This masters program incorporates the coursework of the Program on Domestic Violence (PDV), which includes a specialization in Domestic Violence Organizational Management and Policy Development.
As the only graduate program of its kind in the country, the ultimate goal of the PDV Masters in Public Administration (MPA) is to end violence in the lives of women and children. In order for this to happen directors and administrators of direct service agencies must be well prepared to manage organizational operations, advocate for change in policy and law, and hold a clear understanding of the factors that enable violence to continue. The principle outcomes of this degree program are:
- A pool of well-trained leaders and managers for non-profits working to stop violence against women.
- More stable programs, more options in service provision, and organizations that become better agents for change in their communities.
- A dramatically enhanced family violence service provision, policymaking and advocacy that directly confronts the root causes of violence against women.
This degree plan requires a total of 36 credit hours of study that includes six MPA core courses, four PDV domestic violence courses, an elective, and a capstone/thesis. The domestic violence courses, which combine online learning with five, week-long intensive courses in Denver over two years, are as follows:
- Women and Violence: A Sociological Perspective
- Psychology of Domestic Violence
- Battered Women and the Legal System
- Social Justice, Advocacy and Social Change
Students are accepted into the program once each year as a cohort, a group that takes courses in tandem and participates in organized events and activities featuring local practitioners and national experts. Cohort sessions explore practical applications to classroom knowledge and build a personal and professional network for students to rely on throughout their degree program and their careers.
Degree Requirements
Application Process