University of Minnesota
89 Church Street S.E., room 145
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Tel 612.624.7866

MS_SD: Application and Admissions Information

Master of Science in Architecture, Sustainable Design Track
Admissions to the Sustainable Design Track

Recommended Preparation for Application to M.S. in Architecture - Sustainable Design Track

The MS in Architecture Sustainable Design Track is primarily oriented toward the following:

1. People who have completed a B.A. or B.S. in architecture or a related field.
2. Current graduate design students who seek a dual-degree.
3. People with professional degrees in architecture.
4. Working design professionals in architecture and related fields.
5. Others. ***

Given the technological basis of the Sustainable Design Track, previous studies in architecture are highly recommended. This may include a variety of architectural degree options including: B.A. or B.S. in Architecture, B.Arch, or M.Arch, including students currently enrolled in the University of Minnesota's M.Arch. program. Applicants must have sufficient technical background in environmental control systems, building systems, and structures, or other environmental design or ecology coursework. Those lacking sufficient training or preparation in these subject areas may be admitted contingent upon completion of one course in each area (up to 3 courses) before registration as a graduate student for any 8000-level courses.

*** Applicants who do not have a background in architecture will be required to complete specific undergraduate courses before registering for the Sustainable Design graduate courses. The DGS, in consultation with Graduate Faculty in the Sustainable Design track, determines these requirements. The offer of admissions to the M.S. will define the specific requirements. These students must also demonstrate some facility in graphic communication through one of the following:

1. Submit a portfolio with the application to the M.S. program.
2. Enrolling in a course such as Arch/LA1301 - Introduction to Drawing in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. This will not count toward the requirements for the M.S. in Architecture. Students may be admitted with the requirement that they take such a course before being permitted to enroll.

Please note that courses taken before the bachelor's degree is awarded or that are not graduate level cannot be used to satisfy M.S. graduate degree requirements.

Guidelines for Applications

Application Requirements for all M.S. in Architecture - Sustainable Design Track

Applicants for the M.S. in Architecture - Sustainable Design Track [ 34 credits] must clearly indicate their preparation for pursuing the M.S. degree. The requirements include:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an approved U.S. institution or its foreign equivalent.
2. The necessary academic preparation or other appropriate background (e.g., professional experience and achievements) for graduate work in Sustainable Design.
3. A GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale or the equivalent on other grading systems is preferred. Applicants' academic records with limited design backgrounds will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Admissions committee with consideration for such factors as higher grades in architecture/environment-related subjects, professional or other academic achievements and individual ability.
4. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take an English language test unless they have already completed a full year of academic residence as a full-time student at a recognized college or university in the United States or Canada, or the United Kingdom. Applicants must submit acceptable scores from one of four options:
• TOEFL paper test: a score of 550 is the minimum; a score of 600 or higher is preferred.
• TOEFL computer test: a score of 213 is the minimum.
• IELTS Test: a score of 6.5 is the minimum
• MELAB test, a score of 80 is the minimum.

Deadline. Application materials are due on January 15 for admission to the program for the following fall semester. Those who wish to be considered for a Graduate Fellowship (for which a minimum grade point average of 3.8 is preferred) are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by December 20 so that their applications may be considered and processed in time to meet the Graduate School deadline.

Sustainable Design Admissions Committee. The M.S. in Architecture - Sustainable Design Track admissions committee will be comprised of the DGS and two graduate faculty members who will review applications and select students for admission to the program.

Notification of acceptance to the M.S. Program will be made by early April through letters from both the Graduate School and the Department of Architecture. The Department requests acceptance of the offer before May 1 to reserve space, facilitate graduate assistantships or other financial aid. The Department will only defer an admissions offer under exceptional circumstances, to be determined by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Application Material

Download this application checklist.

Applicants applying to the M.S. in Architecture - Sustainable Design Track are technically applying to the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota. Thus, all application materials are submitted through the Graduate School except for the sample Portfolio which is sent directly to the School of Architecture as described below.

Checklist of application materials

1. Graduate School Application Form
   Complete the online application.
2. Transcripts
   Official transcripts of all college/university coursework. Transcripts must be forwarded directly to the Graduate School at the address below.
3. Essay
   The essay is uploaded to your online application at the "personal statement" button.
   Please write a brief statement up to 1,000 words outlining Sustainable Design as an area of study. Please define possible research topics to be pursued, your experience and preparation for the field, career goals and other relevant information that supports the application.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
   Applicants should take the general test and submit scores for verbal, quantitative and analytical skills. The UMN-Twin Cities Graduate School code is 6874.
5. TOEFL (International Applicants)
   Submit scores from one of the four English language tests. Applicants must have a minimum score of 550 (TOEFL paper test); 213 (TOEFL computer test); 6.5 (IELTS Test); or, 80 (MELAB test). Preference is given to applicants with an equivalent TOEFL paper test score of 600 or higher.
6. Three Letters of Recommendation
   Letters of recommendation are processed through the online application. For details, visit web site listed above.
   At least two letters must be from faculty. For professionals who completed their degrees more than 5 years ago, one letter from a faculty member and two letters from practitioners in a position to evaluate their work will be acceptable.
7. Written Paper, Report or Article
   The paper should be bound into the back pages of your portfolio. Provide a sample of your writing, in English, from a recent sustainable course or project. This is intended to provide the committee with a sample of your communication and analytical skills.
8. Portfolio
   Submit a portfolio of no more than 10 faces that demonstrates your design ability, sustainable practices, or professional accomplishment. Design studio projects may be included. Other work showing artistic or design ability or facility with digital technology may also be included. The portfolio must be bound and no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches. Please do not send slides or CDs.

Send portfolio directly to the School of Architecture at the address below. Portfolios will be returned to applicants only if a self-addressed mailer and sufficient postage is included.

Send Portfolio to:
School of Architecture
University of Minnesota
89 Church Street SE - Room 145
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Telephone 612-624-7866

Send Official Transcripts to:
Graduate School Admissions
University of Minnesota
307 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Telephone 612-625-3014