Which Architecture Colleges are in the Denver, Colorado Area?

A couple public universities near Denver, CO, offer architecture programs to students. Learn about school and program details below.

What You Need to Know

If you want to study architecture in the Denver, Colorado area, you'll find 4-year, public universities that offer undergraduate and graduate degrees related to the field. As an undergraduate, you can select a bachelor's degree program in environmental design or architectural engineering. These bachelor's degree programs typically run for 4 years, and you may be required to choose an area of specialization.

In 2-3 years, you could earn a Master of Architecture degree or a Master of Science degree in building systems engineering. Some of these graduate programs offer opportunities for studio work that will help you prepare for licensure. Also at the graduate level, you may pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in design and planning or building systems engineering. You can expect to spend at least 4 years in these doctoral programs, and some programs offer internship options. To get more information on schools that offer architecture degrees in or near Denver, continue reading.

Bachelor's Degree Programs in Denver, Colorado

University of Colorado - Boulder

The University of Colorado's Boulder campus has the only undergraduate architectural program in the state. The environmental design program is highly competitive and every year there are more applicants than openings. Courses include issues in planning, theories of environmental design, landscape architectural history, theories of architecture, building materials, landscape design and urban design.

The architectural engineering degree program focuses on the building aspects of architecture, which addresses the effects of engineering on society, lighting and methods for incorporating heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. You must also complete a specialization, which can help direct your graduate-level studies.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Environmental Design and Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering
• Specialization Areas: Urban design, design studies, environmental design, architecture and landscape design
• Program Length: Four years
• Tuition and Fees: $12,532 per year for in-state students, $37,286 per year for out-of-state students (for the 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Four years of high school English and math, three years of high school natural science and social science and two years of high school foreign language
• School Type: 4-year, public; 36,681 students with 30,159 undergraduates

Master's Degree Programs in Denver, Colorado

University of Colorado - Denver

This master's degree program is for individuals who want to become licensed architects. You'll take studio courses in design that will prepare you to design buildings while keeping the surrounding landscape in mind. Other courses include building construction, architectural history and environmental controls. However, you can expect steep competition; only the students with the best qualifications are accepted since there are more applicants than openings.

• Program Name: Master of Architecture
• Program Length: 2-3 years
• Prerequisites: A bachelor's degree, a class in math and physics for architects, graphics workshop, computer literacy
• Requirements: 3.0 GPA from undergraduate studies, a portfolio showcasing design or architectural work, writing sample, GRE scores
• Tuition and Fees: $8,017 per year for in-state students, $23,821 per year for out-of-state students (for the 2018-2019 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 25,645 students with 16,443 undergraduates

University of Colorado - Boulder

Through this degree program, you'll explore methods for designing buildings using environmentally conscious principles that conserve energy. You must complete 30 credit hours of coursework and write a thesis or conduct an independent study. Course topics address auditing building energy controls, color theories, electrical generation, building design and using natural lighting.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Building Systems Engineering
• Program Length: 18-24 months
• Tuition and Fees: $13,246 per year for in-state students, $32,146 per year for out-of-state students (for the 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Calculus, calculus-based physics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer and thermodynamics
• School Type: 4-year, public; 36,681 students with 30,159 undergraduates

Doctoral Degree Programs in Denver, Colorado

University of Colorado - Denver

For the doctoral degree program, you must complete courses in planning theories, architectural theories, environmental behavior and architectural history. The majority of the last two years of the program involves writing, researching and defending a doctoral dissertation. You also need to complete a residency.

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy in Design and Planning
• Specialization: History of architecture, landscape and urbanism
• Program Length: Approximately four years
• Prerequisites: Three letters of reference, preferred area of specialization and research interests, a sample of written work, career objectives and at least a bachelor's degree
• Tuition and Fees: $8,017 per year for in-state students, $21,646 per year for out-of-state students (for the 2018-2019 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 22,791 students with 13,509 undergraduates

University of Colorado - Boulder

Courses explore lighting systems and methods for incorporating renewable energy. In addition to completing at least 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, you must write and defend a dissertation. Internships have been available through architectural, engineering and energy analysis firms in Colorado.

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy in Building Systems Engineering
• Program Length: At least four years
• Tuition and Fees: $13,246 per year for in-state students, $32,146 per year for out-of-state students (for the 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Calculus, calculus-based physics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer
• School Type: 4-year, public; 36,681 students with 30,159 undergraduates

For students in the Denver, CO, area searching for architecture programs, the University of Colorado - Boulder and the University of Colorado - Denver offer programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels.