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 MCJ, you will be equipped with skills applicable to public service settings in administration and policy analysis, as well as deep knowledge of work that pertains to criminal justice settings.

Application​ deadlines


Fall: August 1; Spring: December 1; Summer: May 1


Program Details

Interest Categories: Criminology & Law 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

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