Two CU Denver Online Graduate Programs Land Top Rankings in 2023 U.S. News and World Report

CU Denver online graduate programs in education and criminal justice are ranked among the top in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s 2023 rankings. As a leader in online graduate education, we offer 38 online programs across multiple disciples, giving students flexibility and meeting employer demand.  

Moving Up the Rankings: School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) 

Our online graduate options in education are, collectively, ranked by U.S. News as one of the top three education programs in Colorado, one of the top five programs in the western United States, and in the top 75 in the nation—having moved up by 16 spots in one year. 

“We are honored that our stellar online learning communities are ranked among the nation’s top offerings,” said Marvin Lynn, PhD, Dean of CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development. “Our faculty continues to raise the bar in creating inclusive and innovative online learning opportunities that prepare the next generation of leaders and collaborators in schools and diverse community settings. We offer several fully online programs at the undergraduate, post-bac, and graduate levels, including an alternative teacher licensure program and flexible continuing education opportunities for current educators.”  

SEHD are forerunners in using innovation and technology, with an Office of Digital Initiatives and Innovation, that explores and supports the effective use of technology and students using the very technologies that they will employ as the teachers of the future. Members of the school community have been informing policy and practice while addressing the most important challenges faced by individuals, schools, and communities for more than 50 years.  

Four Years Running: School of Public Affairs (SPA) 

The criminal justice online master’s program is ranked among the top 25 programs in the nation for a fourth consecutive year. 

“Our world-class faculty, the flexibility of online and in-person classes, and affordable state tuition, make us a great option for those looking for a graduate degree,” said Paul Teske, PhD, Dean of CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs. “Our program opens up career opportunities to meet the increasing demand for those that can lead agencies, solve complex problems, and improve our criminal justice systems.” 

The program prepares our students to administer, analyze, evaluate, and facilitate improvements in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The curriculum emphasizes research design alongside skills required for analyzing empirical data and innovating in crime control and prevention. Our students acquire strategies and skills for promoting individual, organizational, and social change. Additionally, they can choose to pursue a concentration in crime analysis; disasters, hazards, and emergency management; emergency management and homeland security; and gender-based violence. The program, designed for maximum flexibility, can be completed online, in-person, or a combination of both formats. 

“The online program sets a standard of excellence for education in criminology and criminal justice,” said Mary Dodge, PhD, Director of the MCJ program. “The strength of the program includes internationally known professors who share their exciting research and insights into the world of crime, theory, systems, and policy.”