Skip to content
University of Colorado Denver CU Denver
  • Webmail
  • UCD Access
  • Canvas
  • Quick Links
 

Tools

  • Webmail
  • UCD Access
  • Canvas
  • Campus Directory
  • A-Z Index
  • Campus Map

Resources

  • Events Calendar
  • Newsroom
  • Human Resources
  • Student Services
  • Auraria Library
  • Emergency Management & Campus Safety
  • University Policies
  • Public Health Resources

Schools & Colleges

  • College of Architecture and Planning
  • College of Arts & Media
  • Business School
  • School of Education & Human Development
  • College of Engineering, Design and Computing
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • School of Public Affairs

Campus Affiliates

  • CU Anschutz Medical Campus
  • CU Boulder
  • CU Colorado Springs
  • CU Denver
  • CU Online
  • CU System

School of Public Affairs

  • Programs
  • Research and Impact
  • News and Events
  • Partner With Us
  • People

    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 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)

    Learn more.

    Master of Public Policy

    New Degree Earned: MPP Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes The Master of Public Policy prepares students to design, advocate for, and evaluate public policy, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of public policies from inside or outside of government. Students gain understanding of public policy design and analysis techniques, and the role of politics and power in influencing the making and implementation of public policy.

    Graduate Certificate in Managing for Social Equity

    New Degree Earned: Graduate Certificate Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes This certificate provides you with the knowledge and skills to strengthen principles and practices that support equity, diversity, and inclusion within government and nonprofit organizations and in their interactions with the larger society.

    Graduate Certificate in Public Management

    New Degree Earned: Graduate Certificate Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes This certificate will provide you with the historical, political, and legal context of government organizations in the United States. You will learn and apply concepts relevant to managing government organizations, managing human capital, group development and performance, organizational communications, information management, and ethical and evidence-based decision-making.

    Request program information

    • Bachelor's programs
    • Master's programs
    • Doctoral program
    • Certificate programs

    Learn more about our Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration programs.

    Request information

    Learn more about our Master of Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Public Policy programs.

    Request information

    Learn more about our Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs program.

    Request information

    Learn more about our non-degree, graduate certificate programs.

    Request information

    View our upcoming courses

    Application deadlines

    • Fall
    • Spring
    • Summer

    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

    Degree Programs in 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.

    Degree Programs in 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.

    Certificate programs

    Firefighters contending with a wildfire

    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

    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.


    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!

    Join our events mailing list

    SPA Masters of Criminal Justice Overview Webinar

    Sep 26, 2023 | 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.
    Add event to:
    • Outlook
    • ICal
    • Google Calendar

    Criminal Justice Series: Examining and Preventing School Shootings

    Sep 26, 2023 | 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
    Cost/fee: Free
    Room Number: Terrace Room
    Lawrence Street Center
    1380 Lawrence Street
    Denver, CO
    Brought to you by the Center for Community Safety and Resilience at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs and the University of Colorado Denver.
    Add event to:
    • Outlook
    • ICal
    • Google Calendar

    SPA Master of Public Policy Overview Webinar

    Sep 27, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 01:00 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.
    Add event to:
    • Outlook
    • ICal
    • Google Calendar

    First Fridays- State and Local Partnerships: Affordable Housing and Development

    Oct 6, 2023 | 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
    Cost/fee: Free
    CU Denver School of Public Affairs would like to cordially invite you to our panel series: First Fridays. Affordable housing and local development are critical issues across Colorado communities. We see the impact in many areas including employment, community cultures, economic development, local budgets, health and social equity. In this panel we’ll hear from both state and local officials on the benefits, possibilities and challenges of creating solutions through state-local partnership. This panel is a collaboration between CU Denver School of Public Affairs and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
    Add event to:
    • Outlook
    • ICal
    • Google Calendar

    See all events


    Featured news

     

    • Family

      A multi-generational family of alumni reminisces about their shared appreciation of their time at the School of Public Affairs

      Aug 21, 2023 by Ellen Patterson
      The School of Public Affairs recently had the honor of sitting down with a unique trio of alumni – Elsa Holguín (MPA '11), her husband Ed Lucero (MPA '98), and her daughter Denise Gomez (MPA '16) – a multi-generational example of the impact of SPA’s programs in the greater community.
      Full story
    • KWG headshot (1) (1)

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Kristin Wegner Guilfoyle, Project Leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis

