Master of Urban Design Admissions

The Master of Urban Design program seeks exceptional, engaged applicants who are passionate about urban design, are excited to study in Downtown Denver and experience life in Colorado, and who can enrich the program through their diverse perspectives and experiences.

Visit Us!


Each year, we host in-person and virtual information sessions to give you an opportunity to learn more about our programs, get a tour of our facilities and labs, and help you visualize yourself as a Master of Urban Design student. Attend an info session, meet with our advisors and program faculty, and get to know current students. 

Application Information


The Master of Urban Design at CU Denver is an advanced post-professional degree. In order to be admitted to the program, an individual must hold (or will hold by the start of their MUD studies) a professional degree in architecture, urban planning, or landscape architecture (minimum GPA 3.00) from an accredited program. Professional degrees in architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture can be obtained at either the undergraduate or graduate levels.

Current CU Denver M.Arch, MLA, and MURP students, did you know you can complete a dual degrees through CAP? Learn more about our dual degree options.

Minimum Academic Requirements - Prerequisite Degree

Application Deadline


Fall 2024

Late Application Deadline:
June 1

Fall 2025

Applications Open:
August 1

Applications Close:
January 15 for International Applicants
February 15 for Domestic Applicants 

*Late applications will be accepted through June 1 and will be reviewed on a space-available basis and are not eligible for scholarships.

Application Requirements


  • Application fee ($50 for domestic applicants, $75 for international applicants)
  • Transcript(s): see also the qualifying degree information section above.
    • 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: An International Credential Evaluation Report is required for any applicant who attended one or more academic institution(s) located outside the United States. All international credentials from the academic institution(s) located outside the United States will need to be verified for authenticity and evaluated by CU Denver or an external evaluation provider (ECE or WES). If you have questions about international transcript reviews, please contact our International Admissions office at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu or visit their website for more information: CU Denver International Admissions Office.
      • Applicants for the Fall 2024 term will have the option of choosing: CU Denver to authenticate and evaluate your credentials in-house. ECE or WES to authenticate and provide a credential evaluation report directly to CU Denver. (Applicant will pay the cost of the evaluation fee. 
      • Students who are admitted and enrolled in the program will be required to subsequently submit official college transcripts to the International Admissions office at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu.
    • A minimum 3.00 GPA is required to apply to the MUD program.
    • A portfolio that includes examples of student or professional projects that show your planning/design-related knowledge and skills, ability to graphically express planning/design and spatial concepts and processes, organizational and communication (written and graphical) capabilities, and competency in various planning/design computer applications
    • A statement of purpose that includes your educational and professional goals and a thoughtful explanation of how a MUD degree will allow you to achieve your goals
    • Resume describing your educational and professional background
    • Three letters of recommendation, at least one from an academic reference if your most recent academic degree was earned within the last five years. You will enter their contact information into your application and they will receive an email from CU Denver with a link to upload their letter directly to your application.
    • If you are a resident of any of the 15 western states (except Colorado) in the WICHE-WRGP region, please complete the WICHE-WRGP section of the online application.
    • International applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency. For more information regarding English Language Proficiency and international transcripts at the  International Admissions website.
    • 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.

Did You Know?

In-State Tuition is available to Western state residents.

CAP has WICHE-WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program) status. This means that students who are residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States are granted in-state tuition.

Learn more about WICHE-WRGP for Graduate Students >>

Contact Us!

Want to learn more about our Master of Urban Design program, have questions about applying, and/or want to visit us on campus? Meet Advising and Admissions team.
Ken Schroeppel headshot

Ken Schroeppel

Director of Urban Design, Assistant Professor CTT
  • Urban and Regional Planning Department

Ken Schroeppel is the Director of Urban Design and an Assistant Professor CTT in the College of Architecture and Planning, where he teaches in both the Master of Urban and Regional Planning and Master of Urban Design programs. Ken's areas of interest and expertise include land use and transportation planning, data collection and planning methodologies, data visualization and graphic design, urban design, urban morphology, urban development, bike/ped/transit advocacy, and Denver's urban planning and development history. Prior to his joining the full-time faculty in 2012, Ken worked for many years in private practice as a planning consultant and project manager.
 
Ken is active in the community and in the planning and design profession, having served over the years on the boards and steering committees of numerous nonprofit organizations including the Denver Architecture Foundation, Denver Civic Ventures, Streetsblog Denver, Denver Streets Partnership, YIMBY Denver, American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, and Union Station Advocates. 

Ken is also well known as the founder and editor of the popular DenverInfill and DenverUrbanism blogs, which offer news, ideas, and commentary on infill development and sustainable urbanism in the Mile High City. Ken frequently gives presentations and walking tours on Denver's urban planning and design to local community organizations, visiting student groups, conference attendees, and delegations touring Denver from other cities.

Courses

MOST RECENT COURSES

  • Planning Methods
  • Planning Capstone
  • City Design Fundamentals
  • Planning Project Studio

Areas of Expertise

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Land use and transportation planning, urban design, urban development, planning methods and data management, data visualization and graphic design, downtowns, Denver's planning and development history.

Education, Licensure & Certifications

DEGREES HELD

  • Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing, Ferris State University (Michigan)
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver

College of Architecture and Planning

CU Denver

CU Denver Building

1250 14th Street

2000

Denver, CO 80202


303-315-1000

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