College of Architecture and Planning

Leadership

Dean

Stephanie Santorico, Dean, College of Architecture and Planning (CAP)

Associate Dean

Ann Komara, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

Department Chair

Marc Swackhamer
Email: marc.swackhamer@ucdenver.edu

Contact

CU Denver Building
1250 14th Street, Suite 2000
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-315-1000
Fax: 303-315-1050
Email: CAP@ucdenver.edu
Website: https://architectureandplanning.ucdenver.edu/

Mailing Address
Campus Box 126
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Overview

The College of Architecture and Planning is the only college in the State of Colorado that offers the following accredited programs: Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Science in Historic Preservation, Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Master of Urban Design, and a PhD in Geography, Planning, and Design. Additionally, the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), and Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) are professionally accredited by the following national licensing bodies: National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), and Planning Accreditation Board (PAB),

Students in the undergraduate architecture program can earn a Minor in Landscape Architecture and a Minor in Interior Design.

Annually, over 750 students are pursuing a degree at CAP. Many students intending to enter the design and planning professions complete the college's undergraduate degree as preparation for our graduate-level professional programs. Students who hold an undergraduate degree in an unrelated ﬁeld are eligible for admission into our graduate programs.

We offer graduate certificates in Design Build, Historic Preservation, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture, as well as fourteen options for earning dual graduate degrees. Students can also earn a certificate in Geospatial Information Science with an Urban and Regional Planning track. In addition, students can earn a Classical Studies Certificate from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, by taking focused courses in this area.

With an outstanding faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and creative work, the college provides students with opportunities beyond the classroom including study abroad, internships, mentorship, and participation in design and planning competitions.

College Facilities

The college is located at 1250 14th Street in downtown Denver, on the northeastern edge of the Auraria Campus, adjacent to Larimer Square. This favorable location provides easy access to extensive campus facilities and the urban dynamism of Denver's lively lower downtown. Many of Denver’s major professional design ofﬁces as well as planning ﬁrms and agencies are nearby, offering substantive opportunities for contact between students, practitioners and design and planning professionals.

Facilities in the CU Denver Building include studio spaces for students, lecture and seminar rooms, studio review spaces, exhibition spaces, and faculty ofﬁces. Students have access to our well-equipped and well-maintained 3,000-square-foot Design Fabrication Lab that houses a full-scale wood shop, 3D print lab, a large spray booth, and four laser cutters. Additional fabrication space is available in an annex adjacent to the building with a 5-AXIS CNC Router, metalworking equipment and a CNC Plasma cutter. The Visual Resource Center (VRC) provides access to a variety of photographic and audiovisual equipment, two portfolio photography studio rooms, and digital image collections.

There are two computer labs focused on computer aided design (CAD), computer 2-D and 3-D imaging and analytic tools for planning. These computer labs include Windows PCs and Macs, small and large format scanners, large format plotters, laser printers and computer data projection devices. All systems are 100base T Ethernet / Internet savvy and accessible in secure rooms. A geographic information systems (GIS) computer laboratory is also available and open to all CU Denver students. Find more details about college facilities on the website.

Computing in the College

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture program suggests students acquire and use their own computers and software applications during their study. Students are encouraged, but not required, to procure laptops mainly for reasons of security and mobility in studios and classrooms. Consult with instructors or refer to course syllabi regarding applications for imaging, computer aided design, modeling or rendering before purchasing.

Professional Development

The College of Architecture and Planning supports its students in professional and career-related activities through a wide range of services and workshops. While attending CAP, students have access to our annual career fair, portfolio critiques, professional mentorship, our online job board and numerous trainings related to effective employment strategies. Being in the heart of Denver, many students work as interns in their field of study. Please visit our Career Connections website for more information.

Undergraduate Information

The Department of Architecture at the University of Colorado Denver offers a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree program. The program’s studio-based curriculum combines critical thinking with active making in pursuit of creative solutions to contemporary design problems.

In their first 54-57 credits of study, students learn the fundamentals of design, how to apply them to the design of buildings, neighborhoods and cities, and how to graphically communicate a design solution

Before their final two semesters of the program, students have the option to choose to continue on the Architectural Studies Track or move to the Architectural Design Track. In addition to offering a strong foundation in architecture, both the Architectural Design and the Architectural Studies tracks prepare students to pursue graduate studies and future careers in allied design disciplines, including Digital Design (games and animation), Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and Real Estate Development, among others.

