Certificate Programs

As disciplinary identities, project boundaries, and conventional markets blur, leadership, management skills, and civic mindfulness are key aspects to successfully navigating a rapidly transforming 21st century built environment. Many new ideas are emerging involving how projects are conceived and delivered that better integrate the complex relationships among finance, marketing, design, and construction. These new interdisciplinary management and construction techniques streamline the construction of increasingly large-scale and complex projects. Leadership skills are necessary for success in the central activities of contemporary engineering, architectural design firms, business, government, and non-profits. The demands of project management in firms today involve more than a specific technical expertise in a given field. Firms need creative individuals who can effectively innovate, execute, and communicate across disciplines. This new certificate program capitalizes on these changes and the new opportunities they present.

ICML is an interdisciplinary program designed for working or aspiring professionals, and upper level students interested in expanding their knowledge base in the fields of engineering, architecture, business, and their intersections. The courses include introductions to and explorations of current trends in the construction industry, project management and building information modeling (BIM). The final course is an integrated course that brings together top executives in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) business to discuss current industry topics and provides students an opportunity to apply principles from the various fields to case study projects.

• Students can earn graduate level credit for each course they successfully complete and the ICML Certificate upon completion of all four courses.
• They can take the courses as a non-degree student or while enrolled in a degree program at the University of Colorado Denver.
• The courses can be used to partially fulfill requirements for the MEng in Construction Engineering and Management or other eligible graduate programs such as the Master of Architecture degree upon acceptance into these programs.
• Approved courses in this Certificate may also count toward related Certificates offered by the Business School and Construction Engineering and Management.

This certificate program is intended for motivated people with a strong interest in the application of GIS to the design and planning professions. It is targeted both at students currently enrolled in a University of Colorado degree program who wish to add a credential to their degree and working professionals who do not wish to enroll as degree students, but who wish to pursue a certificate to improve job skills.

Students who earn this Certificate through the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver will exit the program with the following:

1. An understanding of GIS theory and concepts
2. Technical mastery of general GIS methods using ArcGIS as well as familiarity with remote sensing
3. Familiarity with common public geospatial data sources, as well as metadata standards
4. Knowledge of data interoperability, including how to move data and maps from one software platform to another; examples of software includes Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Studio Max, SketchUp, RhinoTerrain, ArcMap, and Quantum GIS
5. Specialized skills in geospatial technologies and methods related to the design and planning professions, including rendering and visualizations, infrastructure and transportation network analysis, cadastral mapping, site selection and analysis, geodesign, and many others.

GIS is a rapidly growing field and an increasingly important job skill. GIS skills are showing up as requirements for architects, landscape architects and planners. Our GIS Certificate holders are currently working as: environmental planners, transportation planners, city planners, urban designers, landscape architects and software developers.

A minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all GIS related course work is required to earn the GIS Certificate, and for certificate credit a B- or better is required in all GIS certificate courses.

Total Credit Hours: 18 credit hours

Achieving the GIS certificate in your degree program requires you to follow the appropriate advising sheet.You can download the relevant advising sheets below.

• Landscape Architecture GIS Advising Sheet
• Urban and Regional Planning GIS Advising Sheet

Note: Students pursuing the GIS Certificate in the College of Architecture and Planning are expected to use GIS data and software in their design and planning related classes.

Part 1: Introductory GIS class (3 credits)

• URPL 6250 - GIS for Urban Planning
• LDAR 5540 - Introduction to GIS
  

Part 2: Advanced GIS class (3 credits)

• URPL 6260 - Advanced Geospatial Methods
  

Part 3: One of the following (3 credits)

• GEOG 5060 - Remote Sensing 1
• GEOG 5070 - Remote Sensing 2
• Boulder: GEOG 4093 - Remote Sensing of the Environment

Part 4: Specialized advanced class (9 credits)

• GEOG 5081 - Cartography and Computer Mapping (required for MLA GIS Certificate)
• GEOG 5090 - Environmental Modeling with GIS
• GEOG 5085 - GIS Applications for the Urban Environment
• GEOG 5230 - Hazard Mitigation and Vulnerability
• GEOG 5095 - Deploying GIS Functionality on the Web
• CVEN 5382 - GIS Spatial Database Development
• CVEN 5385 - GIS Relational Database Systems
• CVEN 5800 - Geomatics for GIS
• LDAR 6686 - Advanced Topics in GIS
• URPL 6265 - Visualization for Planning
• Any course from the Part 3 list (either track) not already used to fulfill the Part 3 requirement
• Up to 3 credits from a studio course where intensive GIS is used. This must be done by submitting a petition to the coordinators describing the GIS activities undertaken.
• Up to 3 credits for an internship using GIS in a planning or design context, also by petition. Please see the coordinators before you start the process of looking for an internship.
• Other relevant courses by permission

Students who have completed all of the requirements for the GIS Certificate must submit their GIS Certificate form at the start of the semester that they plan to graduate.

The certificate program is open to all. Applicants already enrolled in a University of Colorado degree program need only submit an internal application to the CAP GIS certificate program. Applicants who are not currently enrolled in a degree program must apply to CU Denver as non-degree seeking students.

