There are two distinct entry points into our professionally accredited Master of Architecture degree program. Candidates holding a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than architecture pursue a 3 year Master of Architecture. Candidates with a pre-professional BS or BA in Architecture or Environmental Design pursue a 2 year Master of Architecture. Both of these programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and educate students to become registered, licensed architects. As most state registration boards in the United States require that any applicant for licensure hold a degree from a NAAB-accredited program, obtaining such a degree is essential to the professional practice of architecture in the United States.
The Master of Architecture program is a STEM designated degree program.
Candidates holding an accredited architecture degree, or a degree in an allied design discipline, who wish to pursue advanced study in design computing (both research and applications) or the history and theory of architecture, should apply to the Master of Science (MS) in Architecture degree program.
The concurrent Master of Architecture / Master of Landscape Architecture program emphasizes the significant role interdisciplinary education and practice plays in the mission and vision of the College of Built Environments. This degree program provides a formal mechanism that allows incoming and current students in the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) programs to study both disciplines in a rigorous, efficient and structured manner.
The M.Arch degree is an accredited professional degree for architecture. Becoming a licensed architect requires work experience and a licensing examination in addition to this degree. Refer to the following table for more information.
NAAB-Accredited Degrees
In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
The University of Washington, Department of Architecture, offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:
Master of Architecture (135 credits) which can be completed in three years.
Master of Architecture, Advanced Standing (90 credits) which can be completed in two years.
The next accreditation visit will be in 2030.
Accreditation Reports and Related Documents
- 2023 PTC Decision Letter
- 2021 Architecture Program Report
- University of Washington NCARB ARE Pass rates
Graduate Tuition
Tuition is assessed by the UW on a quarterly basis based on number of credits. The M. Arch curriculum follows a 15 credits per quarter study plan to complete the Master of Architecture degree in 9 quarters; or in 6 quarters for the Master of Architecture (Advanced Standing) degree. To find tuition information, visit the UW Graduate & Professional Tuition Dashboard. User must select specific Graduate Program and then apply filters for residency, tuition quarter, and quarterly credit hours. Tuition is the same from 7-18 credits.
Estimated course expenses
Please find below anticipated costs for required materials and/or supplies for M Arch studios and required courses in the Department of Architecture. Actual course costs may vary; instructors are asked to communicate any significant projected increase. These costs may be used to adjust your financial aid: Consult the request changes to your aid offer on UW’s Financial Aid website for information.
Master of Architecture (Year 1)
ARCH 500 Arch Foundation Studio I: $3000-3500 (software/tools/supplies purchased used in subsequent studios)
New Laptopm, PC recommended (if needed): $1500-$2500
Tools: $217
Software: Adobe Creative Cloud for Students (New) is $359.88; Rhino (new) $195; (upgrade from older version) $95
Drawing materials: $105
Modeling materials: $100
ARCH 501 Arch Foundation Studio II: $250
ARCH 502 Arch Integration Studio I: $150
ARCH 510 Representation I: software, tools, supplies shared with ARCH 500
ARCH 511 Representation II: software, tools, supplies shared with ARCH 501
ARCH 520 Design Technology I: $100
ARCH 521 Design Technology II: $100
ARCH 532 Construction Materials & Methods: $100
Master of Architecture (Year 2)
ARCH 503 Arch Integration Studio II: $100-150
ARCH 504 Arch Integration Studio III: $100-150
ARCH 505/506/507 Exploration Studios I, II, III: costs for advanced studios varies depending on studio program: furniture, design/build, international travel, etc.
Master of Architecture (Year 3)
ARCH 508 Research Studio: $100
ARCH 700 Master’s Thesis: costs vary and will depend on student’s preference for model making materials, software applications, and plotting needs.
Financing your Graduate Education
How Do I Pay for Graduate School?
U.S. federal financial aid, including in the form of work-study, is not available to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. International students should consult the UW International Student Services International Student financial aid ; UW CIRCLE’s “Understanding Financial Resources”; International students may look for fellowships from their home countries or through international agencies.
Immediate Financial Assistance
If you are a current UW student and need immediate financial assistance, the UW offers on-campus resources and supportive services. The Financial Aid Office offers short- term emergency loans to both undergraduate and graduate students in need. Campus also provides childcare assistance program for graduate student parents.