Explore CU Denver Programs
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Program Overview
The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) is a hands-on, real-world-oriented program. The MURP uses Colorado as a classroom and engages students with top planning/design professionals and the community.
We believe that successful city-building requires expertise, breadth, interdisciplinary understanding, and creativity. As part of the Urban and Regional Planning Department, our program looks beyond traditional professional silos. Instead, the MURP focuses on issues at the forefront of planning practice. The program centers on three pillars: healthy communities, equitable urbanism, and regional sustainability. These form the basis of our research, instruction, and community outreach.
We encourage all students to follow their passion and develop expertise in the areas that matter most to them. Thus, we offer a unique, self-directed curriculum that allows students to understand the breadth of the planning field. In tandem, students will develop the technical expertise demanded by the profession.
Our world-class faculty includes some of the most respected researchers in the planning field. Our award-winning planning practitioners bring a wealth of experience to the classroom. Our faculty make teaching a top priority.
Our presence in the CAP ensures that our approach to planning education has a strong connection to design. Our location in the heart of Denver presents students with endless opportunities to learn what it takes to create amazing cities.
Why the Master of Urban and Regional Planning at CU Denver?
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Our program offers engaged learning, physical planning orientation, international learning, integrated planning technologies, professional development, and diverse faculty experiences.
International Learning Opportunities
We provide the opportunity to study planning from an international perspective. The MURP curriculum focuses on global planning and development issues, studios that involve on- and off-site coursework, and engaged learning in other countries. We help students expand their worldview.
Integrated Planning Technologies
We integrate into our curriculum key professional technologies. Students will delve into digital mapping, 3D modeling, data visualization, and spatial analysis. We capitalize on Denver's entrepreneurial spirit and tech-focused economy to provide students with state-of-the-art resources. Students will find many opportunities to learn a variety of technologies used as critical tools in the planning process.
Physical Planning Orientation
We emphasize physical planning and design throughout our curriculum. We connect this to the policy, research, and social sciences crucial to urban and regional design. We work with the College's Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, and Historic Preservation programs. Through this partnership, we explore solutions to urban social, economic, and environmental issues.
Self-Directed Elective Curriculum
We empower students to craft a planning education suited to their career goals and personal interests. Students may choose any combination of elective courses, whether oriented toward one of three curriculum pillars, a planning specialization, or a generalist survey of the planning field.
Professional and Career Development
We present students with instruction, guidance, and resources for understanding the many career paths within planning and allied fields. Students are shown how to position themselves to achieve their professional and personal goals. We prepare students for not only their first planning job, but for a lifelong career.
Diverse Faculty Experience
We embody a planning faculty comprised of a mix of clinical professors and lecturers. Our faculty brings years of professional experience in planning-related fields, along with experience in scholarship and research. All our faculty make teaching a top priority.
Program Description
We believe that successful city-building requires expertise, breadth, interdisciplinary understanding, and creativity. As part of the Urban and Regional Planning Department, our program looks beyond traditional professional silos. Instead, the MURP focuses on issues at the forefront of planning practice. The program centers on three pillars: healthy communities, equitable urbanism, and regional sustainability. These form the basis of our research, instruction, and community outreach.
We encourage all students to follow their passion and develop expertise in the areas that matter most to them. Thus, we offer a unique, self-directed curriculum that allows students to understand the breadth of the planning field. In tandem, students will develop the technical expertise demanded by the profession.
Our world-class faculty includes some of the most respected researchers in the planning field. Our award-winning planning practitioners bring a wealth of experience to the classroom. Our faculty make teaching a top priority.
Our presence in the CAP ensures that our approach to planning education has a strong connection to design. Our location in the heart of Denver presents students with endless opportunities to learn what it takes to create amazing cities.
Why the Master of Urban and Regional Planning at CU Denver?
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Our program offers engaged learning, physical planning orientation, international learning, integrated planning technologies, professional development, and diverse faculty experiences.
International Learning Opportunities
We provide the opportunity to study planning from an international perspective. The MURP curriculum focuses on global planning and development issues, studios that involve on- and off-site coursework, and engaged learning in other countries. We help students expand their worldview.
