Master 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.
NASPAA Accredited

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

 AMPAMPAExecutive MPA
Average Time to Completion1 year2.5 years2.5 years
Time CommitmentFull-timeFull-time / Part-timeFull-time / Part-time
Total Credits36-3936-3930
# of Courses121210
ModalityIn PersonIn Person, Hybrid, OnlineIn Person, Hybrid, Online
Starting SemesterFallFall, Spring, SummerFall, 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 OnlyN/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:

Alumni Spotlight


Jeremiah Unger

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.

Portrait of Kelli Bledsoe

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.

Ali Rhodes

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.

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