The Master of Architecture curriculum provides a progressive sequence of design studios, technology, history and theory, research, professional practice and elective coursework.
The curriculum shown below is effective Autumn 2025.
Program Pathways
| Pathway | Entry Point | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Three-Year Master of Architecture | Year 1 | 135 |
| Two-Year Master of Architecture, Advanced Standing | Year 2 | 90 |
Students in the three-year pathway complete all three years below. Students admitted with Advanced Standing begin with Year 2.
Year 1
Year 1 establishes a foundation in architectural design, representation, design technology, materials, history and theory.
| Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
|
ARCH 500 Architecture Foundation Studio I — 6 credits ARCH 510 ARCH 520 ARCH 550 |
ARCH 501 Architecture Foundation Studio II — 6 credits ARCH 511 ARCH 521 ARCH 551 |
ARCH 502 Architecture Integration Studio I — 6 credits ARCH 532 ARCH 522 Elective — 3 credits |
| 15 credits | 15 credits | 15 credits |
Year 2
Advanced Standing students enter the curriculum here. Year 2 moves into integrated and exploration studios while expanding advanced technical, theoretical, research and professional coursework.
| Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
|
ARCH 503 Architecture Integration Studio II — 6 credits ARCH 523 ARCH 562 ARCH 590 |
ARCH 504 Architecture Integration Studio III — 6 credits ARCH 524 ARCH 570 Elective — 3 credits |
ARCH 505 Architecture Exploration Studio I — 6 credits ARCH 591 ARCH 592 Professional Practice Selective — 3 credits |
| 15 credits | 15 credits | 15 credits |
The Professional Practice Selective may be offered in Autumn, Winter or Spring.
Year 3
Students complete the degree through either the Research Studio Track or the Thesis Track. Both pathways include advanced design work, professional practice and opportunities to pursue electives or degree-option coursework.
Research Studio Track
| Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
|
ARCH 506 Architecture Exploration Studio II — 6 credits History/Theory Selective — 3 credits Architecture Elective or Degree Option Elective — 3 credits Elective — 3 credits |
ARCH 507 Architecture Exploration Studio III — 6 credits Architecture Elective or Degree Option Elective — 3 credits ARCH 571 Elective — 3 credits |
ARCH 508 Architecture Research Studio I — 6 credits Architecture Elective or Degree Option Elective — 3 credits Elective — 3 credits |
| 15 credits | 15 credits | 15 credits |
Research Seminar
Students also complete a 3-credit Research Seminar associated with ARCH 508:
- If the ARCH 508 instructor offers the Research Seminar in winter, students register for ARCH 593: Research Seminar I.
- If the Research Seminar is offered in spring, students register for ARCH 594: Research Seminar II.
Because the seminar may be scheduled in either winter or spring, students should confirm their exact elective and seminar sequence with advising.
Thesis Track
| Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
|
ARCH 506 Architecture Exploration Studio II — 6 credits History/Theory Selective — 3 credits Architecture Elective or Degree Option Elective — 3 credits Elective — 3 credits |
ARCH 700 Master’s Thesis — 3 credits ARCH 599 Architecture Elective or Degree Option Elective — 3 credits ARCH 571 Elective — 3 credits |
ARCH 700 Master’s Thesis — 9 credits Architecture Elective or Degree Option Elective — 3 credits Elective — 3 credits |
| 15 credits | 15 credits | 15 credits |
Planning Your Degree
Flexible Courses
Courses shown in italics may be taken in any quarter, depending on availability and the student’s degree plan.
Architecture Electives
Architecture electives are graduate-level courses offered by the Department of Architecture at the 400 level or higher.
General Electives
General electives may be any graduate-level UW course at the 400 level or higher, including additional Architecture coursework.
Exploration Studio Options
The ARCH 505 and ARCH 506 Exploration Studio requirements may be satisfied by a 6-credit graduate-level studio offered elsewhere in the College of Built Environments during the corresponding quarter.
The ARCH 506 requirement may also be satisfied by a 6-credit graduate-level CBE studio offered during summer quarter, when available.
Curriculum PDF
The curriculum above is effective Autumn 2025. Students should work with Architecture advising when planning electives, degree options, studio substitutions or the Research Studio/Thesis sequence.