Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration

• PUAD 1001: Why We Care About Government, Nonprofits, and the Public Good (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 2002: Policy & Advocacy (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 3001: Project Management & Program Evaluation (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 3002: Organizational & Strategic Management (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 3600: International & Global Organizations (3 credits)
• PUAD 4002: Leading & Engaging for the Public Good (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4003: Strategic Communications for Public Engagement (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4011: Community Resilience, Climate & Emergency Response (3 credits)
• PUAD 4220: Human Resource & Talent Management (3 credits)
• PUAD 4941: Integrating Professional Public Administration (3 credits)

View course descriptions

Complete five elective courses, which may be taken from other departments with academic advisor approval. A maximum of three approved courses can be taken outside of Public Administration (PUAD) courses.

• PUAD 3005: Collaboration Across Sectors (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 3110: Seminar in Nonprofit Management (3 credits)
• PUAD 3400: What Communities Tell Us: Stakeholders, Public Opinion & Community Feedback (3 credits)
• PUAD 3500: Managing & Leading in Environmental Organizations (3 credits)
• PUAD 4005: Human Rights & Social Equity (3 credits)
• PUAD 4006: Organizational Development (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4008: Current Issues in Public Sector Organizations (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4009: Human Service Organizations (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4020: Social Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4140: Nonprofit Financial Management (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4160: Nonprofit Boards & Executive Leadership (3 credits)
• PUAD 4325: Public Private Partnerships (3 credits)
• PUAD 4440: Negotiations & Conflict Resolution (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4600: Special Topics in Public Service (3 credits)
• PUAD 4620: Crisis & Emergency Management (3 credits)
• PUAD 4628: Social Problems & Policies in the Urban Environment (3 credits)
• PUAD 4630: Economic Development (3 credits)
• PUAD 4638: Colorado Politics, Policy & Administration (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4995: Global Study Topics (3 credits)
• Courses taken from another department that are approved by your advisor in advance.

View course descriptions

The internship course, PUAD 4939, is required as one of the electives for the major unless officially waived. Students whose internship waiver is approved will take a 3-credit hour Public Administration elective in place of a 3-credit hour internship.

• PUAD 4939 - Internship (3 credits)

Students enrolled in the program should contact their academic advisor to determine their eligibility for the internship waiver.

Learn more about internships

This concentration prepares students for a wide variety of careers in the exciting world of nonprofit organizations. Students learn about the history and context of nonprofit organizations, while gaining practical skills needed to manage and lead in this sector.  

The concentration requires 15 credit hours of courses related to nonprofit management, which will count towards the elective requirement for the Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration degree.

Complete the two courses below:

• PUAD 3110: Seminar in Nonprofit Management (3 credits)
• PUAD 4140: Nonprofit Financial Management (3 credits)

Complete three of the courses below:

• PUAD 3005: Collaboration Across Sectors (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4006: Organizational Development (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4009: Human Service Organizations (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4020: Social Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4160: Nonprofit Boards & Executive Leadership (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4600: Special Topics in Public Service - Study Abroad in East Africa (3 credits)
  
• PUAD 4628: Social Problems & Policies in the Urban Environment (3 credits)

View course descriptions

• Obtain a broad based knowledge of the history, evolution and roles of the government and nonprofit sectors in a market-based economy and democratic society.
  
• Understand the key elements of public service and the variety of organizations involved in public service activities.
  
• Develop skills to work productively with others in collaborative environments within and across public service organizations and sectors.
  
• Develop aptitudes and skills needed for the responsible management of financial resources in public service organizations.
  
• Understand and/or develop skills needed to design and implement service delivery and other types of programs intended to address public problems.
  
• Learn to assess public policy and management issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective.
  
• Develop the skills necessary to analyze information, think critically, and problem solve effectively in a public service environment.
  
• Gain an appreciation for the issues related to diversity, cultural awareness, and sensitivity to diverse values and differences and develop the aptitudes and skills to promote inclusiveness.
  
• Gain awareness of the democratic values and ethical concerns applicable to government and nonprofit organizations and develop aptitudes and skills to act ethically.
  
• Develop effective oral and written communication skills in the context of public service organizations and activities.
  
• Understand and apply interpersonal and leadership skills through multiple opportunities for exposure to or practice in public service environments.

Learn more about academic policies, deadlines, forms, and more for undergraduate programs at CU Denver by visiting the Academic Catalog.