Public Affairs
Programs Offered
- Criminal Justice, BA
- Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Concentration, BA
- Criminal Justice - Victims and Victim Services Concentration, BA
- Criminal Justice, BA/MCJ
- Criminal Justice/Public Policy, BA/MPP
- Public Administration, BA
- Public Administration - Nonprofit Management Concentration, BA
- Public Administration, BA/MPA
- Public Administration, BA/Master of Public Policy
- Criminal Justice Minor
- Law Enforcement Minor
- Nonprofit Management Minor
- Public Administration Minor
- Victims and Victim Services Minor
- Law Enforcement Certificate
- Nonprofit Management Certificate
- Victims and Victim Services Certificate
Faculty
To learn more about our renowned faculty, please view their bios on the School of Public Affairs website.
Criminal Justice (CRJU)
CRJU 1000 - Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Overview (3 Credits)
This course is designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice process and the criminal justice system in general. Concepts of crime, deviance and justice are discussed and general theories of crime causality are examined. Special emphasis is placed on the components of the criminal justice system: the police, the prosecutorial and defense functions, the judiciary and the field of corrections. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Social Sciences.
CRJU 2000 - Professional Development in Criminal Justice (2 Credits)
In this course, students will explore, examine, and reflect on their strengths, interests, and personality assessments as they relate to the criminal justice field and professional development. Participants will conduct career-related research and develop individualized action plans designed to bridge the gap between their current skills and experiences and those desired by employers in the criminal justice field. Prereq: UNIV 1110. Restriction: Restricted to Criminal Justice majors. Max hours: 2 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: UNIV 1110
Restriction: Restricted to Criminal Justice majors
CRJU 2041 - Criminological Theory (3 Credits)
This course examines the nature and causes of crime and policies within and outside the criminal justice system to predict, prevent, and correct criminal, delinquent, and deviant behavior. It involves a critical appraisal of biological, psychological, economic, and sociological theories and frameworks that explain crime, delinquency, and deviance. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3100 - Research Methods (3 Credits)
This course teaches students how to formulate research questions related to criminology and crime and justice. It addresses how to design research in the field, including choosing an appropriate method and sampling strategy and collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data and findings. Specific substantive elements are included in research design (e.g., various types of probability and non-probability sampling; strengths and weaknesses of surveys, interviews, and other methodological approaches; experimental and non-experimental designs; qualitative techniques; etc.) Other substantive topics are addressed, including research ethics, consuming research, and writing in different settings. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3150 - Statistics for Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
This course introduces descriptive and inferential statistics and the use of computer software to analyze criminal justice data. Course content includes hypothesis testing and the basic analysis of continuous and discrete dependent variables related to criminology and criminal justice. Prereq: CRJU 3100. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Pre: CRJU 3100
CRJU 3160 - White-Collar Crime (3 Credits)
Employs social science and legal approaches to examine crime committed by corporations as well as by individuals in white-collar occupations. Topics include how such crimes are socially defined, who commits them, which social contexts promote them, who is victimized, and how society and the criminal justice system respond. Cross-listed with CRJU 5574. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3220 - Community Corrections (3 Credits)
This course focuses on innovative community-based strategies for dealing with criminal offenders. Correctional alternatives to imprisonment discussed in this course include probation and parole and various community programs, such as day reporting centers, electronic monitoring, half-way houses, and boot camp programs. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3250 - Violence in Society (3 Credits)
This course examines various aspects of violence, including distribution over time and space; situations and circumstances associated with violent victimization and offending; and how social institutions, community structure, and cultural factors shape violent events. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3251 - Crime and the Media (3 Credits)
This course surveys the relationships between mass media, crime, offenders, victims, and criminal justice. It explores how the criminal justice system and its agents, accused and convicted offenders, and victims, are portrayed in the media and the influence of these depictions on society, public policy, and the criminal justice system. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3252 - Violent Offenders (3 Credits)
This course consists of a historical overview of violence in American society. Course content includes an examination of violent crime rates over time, societal explanations for changes in rates and an examination of the theoretical causes and preventative strategies for acts of violence. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3270 - Case Studies in Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
This seminar examines the lives of people who live on the margins of a society that perceives them as outsiders. Ethnographic studies that utilize observation, participant observations, and interviews as their primary research methodology are assigned in order to develop a critical understanding of the social marginalization and cultural aspects of the lives of real human beings living constantly on the edge of the law. Cross-listed with CRJU 5270. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3280 - Trauma Among Correctional Populations (3 Credits)
This course provides a comprehensive overview of trauma and the relationship of trauma to criminal offending. Topics includes the definition of trauma, the impact of trauma on development, lifelong consequences of chronic exposure to adverse events, and how to integrate knowledge about trauma into organizational policies in correctional settings. The class focuses on understanding the components of a trauma-responsive environment in correctional settings and incorporating trauma recovery principles into practice. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3285 - Trauma in the Criminal Justice System (3 Credits)
This course examines trauma as widely prevalent among those who are served by the criminal justice system and experienced disproportionately among criminal justice professionals. Trauma prevalence, theory, prevention, and interventions through a trauma stewardship lens for victims of multiple forms of trauma, including vicarious traumatization and secondary traumatic stress, will be emphasized through an all-inclusive view across the criminal justice continuum. Cross-listed with CRJU 5285. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3290 - Capital Punishment (3 Credits)
