New Directions Courses

♦ Summer and Fall 2026 Registration Open Now ♦

 

Headshot of Sara Zeynalilaki next to text of her quote, which reads: "Gentrification and Social Equity" was profoundly informative. Beyond a traditional understanding of urban development, it equipped me to deconstruct the complex social, economic, and political forces shaping Denver and metropolitan areas. It was truly transformational, and I continue to use what I learn to observe the intricate ecosystems of justice and inequality in other cities I visit.”
Headshot of Daisy Pham next to text of her quote, which reads: Dr. Ray’s Research Methods emphasized analytical rigor over political punditry. The course sharpened my critical thinking skills and provided me with tools to draw evidence-based conclusions. That’s especially important to me because so many aspects of politics can feel personal and emotionally charged, and I value having frameworks that help me step back and evaluate issues more objectively.

Guide to Course Numbering

At the University of Colorado Denver, courses for master's degree/graduate credit are numbered in the 5000s or above. Courses in the 4000s are for undergraduate credit. New Directions cross-lists many of our courses for both undergraduate and graduate credit, with undergraduates completing an adjusted level of work on assignments, or adjustments in the evaluation of those assignments, commensurate with their academic level. To ensure your credits count properly for your Master's degree, graduate students should always enroll in the 5000 level or above for all courses. 

* Please note that because they are extended studies, the University of Colorado tuition assistance benefit (TAB) cannot be used to pay for New Directions classes. 

Weekend Intensive Course Schedules

Weekend intensive courses meet in-person on Saturday and Sunday of the weekends below, from 9 am to 4 pm unless otherwise indicated. Courses meeet in Denver at various locations provided in your syllabus. 

Summer 2026

PSCI 5008/4002 - Special Topic: Latinos in Politics and Policy (3 credits) 

This hybrid course prepares students as practitioners to design, implement, and evaluate policy with (not just for) the wide variety of Chicano/Latine/Hispanic communities in Colorado, andHeadshot of Jessie Ulibarri throughout the U.S. We’ll use an organizing-informed approach to collaborative governance, grounded in racial equity, language justice, and political context and power. Students will analyze active local/state policy efforts and design implementation pathways that ensure community engagement and accountability. The course kicks off with an in-person weekend of site visits of significance to Chicano/Latine/Hispanic communities in metro Denver, then meets remotely via zoom the rest of the summer term. 

May 30 & 31, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm In Person

Thursdays, June 4 - Aug 6, 5:30 - 7:30 pm Via Zoom   

 Fall 2026 

PSCI 5914/4914 - Community Organizing and Community Development (3 credits) 

Headshot of Emily Shamsid-DeenThe theory and practice of community organizing strategies and community development innovations. How can social activists build power at the grassroots to build equitable, sustainable, and healthy communities? Instructor: Emily Shamsid-Deen, MNM 

* This is a required course for all New Directions master’s and certificate programs. * 

August 29 & 30 

September  19 & 20 

October 10 & 11 

PSCI 5009/4009 - Politics of the Budgetary Process (3 credits) 

Headshot of Aaron Ray This course will introduce or reacquaint students to the practice and politics of budgeting and financial management in the public and nonprofit sectors. Students will analyze the public sector (including federal, state, local, and nonprofit) budget and fiscal management processes and explore the political influences that affect fiscal decision-making. Lecturer: Aaron Ray  During the extended period between the 2nd and 3rd weekends, students will be required to either attend a remote zoom class meeting or schedule a one-on-one with their instructor. 

September 12 & 13 

October 3 & 4 

November 21 & 22 

PSCI 5080/4080 - The Housing Crisis: Local Government Responses (3 credits) 

Explore how local governments shape housing patterns and promote affordable housing through land-use, spending, policy, and as property owners. Themes include: origins of housingHeadshot of Robin Kniech segregation/discrimination, state/federal regulation of local efforts, land use reform to address the recent housing crisis, components of comprehensive affordability strategy, basic housing finance, affordability policies, resolution of homelessness, private market forces, and political tensions. Lecturer: Robin Kniech 

* This course satisfies one of the requirements to earn a 12 or 13 credit Graduate Certificate in Affordable Housing, a new interdisciplinary certificate offered by CU Denver's School of Public Affairs and the College of Architecture and Planning, in partnership with the Department of Political Science's Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy. Click here to learn more about the certificate, including scholarship opportunities.* 

October 24 & 25  

November 14 & 15 

December 5 & 6 

 SPRING 2027

TENTATIVE - SUBJECT TO CHANGE

**NEW Course** PSCI 5081/PSCI 4081/HOUS 5081 Social Housing and Community Ownership: Decommodification, Governance, and Strategy in Practice 

This course explores how land and housing can be removed from speculative markets through community ownership. Students examine the history of private property, alternative models like social housing, community land trusts and cooperatives, and the challenges of building permanently affordable, democratically controlled housing. 

* This course counts as an elective toward a 12 or 13 credit Graduate Certificate in Affordable Housing, an interdisciplinary certificate offered by CU Denver's School of Public Affairs and the College of Architecture and Planning, in partnership with the Department of Political Science's Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy. Click here to learn more about the certificate, including scholarship opportunities.* 

Weekend Intensive in-person fomat, dates to be announced in October of 2026

PSCI 5414/4414: Non-Profits and Social Change

Explores role of non-profits in catalyzing social change. What are obstacles and opportunities to leveraging social change through nonprofits? What factors shape non-profits to be either transformational or systemstabilizing forces?

Weekend Intensive in-person fomat, dates to be announced in October of 2026

3rd Course TBD

 

 

Recently Completed Courses

Frequently Used Forms

Find a Form

Please follow the link above for most forms students will need, including: Schedule Adjustment, Late Withdrawal, and Updating your Student Record.

CU Denver Special Processing Form

This form must be signed by your chair/advisor and submitted to the CLAS Academic Services Coordinator for all independent study and thesis/project credits.

Forms Specific to Graduate Students

This website includes the Application for Candidacy that must be completed at the start of your final term to qualify to graduate, as well as other forms needed throughout the final MA Project/Thesis process. It also includes forms to request Transfer Credits for incoming students.

How to Register for New Directions Courses

Visit: 
passport.ucdenver.edu/login.php 

  1. Sign-in using your University username and password.

  2. Click UCD Access to proceed to the student portal.

  3. Click Register to view the drop-down menu.

  4. Then click Register for Classes.

  5. Select the registration term and continue to class search.

  6. Enter “New Directions” in the search bar to see all our class offerings, or if you know the specific course number you wish to register for, you can enter it (e.g. “PSCI 5075”).  You can also search for a key word in the course title (e.g. “gentrification”).  

  7. Select your course by clicking on the arrow near the class name. Then Select.

  8. Once complete your New Directions course(s) will now appear in your Shopping Cart and will be available when you are ready to enroll.

Reminder, graduate students enroll in the 5000 level version of a course that is cross-listed with two different numbers. The 4000 levels are only for undergraduate credit. 

If you encounter any difficulties during the registration process, call the Registrar’s Office at 303-724-8059. Note that unpaid University balances may impact the ability to register. All billing questions should be directed to the Bursar’s Office at 303-315-1800.