Announcement: CU Denver is Celebrating 50 Years
Whether you’re an alumnus, current student, member of the faculty and staff, donor, or neighbor, you’re a valuable part of the CU Denver community. Help us celebrate the last 50 years and a future that works for all.
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Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
By completing both a generalist MPA and a specialist MCJ, you will be equipped with skills applicable to public service settings in administration and policy analysis, as well as deep knowledge of work that pertains to criminal justice settings.
General requirements
Review CU Denver's Graduate Academic Policies.
Review CU Denver's Graduate Academic Policies.
Program requirements
- The dual degree program requires 48 credit hours of graduate coursework
- A maximum of 6 transfer credit hours may be applied to the degree requirements.
- Students at the University are expected to maintain progress in their degree program, as defined by being in "good academic standing." Good academic standing requires minimally a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on all University of Colorado course work.
Required courses
Students must complete the 6 required MPA courses below, for a total of 18 credit hours. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.
- PUAD 5001 - Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5002 - Organizational Management and Behavior (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5004 - Economics and Public Finance (3 credit hours) -OR- PUAD 5503 - Public Budgeting and Finance (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5005 - The Policy Process and Democracy (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5006 - Public Service Leadership and Ethics (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5008 - Evidence-Based Decision-Making (3 credit hours)
In addition, students must complete the 3 required MCJ courses below, for a total of 9 credit hours.
- CRJU 5001 - Criminal Justice Systems, Policies and Practice (3 credit hours)
- CRJU 5002 - Criminological Theory (3 credit hours)
- CRJU 5005 - Law and Society (3 credit hours)
In addition, students must complete the capstone course below, for a total of 3 credit hours.
- PUAD 5361 - Capstone Seminar (3 credit hours)
Also, student must fulfill the requirement below:
- PUAD 5003 - Research and Analytic Methods (3 credit hours) -OR-
- CRJU 5003 - Research Methods (3 credit hours) PLUS CRJU 5004 - Statistics for Criminal Justice (3 credit hours)
Elective courses
The remaining credits can be fulfilled by taking a combination of elective Public Administration and Criminal Justice courses. The elective courses must be approved by the program directors. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.
Program Description
General requirements
Review CU Denver's Graduate Academic Policies.
Review CU Denver's Graduate Academic Policies.
Program requirements
- The dual degree program requires 48 credit hours of graduate coursework
- A maximum of 6 transfer credit hours may be applied to the degree requirements.
- Students at the University are expected to maintain progress in their degree program, as defined by being in "good academic standing." Good academic standing requires minimally a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on all University of Colorado course work.
Required courses
Students must complete the 6 required MPA courses below, for a total of 18 credit hours. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.
- PUAD 5001 - Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5002 - Organizational Management and Behavior (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5004 - Economics and Public Finance (3 credit hours) -OR- PUAD 5503 - Public Budgeting and Finance (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5005 - The Policy Process and Democracy (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5006 - Public Service Leadership and Ethics (3 credit hours)
- PUAD 5008 - Evidence-Based Decision-Making (3 credit hours)
In addition, students must complete the 3 required MCJ courses below, for a total of 9 credit hours.
- CRJU 5001 - Criminal Justice Systems, Policies and Practice (3 credit hours)
- CRJU 5002 - Criminological Theory (3 credit hours)
- CRJU 5005 - Law and Society (3 credit hours)
In addition, students must complete the capstone course below, for a total of 3 credit hours.
- PUAD 5361 - Capstone Seminar (3 credit hours)
Also, student must fulfill the requirement below:
- PUAD 5003 - Research and Analytic Methods (3 credit hours) -OR-
- CRJU 5003 - Research Methods (3 credit hours) PLUS CRJU 5004 - Statistics for Criminal Justice (3 credit hours)
Elective courses
The remaining credits can be fulfilled by taking a combination of elective Public Administration and Criminal Justice courses. The elective courses must be approved by the program directors. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.
CU Denver graduates earn more, build community, and make connections. Take the first step toward your future and join an inclusive community of learners while gaining the skills of tomorrow, today.