Master of Architecture candidates holding a pre-professional Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in architecture or environmental design from an NAAB-accredited institution are eligible for admission to the 2 year professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree program. Students admitted to the program enter at Year 2.
The curriculum emphasizes integrated architectural design and its relationship to urban issues and tectonics, as well as the technical knowledge necessary for the professional practice of architecture. Courses in architectural history and theory; building science; graphics; making, materials and assemblies; design/build; and international studies provide further professional training and opportunities to develop areas of specialization. These areas of specialization are called Degree Options and provide M.Arch students with an opportunity to concentrate their studies in one of three areas:
History, Theory and Criticism
Materials and Fabrication
Sustainable Systems and Design
Students indicate their preference for the degree option by the beginning of spring quarter in year 2 using the department’s online Degree Option Registration. The degree option title will appear on the student’s final transcript.
The prerequisite classes students must have for admission into the program include:
Architectural Design Studio (in addition to “basic design” courses)
Structural Design Principles (statics, strength of materials, gravity and lateral load tracing, design in timber and steel)
Building Materials and Assembly (light construction)
Environmental Forces (heat, light, sound, human comfort)
Architectural Graphics (both technical and freehand)
Architectural History (ancient through modern)
Architectural Theory
Design Computing
Applicants to the 2-year M Arch program are required to complete the prerequisite checklist on the Departmental Program Application form. See Admissions page.
Admissions
For application requirements and materials, see M.Arch Admissions.
Curriculum
The curriculum focuses on the development of research skills in support of the integration of diverse areas of knowledge into design. Our 2-year M Arch students enter the curriculum at Year Two, which combines a two-quarter sequence of design studios with related courses in design technology. These courses combine issues of material, structure and environment in a collaborative teaching format. The core studios in Year Two are broad in their scale and scope to encompass a full range of issues from urban to ecological systems. The spring quarter of that year is the first of a two-quarter sequence of advanced studios that combine with a research methods course to prepare students for the final two-quarter sequence of research studios or an independent Master’s thesis. The final four quarters of the program also incorporate professional practice, selective and elective courses to allow students to focus their interests and complete a degree option or certificate program if desired.
Download a PDF of the Master of Architecture Curriculum.
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.