• Current CAP/CU Denver Graduate Degree-Seeking Students application form
• Graduate Non-Degree Seeking Students application form

Materials required for all applicants:

• A short statement of interest (250-500 words) explaining previous work and/or educational experience with GIS, and how this certificate will assist in current or future career or personal goals
• Unofficial transcripts (if not already admitted to CU Denver)

For graduate architecture students entering Studio IV at CU Denver, the Design Build certificate offers a unique opportunity to focus 18 credits of study on design build with an emphasis on integrated project delivery. Students must apply to this program in order to participate.

Students must be accepted to this program in order to participate, applications are accepted during the fall semester. Interested students should enroll in ARCH 6370- Introduction to Design Build in the fall semester before they would take Studio IV. For six studio track students, this would typically be during their second year and for four studio track students, it would be their first fall semester.

The 18-hour curriculum addresses the basics of Design Build and Integrated Project Deliver methods for M Arch graduate students.

ARCH 6370: Introduction to Design Build (3 credits)

• Offered every Fall
• Introduces the student to the project delivery methods and the history of these methods both in the United States and the world.
• Compares Design-Build and integrated project delivery methods with other traditional delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk, and Owner's Agent as Construction Manager.
• Examines the traditional and current roles of Owner, Architect, Consultants, General Contractor and Subcontractors.
• Examines previous Architect/Contractor relations and the code of ethics required for emerging trends in Design-Build and Integrated Project Delivery.
• Examines successful project management and the qualities of leadership, including confidence, vision, knowledge and empowerment. 

ARCH 6471: Managing Quality and Risk (3 credits)

• Offered every Spring
• Understanding the importance of quality assurance for Design-Build, especially early in the process.
• Explores successful approaches to risk management, including contracts, insurance and uncontrollable acts.
• Studies the fundamentals of pro forma and other financial analysis formats including design fees, permits, FF&E, financing, land costs, legal costs, etc.
• Studies the fundamentals of real estate.
• Identifies the various insurance coverages necessary for Design-Build, including professional liability, general liability, builder's risk, defective workmanship, worker's compensation, and performance and bid bonds.
• Identifies and compares the various Design-Build contracts available.
• Examines various forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation, and the successful track record for Design-Build.

ARCH 6472: Architecture as a Single Source Project Delivery (3 credits) 

• Offered every Spring
• Creates a general understanding of principles of design and problem solving used by architects.
• Examines the traditional phases of design and their relationship to each other. Explores the role of the Architect during Construction Administration.
• Identifies typical requirements of building codes, zoning ordinances and other regulatory requirements.
• Gives the student a general introduction to building systems.
• Examines the importance of site design and building context for a project.
• Creates a general understanding of the Developer’s and Contractor's roles during design and construction.​ 

ARCH 5140: Studio IV: Design Build (6 credits)

• Offered every Spring
• This 'studio' environment brings together students of various backgrounds and professions for a final 'capstone' project, and encourages the ability of individuals and teams to create solutions based on a predefined set of criteria.
• The group study emphasizes the importance of teaming.
• Students are given a chance to develop a program, project schedule, project estimate and other requirements for the project.
• Teams of students are brought together to develop a solution, involving design and construction models.

ARCH 6373: Construction in Design Build (3 credits)

• Offered every Maymester
• Examines systems that seamlessly integrate construction into the design phase of a project, specifically in conceptual pricing analysis from preliminary pricing packages and the early identification of building systems and components.
• Examines the various levels of cost estimating (conceptual, performance, and hard bid), organizing methods (systems, costs/square foot, components), and tracking trends during construction.
• Explores software available for scheduling, estimating and project management. Examines the traditional construction means and methods used by Contractors.
• Examines the role of the project manager and the many skill sets required to lead a team from project concept to completion.
• Examines the importance of job site safety and its role on the job site and with Construction trades.
• Teams then actually construct their design solution from the Advanced Studio.

Historic Preservation Certificate students will complete five graduate-level courses for a total of 15 hours. The following are all required core classes:

• HIST 5232 - Historic Preservation
  
• HIPR 6210 - Historic Buildings in Context
• HIPR 6220 - Adaptive Reuse: Business and Practice
  
• HIPR 6310 - Documentation, Analysis, Representation
  

One of the following is required:

• HIPR 6510 - Building Conservation
• HIPR 6110 – Regionalism & the Vernacular
• HIPR 6410 – Urban Conservation: Context for Reuse
  

A minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the above course work is required to earn the Historic Preservation Certificate, and no grade below a B- will count toward the certificate.

