

Prospective Graduate Student Info Session (Webinar)

March First Friday with the School of Public Affairs-The Future of Higher Education for the CU System and CU Denver

School of Public Affairs Free GRE Strategy Session (Webinar)

March Criminal Justice Series

Which MPA is Right for Me? (Webinar)

Featured news

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

Fall 2020 Dean’s ListOpens in a new window

Online MCJ Program Ranked Number 24 in Nation

Addressing the Opioid Crisis Amid Increasing Uncertainty

Biden picks familiar faces for top roles at FEMA, CIAOpens in a new window

Alec Garnett, Colorado’s next House speaker, hopes you won’t think of himOpens in a new window

School of Public Affairs’ Paul Taylor Serves As Facilitator for CU Boulder Community Safety Task ForceOpens in a new window

Advocating for Latinx StudentsOpens in a new window

Colorado Democratic electors cast nine votes for Joe BidenOpens in a new window

School of Public Affairs

CU Denver

Lawrence Street Center