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Webmail UCD Access Canvas Quick Links Search Public Affairs All University Sites Submit Tools Webmail UCD Access Canvas Campus Directory A-Z Index Campus Map Resources Events Calendar Newsroom Human Resources Student Services Auraria Library Emergency Management & Campus Safety University Policies Public Health Resources Schools & Colleges College of Architecture and Planning College of Arts & Media Business School School of Education & Human Development College of Engineering, Design and Computing College of Liberal Arts and Sciences School of Public Affairs Campus Affiliates CU Anschutz Medical Campus CU Boulder CU Colorado Springs CU Denver CU Online CU System School of Public Affairs Programs Research and Impact News and Events Partner With Us People More Preparing leaders for government and nonprofits Learn more about our programs Lead. Solve. Change. Public affairs topics are at the center of almost every national debate. From education policy to affordable housing, criminal justice reform to energy independence, these issues affect our neighborhoods, our cities and our society as a whole. To move forward and find solutions, the country needs leaders and collaborators with in-depth knowledge and a long-term vision. Determined to make a difference in your community? As Colorado’s top school for public affairs, public administration and criminal justice, CU Denver School of Public Affairs is a great place to start. Request Program Information Bachelor’s programs Master’s programs Doctoral program Certificate programs Learn more about our Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration programs. Request information Learn more about our Master of Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Public Policy programs. Request information Learn more about our Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs program. Request information Learn more about our non-degree, graduate certificate programs. Request information NEW: U.S. News & World Report 2024-2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings #1 - Best Public Affairs Program in Colorado (#26 in USA) #1 - Environmental Policy & Management in Colorado (#10 in USA) #1 - Nonprofit Management in Colorado (#18 in USA) #1 - Public Finance & Budgeting in Colorado (#19 in USA) #1 - Public Management & Leadership in Colorado (#19 in USA) #2 - Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (#19 in USA) View our upcoming courses Application Deadlines Fall Spring Summer Bachelor’s programs: July 31 Master’s programs: August 1* Doctoral program: February 1* Certificate programs: August 21 *Applications are accepted for the fall term only for the accelerated Master of Public Administration and PhD in Public Affairs programs. View admission requirements and application instructions Bachelor’s programs: December 31 Master’s programs: December 1* Certificate programs: January 22 *Applications are accepted for the fall term only for the accelerated Master of Public Administration program. View admission requirements and application instructions Bachelor’s programs: May 27 Master’s programs: May 1* Certificate programs: June 11 *Applications are accepted for the fall term only for the accelerated Master of Public Administration program. View admission requirements and application instructions Degree Programs in Criminal Justice Defend the innocent, use big data, solve crimes Our criminal justice programs prepare students for a changing workforce and continued learning. Some use their degree as a stepping stone to executive positions in law enforcement, crime analysis and human services, while others want to expand their knowledge of criminal justice before law school. Browse our criminal justice programs . Degree Programs in Public Affairs Put good policy ideas into practice Our programs in public affairs, public administration and public service prepare leaders for the government and nonprofit sectors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 percent of all jobs are in these sectors, and with 30 percent of government employees eligible to retire in 2016, the demand for public administrators continues to rise. Browse our public affairs programs. Certificate programs Focus on your interests and passion Our certificate programs provide a great opportunity to add to your skills and knowledge in your particular area of interest, whether you want to advance in your current job or transition into a new one. Credits earned in certificate programs can be applied toward our master’s degree programs. Browse our certificate programs. Professional & Leadership Development Programs Strengthen your skills, grow your network The School of Public Affairs is home to nationally renowned programs that provide training to current and future leaders. From public managers to education policy experts, our program participants have developed new skills, expanded their networks and recharged their careers. Browse our leadership training programs. Featured Events Attend our events We host a robust program of events each year featuring distinguished practitioners, government and nonprofit leaders, media, and others. We hope you’ll us! Join our events mailing list Loading items.... See all events Featured News CU Denver Graduate Programs Gain in Rankings in Latest U.S. News and World Report Opens in a new window Apr 9, 2024 The School of Public Affairs graduate program continues to shine and ranks #1 in Colorado as well as the Rocky Mountain Region, and is one of the top 30 in the nation. Each of these specializations also earned top rankings in the state: Environmental Policy and Management, Non-Profit Management, Public Management and Leadership, and Public Finance and Budgeting. Opens in a new window Full story Six Questions for BACJ ’20 and MCJ ’23 Alum Maria Diaz Mize, Pretrial Services Officer at City and County of Denver Apr 2, 2024 by Ellen Patterson Maria Diaz Mize is Dominican-American and has lived in New York City, Ohio, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Maria is currently on her fourth year of working for City and County of Denver as a Pretrial Services Officer and is getting ready to pursue a doctoral degree in Criminology at Florida State University. Full story Six Questions for MPA ’22 Alum Yazmin Castillo, Development Coordinator at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver Feb 14, 2024 by Ellen Patterson Yazmin Castillo currently works on the development team at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, where she has had the privilege of contributing to impactful projects aimed at inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Her journey with Girls Inc. began nearly 8 years ago as a work-study student through CU Denver, and since then, Yazmin has worn many hats within the organization. Full story Online MCJ Program Ranked Among Top 20 Programs in Nation for Online Graduate Criminal Justice Feb 7, 2024 by Toula Wellbrook The Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs is ranked among the top 20 programs in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs rankings for 2024. Full story Six Questions for MPA ’09 Alum Melanie Lewis Dickerson, Director at Community Solutions Jan 31, 2024 by Ellen Patterson As a Director at Community Solutions, Melanie works directly with communities and partners to build and improve systems to end homelessness using data, quality improvement and problem-solving tools from multiple sectors. She is a leader on the Built for Zero team, where she oversees a portfolio of large-scale change partnerships and social impact investments in the United States and abroad. Prior to joining Community Solutions in 2014, Melanie spent six years with the City and County of Denver where she served as the Partnerships Manager for Denver’s Road Home, focusing on policy development, regional collaboration and strategic partnerships. Full story Six Questions for MPA ’22 Alum Deena...