Integrated Planning Technologies
We integrate into our curriculum key professional technologies. Students will delve into digital mapping, 3D modeling, data visualization, and spatial analysis. We capitalize on Denver's entrepreneurial spirit and tech-focused economy to provide students with state-of-the-art resources. Students will find many opportunities to learn a variety of technologies used as critical tools in the planning process.
Physical Planning Orientation
We emphasize physical planning and design throughout our curriculum. We connect this to the policy, research, and social sciences crucial to urban and regional design. We work with the College's Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, and Historic Preservation programs. Through this partnership, we explore solutions to urban social, economic, and environmental issues.
Self-Directed Elective Curriculum
We empower students to craft a planning education suited to their career goals and personal interests. Students may choose any combination of elective courses, whether oriented toward one of three curriculum pillars, a planning specialization, or a generalist survey of the planning field.
Professional and Career Development
We present students with instruction, guidance, and resources for understanding the many career paths within planning and allied fields. Students are shown how to position themselves to achieve their professional and personal goals. We prepare students for not only their first planning job, but for a lifelong career.
Diverse Faculty Experience
We embody a planning faculty comprised of a mix of clinical professors and lecturers. Our faculty brings years of professional experience in planning-related fields, along with experience in scholarship and research. All our faculty make teaching a top priority.
Program Features
54
number of credit hours
GRE Requirement/Option
only required if your GPA is below a 3.0.
2 years
program duration
Fall & Spring
starting semesters
Fall: January 15; Spring: October 15
application deadlines
PAB
accreditation
Useful Links
Attend an Information Session
If you are interested in learning more about our MURP program, please attend our in-person and virtual information sessions.
Tuition and Fees
The University of Colorado Denver has one of the most affordable tuition rates in Colorado. View the MURP tuition and fees.
Program Details
Our curriculum embodies our three Pillars, and makes the most of our geographic context and our unique program hallmarks. Learn more about the curriculum, course descriptions, travel study opportunities, dual degree option and more.
Admissions Process & Requirements
Students from a variety of academic backgrounds are eligible to apply for the M.Arch degree. Learn more about about how to apply, deadlines, admissions process, and requirements.
Student Testimonials
Throughout school, I developed a strong interest for affordable housing, inclusive public space, and the spatial politics of homelessness, leading me to the planning dual degree. My time at CAP pushed me to grow as an individual, a student, a professional, and a friend. I am grateful to have worked with such a supportive and uplifting cohort and faculty.
Finley Sutton
Dual Master of Urban and Regional Planning and Master of Landscape Architecture (2022)
Before studying urban and regional planning, Rey Hernandez was a public school teacher here in Denver. Rey works as Planning Chair Carrie Makarewicz’s research assistant for her affordable housing project. Though Rey graduates in May, he is already working for DOTI’s Community Active Living Coalition (CALC) program, which works closely with Safe Routes for Schools (STRS).
Rey Hernandez
Master of Urban and Regional Planning (2022)Alumni Success Stories
Geoffrey Weathers is the Town of Superior’s planning and permit technician. Though Superior has a small planning staff, Weathers can get involved with large-scale projects including Marshall fire recovery efforts, the Downtown buildout, and future development proposals for affordable housing and mixed-use infill projects, in addition to his responsibilities for reviewing plans and building permits for code compliance.
Weathers was recently awarded the 2022 American Planning Association Colorado Honor Award for his Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) capstone project, “Multifamily housing Parking Optimization Study.” The MURP capstone is a six-credit, project-oriented, one-semester course that results in a substantial deliverable upon completion.
Weathers’ capstone, which evaluated minimum parking requirements for multifamily housing in Longmont in order to achieve improved parking rates. Following the completion of his project, the City of Longmont will begin implementing Weathers’ recommendations by proposing code changes that could lead to pursuing even bigger goals for the City of Longmont, like providing more affordable housing and reducing the City’s carbon footprint.
Geoffrey Weathers
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
(2021)
Planning and Permit Technician, Town of Superior
Students in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program who aim to pursue a career as a professional planner take the Planning Capstone, a six-credit, project-oriented, one-semester course that results in a substantial deliverable upon completion. Annelies van Vonno (MURP ’20) focused her capstone project on sustainable and community-oriented creative placemaking to reduce auto travel and improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety near the Meow Wolf Denver site.
Read Full Story
Annelies van Vonno
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
(2020)
Colorado Department of Transportation, Transportation Planner/Liaison
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