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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 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 (#23 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

    Prospective Graduate Student Info Session (Webinar)
    Feb 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.
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    Prospective Graduate Student Virtual Open House
    Feb 4, 2021 | 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    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. The latter portion of the Open House will allow students to connect individually with program directors and representatives from admissions and scholarships, financial aid, academic advising and career services.
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    February First Friday with the School of Public Affairs-Colorado's COVID-19 Vaccination: Hesitancy, Ethics, and Logistics
    Feb 5, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Colorado’s COVID-19 Vaccination: Hesitancy, Ethics, and Logistics Now that there are COVID-19 vaccines available and more in the research pipeline, our attention turns to how to get the vaccine into people. In this panel, we'll explore some of the challenges of offering vaccination to the entire population of Colorado. We'll discuss how vaccine hesitancy and skepticism impacts uptake, the ethical considerations of vaccine distribution, and the logistics of getting two shots in every arm across our mountainous and rural geography. Panelists to be announced soon.
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    Prospective Undergraduate Student Virtual Open House
    Feb 17, 2021 | 05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Join the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs for a virtual Prospective Undergraduate Student Virtual Open House. During this one-hour session, we will discuss program options, internship and career support, and financial aid and scholarships. You will also have the chance to meet with program directors of the Bachelor of Arts in Public Service and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Friends and family are welcome.
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    Which MPA is Right for Me? (Webinar)
    Feb 24, 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.
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    See all events

    Featured news

     

    • 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
    • Deanne-Criswell

      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-AMPA-Alum-850w

      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
    • Police-badge

      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
    • Alan-Kennedy-Democratic presidential elector-850w

      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

    • The Pivot: How Governments Are Changing to Meet the Needs of Our Time

      Dec 11, 2020 by Emma Martz
      On December 4, the CU Denver School of Public Affairs hosted its First Friday event centered around how governments are changing to meet the needs of our time, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comprised of experts from state, city, and county governments in Colorado, the panel took a deep dive into the pivots that organizations have made during the tumultuous year of 2020, what processes would continue, and their hopes for the future.
      Full story
    • vaccine-850w

      How Promising is the Vaccine News if People Won't Take it?Opens in a new window

      Dec 8, 2020
      This op-ed was written by the Risk & Social Policy Working Group, an interdisciplinary team of scholars formed to study risk messaging and public policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Deserai Crow of the CU Denver School of Public Affairs is part of the working group.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • CU-Boulder-story-Paul-Taulor-850w

      Community Safety Task Force continues its work, encourages community feedbackOpens in a new window

      Dec 2, 2020
      Over the past fall semester, the CU Boulder Community Safety Task Force has continued its work to forge new paths and bring forth recommendations to increase accountability, transparency, engagement and trust between the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department and the broader university community. Paul Taylor, an assistant professor in the CU Denver School of Public Affairs and the task force’s external facilitator, said members are on track to deliver actionable recommendations to campus leaders.
      Opens in a new window Full story
    • Economic-Development-Class-Canon-City-850w

      Economic Development Class Strengthens Two Southern Colorado Communities to Come Out of COVID-19 Stronger Than Ever

      Nov 23, 2020 by Guest Contributor
      The School of Public Affairs Economic Development class has been credited by communities for providing an important service at this time of need. Read about how students and partners Downtown Colorado Inc. helped two Southern Colorado communities -- Cañon City and Rocky Ford -- adapt and help their small businesses, youth, and residents stay hopeful.
      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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