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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.

    RELEASED ON MARCH 17: Our 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

     

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

    Degree programs

    Our response to COVID-19

    Learn more

    GRE no longer required for admission to master's degree programs

    Start your application! Undergraduate applications for summer 2020 due May 31. Master's applications for summer 2020 due May 1.

    Start your admission application

    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

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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.

    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. NOTE: In response to an official announcement from CU Denver regarding changes to the campus events policy as a preventative measure against the spread of the Coronavirus, the School of Public Affairs is postponing and canceling all events until we are permitted to resume our programming.

    Join our mailing list

    School of Public Affairs Prospective Graduate Student Webinar

    May 6, 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 Free GRE Strategy Session (Webinar)

    May 14, 2020 | 05:00 PM - 07:00 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.

    Network Leadership Training Academy

    (Recurring Event - Everyday)
    May 19 - May 20, 2020 | 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
    Cost/fee: Nonprofit & Public Sector: $549; Private Sector & Foundations: $649; group discounts available
    Co-hosted by CU Denver's Center on Network Science and Visible Network Labs, the 7th annual Network Leadership Training Academy (NLTA) is a 3-day interactive workshop to develop skills that reflect the adaptive and innovative needs of leading a diverse network of stakeholders. The NLTA provides an environment that fosters meaningful connections, encourages thought-provoking ideas, and develops practical skills and tools to more effectively build, manage, and evaluate inter-organizational and community networks. Attendees will leave with a translation to action plan, a community of fellow network leaders, and a wealth of skills and tools to take back to your network! Online registraton available until April 1.
    Learn more

    Featured news

    • School of Public Affairs hosts the Colorado Parole Board

    • An Open Letter to Our Students

    • For second year in a row, School of Public Affairs places in Top 25 in national rankings

    • Rennison and Dodge honored with TAA textbook awards

    • GRE no longer required for admission to MPA and MCJ programs

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

    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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