College of Community Studies and Public Affairs

The College of Community Studies and Public Affairs prepares you with broad liberal arts education, research abilities, and 21st century career readiness skills so you can have a meaningful impact on diverse and complex human social systems. Our community studies and public affairs coursework is responsive to your needs and incorporates multicultural and experiential learning in community settings. We prepare you to understand the science of behavior and to apply this knowledge in a variety of contexts as you seek to become a resilient agent of service and change.

Do you want to address the issues of your community, either directly on the ground or through policy and leadership? Are you looking for creative ways to engage with, learn from, and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the urban and regional communities you hope to serve? Supported by our accredited and certified programs, the College of Community Studies and Public Affairs will prepare you to excel in your chosen professional career, or to graduate programs at Metro State or elsewhere.

• The College of Community Studies and Public Affairs is comprised of the School of Community Studies and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Departments of Psychology, Human Services, Social Work, and Public and Nonprofit Leadership make up the School of Community Studies. The college offers thirty programs that include undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.
• True to our name, the College of Community Studies and Public Affairs is a community-engaged college. Our programs are designed to help students find creative ways to engage with, learn from, and contribute to growth and sustainability of the urban and regional communities we serve.
• Advancement of equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in practice are integral to the work of faculty and staff. We understand that an individual’s learning approaches may be influenced by diverse cultural backgrounds and strive to be inclusive in the pursuit of academic excellence.
• Professional and faculty advisors work with each student to understand your unique life experiences and aspirations, through authentic conversations based on empathy and care, and provide mentorship and support through your educational journey.
• Capstone courses in the college’s graduate programs are designed to provide students like you with experiential knowledge that positions you well for career opportunities.

Faculty

Faculty members in the College of Community Studies and Public Affairs are accomplished scholars and practitioner-experts with years of experience in their fields and are also innovative teachers who understand and support the unique educational needs of each of our students. Our faculty members are committed mentors to students in graduate and undergraduate programs, in applied research, and immersive experiential learning.