Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Application fee?

The application fee is $50.00 for degree seeking students in Denver, $60.00 for Colorado Springs applicants, and $75.00 for international applicants.

Do I have to take the GRE?

MPA applicants are required to take the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or an equivalent test such as the GMAT or the LSAT within the last five years. MPA applicants may be eligible to waive the GRE requirement if BOTH the following criteria are met: a) Undergrad GPA of 3.0 or higher and b) 10 or more years of professional work experience. MPA applicants may be eligible to waive the GRE requirement if they already have a JD or other graduate level degree from an accredited institution. MCJ applicants must take the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT. PhD applicants must take the GRE.

How do I apply if I am an international student?

To apply please go directly to the Office of International Education at 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 932; Denver, CO 80204. Or call them at 1-303-315-2230. Or visit the Office of International Education's website.

Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

Applicants may submit letters of recommendation from former faculty members or those acquainted with your civic involvement. Whenever possible, please choose recommenders who can talk about your probability for academic success in the program for which you are applying.

What if I only want to take a couple of classes?

You may apply as a non-degree seeking student. A $25.00 non-refundable application fee is required. Students in a non-degree status who have a previous degree pay graduate tuition rates. No additional credentials are required. Non-degree students are not eligible for Financial Aid, SPA scholarships, or tuition assistance.

You may take up to nine credit hours under the non-degree status, and these courses may be applied toward the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ). It is important that non-degree students move forward in a timely manner to complete their applications for admission as degree seeking students. Non-degree status allows admission to our courses while awaiting entrance examination scores, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Good planning to complete the application for graduate admission by the deadlines for each semester is necessary to avoid exceeding the hour limit for credit as a non-degree student. The non-degree application is available here.

Can I get a certificate without getting a degree?

Yes, you must fill out a non-degree application: a certificate is 15 hours of coursework. Currently we offer graduate certificates in each of our concentrations - Nonprofit Management, Domestic Violence, Environmental Policy, Management & Law, Local Government, Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Public Management, and Homeland Security & Defense.

Can I take a semester off?

Yes, you can take a semester off. Please keep in mind that students who miss 3 consecutive semesters (including summers) must apply for re-admission which includes a $50.00 readmission fee.

What if the institution I attended no longer exists for me to request a transcript?

By federal law, another institution has to be the responsible for those records. Contact the admissions office for assistance in collecting this information.

Why is a resume required?

To evaluate your work experience and to determine if you will be required to complete an internship.

When is the deadline(s) for admissions?

Level	Semester	Preferred Application Deadline	Final Deadline
PhD	Fall, Spring, & Summer		February 1st
Graduate	Fall	March 15th	July 15th
	Spring	October 15th	December 1st
	Summer	April 1st	May 1st
Undergraduate	Fall	July 22nd
	Spring	December 1st
	Summer	May 3rd

Where do I send my application?

Please send your application to: School of Public Affairs, 1380 Lawrence St. Suite 500, Denver, CO 80217.

How will I know you received my application?

You will receive an email from a student service coordinator with a list of any outstanding items (if any). You will continue to receive monthly updates until the application is complete. Once the application is complete, expect to be notified via email within 5-7 business days of your acceptance status. PhD applicants will be notified by mid-to-late March.

How do I know who my advisor is?

To find out who your advisors is, look at your admittance letter, or contact the student coordinators' offices at 303-315-2228.

Is there an orientation?

Yes, there are two orientations per year specifically for SPA students. The orientation for summer and fall semester admits is held in mid-August, and the orientation for the spring semester admits is held in mid-January.

How do I register for classes?

You can register for classes at http://www.courses.cudenver.edu.

Where can I find a schedule of courses?

You can view and register for classes at http://www.cudenver.edu: click on the SMART button (the SMART button is located under the Quick Links column on the left hand side of the screen) then log onto the schedule of courses and schedule planner.

How much is tuition?

Tuition rates are given each year in early June. The tuition rates can be found at the Admission's website.

How much are online classes?

If you are an in-state student, the rate is the in-state tuition plus a $100 online fee. If you are an out-of-state student, and you are in the Online MPA program, you DO NOT pay the out of state tuition rates. The 2007-2008 tuition rates for the Online MPA program is $1500 per course plus a $100 online fee.

How much is the Accelerated option of the MPA?

The entire accelerated option of the MPA program cost $18,500 regardless of residency status.

What is the difference between the MPA, the MPA-Executive Option, and the MPA-Accelerated Option?

The MPA program allows the students to pursue a broad-based course of study in public affairs, management, administration and policy, or the student may select a concentration in nonprofit organizations, local government, domestic violence, environmental management, and homeland security. Students can choose to complete the MPA degree either on campus or online.

The Executive option within the M.P.A. is an intensive program for senior-level managers of federal, state, local public agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The Executive option within the M.P.A. is offered in partnership with the federal Office of Personnel Management. The coursework is customized to meet the individual student's needs and career objectives, also the format of the classes is unique and accommodates busy schedules. Students may take courses online, traditional evening courses, or in weekend format. The classes offered by OPM are held in week-long intensives sessions.

The Accelerated option of the M.P.A. program is a fast-paced full-time program. All of the classes meet on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver. The program is a cohort program in which students proceed through the program in tandem: This enables students to earn a nationally accredited 36-hour M.P.A. in less than a year, and there is a set tuition price of $18,500 for the entire program regardless of in-state or out-of-state status.

Where can I find the course descriptions?

You can find the course descriptions at www.cudenver.edu: click on the Academic link, and then click on the current student link, and then select Courses. We also have descriptions of courses under the Academics section of this website.

How do I find my classroom?

You can find the campus map for the Downtown Denver Campus at http://www.ahec.edu/: click on campus map, under the Auraria Higher Education Link, located in the left-hand side of the home page. You an find the campus map for the Colorado Springs campus at http://www.uccs.edu/map.html.

How do I get my email address?

To activate your official email account, visit http://www.ucdhsc.edu/its/accounts.htm. On this page, select "Student" under DDC in the Accounts Eligibility table. Click on the link under Account Activation and follow the instructions. You will need your Student ID and PIN to activate your account. If you need assistance with managing your email account, call the IT Services Help Desk at 303-315-HELP (4357), or visit the ITS website.