CU Denver School of Public Affairs: Graduate Certificates Brochure

Graduate Certificate 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.

As the top-ranked school of public affairs in Colorado and among the best in the nation, the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs prepares leaders for government and nonprofits through certificate and degree programs and professional development opportunities.

Browse our graduate certificate program offerings and take the next step in gaining specialist knowledge in your areas of interest for career advancement or to position yourself for a career change.

Which Program Is Right for You? Graduate Certificates

Our graduate certificate programs require the completion of four to five courses for academic credit, for a total of 12 to 15 credit hours. Graduate certificates can be completed in person, fully online, or in a combination of both formats. In-person courses are offered in the evening to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/graduate-certificates

Admission Requirements

Prospective students who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher may apply for admission to our graduate certificate programs. Students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will automatically be admitted to a graduate certificate program. Applications of students with a GPA of less than 3.0 will require additional review.

Application Requirements

A current, chronological resume One set of transcripts from the higher education institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree • Completion of the admission application • Payment of the application fee* ($50 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants). Fee waivers are available for alumni of CU Denver, military students, and alumni of AmeriCorps and Peace Corps.

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Application Deadlines*

Fall start: August 15 Spring start: January 7 Summer start: June 1 *Application deadlines and fees are subject to change.

Visit publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/admission.

Transferring Certificate Credits into Masters’ Programs

Students who, after starting one of our graduate certificate programs, decide to apply for admission into one of our master’s programs can transfer a maximum of nine credits earned in the certificate program into the master’s program. Students enrolled in a certificate program should discuss this opportunity with their academic advisor prior to completing three courses.

Below is a list of our graduate certificate programs and the master’s programs into which the respective course credits can be rolled.

CERTIFICATES

MCJ

Crime Analysis

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Disasters, Hazards & Emergency Management

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Education Policy Emergency Management & Homeland Security

x

x

x x

x

x

Local Government

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Managing for Social Equity

x

Nonprofit Management

x

Public Management

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Public Policy Analysis

x

MCJ MASTER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/mcj MPA MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/mpa MPP MASTER OF PUBLIC POLICY publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/mpp

Questions?

MPP

x x

Environmental Policy & Management Gender-Based Violence

MPA

Contact spa.admissions@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-2560.

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Graduate Certificate Programs Learn more about our graduate certificate programs and related research centers of the School of Public Affairs.

Crime Analysis is a professional skill set that leverages qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze data relevant to crime and criminals, crime victims, disorder, quality of life issues, traffic issues, internal police operations, prison reform, counterterrorism, crime trends, and crime prevention. These skills can be applied in law enforcement, where students find management-level work in positions such as crime analyst supervisor and crime statistician. These skills can also be applied outside of law enforcement, such as in business and finance. (15 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ crime-analysis-cert

Gender-Based Violence The program builds upon the existing strengths of communities by investing in and enhancing the leadership of local domestic violence service and criminal justice organizations. By developing skilled and informed leadership, the program advances the capacity of service providers and policy makers to prevent human suffering, meet basic needs, and promote safety and self-sufficiency for survivors of abuse.

Program graduates work in roles at the local, state, and national levels as executive directors, advocates, policy makers, researchers, and educators.

Students complete a mix of intensive in-person and online hybrid courses that meet periodically throughout the program. (12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/gbv-cert

THE CENTER ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE faculty and staff administer the GenderBased violence curriculum. The center is a research and advocacy group committed to empowering students and practitioners with the tools to eliminate intimate partner violence in our society. publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/cdv

Disasters, Hazards & Emergency Management is a professional skill set that focuses on addressing public emergencies, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and humanmade accidents. Students will focus particularly on the policy process and effectiveness that combats and addresses disasters and hazards in our communities. These skills can be applied in a variety of government and nonprofit roles, where students find management-level work in agencies such as the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, the American Red Cross, and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ dhem-cert

Emergency Management & Homeland Security is a professional skill set that focuses on assessing and managing a broad range of threats at the national level, including counterterrorism, border security, protection of infrastructure, and response to national disasters. These skills can be applied in a variety of government roles, where students find managementlevel work in agencies such as FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy. (12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ emhs-cert

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DHEM AND EMHS? Both certificates provide an understanding of disasters and crises, from preparedness to risk mitigation and disaster recovery. EMHS, founded after 9/11, is geared toward students interested in the homeland security aspects of crises who come from law enforcement, military, or similar backgrounds and interests. DHEM focuses on topics from natural disasters to pandemics and accidents, but with the focus on how environmental policies are made and how they differ from other policy areas.

