Alert: The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025.
The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025. The Health Center is operating in a modified capacity. Call 303-615-9999 for appointment information during operating hours. Reminder, the Health Center is closed for the winter break Dec. 24 - Jan. 1.
Learn More
Dual Master of Public Administration - Master of Public Policy
School of Public Affairs
Overview
Degree: MPA MPA/MPP MPP
Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes
By completing both a generalist MPA and a specialist MPP, you will be equipped with skills applicable to public service settings in administration and policy development, evaluation and analysis, and advocacy.
Application​ deadlines
Fall: August 1; Spring: December 1; Summer: May 1
Program Details
Interest Categories: Public Administration & Policy
Campus: CU Denver
General requirements
Review CU Denver's Graduate Academic Policies.
Program requirements
- The dual degree program requires 48 credit hours of graduate coursework
- A maximum of 6 transfer credit hours may be applied to the degree requirements.
- Students at the University are expected to maintain progress in their degree program, as defined by being in "good academic standing." Good academic standing requires minimally a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on all University of Colorado course work.
Required courses
Students must complete the 11 required courses below, for a total of 33 credit hours. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.
- PUAD 5001: Introduction to Public Administration & Public Service (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5002: Organizational Management & Behavior (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5003: Research & Analytic Methods (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5004: Economics & Public Finance (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5005: The Policy Process & Democracy (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5006: Public Service Leadership & Ethics (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5008: Evidence-Based Decision-Making (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5310: Principles of Policy Design (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5320: Public Policy Analysis (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5380: Public Participation, Policy Equity & Government (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5750: Policy Workshop Seminar (3 credit hours)
In addition, students must complete the 4 courses from a pre-approved list of electives and/or with approval from MPP and MPA program directors, for a total of 12 credit hours.
In addition, students must complete the capstone course below, for a total of 3 credit hours.
- PUAD 5361 or PUAD 5362: Capstone Seminar (3 credit hours)
Students choosing to complete a master's thesis instead of a capstone seminar must register for the course below for a total of 6 credit hours, adding an additional 3 credits to the total number of credits for the dual program.
- PUAD 6950: Master's Thesis (6 credit hours)
Recommended Completion Time:3 Years
Max Transfer Credits:6
Max Credits Per Year:In most cases, students wishing to take more than 18 credit hours per semester (12 in the summer session) must have the overload approved by the dean.
Required Credits for Completion:48 Credits
Admission Requirements
View the admissions requirements for the School of Public Affairs.
If you are applying for admission to the dual MPA/MPP, please complete a graduate degree application for the Master of Public Administration program first. Then complete the form linked below and indicate that you will be pursuing a Master of Public Policy Dual Degree plan: https://application.admissions.ucdenver.edu/register/dualdegree