This course examines in-depth a comprehensive range of issues surrounding capital punishment. Specifically, it looks at the history of capital punishment, methods of execution, legal issues and case law, deterrence, miscarriages of justice, discrimination in the capital charging and sentencing system, and the role of the death penalty internationally. The coverage of these issues relies on many sources, including scholarly readings, non-fiction books, court cases, websites, videos and documentaries, speeches, and media. Cross-listed with CRJU 5290. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3310 - Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement (3 Credits)
This course examines law enforcement's role in contemporary society and the impact of police interaction on other segments of the criminal justice system. Special attention is paid to controversies related to police training and education, career development and community relations. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3320 - Police-Community Relations (3 Credits)
This course focuses on the police and community response to crime. Course content includes an overview of the major concepts and issues involved in what many consider to be a major fundamental shift in the approach and operations of modern policing. The origins, meaning, development and experiences of community policing and various assessments of the advantages and disadvantages of community policing are emphasized. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3330 - Serial Killers (3 Credits)
This course looks at various aspects of serial killing, including definitions, statistics, and demographics of serial killers and their victims. It examines factors that are correlated with serial killing, as well as criminal justice responses to serial killers (e.g., investigative techniques, prosecuting and defending accused killers, etc.) It also includes cases of serial killers. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3340 - Cybercrime (3 Credits)
This course introduces the history and evolution of cybercrime. It explores different types of cybercrime and the issues they present socially, for national security, and in the context of the criminal justice system. Specifically, with respect to the criminal justice system, the class focuses on how cybercrime is defined in laws, prevented, investigated, prosecuted, and sentenced. It also looks at how cybercrime impacts victims and society as a whole. Ethics and policy implications at each stage of the criminal justice process and outside of the justice system are analyzed. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
CRJU 3410 - Probation and Parole (3 Credits)
This course is appropriate for students who have a specific interest in the role of probation and parole as correctional sanctions in community settings. Substantive topics, including the presentence investigation report, privatization, and the roles and responsibilities of probation and parole officers, are discussed. Particular attention is paid to research on the effectiveness of probation and parole, factors that contribute to the successful completion of probation and parole, and the role that the community and citizens play in these community corrections processes. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3420 - Pleas, Trials and Sentences (3 Credits)
This course analyzes case materials involving pleas, trials, and sentences. Course content includes the dimensions of criminality, the specific elements of major crimes, plea bargaining, the use of confessions, fair trial procedures, and various aspects of criminal sanctions, including cruel and unusual punishments. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3510 - Drugs, Alcohol, and Crime (3 Credits)
This course looks at the socially constructed nature of drugs and drug policy. It explores the connection between drugs and crime within the socio-historical context of contemporary U.S. drug policy. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between drugs and alcohol abuse and criminal offending, including the criminal justice system responses to possessing, distributing, and using illegal substances. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3520 - Juvenile Justice (3 Credits)
This course examines the development, change, and operation of the American juvenile justice system and the social factors that shape the identification and treatment of juvenile offenders. Special emphasis is placed on juvenile law and methods of dealing with youthful offenders. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3530 - Juvenile Delinquency (3 Credits)
This course looks at deviant and delinquent behavior committed by minors in American society. It explores the social construction of juvenile delinquency and factors and conditions contributing to at-risk and delinquent behavior. Finally, it examines the control and treatment of juvenile offenders prevention programs. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3540 - Crime and Delinquency Prevention (3 Credits)
This course provides students with an overview of issues related to crime and delinquency prevention, both from criminological and criminal justice points of view. Crime prevention programs that encompass both the individual and community levels are examined. Responses to juvenile offenders-ranging from prevention and diversion to institutional corrections and after care are explored in context of youth policy generally. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3575 - Offenders With Mental Health Disorders (3 Credits)
Examines the offender who may be mentally disordered. Special attention is paid to the various phases of the criminal justice system where psychiatrists are involved (e.g., diversion, fitness, insanity and sentencing), dangerous sex offender legislation, "not guilty by reason of insanity" and "guilty but mentally ill" statutes, and issues concerning confidentiality, informed consent, and treatment. Cross-listed with CRJU 7575 and 5575. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 3600 - Introduction to Federal Wildlife and Environmental Laws (3 Credits)
This course will provide an overview of federal wildlife and environmental laws which are designed to protect plants, animals, marine resources, the air we breathe, and the nation’s waterways. For each of the laws covered in this course, investigations including case resolutions will be presented. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4010 - Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3 Credits)
Introduces emergency management and homeland security including: management of hazards, emergencies, disasters, and the networks of government and nonprofit organizations providing services. Focuses on principles of emergency management and homeland security at state and local jurisdictional levels. Cross-listed with PUAD 4010, PUAD 5650, and CRJU 5650. Prereq: CRJU 1000. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Pre: CRJU 1000
CRJU 4012 - Principles of Emergency Management (3 Credits)
Introduces the discipline and practice of emergency management. Topics include administrative practice and processes by which public policy shapes governmental responses to hazards, emergencies, and disasters. Cross-listed with CRJU 5655, PUAD 4012, and PUAD 5655. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4014 - Federal Wildlife and Fisheries Investigations (3 Credits)
Students will learn about federal wildlife laws and an overview of each law will be provided, along with methods and tools used to investigate possible violations of the laws. Prosecuting cases will be covered, and actual cases will be reviewed so students are able to see practical application of the law. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Summer.
