Master of Architecture
Application and Portfolio Deadline:
January 6 annually
Enrollment Deposit and Intent to Enroll Deadline:
April 15 annually
About
The Master of Architecture degree program will prepare you for your future by cultivating a dynamic educational environment where assumptions are challenged, ideas are debated, and emergent design methods are forged.
Our education combines coursework in design, history and theory, representation, digital fabrication, computation, technology, and sustainability. Your experience is enhanced by our range of facilities, from one of the best fabrication and robotics labs in any architecture school in the world to the University of Michigan’s vast library system to facilities for emerging technologies like virtual reality and mixed reality, including the Taubman Visualization Lab (TVLab). And this is all within the context of one of the world’s most distinguished public research universities.
Intellectually Diverse
A notable strength of our program is our intellectual diversity. Here you will learn from faculty with a wide variety of expertise and methodology with diverse ways of designing and theorizing architecture’s role in the world. The Taubman College Master of Architecture is committed to the idea that architectural education in the 21st century can build upon a plurality of foundations – diverse epistemologies, experiences, histories, methodologies, and technical and conceptual capacities. In doing so, we understand that architecture is a cultural product that always negotiates a complex multitude of voices and ideas and a myriad of social, political, and aesthetic concerns.
Agents of Progress
At a time when architecture is increasingly confronted by changing social, technological, and environmental contexts, we prepare students for their futures by cultivating a dynamic educational environment where assumptions are challenged, ideas are debated, and emergent design methods are forged.
Taubman architecture graduates enter their careers charged with expertise in the most innovative global design practices, an understanding of architecture’s histories and potential futures, and an aptitude to think actively in the world that makes them agents of progress for a better, more just and beautiful built environment.
/ Eligibility
To be eligible for admission, students must hold an undergraduate degree in any field.
There are two required prerequisite courses that a student should have completed prior to beginning coursework in the summer half term (late June). These courses must be taken for credit at an accredited institution and the student must earn a C or better in the course.
1 calculus course
(4 credits – may be taken online)
1 physics course (lecture and lab)
(4 credits – may be taken online)
We also highly recommend students take two studio art or design courses. The purpose of the studio courses is to explore the design process and the art of making, thereby solidifying an interest in architectural study, and to create work to include in the admissions portfolio.
- Architecture
- Drawing
- Painting
- Design (2D or 3D)
- Woodworking
- Ceramics
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Metalworking
- Fashion Design
- Interior Design
- Illustration
- Animation
- Jewelry Making
- Photography
/ Degree Requirements
These requirements apply to the current year. Students who entered the college earlier should refer to the specific degree requirements from the year they entered.
2-Year Master of Architecture
In order to qualify for the 2-year Master of Architecture Degree, a student must complete all 60 credit hours in architecture and related professional fields (i.e., planning, landscape architecture, natural resources, public health, engineering, business administration, and other), including a minimum of 45 credit hours of 500/600 level architecture courses.
Specifically, a student must complete:
Four courses (24 credit hours) of architectural design studio (ARCH 552, ARCH 562, ARCH 662, ARCH 672)
Eight courses (21 credit hours) of specific required architecture courses (ARCH 515: Sustainable Systems, ARCH 516: Architectural Representation, ARCH 527: Integrative Systems I, ARCH 528: Integrative Systems II, ARCH 537: Fabrication, ARCH 572: Architectural Theory and Criticism, ARCH 583: Professional Practice, and ARCH 660: Thesis Development Seminar)
Three courses (9 credit hours) of graduate-level (500/600) architecture elective courses
Two courses (6 credit hours) of either architecture elective courses or non-architecture elective courses at the graduate level
Important Notes about M.Arch (2-year) Degree Requirements
- No more than six hours of Tutorial Studies (ARCH 593 and ARCH 600) can be counted toward the 60-hour minimum.
- Students with Advanced Standing may not elect undergraduate architecture courses for credit.
- The following courses cannot be counted towards graduation requirements: ARCH 993: Teaching Methods for GSIs, ARCH 690: Architectural Curriculum Practical Training, ARCH 490: Architecture Spring Break Externship Experience, ELI 530: Academic Speaking and Writing for Architecture Students
A student must complete the 60 credit hours required for the M.Arch. degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and with a grade of C- or better in each required architecture course. Those students earning a cumulative GPA in the top 5% of their class shall graduate with high distinction; students earning a GPA in the top 5%-10% of the class shall graduate with distinction. These honors will be entered on the student’s transcript and diploma.
It is suggested that you speak with your faculty advisor regarding course elections, especially electives. The Architecture program uses Online Advising Files (OAFs), which students can request from Taubman College Student Affairs, to track and record a student’s progress towards completing degree requirements. The OAF is also used to finalize degree audits at the time of graduation. In addition, all students expecting the Master of Architecture Degree are required to apply to graduate online through Wolverine Access. This should be done at least three months in advance of the expected date of graduation. Students who meet this deadline will have their names published in the commencement program. Although faculty advisors and administrators may assist a student in arranging an academic degree plan, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting all program and degree requirements. If degree requirements are not completed for the commencement period to which the graduation application has been filed, a student must complete a new graduation application to be considered for graduation at a subsequent commencement date.
Course Waiver(s)
A student may seek a waiver of any course(s) listed as deficiencies in their letter of admission or from course(s) that are required for the master’s degree. Course waivers should be requested upon your arrival in the fall and approved before the end of the official drop/add date for the current semester. Course waivers do not reduce the 60 credit hour requirement.
Take the form along with a copy of your transcript, course description, syllabus/reading list, to the instructor of the course you are requesting to be waived. In the case of a construction course, bring projects/drawings that you have completed as supporting evidence of your request for a waiver. The instructor will then review your material and approve the course waiver form. This form is then returned to the college registrar and placed in your file. A course waiver can only be approved by the faculty member currently teaching the course.
