Public Service

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Service prepares the next generation of leaders and managers to govern, serve and make decisions that promote the best interests of our communities.

The BAPS degree provides the skills and content knowledge to work in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and the emerging fourth sector that blends social and environmental concerns with business approaches.

Course work explores public service in governmental, nonprofit, and nongovernmental organizations, and topics such as financial management, fostering human capital, capacity building, program evaluation, change management, collaboration, network analysis, and leadership.

Public service students will cultivate communication skills, ethical decision-making capabilities and cultural competencies. As workforce demand increases in the government and nonprofit sectors, graduates will be ready to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to make a difference in the world.

​All students in the Bachelor of Arts in Public Service degree program must complete the following common required core courses:

• Introduction to Public Service
• Managing People in Public Service Organizations
• Financial Management in Public Service Organizations
• Program Design, Evaluation, and Decision-Making
• Ethics in Public Service
• Leading for the Public Good
• Effective Communication in Public and Nonprofit Sectors
• The CU Denver campus core curriculum

In addition to the required core courses, students can choose from a wide range of electives on topics such as:

• Organizational Development
• Human Service Organizations
• Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Students also have the opportunity to earn the Certified Nonprofit Professional​​ credential through our partnership with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Nonprofit electives include:

• Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
• Managing Nonprofit Organizations
• Building Financial Support for Nonprofit Organizations
• Governance, Staff, and Volunteer Management
• Collaboration Across Sectors

Freshman admission consideration for both in-state and out-of-state students is based primarily upon:

1. Quality and number of high school courses (units) attempted (a rigorous academic program of study is preferred)
2. The admission index, which is a numeric score calculated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education based on GPA or rank in class and ACT or SAT test scores.
3. Optional personal essay and letters of recommendation. Though not required, a personal statement or essay and/or letters of recommendation may be considered in the admissions review process

General Admission

You are a strong candidate for general admission if:

1. Your index is 93 or higher
2. You have completed all HEAR requirements AND have no more than two MAPS unit deficiencies

TEST SCORES: ACT/SAT

Results are mandatory for international students who have graduated from a U.S. high school or those seeking freshman admission directly to the College of Engineering and Applied Science programs. For engineering students, admission to CU Denver is still possible without these scores by way of the Pre-Engineering program in the College of Liberal Arts and Science.

TEST SCORES: TOEFL, IELTS, OR PTE

Applicants will be considered to have obtained the required English language proficiency if they meet satisfactory scores (below) or one of the additional options:

SCORE REQUIREMENTS:

TOEFL

Minimum TOEFL Score Accepted: 75 IBT / 537 PBT

IELTS

Minimum IELTS Score Accepted: 6.5

The TOEFL/IELTS requirement can be waived if an applicant has graduated from the ESL Academy. Information regarding other considerations for exemption, including country of citizenship/origin, and special circumstances can be found here. Please note that some graduate level programs will require a higher score on the TOEFL/IELTS and applicants should consult the department for additional details

PTE ACADEMIC

Minimum PTE Academic Score Accepted: 51

TThe Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) is currently in a pilot review at the University of Colorado Denver. We will accept a 51 PTE Academic score with the following subscores:

The CU Denver Business School offers a variety of scholarships to help you finance your degree. We offer scholarships based on need and academic accomplishment. Our scholarships are funded by alumni, members of the Colorado business community, and the State of Colorado, to help you get the best education possible

ALL UNDERGRAD PROGRAMS

• Business School Student Club Leaders*
• Carolyn Lee Henderson Scholarship
• Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED)Management Scholarship*
• Davis Family Scholarship
• Dean’s Community College Transfer Scholarship*
• Dean’s Scholarship for Continuing Business Students
• Dean’s Sustaining Student Scholarship
• Esteemed Business Student Scholarship*
• Robert E. Moore Memorial Scholarship
• Robert Reynolds Study Abroad Scholarship*
• Steve Golter Scholarship

ACCOUNTING PROGRAM

• Accounting Program Scholarship
• Ernst & Young Scholarship
• Marjorie Gearhart Smith Scholarship
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers Scholarship