Explore our graduate certificate programs:

Affordable Housing

Offered by The College of Architecture and Planning and the School of Public Affairs, this certificate will enable students to grow their expertise and become specialists equipped to address housing challenges. The certificate is designed for both graduate students and professionals in the fields of housing policy, development, finance, and design.

• Online and in-person classes
• Students must successfully complete 13 credit hours of approved coursework.

Fill out this form for more information.

Crime Analysis

Today's students are increasingly passionate about topics such as prison reform, counterterrorism, crime trends and crime prevention, and there is no better way to combat the problems faced by society than by starting with the seemingly discernible task of analyzing data and other intelligence.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 15 credit hours of coursework

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Disasters, Hazards, & Emergency Management

This certificate provides advanced education in the management of emergencies, hazards, disasters, and community resilience. Upon completion, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage a broad range of hazards and disasters, and to understand the policy and managerial environment in which emergency management occurs.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Education Policy

Gain an understanding of how K-12 education is governed, financed and regulated in the United States. Students who complete this certificate will become familiar with the interaction between federal, state and local policies and with the context in which education policy is formulated and implemented.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Emergency Management & Homeland Security

Students completing the certificate will have the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage a broad range of hazards and disasters, and security issues, and to understand the policy environment in which emergency management occurs.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Environmental Policy & Management

Gain an understanding of how our natural environment is governed and affected by relationships between various public organizations at all levels of government; courts; nonprofit and private sectors; community groups and the public, and the range of policy tools and management approaches targeting environmental issues.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Global Policy and Public Administration

Develop skills to lead public and nonprofit actors in policy and administrative activities when they operate in global contexts. Gain an understanding of the global context of policy issues and public administration with the knowledge of foundational and current policy issues, administrative practices, and the institutions of public administration and policy. 

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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International Justice and Human Security

Step into a career that makes a global impact. Designed for those ready to engage with today’s most pressing challenges, this program equips you with a strong foundation in justice, inequality, and the root causes of crime while exploring their far-reaching consequences for human security worldwide.

• Online classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Interpersonal Violence

Gain a critical, interdisciplinary understanding of crime and violence. Explore how laws and legal systems are shaped, how they respond to crime, and how they intersect with gender and violence. Prepare for informed, impactful work in justice, advocacy, and policy-focused settings.

• Online classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Local Government

Prepare to make an impact close to home. Develop a strong understanding of how local governments deliver essential public services and shape policy outcomes in collaboration with state and federal partners. Build the knowledge needed to navigate local governance, understand policy making, and contribute effectively to communities and public institutions.

• Online and in-person classes (can be completed online)
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Managing for Social Equity

Gain practical knowledge and skills to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion within government and nonprofit organizations, and to lead effectively as your organization engages with the broader community and society.

• Online and in-person classes (can be completed online)
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Nonprofit Management

Build the skills to lead with impact. Gain practical knowledge in areas such as fundraising, financial and strategic management, leadership, cross-sector collaboration, public policy, and social entrepreneurship. Prepare to address the unique challenges of the nonprofit sector while driving innovation and effective, mission-driven leadership.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Policy Entrepreneurship & Advocacy

Prepare to shape and champion effective policy solutions. Develop the skills to design, advance, and advocate for policies aligned with your professional interests. Gain practical preparation for careers focused on influence, leadership, and policy change.

• Online classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Public Management

Build a strong foundation for leadership in the public sector. Develop essential knowledge of the historical, political, and legal context of U.S. government while gaining practical skills in organizational management, human capital, communication, ethics, and evidence-based decision-making. Prepare to lead effectively in government organizations and navigate complex social environments with confidence.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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Policy Analysis and Methods

Develop the skills to evaluate and inform public decisions. Gain a strong understanding of the tools and analytical techniques used to assess policy options and guide effective, evidence-based policymaking.

• Online and in-person classes
• Requires 12 credit hours of coursework

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About The School of Public Affairs (SPA)

As the top-ranked public affairs school in Colorado and among the best in the nation, The University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs (SPA) is creating the next generation of visionary leaders.

SPA’s Professional & Leadership Development programs empower public managers and policy experts to grow their skills and networks.