The Architectural Studies Track offers students a less prescribed path, with greater freedom to shape the direction of their studies in the final two semesters. Based on individual interests and projected career paths, students who choose this track will have the opportunity to focus on one or more areas of study in architecture and/or allied disciplines. These include architectural history/theory, technology, and visualization/design among other options.

The Architectural Design Track is for students who desire additional Design Studios to hone their design skills. This track also prescribes additional history and technical course work to support design thinking and application.

Both tracks prepare students for admission to a two-year (minimum) accredited graduate architecture degree program in the United States, Canada, or compatible degree programs internationally. Advance standing in a Master of Architecture program can be maximized in either track by selecting elective courses in technical studies and professional practice typically recognized by accredited graduate architecture degree programs.

Scholarships/Financial Aid

For information on scholarships, visit the college’s website. For information on federal and state financial aid, contact the

Office of Financial Aid
University of Colorado Denver
Campus Box 125
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364
303-556-2886 or visit their website.

Undergraduate Advising and Academic Planning

Admissions Advising

Prospective students may receive advising on course selection, admission requirements and other matters from an undergraduate staff advisor. To make an appointment, call 303-315-1000.

Admitted Students

Students admitted to the BS Architecture program are required to meet with an undergraduate academic advisor prior to registration in their first semester, as well as prior to enrolling in ARCH 2121 Design Studio II - Foundational. Students are also welcome to meet with their advisor as often as needed, in addition to the required meetings. Though the student is ultimately responsible for the decisions made regarding their academic career at CU Denver, advisors are available to assist in helping students make informed decisions.

College of Architecture and Planning Courses

Click here to see a complete list of undergraduate courses.

College of Architecture and Planning Admissions Requirements

Applicants who have a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a Composite score of 24 on the ACT or 1150-1180 on the SAT Total (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) Score are considered strong candidates for admission to the College of Architecture and Planning. Applicants not meeting requirements for direct admission to the College of Architecture and Planning may be considered for admission to the College of Architecture and Planning with a Pre-Architecture interest.

College of Architecture and Planning Graduation Requirements

For additional information regarding Graduation policies and procedures, please visit the Graduation section of the catalog.

Foreign Language Proficiency

BS Architecture students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in one foreign language. This requirement is met through the completion of one of the following:

A second year (level II) high school course with minimum grade of C- or 1.7
A second semester level college course (1020) with a minimum grade of C- or 1.7
Satisfactory proficiency testing. Contact the CU Denver Department of Modern Languages at 303-315-7234 for details

Repeating Courses

A failed course (grade of F) may be repeated; however, the F will be included in the GPA and will appear on the transcript. Students must earn at least a C- grade in required architecture and math courses, including design studios. Required architecture courses must be repeated if the student earns less than a C- grade.

Residency Requirement

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours from CU Denver. Students must also satisfactorily complete three Architecture Design Studios (18 credit hours) at CU Denver.

Undergraduate Upper-Division Requirement

Students must complete a minimum of 39 upper-division (3000-4000 level) credit hours.

Courses from Other Institutions

Grades of C- or better must be earned in courses from other institutions to receive undergraduate bachelor degree credit. Courses from other institutions will be transferred and applied based upon current transfer credit policies and limitations established by the College of Architecture and Planning and the University of Colorado Denver. Students should consult with the undergraduate academic advisor prior to taking courses from other institutions to determine applicability to BS Architecture degree requirements.

A maximum of twelve credit hours may be transferred from other institutions as Architecture electives (prefix ARCH) or CAP electives (any prefix used in the College of Architecture and Planning). Transfer credit award for Visualization courses and Design Studios are contingent upon a satisfactory portfolio review.

The maximum number of credit hours applied to individual architecture major requirements from transfer coursework must not exceed the number of credit hours given to its equivalent CU Denver course. Excess credit hours from architecture-related transfer coursework will not count toward the 120 credit hours needed for the BS Architecture degree.

AEC and CAD coursework from Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC) and Technical College of the Rockies (TCR) will be transferred and applied toward the Architecture (ARCH) Major requirements, in accordance with the policies established for AEC and CAD courses within the Colorado Community College System. Students transferring coursework from EGTC and/or TCR should contact CAP Undergraduate Advising to initiate a request for dean’s approval.