Application to the Historic Preservation (HIPR) Certificate is open to all students holding a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree from an accredited institution, or are currently pursuing or have completed a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Upon submitting an application, students currently pursuing a master’s program in the College of Architecture & Planning (CAP) will be admitted on an automatic basis. Submission of one of the following applications is required for any student interested in pursuing the HIPR Certificate:

• Current CAP/CU Denver Graduate Degree-seeking students' application form
  
• Graduate Non-degree seeking students' application form
  

Materials Required for Non-Degree Seeking Applicants:

• A brief statement of interest (500-word max.)
• Professional resume
• College transcripts
• One letter of recommendation

Interior Design Certificate students will complete five graduate-level courses for a total of 15 hours. The following are all required core classes:

• INTD 5000 Global History & Theory of Interior Design (3 hours)
• INTD 5100 Drawing Out the Interiors (3 hours)
• INTD 6200 Interior Design Workshop (3 hours)
• 6 hours of additional INTD coursework (5000 level or above)

Application to the Interior Design Certificate is open to all students holding a completed bachelor's degree or are currently pursuing or have completed a master’s degree. Upon submitting an application, students currently pursuing a master’s degree in the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) are admitted on an automatic basis.

The Interior Design Certificate is currently a fall-only admissions program. Submission of one of the following applications is required for any student interested in pursuing the Interior Design Certificate:

Current CAP/CU Denver Graduate Students: please complete this application form.
Graduate Non-Degree-Seeking Students: please complete this application form. 

Failure to submit an official application may result in the inability of CAP to officially award the certificate upon program completion.

• A brief statement of intent (500-word max.)
• College transcripts (only needed for non-degree-seeking applicants)
• A portfolio submission is highly recommended but not required

Required Coursework (9 credits):

• Classical Elements (3 credits)
• Classical Design Undergraduate or Graduate Level Studio (6 credits)

Elective Coursework (6 credits):

• Sketching as Seeing (3 credits)
•  The Art of Traditional Design (3 credits)
• Architectural Design in the Urban Context of Rome (6 credits)
• History of Landscape Architecture (3 credits)
• Other related electives as approved

In addition to the curriculum offered by the college, the following coursework offered by the ICAA must also be completed:
ICAA Coursework:

• Intensive in Classical Architecture (8 day program)
• Workshop in Classical Architecture (2 day program)

Coursework offered by the Institute for Classical Architecture and Art may count towards their Certificate in Classical Architecture but does not count towards completion of the M.Arch or B.Sc.Arch degrees.

Students in the M.Arch program must earn a minimum grade of B- to have required and elective coursework count towards their degree requirements.

Students in the B.Sc.Arch program must earn a minimum passing grade to have required and elective coursework to count towards their B.Sc.Arch. degree requirements.

Students successfully completing the courses in the required curriculum for the certificate will acquire

• basic tools and skills for communication and visualization (Graphic Media and Studio 1)
• knowledge and skills in the foundations of landscape architectural design process (Graphic Media and Studio 1)
• knowledge and skills in the fundamentals of landscape architecture as a socially and culturally embedded practices (Site, Society and Environment)
• applicable knowledge in the historical development, methods and fundamentals of landscape architecture (History of Landscape Architecture)
• knowledge and skills in fundamental principles, values and design practices in the theory of landscape and landscape architecture (Theory)

Fall:

• LDAR 5510  Graphic Media in Landscape Architecture           3 credits*
• LDAR 5521  History of Landscape Architecture                       3 credits
• LDAR 5572  Landscape Ecology                                             3 credits
  

Spring:

• LDAR 5501  Intro Landscape Architecture Design Studio 1    3 credits*
• LDAR 6630  Site, Society and Environment                            3 credits
• LDAR 6620  Landscape Architecture Theory                          3 credits
  

Total:
18 credits

Reduced Curriculum Requirements for MArch/MUD students (15 credits)

Fall:

• LDAR 5521  History of Landscape Architecture                    3 credits
• LDAR 5572  Landscape Ecology                                          3 credits

Spring:

• LDAR 6630  Site, Society and Environment                         3 credits
• LDAR 6620  Landscape Architecture Theory                        3 credits

Any Semester:

• LDAR elective                                                                       3 credits     

Total:
15 credits

 
* Students might obtain a course waiver for these courses if they have comparable coursework from previous degrees.

** All courses listed here are also part of the required 1st year MLA curriculum.

GAP Requirements:
Students must make a B- or higher in all required coursework for the minor, and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the curriculum to be eligible for the certificate conferment.

Application to the Certificate in Landscape Architecture is open to all students holding a completed bachelor's degree, or are currently pursuing or have completed a master’s degree. Upon submitting an application, students currently pursuing a master’s program in the College of Architecture & Planning (CAP) are admitted on an automatic basis.

• Current CAP/CU Denver Graduate Degree-Seeking Students application form
• Graduate Non-Degree Seeking Students application form

Materials Required for Non-CAP Graduate Students and Non-Degree Seeking Students:

• A brief statement of interest (500-word max.)
• Professional resume
• College transcripts (only needed for non-degree seeking applicants)
• One letter of recommendation
• A portfolio submission is highly recommended but not required

CURRENT MLA STUDENTS

Students who are (1) currently active in the CU Denver Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program, and (2) intend to complete the MLA program are ineligible for the Certificate in Landscape Architecture. Current MLA students who wish to transfer from the masters program to the certificate program should contact their academic advisor to discuss this option further.