University of Denver – Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs

Shaping Global Leaders through Collaboration and Innovation

Prepare for Purpose

Ranked 12th in the world for master’s programs in international relations by Foreign Policy magazine, the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs shapes the next generation of global leaders through programs rooted in interdisciplinary education and experiential learning experiences.

University of Denver | Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs

Take your impact further with the interdisciplinary edge of a Korbel education.

Fast Facts

Ranked #12 in the world for master’s programs in international affairs by Foreign Policy
A faculty of scholars and practitioners, including Carol Spahn, the 21st Director of the Peace Corps
A Paul D. Coverdell Fellows partner since 2003, and one of the largest Peace Corps communities of any U.S. university
More than 7,000 alumni serving across government, multilateral institutions, NGOs, and the private sector worldwide
Based in Denver: a connected, opportunity-rich city with work across sectors and 300 days of sunshine.

Connect with our team to plan your master’s journey and learn what the Korbel experience has to offer.

Meet the Korbel School

At the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, we prepare the next generation of global leaders, thinkers, and changemakers to address the world’s most pressing issues. Located in Denver, Colorado, our students benefit from proximity to key international organizations, a vibrant job market, and Colorado’s renowned outdoor lifestyle. Ranked 12th globally for a master’s in international relations, we offer degree and certificate programs that empower students to forge their own paths in creating a more just, secure, and sustainable world.

Beau Martinez, MA in Global Economic Affairs, Estimated Graduation ‘27

“My time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay was a transformational experience. Before my service, I was interested in attending Law School, but after living and working alongside my Paraguayan community members, I developed a passion for international development and public service. Now, as a Master of Arts in Global Economic Affairs candidate at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, I am building my economic skills and policy expertise to strengthen partnerships between the United States and communities abroad while addressing shared economic and development challenges.”

An Educational Home for Returned Volunteers

One of our strongest relationships is with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), who enroll every year to continue their passion for making a difference. In fact, we’re home to one of the largest RPCV communities in the country, backed by a longstanding partnership with the Coverdell Fellows program. Every eligible RPCV admitted to a master’s program receives:

An application fee waiver
A 30% tuition scholarship
The option to reduce required internship hours from 150 to 75, if you need it to finish your degree

Like the Peace Corps, the Korbel School values community-focused advocacy. Our applied research spans local and global initiatives, from engaging with asylum cases in immigration court to developing databases that bridge lived experience and policy. At Korbel, RPCVs can continue their service alongside the world’s foremost experts.

“What I love most about the Korbel School is that students and faculty are not only intellectually curious and mission-driven, but they also take a personal interest in each other. There is a sense of community and shared purpose – it is a place where RPCVs will feel right at home.”

— Carol Spahn, Rice Family Professor of the Practice of International and Public Affairs

We offer a diverse range of graduate programs designed to empower the next generation of leaders, including:

Global Economic Affairs
Global Environmental Sustainability
International Development
International Human Rights
International Security
International Studies
Public Policy

Our students build community and engage in cutting-edge research through our centers and institutes. Faculty partner with NGOs, nonprofits, and government organizations like the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance to stay at the forefront of international affairs. Whether through the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, which advances research and practice on global security, prosperity, and social justice, or the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy, where students participate in roundtables on legislative recommendations and public impact, RPCVs can make a meaningful impact while completing their studies.

Join Us

Korbel students and professor

We invite you to join your next community of changemakers today, where you will be welcomed and supported in your journey to make a difference.

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