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The Master of Urban Design (MUD) is an advanced post-professional degree program for individuals who seek a career in urban design practice or for current planning and design professionals who want to enhance and expand their existing practice with urban design knowledge and expertise.
The MUD program consists of nine courses. One studio and three lecture courses in the fall (again in the spring), and either a travel studio or capstone project in the summer. To earn the MUD degree, a student must complete all nine courses totaling 36 credits.
The MUD program is designed to be accomplished in a single calendar year as a full-time, immersive experience. Students with qualifying circumstances or those with a Overlapping Dual Degree option are offered a longer timeframe.
For acceptance into the MUD program, a master’s degree in architecture, urban planning, or landscape architecture is required. An accredited professional bachelor's degree in architecture, urban planning, or landscape architecture is also sufficient.
Students in CU Denver’s M Arch, MLA, and MURP programs may apply to the MUD program and begin earning MUD credits before they have completed their current requirements. This is done through the MUD Overlapping Dual Degree Option.
The MUD program trains students to become exceptional urban design practitioners. More importantly, it trains students to become leaders in their communities. MUD encourages collaboration to position thinking at the intersection of the city-building disciplines. Students will engage with the community to create great places that are sustainable, inclusive, fair, and healthy.
The Master of Urban Design (MUD) program is designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in urban design. The program covers various topics, including planning policy, zoning and development regulations, public realm design, mobility and transportation, economics, social equity and environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The curriculum balances theory and practice and includes input from practicing faculty members to ensure students receive a well-rounded education. By studying these topics and learning from experienced professionals, students in the MUD program gain a deep understanding of the role of urban design in city-building and how to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
The MUD program focuses on creating partnerships with local communities and organizations to advance its goals, as well as the goals of urban design practice and the broader community. This is done through the exchange of ideas and exploration of creative design concepts. The program prioritizes the people-centered approach to urban design, recognizing that to design cities effectively, urban designers must engage with and listen to the community. These partnerships aim to create lasting positive impacts for people and places.
The Master of Urban Design program focuses on the connections between urban form and various aspects of public life such as public space, social equity, ecological systems, and public health. Students explore the complex infrastructure, social networks, and ecosystems that affect the built and natural environment and work to develop design solutions that address environmental degradation, climate change, and social and racial inequities. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches and the importance of addressing social, economic, and environmental sustainability and resilience in cities and towns. It also highlights the role of urban design in addressing climate change, disparities, and displacement in marginalized communities and promoting public health and wellness.
The Master of Urban Design program aims to train the next generation of civic and design leaders. It focuses on teaching students how to communicate effectively, work well in teams, and tackle complex urban issues. The program recognizes that urban design involves multiple professions, including architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, civil engineering, and public policy. Therefore, it seeks to provide students with a broad understanding of these disciplines and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams. The program is designed to advance the careers of those within the discipline and provide a comprehensive foundation for those starting a new career in urban design.
The MUD program consists of nine courses. One studio and three lecture courses in the fall (again in the spring), and either a travel studio or capstone project in the summer. To earn the MUD degree, a student must complete all nine courses totaling 36 credits.
The MUD program is designed to be accomplished in a single calendar year as a full-time, immersive experience. Students with qualifying circumstances or those with a Overlapping Dual Degree option are offered a longer timeframe.
For acceptance into the MUD program, a master’s degree in architecture, urban planning, or landscape architecture is required. An accredited professional bachelor's degree in architecture, urban planning, or landscape architecture is also sufficient.
Students in CU Denver’s M Arch, MLA, and MURP programs may apply to the MUD program and begin earning MUD credits before they have completed their current requirements. This is done through the MUD Overlapping Dual Degree Option.
The MUD program trains students to become exceptional urban design practitioners. More importantly, it trains students to become leaders in their communities. MUD encourages collaboration to position thinking at the intersection of the city-building disciplines. Students will engage with the community to create great places that are sustainable, inclusive, fair, and healthy.
The Master of Urban Design (MUD) program is designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in urban design. The program covers various topics, including planning policy, zoning and development regulations, public realm design, mobility and transportation, economics, social equity and environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The curriculum balances theory and practice and includes input from practicing faculty members to ensure students receive a well-rounded education. By studying these topics and learning from experienced professionals, students in the MUD program gain a deep understanding of the role of urban design in city-building and how to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
The MUD program focuses on creating partnerships with local communities and organizations to advance its goals, as well as the goals of urban design practice and the broader community. This is done through the exchange of ideas and exploration of creative design concepts. The program prioritizes the people-centered approach to urban design, recognizing that to design cities effectively, urban designers must engage with and listen to the community. These partnerships aim to create lasting positive impacts for people and places.
The Master of Urban Design program focuses on the connections between urban form and various aspects of public life such as public space, social equity, ecological systems, and public health. Students explore the complex infrastructure, social networks, and ecosystems that affect the built and natural environment and work to develop design solutions that address environmental degradation, climate change, and social and racial inequities. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches and the importance of addressing social, economic, and environmental sustainability and resilience in cities and towns. It also highlights the role of urban design in addressing climate change, disparities, and displacement in marginalized communities and promoting public health and wellness.
The Master of Urban Design program aims to train the next generation of civic and design leaders. It focuses on teaching students how to communicate effectively, work well in teams, and tackle complex urban issues. The program recognizes that urban design involves multiple professions, including architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, civil engineering, and public policy. Therefore, it seeks to provide students with a broad understanding of these disciplines and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams. The program is designed to advance the careers of those within the discipline and provide a comprehensive foundation for those starting a new career in urban design.
number of credit hours
only required if your GPA is below 3.2
starting semester
fall application deadline
accreditation
The program curriculum features a mix of lecture and studio courses to cover the spectrum of urban design theory and practice. Learn more about the curriculum, course descriptions, travel study opportunities, dual degree option and more.
Learn more about admissions eligibility, process, requirements, and deadlines.
If you are interested in learning more about our MUD program, please attend our in-person and virtual information sessions.
The University of Colorado Denver has one of the most affordable tuition rates in Colorado. View the Master of Urban Design's tuition and fees.
Andrew Cho found urban design through his studies and practice in landscape architecture. We caught up with Andrew, a recent MUD graduate, to learn more about his experience in the Urban Design program and what he's up to now at Dig Studio.
What is Urban Design?
To me, urban design is about thinking holistically and designing within the 'grey zone' that is the interstitial space between architecture, planning, and landscape architecture," he said. "It's exciting to be a part of a profession that brings together those disciplines to solve complex issues in the urban environment.
What were your biggest takeaways?
My initial takeaway from the urban design profession so far is the ability to explore on a variety of scales. Jumping back and forth between regional, city, and site scales to analyze the systems influencing a place is as important as examining the constraints and opportunities from a site context.
What were the highlights of the program?
One program highlight was the opportunity to travel abroad to Barcelona this past summer. Spending the summer studio immersed in a different culture was an experience that had a lasting impact on how I see design as a whole and moving forward in my career. The program has provided a unique opportunity to study in one of the fastest-growing cities and has helped me build connections with the local professionals in and around Denver.
What are you up to now?
I recently joined Dig Studio as an Urban Designer and Planner. It’s been an exhilarating journey through the Urban Design program, and I look forward to taking what I learned and continuing on to my next chapter with Dig Studio!
Andrew Cho
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