COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Applied Political Science (New Directions program) at CU Denver is a flexible, practice-oriented graduate degree designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers in government, non-profit organizations, community leadership, or labor and policy fields. The program is delivered in a weekend intensive format, with each course held over three weekends (Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), allowing students to continue working while completing their studies and manage other personal or professional responsibilities. To earn the degree, students complete 33 graduate credit hours, which include two required courses in Community Organizing and Development and Research, a 3-credit culminating capstone experience, and 24 credit hours of electives that allow students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. Elective course topics cover a wide range of applied political science areas such as city policymaking, the politics of the budgetary process, housing crisis and local solutions, local government and administration, worker cooperatives, labor law and collective bargaining, and non-profits and social change, along with customized courses that address emerging and timely policy issues. Students also have the flexibility to design independent study projects, complete internships for academic credit, or take additional graduate-level courses from the standard Political Science program offered in weekday evening or online formats. Electives are typically available each spring and fall, with at least one summer course offered in a weekly remote format to accommodate scheduling needs. The program culminates in a capstone experience worth 3 credits, which may take the form of a master’s project, internship, or portfolio-based course. The master’s project can include scholarly research papers, policy analysis, model legislation, organizing toolkits, applied research for community or government clients, or even creative outputs such as films. Throughout the program, students work closely with faculty advisors to develop expertise in their chosen area, ensuring they graduate with strong applied skills and the ability to address real-world political and community challenges effectively.