Welcome!
The Center for NEW DIRECTIONS in Politics and Public Policy at the University of Colorado Denver offers a Master’s Degree and undergraduate courses in Political Science with a focus on the areas of politics and public policy. All of the programs and the courses help students develop the political acumen necessary for being effective leaders and agents of change in neighborhoods, communities, governmental jurisdictions, and nonprofit entities.
The Center’s programs are based on the notion that effectively addressing the public priorities of the 21st century requires that those working on matters of public interest possess a keen understanding of the political forces that guide or thwart the successful mobilization of resources and the achievement of constituent goals consistent with the public interest. Similarly, the need and opportunity for the active engagement – or leadership – of concerned citizens in the policy-making process is greater than ever before. Accordingly, students in any of the Center’s academic programs will be representative of not only those working professionals in the public and non-profit sectors, but also elected officials; community activists; interest-group stakeholders; educators from a wide range of demographic, occupational, and personal backgrounds; and simply concerned citizens.
Why this program?
Pursuing and completing a graduate degree in political science can further your understanding and knowledge while helping you to become more effective in your current and future jobs, to become a change agent, or to fill a job requirement for graduate education. The Center’s International City and County Management Association Awards for “best academic program in the nation helping to meet the needs of local governments’ (1999) and “program excellence award for outstanding partnerships and intergovernmental cooperation for local governments” (2004) make this a program that will “work for you”. Our Cathy Shipley Best and Brightest (paid) Internship program is a great way for you to earn your Master’s Degree while getting two years of outstanding work experience with local governments across Colorado.
Program Requirements
This 30 credit hour Master’s program requires admission to the program, which is determined through undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and a scholarly writing sample. No specific undergraduate major is required.
What about after I graduate?
When you graduate from our Master’s program, you will find job opportunities in leadership positions in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Our graduates are currently town managers, county administrators, senior planners, economic development directors, nonprofit organization executive directors and development directors, policy analysts, etc.
How does it work?
This program is tailored to the needs of working professionals through an all-weekend class format. At the Durango location, each class meets for a total of two long weekends, generally spaced at least a month apart. These weekend classes are held from approximately 5 pm to 9 pm on Friday and 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. At the Denver site, the classes may follow the two-weekend format; however, most classes meet for a total of three weekends, generally spaced over a 7-8 week period. These classes are held from approximately 9 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. In most cases a student will complete all weekend sessions of one course before starting the weekend sessions for the next.
Want more?
For more information, please contact Center for NEW DIRECTIONS director, Dr. Kathryn Cheever at 303-556-5950 or Kathryn.cheever@cudenver.edu. You may also want to take a look at our website, http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/newdirections/. The site is currently in need of updating but it will give you a feel for what our program has to offer.