CRJU 4015 - Intelligence Writing and Briefing (3 Credits)
This course provides an overview of intelligence analysis and aims to provide the skills and tools necessary to effectively communicate results to consumers. Students will be familiarized with the analytical, perceptual, and cognitive pitfalls of conducting intelligence analysis and learn a variety of strategies for overcoming these problems, preparing professional intelligence products, and presenting executive-level intelligence briefings. Cross-listed with CRJU 5015. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4042 - Corrections (3 Credits)
This course consists of an overview of the field of penology and corrections. Attention is paid to conflicting philosophies of punishment, criminological theory as it applies to the field of corrections, the selectivity of the process through which offenders move prior to their involvement in correctional programs, institutional corrections, alternative correctional placements, and empirical assessments of the short and long-term consequences of one's involvement in correctional programs. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4043 - Law Enforcement (3 Credits)
This course presents an overview of the role of police in the United States. Attention is placed on the origins of policing, the nature of police organizations and police work, patterns of relations between the police and the public, discretion, and the police role in a sociological context. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4044 - Courts and Judicial Process (3 Credits)
This course examines the basic functions, structure, and organization of the federal and state court systems, with special attention on the criminal court system. It looks at the courtroom workgroup and agents within it, including the prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge. It focuses on the influence of judicial behavior on the court process by examining judges' policy preferences, legal considerations, group processes within courts, and courts' political and social environments. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4100 - Administration of Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
Analyzes the policies and practices of agencies involved in the criminal justice process, from the detection of crime and arrest of suspects through prosecution, adjudication, sentencing and imprisonment, to release. The patterns of decisions and practices are reviewed in the context of a systems approach. Cross-listed with CRJU 5100. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4120 - Race, Class, and Justice (3 Credits)
This course examines the relationships between race, social class, and crime. Attention is given to theoretical explanations, empirical research, and patterns of criminal behavior. The class focuses on historical frameworks that are relevant to current perspectives on the impact and interactions of race, class, and crime in the field. It examines race, class, and race-by-class disparities and discriminatory practices at different phases of the justice system from detainment through sentencing and appeals. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4121 - Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
This course is designed to prepare students to identify and critically examine ethical issues in the criminal justice system by applying ethical decision models. It also provides students with the opportunity to analyze how they would resolve these issues according to their own values and beliefs while staying within the boundaries of the law and formal and informal professional ethics. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4130 - Poverty, Crime, and Justice (3 Credits)
This course analyzes theories and empirical research related to the causes of criminal behavior committed by individuals of lower socio-economic status. Further, it examines the economic and social costs of crimes committed by under-resourced individuals and crime-prevention strategies that are connected to crimes committed by under-resourced individuals. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4140 - Interpersonal Violence (3 Credits)
This course examines the criminal justice systems response to intimate partner violence by focusing on the interactions between victims, offenders, and components of the criminal justice system. By exploring the dynamics of intimate partner violence, this course addresses the theories, history, research, legislation, and policy implications related to the criminal justice system's response to intimate partner violence. Cross-listed with CRJU 5150, PUAD 5155. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4150 - Sex Offenders and Offenses (3 Credits)
This course explores historical and current practices of the criminal justice system to address sex offenders and offenses. Topics include the history of sexual abuse, etiology of offenders, victims' issues, juvenile sex offenders, risk assessment, and treatment/supervision approaches to sex offenders and offenses. Prereq: CRJU 1000. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Pre: CRJU 1000
CRJU 4170 - Victimology (3 Credits)
This course involves the scientific study of crime victims and focuses on the physical, emotional, and financial harm people suffer at the hands of offenders. Emphasis is placed on victim-offender relationships, interactions between victims and the criminal justice system, and connections between victims and other social groups and institutions. Theories, history, research, legislation, and policy implications related to the social construction of "the victim" are explored. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4171 - Homicide Studies (3 Credits)
This class examines criminal homicide from all angles: the offenders, the victims, the police, prosecution, defense, jurors, and judges. It looks at investigative techniques and the latest science involved in criminal investigation, jury selection, and other criminal justice system issues. It focuses on what is arguably the most serious form of homicide, murder, exploring sensational cases that involve delving into the psyche of murderers. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4172 - Crime Forensics (3 Credits)
This course offers an overview of specialized knowledge, techniques, principles, and technologies of forensic sciences and criminal investigations. Students will explore the fundamentals of proper evidence collection, preservation, and evidence analysis techniques. Students in this course will develop an understanding of the practical application of forensic science to legal issues and disputes. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4173 - Crime Scene Investigation (3 Credits)
Crime Scene Investigation is a course that is designed to give the student a working knowledge of how to investigate and collect evidence on a variety of crime scenes. It demonstrates how different types of physical evidence is used to solve crimes, specifically looking at forms of evidence like gun shots, blood spatter, and finger-printing. It also looks at the importance of professional skills, such as academic knowledge, problem-solving, effective communication, and the use of technology. Other issues, such as historical context and ethics, will be discussed. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4180 - Comparative Study of Criminal Justice Systems (3 Credits)
