Master of Science in Historic Preservation Admissions

Application Information

The MSHP program is fully integrated into a college emphasizing design and graphic excellence. While Historic Preservation students need not have fully developed skills in advance of matriculation we have found that students have benefitted from some previous exposure to: 

• Manual drawing/sketching
• CAD graphics
• Graphics software such as Adobe Creative Suite

These competencies can be demonstrated by previous coursework or by portfolio/resume submission. Should any of these competencies for an admitted student be judged insufficient by the faculty, the program director may require the student to gain supplemental instruction prior to, or upon matriculation to, the MS degree in Historic Preservation program.  Any credit awarded for such supplemental work will not be counted toward the required number of credit hours for the degree.

Application Requirements

• Online Application​
• Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose should be a 750-1000 word essay that describes your interest in historic preservation and CU Denver, as well as your academic and professional goals.
• A compact portfolio (max. 20 pages 8.5” X 11”) of writing samples, and (optionally) graphic work and a professional resume are strongly recommended. Please upload of PDF to the online application.
• Submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores is recommended for applicants without evidence of prior successful graduate-level accomplishment.
• Three letters of recommendation: You will submit the contact information in your application for three instructors or other professionals who can attest to your potential for our MSHP program. They will receive an email from CU Denver with a link to upload their letters directly to your application.
• Transcript(s):
  • Domestic transcripts: Transcripts from each institution you have attended, except for study abroad courses, should be sent to the following:
    • Electronic Transcripts: cap-admissions@ucdenver.edu
    • Mailing Address:
      College of Architecture and Planning
      University of Colorado Denver
      Campus Box 126
      P.O. Box 173364
      Denver, CO 80217-3364
  • International transcripts: Do not submit transcripts from foreign (non-US) institutions to CU Denver. Instead, you must provide an international credential evaluation report from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). You will send your transcripts to the evaluation provider of your choice, and the provider will send their evaluation report to CU Denver. After you submit your application, our International Admissions office will send you an email with a link to the specific landing pages where you can order your report for CU Denver’s use. ECE or WES will charge you for this service. The cost is $163 to $208, depending on your chosen service, plus delivery fees. If this cost is prohibitive, please contact us at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu. If you have questions about the international credential evaluation, please contact International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu or read our FAQs.
  • Students who are admitted and enrolled in the program will be required to subsequently submit official college transcripts. Notifications will be sent out prior to the start of the semester.
• Students admitted into this program must have completed a Bachelor’s degree before they will be able to begin this program. An official conferred degree transcript is required by the university. For additional information, please see Graduate Program Policies and Procedures.
• Current graduate students at CAP, did you know we offer dual degree options? Learn more about how you may be able to earn an additional degree in an expedited amount of time.

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