The Master of Architecture Program (M. Arch)

The Master of Architecture Program at the University of Minnesota prepares students for the practice and discipline of architecture as a speculative, analytic, and investigative endeavor. Through rigorous methods of inquiry developed in the design studio, lectures and seminars, students acquire the breadth of knowledge required of the professional architect: the techniques and processes of representation, communication and analysis; the history and theory of making architecture and urban form for human use; and the technology, systems, processes and economics of construction and practice. This professional degree program is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Students entering the M.Arch. Program have varied educational backgrounds. Many have pre-professional degrees in architecture. A growing number were educated in fields other than architecture. To accommodate a diverse student body, the School of Architecture has established several different paths into and through the M.Arch program.

Our standard program is the 3-year professional master of architecture degree. Students who majored in architectuer as an undergraduate may apply directly to the 3-year program.

Those applicants who majored in a field other than architecture should apply for the 3+ program. These students take an initial summer semester to provide a foundation in the culture of architectural studies in preparation for the start of the standard 3-year program in the fall.

A few students with an extensive background in architecture may be granted advanced standing. Information aobut each of these paths and the requirements for admission appears below.

Three Year Program

Our standard program is the 3-year professional master of architecture degree. The program consists of two parts: the first three semesters providea foundation of integrated design studios and coursework; the final three semesters expose students to a range of issues encompassing different cultural, technological and environmental points of view. Together with electives, the studios enable students to examine individaual interests and prepare for thesis which is completed during the last semester of the program.

Requirements: Applicants who have an undergraduate major in architecture are expected to have completed the following prerequisites:

• 2 semesters of design studio
• 2 semesters of architectural history
• 2 semesters of architectural/design drawing
• 1 semester of college pre-calculus or calculus
• 1 semester of college physics

3+ Option Program

Applicants who have an undergraduate degree in a field other than architecture are encouraged to apply as a 3+ Option applicant.  Students admitted through the 3+ path are admitted to the standard 3-year program; however, they begin with an intensive summer semester of course work in design studio, drawing, history and theory.  In fall, they are immediately integrated with students who were accepted directly into the 3-year program.

Requirements:  Applicants must demonstrate an aptitude for design and/or drawing through a portfolio.  (See application for more information.)

3+ Course Sequence PDF

Advanced Standing

Although our standard program is 3 years in length, each fall we accept a few students with advanced standing into the second year of the program.  In addition to the prerequisites indicated for the 3-year program, advanced standing applicants must have completed at least one course in structures, environmental science and building systems, with at least four semesters of architecture design studios.

Requirements:  A pre-professional architecture degree that includes advanced design studio work and at least one course in structures, environmental science and building systems. The portfolio of these applicants must exhibit a proficiency of design equal to students having completed the first year of our 3-year program.

Post-Professional Applicants:  A small number of applicants who hold the professional B. Arch. degree are admitted to the M. Arch. program to participate in a special category of advanced standing.  The Director of Graduate Studies tailors the program to specific, individual needs, insuring that all Graduate School and NAAB requirements are satisfied.  Post-professional students must be in residence for a minimum of 3 semesters and complete 20 graduate credits plus 12 credits of thesis.

Contact

For more information call Terence Rafferty, Graduate Admissions, 612-624-7866 or email archinfo@umn.edu.