This course analyzes the dynamics of criminality and the social responses to crime across countries. Special emphasis is placed on methods of comparative legal analysis utilized to examine international differences in crime and justice, international cooperation in criminal justice, and crime and development. Prereq: CRJU 1001. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4190 - Gender and Crime (3 Credits)
This course explores issues surrounding women as offenders and victims. It investigates explanations for women's involvement in illegal activities and looks at gender-based disparities and discrimination in the criminal justice system's treatment of women who are accused and convicted of crimes. The class also examines women's participation in criminal justice professions, including law enforcement, corrections, judicial processes, and law. Cross-listed with CRJU 5553. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4200 - Wrongful Convictions (3 Credits)
Explores the continuum of justice-system errors ranging from persons who are falsely accused (arrested, prosecuted, and tried) to those who are wrongly convicted and imprisoned or sentenced to death row and erroneously executed. Cross-listed with CRJU 5200. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4210 - Prisoner Reentry (3 Credits)
Focuses on prisoner reentry, including strategies to prepare inmates for release, reduce recidivism, and facilitate adjustment in the community while meeting the demands of public safety. Cross-listed with CRJU 5210. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4230 - Treatment Approaches in American Corrections (3 Credits)
This course examines the origins and historical development of prisons and jails in America. Particular attention is given to the impact of reform movements; the rise of centralized correctional systems; and regional and other socially differentiated variations in the practice of punishment. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4252 - Criminal Offenders: Evidence-Based Decision-Making (3 Credits)
This course will introduce the core principles of evidence based programming and tools of motivational interviewing as it is used currently with the offender population. In addition, students will learn how to utilize these skills working with specific offender populations. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4310 - Leadership Roles in Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
The course is designed to enhance interest, experience, and knowledge in leadership that promotes professionalism and ethical behavior among criminal justice professionals. Individual and organizational dynamics are explored through a critical perspective, focusing on criminal justice roles and responsibilities. The class teaches effective leadership skills in areas such as team building, strategic planning, and decision-making. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4331 - Crime Analysis and GIS (3 Credits)
Serves as an introduction to the uses and applications of analysis within law enforcement, including the role of analysis in law enforcement, theories that guide analysis and police practices, commonly used data sources and technology, and techniques for various types of analysis utilized in law enforcement. Cross-listed with CRJU 5331. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4410 - Criminal Law and Constitutional Procedures (3 Credits)
This course focuses on substantive criminal law and constitutional rights of the accused in criminal proceedings. Course content includes the legal elements of major crimes. It also addresses legal aspects of investigation, search and seizure, arrest, custodial interrogation, the appointment of counsel, and constitutional rights that apply during trials (e.g., right to confront witnesses, be protected against self-incrimination, be tried by a jury of one's peers, etc.) Rules governing the admissibility of evidence in court are also examined. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4430 - Law and Society (3 Credits)
This course introduces students to the scholarly study of law. Students will become familiar with social scientific perspectives of the law, legal institutions, the legal process, and the impact of law on behavior. Particular emphasis is placed on the interplay between the social construction of crime through law, criminal behavior and individuals targeted in criminal justice processes in America. Additional topics include theories of law and legality, comparative legal systems, police, lawyers, judges, juries, and the use of social science expertise in the justice system. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4440 - Courts and Social Policy (3 Credits)
This course involves the study of emerging trends and issues in the administration of the courts, the emerging role of the judiciary in the administration of programs in the public and private sectors, and the implications of court administration on social policy. Course content includes the history of the judicial approaches to the criminal justice administrative process and substantive social policy. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4450 - Homeland Security (3 Credits)
This course is an in-depth analysis of homeland security in the U.S. Topics include the initial concepts and strategies of securing land borders, seaports, and airports, the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, and the functions and operations of the DHS today and in the future. Prereq: Completion of CRJU 1000. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Pre: CRJU 1000
CRJU 4520 - Gangs and Criminal Organizations (3 Credits)
This course traces the origins and historical development of the activities known as "organized crime." These crimes are some of the most dangerous to American society and range from the commonly known offenses of gambling and narcotics to the more subtle and sophisticated, less understood but equally serious, crimes of extortion, commercial bribery, and political corruption. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4530 - Families and Intergenerational Violence (3 Credits)
This course focuses on the family as the primary institutional mechanism of social control. Structured around social learning theory, it explores the relationships between exposure to childhood violence and violence later in life, including dating relationships during adolescence and adulthood and violence in marital relationships. The course also looks at the impact of childhood violent victimization on juvenile delinquency, adult criminality, and violent behavior in general. Cross-listed with CRJU 5535. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4540 - Evidence-Based Approaches in Law Enforcement (3 Credits)
This course provides an introduction to the uses and applications of analysis within law enforcement, including the role of analysis in law enforcement, theories that guide analysis and police practices, commonly used data sources, technology, and a practical introduction to the techniques for various types of analysis utilized in law enforcement. Prereq: CRJU 1000, 3100, and 4043. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4600 - Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice (1-6 Credits)
This highly specialized seminar addresses cutting-edge and emerging developments in the fields of criminology and criminal justice and provides students and faculty with the opportunity to explore significant themes, issues, and problems from a broad interdisciplinary perspective. Topics vary from semester to semester. Prereq: CRJU 1000. Repeatable. Max hours: 18 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 18.
