New Directions in Politics and Public Policy

Most courses in the program are offered in an intensive weekend format, allowing completion of a class in just three separate weekends of work (the remainder are in the evenings). Classes are offered in several different formats: in-person, exclusively online or sometimes a mix of both in-person and online within the same course. Where a class is offered in-person, students may contact the instructor regarding remote participation options for students located outside the Denver Metro area. These class formats provide our students substantial flexibility, many of whom work full-time or have other personal and family obligations.

Policy and government don't operate within vacuums. Both needs and outcomes are influenced by political forces, historic inequalities and democratic practices that operate in a given community. New Directions provides students critical insight into these forces to better prepare for a future in the field. 

Lecturers are drawn from current experts working in the fields of local government and/or community leadership. In addition to traditional coursework, students have the opportunity to earn credit for internships and independent study partnerships with local non-profits, labor unions, or government agencies. Final master's projects can be designed in consultation with these same community partners so as to have real-world relevance and impact.

This competitive, two-year fellowship program sponsored by Colorado's Department of Local Affairs places masters students from qualified programs like New Directions with local government jurisdictions in small and rural jurisdictions across Colorado. The program may place fellows into existing roles such as assistant town manager, or in new positions like a town sustainability officer. The annual timeline is to apply by around March 1 for a start date around July 1 (actual deadlines vary each year and by placement, follow the link for details and current salaries).

New Directions is proud to offer several scholarships that may help defray some of the costs of attending for qualifying students. 

The Center for New Directions has a long record of educating graduate students who have moved on to leadership positions across Colorado, serving as elected government leaders, town managers, university officials, non-profit directors, and public policy researchers and advocates across the state. This alumni network is a resource that has proven beneficial to many of our graduates seeking opportunities both during and after graduate school.