Introduction

Please click here to see Political Science department information.

The Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Graduate Certificate is offered in two different formats: the traditional, on-campus format, and the New Directions weekend classes format, with classes offered in CU Denver facilities south of Denver (currently at the Liniger Building in Parker). Students can choose classes in either of these two formats to complete the certificate.

The CU Denver Political Science Department's Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Certificate engages students in a focused curriculum in the local public leadership, and in the community organizing and development field, including field placements in internships with local community partners. The certificate is tailored to meet the needs of individuals in public and non-profit positions that require development of their leadership competencies and for individuals in informal community leadership positions who want to build their knowledge, skills, and effectiveness.

The program curriculum is anchored around the study and practice of local civic engagement, especially in traditionally marginalized communities. Students will be connected to meaningful work and networking opportunities in local government or in community settings, through community-based coursework, professional internships and service-learning opportunities. The certificate program provides critical education and effective skills-based training for students seeking careers in local government, in non-profit organizations, or in community organizing and development work. Students will be prepared to become change agents in their communities, while developing possible career paths in community-based advocacy/service organizations, public agencies, or international development work.

The certificate is open to non-degree seeking students (with or without an undergraduate degree) as well as students formally admitted to the MA in Political Science and to upper division undergraduates seeking to get a head start on their graduate studies. The Certificate can be earned as a stand-alone University certificate, or it can be applied to a current or future degree program. Non-degree seeking students who successfully complete the certificate program would be allowed to transfer in the credits received in the certificate program to complete the Master's Degree in Political Science.

The certificate can be earned either through our traditional on-campus graduate seminars, or entirely through classes offered in a weekend-intensive format in our New Directions graduate program. Students may take classes in either format desired.

These program requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Graduate Certificate advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.

Admissions and Declaring This Certificate

Any current or potential student wishing to declare this certificate should schedule a certificate advising appointment with either the Director of the New Directions graduate program (Dr. Steve DelCastillo) or with the Director of the On-campus Graduate Program (Dr. Michael Berry), in order to register their intent to pursue the Public, Nonprofit, and Community Leadership Certificate and to develop a curriculum plan.

Graduate Education Policies and Procedures apply to this program.

Certificate Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours from approved courses.
2. Students must complete a minimum of 15 graduate (5000-level or higher) PSCI credit hours.
3. Students must earn a minimum grade of B- (2.7) in all program courses that apply to the certificate and must achieve a minimum cumulative certificate GPA of 3.0. Courses taken using P+/P/F or S/U grading cannot apply to certificate requirements.
4. Students must complete all coursework with CU Denver faculty.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete the following program requirements:		15
Complete the following required course:		3
PSCI 5914	Community Organizing and Community Development
Complete one of the following Field Placement courses:		3
PSCI 5939	Internship
PSCI 5944	CU in the City
Complete nine credit hours from the following Public and Community Leadership elective courses:		9
PSCI 5008	Graduate Topics in Political Science (when relevant and approved by Program Advisor)
PSCI 5024	State Politics: Focus on Colorado
PSCI 5025	Local Governance and Globalization
PSCI 5075	Gentrification and Social Equity
PSCI 5084	Local Government and Administration
PSCI 5094	Urban Politics, Planning, and Development
PSCI 5206	Social Movements, Democracy and Global Politics
PSCI 5265	Social Justice And Globalization
PSCI 5274	Conflict Resolution and Public Consent Building
PSCI 5414	Non-Profits and Social Change
PSCI 5424	The Social Economy and Sustainable Development
PSCI 5434	The Cooperative Movement: Politics and Policy
PSCI 5548	Labor Law and Collective Bargaining
PSCI 5555	International Women's Resistance
PSCI 5840	Independent Study: PSCI (when relevant and approved by Program Advisor)

Public Leadership Course credits may also be earned through study abroad in the Semester in Berlin program or the Development in East Africa program.

To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for this program, please visit our website.