Pre: CRJU 1000
CRJU 4700 - Community-Based Field Experience and Seminar (3 Credits)
Students work in small groups to complete substantive projects for government agencies and community organizations, led by faculty instructor. Topics addressed will vary depending on the needs of the community partner. Prereq: Completion of CRJU 1000 and CRJU 3100. Restriction: Restricted to SPA students. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4710 - Environmental Crime and Justice (3 Credits)
Environmental Crime and Justice will look at the disproportionate benefits and burdens of environmental “profits” (e.g., open spaces, clean air and water, etc.) and contamination (which results from behaviors that include, but are not limited to crime), as well as the implications of these disparities on certain areas, particularly communities of color and indigenous communities. The role of the government, the private sector, non-profit organizations, and the environmental justice movement in creating, perpetuating, and minimizing environmental crime and its disparities will be examined, with part of the focus being on theories within critical criminology that address issues of environmental crime injustices. The nature of environmental offenders and victims will be explored. Policies and programs that have been organized to address environmental crime and other injustices and their effects (e.g., quality of life, birth defects, childhood asthma, lead poisoning, cancer, etc.) will be reviewed, including responses by the criminal justice system to environmental crime. Students will examine critically the consistencies and inconsistencies in institutionalized mechanisms that are set up, either intentionally or more subtly, to create, reinforce, or minimize environmental crimes and injustices. Cross-listed with CRJU 5710. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
CRJU 4840 - Independent Study: CRJU (1-6 Credits)
This course consists of instructor-guided research in an area of mutual interest to the student and instructor or a student-driven project supervised by the instructor. Students are responsible for selecting their area of inquiry prior to contacting the instructor. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
CRJU 4939 - Internship (1-9 Credits)
Internships involve a career-related supervised experiential course in a criminal justice or related agency. Permission to enroll must be preceded by an application for an internship. Prereq: Permission of instructor and advisor is required for undergraduate students. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
CRJU 4961 - Capstone (1-10 Credits)
Synthesizes competencies gained throughout the course of study into a client-based research project. Students conduct independent research, complete a final project demonstrating their qualifications and expertise. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students in the School of Public Affairs. Max hours: 10 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 10.
Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students in the School of Public Affairs.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
CRJU 4995 - Global Study Topics (3 Credits)
This course is reserved for CU Denver faculty-led study abroad experiences. The course topic will vary based on the location and course content. Students register through the Office of Global Education. Cross-listed with CRJU 5995. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Typically Offered: Fall.
Public Administration (PUAD)
PUAD 1000 - Public Service Online Success and Career Exploration (1 Credit)
Offers Public Service majors the chance to explore their career field and adapt to an online learning environment. Topics will include Canvas tips, online course etiquette, community building for the online learner, how online students can utilize CU Denver student-success resources, writing and citation tips, and contemporary time management techniques. Restriction: Restricted to freshmen or undergraduates with less than 30 credit hours. Max hours: 1 Credit.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to freshmen or undergraduates with less than 30 credit hours.