Major

Complete all requirements associated with your individual major.

Applying for Graduation

All students MUST meet with their advisor at the beginning of their final term for a graduation check-out appointment. We recommend students schedule an appointment PRIOR to the add/drop deadline of their final term in case schedule adjustments need to be made to fulfill final degree requirements. After meeting with their advisor, students should apply for graduation online through UCDAccess.

College of Architecture and Planning Policies

For additional information regarding policies and procedures, please visit the Records and Registration section and the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog.

Independent Study and Internships

Architecture students desiring to work beyond regular course coverage may take variable credit courses (1-3 hours) as either an internship or an independent study, both of which would count as architecture or CAP electives. The total combination of independent study and internship credit may not exceed 9 semester hours toward Architecture electives.

Architecture Independent Study: A maximum of 6 semester hours of independent study credit may count toward Architecture electives. Requires department approval, including the completion of the Independent Study Worksheet with the Academic Advisor, and a faculty advisor to serve as the instructor.
Architecture Internship: A maximum of 6 semester hours of internship credit may count toward Architecture electives. Graduate credit requires department approval, including the completion of the Special Processing Form, and the Director of Professional Development + Internships serves as the instructor. Undergraduate internships are administered through the Office of Experiential Learning.

Two independent studies or two internships will not be allowed in any one semester

Grade Appeals

The College of Architecture and Planning recognizes the right of the student to appeal a grade received in a course taken in the college. The college also recognizes the responsibility on the part of the college to respond to student grade appeals, and to do so in a judicious and timely manner

Any student wishing to appeal a course grade must first contact the course instructor to discuss issues pertaining to the student’s performance, evaluation criteria, final grade, reason(s) for the appeal, and adjustment sought. If the course instructor determines that a change of grade is not warranted and the disagreement remains unresolved, the student may then initiate the formal appeal process.

Please visit the College of Architecture and Planning Student Policies, Handbooks, and Forms page for additional information.

Incomplete Grade Policy

The College of Architecture and Planning recognizes that a student’s normal course of study may be unexpectedly interrupted owing to circumstances beyond the student’s control.

It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the instructor about any such circumstance or event that may prevent full completion of coursework as outlined in the course syllabus. Further, it is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation of any circumstances beyond their control prohibiting course completion (e.g. doctor’s note for medical emergency), when requested by the instructor.

Incomplete grades are not awarded for poor academic performance or as a means of extending assignment deadlines. To qualify for an incomplete grade, a student will typically have completed a majority of course requirements with a passing grade. The option of an Incomplete is not guaranteed, and the decision to award an Incomplete is at the sole discretion of the course instructor. Students who feel that a denial of a request for an incomplete is unreasonable may appeal through the grade appeal process.

If an Incomplete is to be awarded, the student and their instructor should use the CAP Incomplete Grade Report Form to document the student’s grade at the time of interrupted study, all outstanding coursework, the timeline for completion, and the expected method of collecting owed assignments (e.g. emailed written assignment, or, in-person proctored exam, etc.). This needs to be approved by the CAP Department offering the course before the Incomplete can be awarded.The student is expected to complete the course requirements within the established deadline. The student should not re-enroll for the entire course in a future term while the Incomplete is pending. While an Incomplete grade is pending, the course is not considered to be complete; thus, if the course serves as a pre-requisite for a future course, the student may not enroll in any dependent course until all material is completed and a passing letter grade is officially entered. Students may be administratively withdrawn from courses for which pre-requisites have not been met. The Incomplete grade will be automatically converted to a Failing grade (F) after one calendar year if the specified work is not completed. If the grade at time of approved Incomplete is higher than an (F), the student may request a change of record form to record the higher grade.

The student is responsible for requesting an incomplete grade and submitting all of the appropriate paperwork and obtaining approvals. Please contact CAP.UGAdvising@ucdenver.edu for additional information.

Special Grading Options

The P+/P/F or S/U grading policy may be used for a maximum of 6 credit hours toward any of the required 120 credit hours of the BS Architecture degree. Courses taken in excess of the maximum will not be applied toward degree credit. Courses taken as P+/P/F or S/U are subject to the same minimum grade standards as specified for BS Architecture degree requirements (i.e. courses that require a minimum grade of C- will require a P+ in the Pass/Fail grading policy to fulfill the degree requirement). If the P+ grade option is unavailable, courses requiring a C- or higher grade cannot be fulfilled by P+/P/F grading.