Managing for Social Equity has been defined as the active commitment to fair, just, and equitable distribution of public services, design and implementation of public policy, and management of all institutions serving the public. Students gain knowledge and skills for strengthening principles and practices that support equity, diversity, and inclusion within their organizations and as their organizations interact with the larger society.

(12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/mse-cert Environmental Policy & Management is a professional skill set that examines the policy processes, policy tools, and management approaches for tackling diverse types of environmental and natural resource challenges in society today. Students focus on skills that are essential to environmental practitioners, such as collaboration across sectors, non-profit management, and conflict resolution.

Professionally, our Environmental Policy and Management graduates work across all levels of government, in areas such as environmental regulation and enforcement, public lands and

wildlife management, water management, or urban planning, among others. Many students also work in advocacy and education with environmental nonprofits, or work for private companies and utilities in careers such as sustainability management. (12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/epm-cert Public Management requires an understanding of the historical, political, and legal context of government organizations in the United States. Students learn and apply concepts relevant to managing government organizations, managing human capital, group development and performance, organizational communications, information management, and ethical and evidencebased decision-making. Students with these skills are in demand for a variety of positions in federal, state, and local governments, including as program or department managers, human resource professionals, and implementation specialists. (12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/pm-cert

Nonprofit Management is a professional skill set that focuses on leadership and administration of nonprofit organizations. Students who pursue this curriculum develop expertise in topics critical to nonprofits, such as fundraising, community relations, and policies that affect nonprofit organizations. These skills can be applied in a variety of roles, and students find management-level work in organizations such as the American Red Cross, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and the YWCA. Students pursuing this certificate may concurrently earn the Certified Nonprofit Professional Credential through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

(12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ nonprofit-mgmt-cert

Local Government examines the governance of cities, counties, and special districts. Communities across the country and the world require effective and informed management, and services provided to citizens at the local level affect many aspects of their lives. Students who pursue this curriculum become well-versed in the forces that shape the administration of the public sector, including municipalities, counties, regional authorities, and councils of government. These skills can be applied in a variety of government and nonprofit roles, where students find management-level work in roles such as town and city managers, budget analysts, and community development directors. (12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ local-gov-cert

THE CENTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT supports and works to improve the governance of Colorado’s cities, counties, and special districts through research, public service, and professional development in partnership with other organizations with a similar mission. publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/clg

Education Policy plays a critical role in the administration, financing, and effectiveness of educational institutions across local, state, and federal governments. Students will learn the core skills and knowledge necessary to understand the consequences of laws, regulations, and other government decisions that impact millions of students and educators across the United States.

These skills can be applied in a variety of government and nonprofit roles, where students find managementlevel work in organizations such as the National Conference of State Legislators, Great Education Colorado, and Denver Public Schools.

(12 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ ed-policy-cert

THE CENTER FOR EDUCATION POLICY ANALYSIS works with schools, districts, state and federal agencies, nonprofits and other universities to provide research and analysis on the issues facing public education. publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/cepa

Public Policy Analysis affects most aspects of our lives, including public health, education, the economy, living environments, quality of life, and safety and security. Coursework prepares students to understand the causes and consequences of public policies.

Students will identify policy alternatives that could address existing societal problems and then compare those alternatives in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, feasibility, and social equity and justice. These skills can be applied in a variety of government and nonprofit roles, where students find management-level roles designing, advocating for, and evaluating public policies from inside or outside of government. (15 credits) publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ppa-cert

THE CENTER FOR POLICY & DEMOCRACY works across disciplines, states, and countries to bring various perspectives to study and to inform how policies and politics impact the most important issues facing democratic societies today. publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/cpd

The School of Public Affairs prepares the next generation of leaders in public service and criminal justice professions to solve society’s most pressing problems.

publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu spa.admissions@ucdenver.edu 303-315-2560 Lawrence Street Center 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 500 Denver, Colorado 80204