PUAD 1001 - Why We Care About Government, Nonprofits, and the Public Good (3 Credits)
Students will gain the opportunity to understand the discipline of public administration; public administration aims to help public and nonprofit agencies more effectively respond to public demands made by citizens, organizations, and other levels of government. Explore multiple career paths to advancing the public good in government and nonprofits, including volunteerism, citizenship, community engagement, and leadership. Consider implications for enhancing public integrity and trust in government. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Social Sciences.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
PUAD 2001 - Management for Public Service (3 Credits)
Learn how managers in public sector organizations foster human capital and manage performance in a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative workforce. Examine strategic management techniques, human resource law and procedures. Explore the values of character and competence in creating effective organizations. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 2002 - Policy and Advocacy (3 Credits)
Students will develop skills and tools for creating policy change. Public policy is the decisions and nondecisions of public actors as they attempt to address social, economic and political topics. The course will introduce students to policy change, lobbying, advocacy, and the ways in which policies lead to entrenched coalitions, perceptions, behaviors, and funding models. Max hours: 3 Credits
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3001 - Project Management and Program Evaluation (3 Credits)
Examine strategic management techniques, organizational theory, and tools for organizational change. Explore structures, life-cycles, and change dynamics of government and nonprofit organizations including organizational culture, the relationship between organizational structure and services, and organizational strategy and effectiveness. Learn the analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills required for program design, implementation, and evidence based decision-making. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3002 - Organizational and Strategic Management (3 Credits)
Examine strategic management techniques, organizational theory, and tools for organizational change. Explore structures, life-cycles, and change dynamics of government and nonprofit organizations including organizational culture, the relationship between organizational structure and services, and organizational strategy and effectiveness. Learn the analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills required for program design, implementation, and evidence based decision-making. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3003 - Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations (3 Credits)
Explore the historical background, development, role, auspices, organization, and purposes of nonprofit agencies. Expand awareness of the scope and breadth of the nonprofit sector in the U.S., examine the inner workings of nonprofit organizations as the foundation for further study. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3004 - Managing Nonprofit Organizations (3 Credits)
Examine leadership and decision-making theory and practice in the nonprofit sector. Explore classic and contemporary theories on leadership, management, governance and organizational effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. Techniques for effective board meetings, committee work, development of board members, and policy development. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3005 - Collaboration Across Sectors (3 Credits)
Organizations across sectors respond to complex problems with innovative and flexible responses through networks. Managing within and across organizations is essential to effective performance in a networked system. Explore collaborative governance across sectors--nonprofit, for-profit, and public--with analyses and applications. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3110 - Seminar in Nonprofit Management (3 Credits)
This course provides an overview of the principles and concepts that are unique to nonprofit management. Topics include executive management, funding diversity, human resource management, marketing, volunteer management and ethics. Students are also given an introduction to the history and the importance of the nonprofit sector. Cross-listed with PUAD 5110 and CRJU 5010. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3400 - What Communities Tell Us: Stakeholders, Public Opinion, and Community Feedback (3 Credits)
Integrating community feedback into a strategy, message, and organizational feedback loops enhances leadership, keeps leaders connected to their communities, and can help drive decision making. This course examines various forms of publicly available opinion data, techniques for collecting stakeholder and community feedback, and the challenges and opportunities this feedback can present in public and nonprofit organizations. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3500 - Managing and Leading in Environmental Organizations (3 Credits)
Students will explore the intersections between management, science, regulations, policies, and sustainable programs, and issues associated with “being green.” Students will also consider the intersection of environmental laws with efforts by businesses, governments, NGOs, and other organizations to protect natural resources, build collaborations for effective environmental management, and the deep-seated value conflicts over the causes, or even the existence, of environmental problems and the appropriate solutions to address them. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 3600 - International and Global Organizations (3 Credits)
Students will learn about the history of development paradigms and understand the relationships among development actors and how they address persistent global problems such as poverty, human trafficking, trade, education, health, and human rights, as examples. Students will understand the impact of colonialism and the finite resources available to address complex social issues in the developing world. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4000 - Human Resources and Ethics in Public Service (3 Credits)
Learn how managers in public sector organizations foster human capital and manage performance in a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative workforce. Understand ethics in public service, explore ethical concerns in public affairs, and confront ethical challenges in government and nonprofit organizations. Examine human resource law and case studies to apply ethical judgement to organizational decisions. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4002 - Leading and Engaging for the Public Good (3 Credits)
Develop a personal leadership identity, tools for collaboration and stakeholder development, as well as work toward building an understanding of the interdependence of public and nonprofit organizations within communities. Investigate cultural competency, social justice, and your own citizenship skills. Look at issues related to leadership, personal ethics and values, motivation, change management, and teamwork. Students explore how stakeholders, networks, partnerships, and communities work together to achieve public goals. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4003 - Strategic Communications for Public Engagement (3 Credits)
Strategic communicators are needed in all fields, especially those that serve the public good. Grow in your abilities to demonstrate the value of government, educational, and non-profit organizations while driving positive engagement with diverse audience networks. Gain relevant professional writing, facilitation, presentation, social media, and crisis management skills to support your favorite institutions. Learn how to conduct situational and diverse audience analyses, solidify objectives, appreciate place branding, and craft messaging. Experience the excitement of executing the public communications function through guest speaker appearances, experiential outings and discussions, and hands-on activities. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4004 - Building Public and Financial Support for Nonprofit Organizations (3 Credits)
Examines methods, techniques, and directed experience in fundraising for nonprofit agencies. Explores relationships with umbrella organizations, government funding, grantsmanship, budget control, and accountability. Discusses social entrepreneurship and social innovation. Examines communications, marketing, and public relations intersection with resource development. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4005 - Human Rights and Social Equity (3 Credits)