P+/P/F grading determination must be made within the deadlines posted on the academic calendar by the CU Denver Registrar’s Office and may not be rescinded. Students are strongly encouraged to check in with CAP Undergraduate Advising before electing P+/P/F grading.

Note: Effective Summer 2023 courses that were previously graded on the basis of Pass/Fail (P/F) are now graded with Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U). This is based on faculty approval of APS 1025 in May 2022. Students still have the option to use the P+ grading system (P+/P/F) by student selection for elective courses up to the maximum allowed by their program.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all meetings of classes. Excessive unexcused absences may result in a grade reduction at the discretion of the instructor. Absence from a class will be excused for verified medical reasons, religious obligations or for extreme personal emergencies. The student may be required to furnish evidence.

TIMELINESS OF WORK

Students' assignments are to be completed in a timely manner. Any assignment turned in late may have its grade reduced by an amount set at the discretion of the instructor. An assignment may be turned in late without penalty for verified medical reasons, religious obligations or for extreme personal emergencies. Students must have their instructor's written permission to turn an assignment in late. Students with excused late work may turn in the assignment by the end of finals week without penalty. Otherwise, the grade "I" will be assigned at the discretion of the faculty.

Course Repeat Policy

A failed course (grade of F) may be repeated; however, the F will be included in the GPA and will appear on the transcript. Students must earn at least a C- grade in required architecture core courses, including design studios. Architecture core courses must be repeated if the student earns less than a C- grade.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Students must abide by all published prerequisites and corequisites, including minimum grades. The College of Architecture and Planning reserves the right to administratively drop students who enroll without the necessary prerequisites or corequisites.

Prerequisite Checking

Programs in the college are structured so that certain courses must be taken concurrently, others sequentially. Students will not be allowed to enroll in a course if its co-requisites or prerequisites have not been satisfied.

Undergraduates Taking Graduate Coursework

With prior written approval of the CAP department chair offering the course or CAP undergraduate advisor, Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BS Arch) students may take a maximum of six semester hours of graduate-level CAP elective credits. A strong candidate for approval to enroll in a graduate-level course will have a minimum 3.0 GPA and strong performance in coursework relevant to the requested graduate-level course(s). Permission to enroll in a graduate-level CAP course will not be granted until the beginning of open enrollment for the upcoming semester (please reference the CU Denver academic calendar for specific enrollment dates).

Students may complete up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework to apply toward the Master of Architecture (MArch) degree at CU Denver prior to admission to the MArch program; however, completion of graduate-level coursework prior to admission does not guarantee admission to the MArch program at CU Denver. Additionally, only six credit hours of graduate-level coursework may apply (double-dip) toward both the BS Arch and MArch degrees at CU Denver. Students applying to non-CU Denver MArch programs should check with these programs directly about transferability of CU Denver CAP coursework.

Graduate-level courses from non-CAP departments must be reviewed and approved by the CAP undergraduate advisor for applicability to degree requirements.

Intra-University Transfer (IUT)

Students who want to transfer to the BS Architecture program from another college or school of the University of Colorado Denver must formally apply to the College. To apply for an intra-university transfer, students must submit an intra-university transfer (IUT) form to the undergraduate advisor. Transfer forms are available at the Office of Registrar or the College Undergraduate Advising Office; transcript request forms are available at the Office of the Registrar. Transfer deadlines are August 1 for fall semester, December 1 for spring semester and May 1 for the summer session. Students must have earned a minimum of 12 University of Colorado Denver semester hours and have a 2.300 cumulative University of Colorado GPA to be eligible for an IUT to the BS Architecture program.

Other University of Colorado Campus Coursework

BS Architecture students must have the written approval of the BS Architecture director or undergraduate academic advisor to register for courses (excluding MSUD pooled courses) offered by other institutions, including other University of Colorado locations. Credit will not be given for courses taken without approval. Grades of C or better must be earned to receive the undergraduate bachelor's degree credit. Generally, only non-architecture electives or lower-division, non-architecture requirements are acceptable for transfer from other institutions once a student has been admitted to the BS Architecture Program. Students who, after admission to the college, take more than 12 semester hours from another institution, must reapply for admission to the college as transfer students and must meet the current admission requirements.

2024-2025 Academic Catalog