Charter School Leader
View Career BriefMaster of Public Administration (MPA) Degree Options
With coursework rooted in research, analytics, ethics, and leadership, MPA students are well equipped to thrive in public service and drive meaningful change. Versatile options—including a one-year accelerated or an executive-focused program—allow you to customize your journey to fit your career goals. The MPA program empowers skilled, open-minded leaders ready for impactful roles in public service, from city management and policy analysis to nonprofit and emergency management leadership.
- Highly Ranked and Accredited Program
CU Denver’s MPA program is accredited and nationally recognized, ranking #27 among public affairs programs in the U.S. and #1 in Colorado.
MPA Program Options
The School of Public Affairs offers three MPA completion options. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be taught by the same faculty, and all graduates receive the Master of Public Administration degree.
Accelerated MPA
Complete your MPA in just 12 months. Fast-track your career in the public or nonprofit sector.
MPA
Choose your pace—online, in-person, or hybrid. The MPA is designed to fit your busy schedule.
Executive MPA
Advance your career with strategic leadership skills. The Executive MPA blends online convenience with in-person intensives for mid-to-senior professionals.
MPA Program Comparison
| AMPA | MPA | Executive MPA | |
| Average Time to Completion | 1 year | 2.5 years | 2.5 years |
| Time Commitment | Full-time | Full-time / Part-time | Full-time / Part-time |
| Total Credits | 36-39 | 36-39 | 30 |
| # of Courses | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| Modality | In Person | In Person, Hybrid, Online | In Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Starting Semester | Fall | Fall, Spring, Summer | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Cost* | |||
| Colorado Resident, WGRP Resident, Return Peace Corp Volunteer | $27,500 | $23,907 | $27,600 |
| Non-Colorado US Residents/Intl. | $27,500 | $56,784 | $45,300 |
| Out-of-State/ Online Only | N/A | $28,704 | $30,200 |
Please refer to our program pages and contact spa.admissions@ucdenver.edu to learn more about the cost for each program.
*Values based on 2024-25 charges and fees not included.
Mission & Learning Objectives
Mission
The Master of Public Administration Program at the School of Public Affairs advances public service in Colorado and beyond through quality education, collaborative research, and strong relationships with the professional community. To advance our "Lead. Solve. Change." philosophy, we:
- Provide students with knowledge, skills, experiences, and ethical standards to be innovative leaders in public and nonprofit organizations;
- Support faculty and students in conducting rigorous empirical research and disseminating findings to advance the study and practice of public and nonprofit management and policy; and
- Work with practitioners to enhance the public sector's ability to make evidence-based management decisions and policy improvements.
Learning Objectives
CU Denver School of Public Affairs' Master of Public Administration program is accredited by NASPAA, the global standard in public service education. As part of our NASPAA accreditation, we make the following information available to prospective and current students and to members of the public:
- CU Denver School of Public Affairs MPA Assessment Report
- CU Denver School of Public Affairs MPA Internship Placements
- CU Denver School of Public Affairs MPA Graduation and Employment Rates
- CU Denver School of Public Affairs MPA Number of Students, Demographics and Outcomes
- Faculty Course Questionnaire Results
What can you do with an MPA?
MPA graduates are prepared for lifelong careers leading in public service organizations. Browse these sample career briefs to learn about duties and responsibilities, career paths, salaries, and more.
City Manager
View Career Brief
Emergency Management Director
View Career Brief
Environmental Program Director
View Career Brief
Interpersonal Violence Specialist
View Career Brief
Nonprofit Executive Director
View Career Brief
Nonprofit Leader
View Career Brief
Policy Analyst
View Career Brief
Public Finance Officer & Budget Analyst
View Career Brief
State Legislator
View Career BriefAlumni Spotlight
6f1b4fb4-e007-439f-8733-70f01c7b5421.jpg?sfvrsn=754d48b4_1 "jeremiah-unger-photo-(1)")
Jeremiah Unger, Executive MPA ’23
For the past eight years, Jeremiah Unger has worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) as an Environmental Program Manager. Jeremiah focuses on water quality from roadway run-off.
.jpg?sfvrsn=f8a2dfbb_1 "Kelli Bledsoe photo (2)")
Kelli Bledsoe, Accelarated MPA '19
Kelli received her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Colorado Denver in 2019, where she developed a capstone thesis centered on strengthening corporate-nonprofit relationships in an ever-evolving corporate landscape.
.jpg?sfvrsn=c40348b4_1 "ali-rhodes-(1)")
Ali Rhodes, MPA ’16
Ali Rhodes is Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Boulder. Her two key responsibilities as Director are to ensure the community is experiencing a high-quality parks and recreation system and that BPR's teammates have the support and skills they need to operate that system.