Achieving social equity is only possible through significant public policy, administration, leadership and managerial changes. This class explores the intersection between achieving social equity and efforts toward securing human rights. The course will cover local, state, and global challenges that public administrators face as they aim to address harms created by policy legacies. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4006 - Organizational Development (3 Credits)
Examine structures, life-cycles, and change dynamics of government and nonprofit organizations including organizational culture, the relationship between organizational structure and service provision, and organizational strategy and effectiveness. Learn diagnostic and assessment tools, methods, and processes for improving organizational performance. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4007 - Nonprofit HR: Governance, Staff, Volunteer Management (3 Credits)
Current issues in human resource administration for employees of nonprofit organizations. Topics include such areas as recruitment, staff development, volunteer management, performance, evaluation, labor-management issues, and affirmative action. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4008 - Current Issues in Public Sector Organizations (3 Credits)
Explore the impact on public sector organizations of emergent issues such as globalization, changing demographics of the citizenry and workforce, sustainability, declining budgets, and information technology. Examine ways public sector organizations adapt to these trends. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4009 - Human Service Organizations (3 Credits)
Provides an overview of human services delivery in government and nonprofit organizations. Explore causes and conditions that give rise to the need for effective and equitable human service organizations. Learn essential skills including cultural competencies, boundaries, and collaboration. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4010 - Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3 Credits)
Introduces emergency management and homeland security including: management of hazards, emergencies, disasters, and the networks of government and nonprofit organizations providing services. Focuses on principles of emergency management and homeland security at state and local jurisdictional levels. Cross-listed with PUAD 5650, CRJU 4010, and CRJU 5650. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4011 - Community Resilience, Climate, and Emergency Response (3 Credits)
Climate change and disaster mitigation increasingly consumes time, energy and efforts of public and nonprofit leaders. This course, through an all-hazards approach, will guide students in understanding how communities can plan, prepare, respond and mitigate potential climate-related and mass casualty disasters. Through case studies and public sector agencies, students will explore techniques that can enhance community resilience, create partnerships across jurisdictions, and reduce risk. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4012 - Principles of Emergency Management (3 Credits)
Introduces the discipline and practice of emergency management. Topics include administrative practice and processes by which public policy shapes governmental responses to hazards, emergencies, and disasters. Cross-listed with PUAD 5655, CRJU 4012 and CRJU 5655. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4020 - Social Entrepreneurship (3 Credits)
Social entrepreneurship, practices, theories, and allied concepts. Using private, nonprofit, and government examples, explore innovation, creativity, profit for social welfare, and innovative management. Advance an organization’s social good mission, and increase effectiveness, accountability, and efficiency through market-based techniques. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4140 - Nonprofit Financial Management (3 Credits)
Provides a grounding in financial management for the "non-accountant" by focusing on an array of knowledge and management skill areas necessary for allocating and controlling resources and for analyzing, reporting and protecting the fiscal health of the organization. Topics include key accounting principles, understanding and using financial statements, the budget development process, cash flow analysis, banking relationships, using the audit report, maximizing investment policy and strategy, and understanding the boundaries of tax exemption. Cross-listed with PUAD 5140 and CRJU 5140. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4145 - Philanthropy (3 Credits)
Today, the organized field of philanthropy and its companion field, impact investing, are growing at a remarkable speed. This course will explore the origins of philanthropy and impact investing and provide students with an in-depth understanding of how philanthropy works today and the nuances that exist among different forms of philanthropy and investment: individual giving, foundations, corporate philanthropy, and impact investing. It will also explore new trends among individual and institutional investors and unpack the different approaches that funders are taking to influence how services are delivered and the striking efforts to affect systems changes. Cross-listed with PUAD 5145. Max hours: 3 credits
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4160 - Nonprofit Boards and Executive Leadership (3 Credits)
The important roles and responsibilities of a voluntary board of directors and the process of governing are often misunderstood. This course explores the special powers of a nonprofit board of directors as framed by and responsive to public policy. From the perspective of organizational behavior and theory, the course examines the leadership role and interplay between board members and the executive director. The examination includes a comparative analysis of different governing models, and explores fundamental questions of board composition, the role of advisor boards, achieving effective board meetings, the realm of liability, using committees, and the board's role in fundraising, among other special subject matter. Cross-listed with PUAD 5160. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4220 - Human Resource and Talent Management (3 Credits)
Covers human resource functions in public and nonprofit agencies. Topics include job analysis, compensation, recruiting, selection, rewarding, training and development. Contemporary issues concerning civil service reforms are also presented. Prereq: PUAD 1001 or Instructor approval. Cross-listed with PUAD 5220. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: PUAD 1001.
Typically Offered: Spring.
PUAD 4325 - Public Private Partnerships (3 Credits)
This course has been designed to introduce students to public private partnerships (PPPs) as a field of study and practice using Colorado as a laboratory for current practice, policy, strategy, management and finance. Students will engage current examples of PPPs as cases, learn and exchange in class presentations with guest lecturers currently leading PPPs and evaluate projects in class assignments doing research, analysis, and field interviews. Students will enhance their knowledge as well as skills commonly used in public, private, nonprofit and enterprise management and the public policy context and narrative of PPPs in international and U.S. practice. Cross-listed with PUAD 5325. Max hours: 3 credits
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4440 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (3 Credits)
Focuses on concepts and skills necessary to negotiate policy and management decisions and manage internal and external conflicts. Designed to help students understand the dynamics that affect negotiations and to apply the principles and strategies of negotiation in a variety of decision making and dispute resolution contexts. Cross-listed with PUAD 5440. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4600 - Special Topics in Public Service (1-6 Credits)
This highly specialized seminar addresses cutting-edge and emerging developments in the field of public service and provides students and faculty with the opportunity to explore significant themes, issues and problems from a broad interdisciplinary perspective. Topics vary from semester to semester. Repeatable. Max hours: 18 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 18.