      Jul 19, 2023
      Kristin Wegner Guilfoyle works at the intersection of technology, environment, and society. She currently leads networks at the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis (JISEA), at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
      Full story
    • Greg LeBlanc

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Greg LeBlanc, Assistant Town Manager of Snowmass Village

      Jul 7, 2023
      Greg LeBlanc joined the Town of Snowmass Village in March of 2022 after serving for five years with the City of Grand Junction, Colorado. Prior positions include serving Boulder County, Colorado and the City and County of Denver. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology (Ecology) from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.
      Full story
    • Tony Frank Headshot (1)

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Tony Frank, Director of Business Development for PCs for People

      Jun 29, 2023
      Tony Frank is the Director of Business Development for PCs for People. He is based in the Denver office where he develops partnerships with businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, affordable housing organizations, schools, and other community groups to ensure PCs for People is maximizing the impact of providing affordable computers and low-cost internet across Colorado. He holds a Master of Public Administration with a Local Government Policy concentration from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs.
      Full story
    • Melinda Pollack 2 (1) (1)

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Melinda Pollack, Managing Director at Blue Meridian Partners

      Jun 23, 2023
      Melinda Pollack, Managing Director at Blue Meridian Partners, provides strategic and executional leadership on critical business priorities and leads innovation efforts which will expand Blue Meridian’s work as it evolves. She explores new philanthropic investment opportunities, leads due diligence on potential Blue Meridian investees, and manages relationships with current investees, with a focus on Place Matters. Melinda earned a BA at George Washington University and an MPA from the University of Colorado, Denver.
      Full story
    • Carol Peeples (2)

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Carol Peeples, Founder and Executive Director of Remerg

      Jun 14, 2023
      Carol was raised in a military family - spending formative years moving between England, Arizona, Mississippi, Turkey, New Jersey, Hawaii, and then Missouri - where her family has its roots. Her educational and career path wandered as well, from a degree in Antiquities and New World Archeology that led from “shovel bum” to managing a bookstore, to undergraduate and graduate degrees in English that led to teaching in Montana, a Native American village in Alaska, and international schools in Pakistan and the Czech Republic. The move to Colorado from Prague was a turning point in Carol’s life, followed by walking into a prison classroom as a GED teacher. Twenty-four years later, Carol’s work remains related to that first prison experience. Carol credits her SPA education for providing her with a public policy lens for her work in re-entry and its role in the public safety sphere.
      Full story
    • Anneliese Steel

      Six Questions for SPA Alum Anneliese Steel, Senior Director of Public Affairs for Colorado Concern

      Jun 7, 2023
      Anneliese Steel is the Senior Director of Public Affairs for Colorado Concern, an executive alliance committed to protecting and enhancing the Centennial state's business economy. She manages a robust policy portfolio, including issue research, legislative drafting, lobbying, and public testimony, along with member and media relations. She helped champion the successful passage of $5.3 billion dollars in funding for the 10-Year Transportation Plan, secure over $700 million in property tax relief, achieve substantial occupational licensing reform, and create a new rulemaking transparency website for the state of Colorado.
      Full story
    • USNWR-ranking-2022

      School of Public Affairs moves up in U.S. News rankings, maintains position as top public affairs school in Colorado

      Apr 25, 2023 by Toula Wellbrook
      U.S. News & World Report today released its 2024 Best Graduate Schools Rankings, in which the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs is ranked number 28 in the nation overall for public affairs programs, alongside Johns Hopkins University, Rutgers University – Newark, and Texas A&M University – College Station, up one position from the 2023 rankings.
      Full story

    See all news

    School of Public Affairs

    CU Denver

    Lawrence Street Center

    1380 Lawrence Street

    500

    Denver, CO 80204


    303-315-2228

    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Prospective and Admitted Students
    • Admission
    • Financial Aid and Scholarships
    • Next Steps After Admission
    Current Students
    • Academic Advising
    • Courses and Registration
    • Internship, Capstone, Thesis and Dissertation Information
    • Completion Plans and Graduation
    • Student Success Resources
    • Student Associations and Honor Societies
    Faculty and Staff
    • Resources
    • Policies and Forms
    Alumni and Friends
    • Alumni
    • Contact Us
    • Website Feedback
    • CU System
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • Accreditation
    • Employment
    • Give Now
     

    © 2023 The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.

    Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.

    CMS Login

    Webmail

    UCD Access

    Canvas

    Opens in a new window Opens document in a new window