School of Public Affairs

Denver School of Public Affairs

Dean: Paul Teske
Associate Dean: Tanya Heikkila
Associate Dean: Kelly Hupfeld
Assistant Dean: Kathy Kilpatrick

Lead. Solve. Change.

CU Denver School of Public Affairs prepares the next generation of leaders in public service and criminal justice professions to solve society’s most pressing problems. Faculty at the School of Public Affairs are known for their rigorous scholarship and dedication to public affairs, regularly winning awards for their research and teaching. Nationally ranked for excellence, the School of Public Affairs offers the following degree programs:

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts in Public Service
Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs

The School of Public Affairs also offers undergraduate and graduate certificates programs in criminal justice and public affairs. Programs are offered in person, online or in a hybrid format, with all formats taught by the same award-winning faculty.

The school attracts a dynamic mix of students representing a diversity of ages and experience - from undergraduates just beginning their public service careers to well-seasoned professionals already immersed in public or nonprofit management and policy. Students have opportunities to become involved in community-centered research projects with faculty, learn from distinguished local practitioners in their classes, serve in internships in government and nonprofit offices, work in partnership with the school’s applied research centers and participate in the numerous public affairs-related events held by the school each semester.

Working together, faculty, staff and students conduct research that improves the quality of life and informs policy making and management in the public and nonprofit sectors. Graduates of the School of Public Affairs are prepared to lead in their fields, solve pressing social issues and change communities for the better. Alumni include legislators, policy analysts and advocates, state agency directors, police chiefs, city and county managers, nonprofit leaders, and university faculty and administrators.

Highlights

The MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the authoritative accrediting body in the field of public policy, affairs and administration.

US News & World Report 2019 Rankings in the Nation:

#34 - Best Graduate Public Affairs Schools
#12 - Environmental Policy and Management
#19 - Online Master of Criminal Justice
#23 - Public Finance and Budgeting
#29 - Public Management and Leadership
#29 - Public Policy Analysis

Contact Us

General Inquiries: 303-315-2228
E-mail: spa@ucdenver.edu
Website: publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu

Visit us at:

Suite 500, 5th Floor, Lawrence St. Center
1380 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80204

Mailing Address:
University of Colorado Denver
School of Public Affairs
Campus Box 142
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Prospective Students

Rebecca Gianarkis
303-315-2227
spa@ucdenver.edu

Academic Advisors

Graduate Students Last Name A-L:

Dawn Savage, Student Services Coordinator
303-315-2743
Dawn.Savage@ucdenver.edu

Graduate Students Last Name M-Z:

Antoinette Sandoval, Student Services Coordinator
303-315-2487
Antoinette.Sandoval@ucdenver.edu

International Graduate Students Last Name A-Z:

Scott Steinbrecher, Coordinator of International Student Programs
303-315-2755
Scott.Steinbrecher@ucdenver.edu

Application Deadlines

International Students: Please check with the Office of International Admissions for more information as deadlines for International students may vary.

Masters Program Deadlines

Admit Term	Preferred Deadline	Final Deadline
Fall	March 1	August 1
Spring	October 15	December 1
Summer	March 1	May 1

PhD Program Deadlines

Fall Admissions Only; Application dealine is February 1

Complete Course List

Click here to see a complete list of courses offered by the School of Public Affairs.

SPA Faculty

To learn more about our renowned faculty, please visit our website to view our faculty bios.

Academic Policies

To view the Academic policies which apply to all students at CU Denver please visit the Office of the Registrar website as well as the Academic Policies and University Policies sections of the catalog.