PUAD 4620 - Crisis and Emergency Communication (3 Credits)
This course examines strategic communication practices throughout the three stages of a crisis or emergency event. Special emphasis is placed on crisis planning, emergency messaging, media relationships, image restoration, ethical responses, and organizational learning. Cross-listed with PUAD 6620, COMM 4557, and COMM 5557. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
PUAD 4628 - Social Problems and Policies in the Urban Environment (3 Credits)
Examines local government and nonprofit approaches to addressing common urban social problems. Topics covered may include urban poverty, crime, education, housing, and immigration. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4630 - Economic Development (3 Credits)
As governments search for new ways to be efficient, improve performance and leverage resources, they are also looking at their communities, states and regions in terms of competitiveness, international trade and globalization innovation, collaboration and partnerships. This course will look at practices where economic development includes these elements: the Colorado Innovation Network, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Metro Denver and Denver South Economic Development Partnerships, Mile High Connects, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and public-private partnerships across multiple sectors in transportation, broadband, water and innovation. Students will develop an economic development strategy based on knowledge and tools learned in the course. Political and professional leadership will be part of the dialog. Cross-listed with PUAD 5630. Max hours: 3 credits
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4633 - Economic Development (3 Credits)
As governments search for new ways to be efficient, improve performance and leverage resources, they are also looking at their communities, states and regions in terms of competitiveness, international trade and globalization innovation, collaboration and partnerships. This course will look at practices where economic development includes these elements: the Colorado Innovation Network, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Metro Denver and Denver South Economic Development Partnerships, Mile High Connects, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and public-private partnerships across multiple sectors in transportation, broadband, water and innovation. Students will develop an economic development strategy based on knowledge and tools learned in the course. Political and professional leadership will be part of the dialog. Cross-listed with PUAD 5633. Max hours: 3 credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4638 - Colorado Politics, Policy, and Administration (3 Credits)
This course focuses on the state-level policy-making process in Colorado, and how that process is affected by local, state, and federal politics, administration, and other policy-making constraints applicable to the state. Substantive topics covered will vary, but students will be exposed to a wide range of perspectives and experiences from practitioners and policy influencers engaged in state-level politics, policy-making, and administration. Cross-listed with PUAD 5638. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4740 - Sustainable Energy Policy (3 Credits)
This course will cover the basic principles and operation of policy and regulation that impact the production and use of energy (with a focus on transportation and electricity generation) from all of the major sources currently available and used. We will analyze (and, through a sustainability lens, critically evaluate) energy from water (hydroelectric, hydrokinetic), coal, domestic and international petroleum, natural gas and nuclear reactors. A significant portion of the course will focus on electricity generation and associated policy, technologies and regulation. In the context of each energy source and use, we will review and discuss sustainability practices, policies, and, issues. Cross-listed with PUAD 5740. Max hours: 3 credits
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4840 - Independent Study (1-6 Credits)
This course consists of faculty-guided research in an area of mutual interest to the student and instructor. Students are responsible for selecting their area of inquiry prior to contacting the instructor. Permission of instructor is required. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
PUAD 4939 - Public Service Internship (1-9 Credits)
The internship course, required for all Public Service majors unless waived, provides career-related experiential learning in a government agency or nonprofit organization. Students must apply to the internship course in the semester before they hope to enroll and obtain permission from their advisor and the instructor prior to enrolling. Prereq: PUAD 1001 plus any other 2000 level (or higher) PUAD course, a GPA of 2.0, and a minimum of 15 UCD credit hours completed. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
PUAD 4941 - Integrating Professional Public Administration (3 Credits)
This is a student-directed, project-based course that allows the student to bring together their entire collegiate knowledge base into a project, program, thesis, or experience that will demonstrate how their public administration knowledge and expertise connects to their BAPA Core, concentration, thematic sequence, core University requirements, and personal goals. This course is intended for students in their final semester of the bachelor's degree. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
PUAD 4961 - Capstone (1-10 Credits)
Synthesizes competencies gained throughout the course of study into a client-based research project. Students conduct independent research, complete a final project demonstrating their qualifications and expertise. Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students in the School of Public Affairs. Max hours: 10 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 10.
Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students in the School of Public Affairs.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
PUAD 4995 - Global Study Topics (3 Credits)
This course is reserved for CU Denver faculty-led study abroad experiences. The course topic will vary based on the location and course content. Students register through the Office of Global Education. Cross-listed with PUAD 5995. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Typically Offered: Fall.