Master of Architecture Degree
An architecture degree can prepare you for a career in a field that demands creativity, critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills. It is also a prerequisite for becoming licensed as an architect.
Students with a pre-professional four-year undergraduate degree in architecture may be admitted to the program with advanced placement, subject to the review of the admissions committee.
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Best Master of Architecture Programs
Whether you’re interested in designing buildings, researching architecture history, or learning more about the field, a graduate program can help you achieve your goals. The best online Master of Architecture programs offer the most comprehensive education available. They also provide a wide range of course options and hands-on opportunities, making it easy to tailor your education to your interests.
Many schools also offer accelerated tracks for students with pre-professional degrees in architecture. These programs can shorten the length of your master’s degree by allowing you to skip some required classes and move on to more advanced ones. For example, Boston Architectural College offers a three-year program for students without a professional architecture degree. The school is a member of the Integrated Path to Licensure, which allows qualified students to earn their master’s and professional license simultaneously.
While rankings of architecture schools shouldn’t be treated as definitive, they can give you a good sense of which schools may be right for you. Some schools offer more hands-on experience and internship opportunities, while others might have more research opportunities or alumni in specific cities.
Master of Architecture Salary
If you’re fascinated by building design and intrigued by everything that goes into creating a structure, a Master of Architecture degree may be the right career path for you. But what are architect salaries like? Is there a positive job outlook for this field? And what are the best places to study this program?
MIT has become one of the most popular universities in the world for Master of Architecture students. Its programs provide a rigorous academic environment in which students can develop their creativity and analytical skills. The university also offers several financial support packages to help students pay for their studies.
The master’s degree can be completed in two full-time consecutive semesters and culminates in a thesis semester during the summer. The school accepts applications from students with a wide range of backgrounds, including a bachelor’s degree in architecture and non-architecture degrees.
The program requires a strong undergraduate design portfolio and completion of the majority of required courses in the first year of the curriculum. Applicants who hold a pre-professional four-year architecture degree can be admitted to the program with advanced standing, depending on their undergraduate coursework.
Master of Architecture Candidate
The Master of Architecture Candidate is an NAAB-accredited professional degree that prepares students to engage in architectural practice and pursue licensure. The program focuses on the development of design skills and a deep understanding of the relationship between architecture and history, theory, social change, technology, building materials, and sustainable practices. Students conduct advanced research and develop a thesis that expands the discipline of architecture. This graduate-level degree requires a comprehensive course of study, a dissertation, and an internship. Students must also pass a registration examination to obtain a license to practice as an architect.
Applicants with a four-year pre-professional undergraduate degree may be admitted with advanced standing, subject to review by the admissions committee. In addition to a strong architectural design portfolio, candidates must demonstrate previous coursework that fulfills the majority of required first-year courses. These courses include one semester of calculus, a semester of physics (algebra-based, covering mechanics and thermodynamics), and two semesters of history of architecture. Other required coursework includes courses in structural engineering, construction systems, and drawing.
Master of Architecture and Urban Design
This postgraduate degree is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to become an architect. You’ll learn about the design process, construction, and materials and get an in-depth understanding of all aspects of architecture. You’ll also be able to design and build buildings and structures, and you’ll have the ability to work on large projects. The Master of Architecture and Urban Design is a two-year graduate degree program.
This program offers a radically innovative framework for studying cities and urbanization through a design-led, justice-centered approach to urban transformation. It combines architecture, urbanism, ecology, policy, activism, community involvement and design to tackle critical issues of social, economic and environmental injustice within city ecosystems.
The MA in Architecture and Urban Design is a research-oriented, interdisciplinary programme for students with a professional architecture, planning or landscape architecture degree. This program is taught by internationally renowned architects and scholars, and it features studios, theory seminars, fieldwork, master classes, and research-based design projects. It’s a challenging, year-and-a-half-long programme that prepares you for front-edge research and practice in urban thinking.
Master of Architecture Distance Learning
The Master of Architecture is a two to three-year, professional degree that prepares graduate students for the practice of architecture and its related fields. It is the first accredited professional degree, and requires a rigorous education that spans the design, theory, history, technology, and social context of architecture. The degree can be completed in a number of ways depending on a student’s undergraduate field of study, previous architectural experience and education, and current career path.
The MArch curriculum begins with a core studio sequence that integrates history, theory, and practice. This is augmented by a wide selection of topical studios, global studies courses, and elective seminars. The program also offers nine stackable graduate certificates that enable a flexible and tailored educational experience.
The MArch is a STEM-designated degree, which means that graduates may be eligible for up to three years of OPT employment as a result. This is an ideal way to gain valuable experience while still pursuing their degree. In addition to the coursework, the MArch also requires an internship and a thesis.
Master of Architecture Jobs
Architecture students learn the skills to create designs and buildings that blend form with function. This requires a blend of visual, technical and organizational skills. Many architects have a strong artistic background as well, which helps them to produce projects that are beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. They also have the ability to communicate and understand complex building blueprints and engineering drawings.
The Master of Architecture program at UNLV offers two professional paths: an advanced standing track for those with pre-professional undergraduate degrees in architecture and a standard admission path for those without. The latter normally takes three and a half years (7 semesters) to complete the degree.
Applicants are required to have completed pre-professional undergraduate courses in architecture and should submit a portfolio of their work. Other requirements include an aptitude for mathematics and physics, as well as knowledge of history and theory. Those with an architecture degree typically have a wide variety of career options. The majority of architecture graduates find work in CAD, drawing or architectural technician positions, but the profession also includes architects, chartered architectural technologists, surveyors and planners.
Master of Architecture Portfolio
When applying to an architecture program or a firm, a portfolio is one of the most important tools you can have. A well-curated portfolio will demonstrate your skills, creativity, and understanding of architectural principles. It will typically contain sketches, technical drawings, and photos of models. Each university may have different requirements, so it is a good idea to contact their admissions office for specific guidelines.
In addition to a strong academic record, firms also value professional experience and effective communication skills. They will often ask for a sample of your previous work. While it is not necessary to include all of your past design projects, it is a good idea to limit the amount of technical work and to clearly identify group or professional projects as such.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in non-architectural fields may be eligible for limited advanced standing in the Path B program, subject to review of their transcripts and portfolios. This will allow them to waive certain required courses and reduce their overall course load by two semesters.
Master of Architecture Thesis Topics
Architecture is a complex field with a unique blend of art and science. This is why architecture thesis topics must be picked carefully. The best architectural thesis topics are those that solve a real-world problem. They should also demonstrate your understanding of the architectural concepts and models. For example, a good topic would be the design of low-cost housing in developing countries.
In addition to studios, master of architecture students take a number of graduate seminars. These are discussion oriented and often feature guest lecturers or prominent scholars. These seminars are designed to complement and reinforce the teaching in studios. They allow students to explore and experiment with different theoretical and technical approaches to the practice of architecture.
The master of architecture program at GSAPP is NAAB-accredited and allows students to earn licensure in the United States. It is also STEM-classified, which means international students on F-1 visas can remain in the US for 24 months of OPT after graduation. This is a great way for students to gain valuable work experience while studying in the USA.