3-Year Master of Architecture
The Master of Architecture Degree requires a student to complete 99 credit hours.
Specifically, a student must complete:
Seven courses (42 credit hours) of architectural design studio (ARCH 402, ARCH 412, ARCH 422, ARCH 552, ARCH 562, ARCH 662, ARCH 672)
Eight courses (21 credit hours) of specific required architecture courses (ARCH 515: Sustainable Systems, ARCH 516: Architectural Representation, ARCH 527: Integrative Systems I, ARCH 528: Integrative Systems II, ARCH 537 – Fabrication, ARCH 572—Architectural Theory and Criticism, ARCH 583—Professional Practice, and ARCH 660—Thesis Development Seminar)
Two courses (6 credit hours) in History of Architecture (ARCH 413 and an Arch History Elective course)
One course (3 credit hours) Environmental Systems (ARCH 425)
Two courses (6 credit hours) in Structures (ARCH 314 and ARCH 324)
One course (3 credit hours) in Design Fundamentals (ARCH 416)
One course (3 credit hours) in Construction (ARCH 417)
Five courses (15 credit hours) graduate-level (500/600) architecture elective courses
Two courses (6 credit hours) of either architecture elective courses or non-architecture elective courses at the graduate level
Important Notes about M.Arch (3-year) Degree Requirements
- No more than six hours of tutorial studies (ARCH 593 and ARCH 600) can be counted toward the 99-hour minimum.
- All required 300- and 400-level architecture courses should be completed by the end of the first year.
- The following courses cannot be counted towards graduation requirements: ARCH 993: Teaching Methods for GSIs, ARCH 690: Architectural Curriculum Practical Training, ARCH 490: Architecture Spring Break Externship Experience, ELI 530: Academic Speaking and Writing for Architecture Students
A student must complete the 99 credit hours required for the M.Arch. degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and with a grade of C- or better in each required architecture course. Those students earning a cumulative GPA in the top 5% of their class shall graduate with high distinction; students earning a GPA in the top 5%-10% of the class shall graduate with distinction. These honors will be entered on the student’s transcript and diploma.
It is suggested that you speak with your faculty advisor regarding course elections, especially electives. The Architecture program uses Online Advising Files (OAFs), which students can request from Taubman College Student Affairs, to track and record a student’s progress towards completing degree requirements. The OAF is also used to finalize degree audits at the time of graduation. In addition, all students expecting the Master of Architecture Degree are required to apply to graduate online through Wolverine Access. This should be done at least three months in advance of the expected date of graduation. Students who meet this deadline will have their names published in the commencement program. Although faculty advisors and administrators may assist a student in arranging an academic degree plan, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting all program and degree requirements. If degree requirements are not completed for the commencement period to which the graduation application has been filed, a student must complete a new graduation application to be considered for graduation at a subsequent commencement date.
Course Waiver(s)
A student may seek a waiver of any course(s) listed as deficiencies in their letter of admission or from course(s) that are required for the master’s degree. Course waivers should be requested upon your arrival in the fall and approved before the end of the official drop/add date for the current semester. Course waivers do not reduce the 99 credit hour requirement.
Take the form along with a copy of your transcript, course description, syllabus/reading list, to the instructor of the course you are requesting to be waived. In the case of a construction course, bring projects/drawings that you have completed as supporting evidence of your request for a waiver. The instructor will then review your material and approve the course waiver form. This form is then returned to the college registrar and placed in your file. A course waiver can only be approved by the faculty member currently teaching the course.
ELI 530
Students who are non–native English speakers and do not have a four-year degree from an English-medium institution are required to take and successfully complete ELI 530, a two-credit hour architecture-specific English course offered by the English Language Institute (ELI) at U-M in their first fall term. ELI 530 is taken in addition to their regular architecture coursework and does not count toward degree requirements.
/ Sample Schedule
Our degree’s embrace of a plurality of perspectives is further enhanced by the composition of the college, which includes urban planners, doctoral students, and post-professional students of urban design, and digital and material technologies, and by our context within the nation’s top public research university.
Coursework for the 99-credit curriculum begins in late June.
/ Advanced Standing
Admission
Individuals who have completed a pre-professional four-year Bachelor of Science degree with a major in architecture may be eligible for admission with advanced standing, subject to the review of the admissions committee. These students will complete a two-year, 60-credit hour course of study.
A strong architectural design portfolio consisting of a minimum of four studios and previous coursework that fulfills the majority of required courses in the first year of our 99-credit hour curriculum is required. Applicants whose undergraduate work does not meet these criteria will be considered for admission to the three-year course of study.
Students admitted with Advanced Standing begin in the fall term.
Eligibility
Applicants wishing to be considered for Advanced Standing must have a bachelor of science degree in architecture or allied discipline.
A student should have completed the following prerequisite courses as part of their undergraduate degree in architecture.
- 4 sequential architecture design studio courses (5-6 credits each course)*
- 1 construction course (3 credits)
- 2 structure courses (6 credits)
- 1 environmental systems courses (3 credits)
- 2 history of architecture courses (6 credits)
- 2 design fundamentals courses (6 credits)
If any course deficiencies are found, the student must complete extra courses in addition to the regular 60 credit hours of the Master of Architecture curriculum. Any course deficiencies will be noted in your letter of admission.
*Studio course deficiencies will disqualify students from advanced standing eligibility.
/ Accreditation
In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
University of Michigan Taubman College offers the following NAAB-accredited degree:
- Master of Architecture (non-pre-professional degree + 99 credit hours)
- Master of Architecture with Advanced Standing:
(pre-professional degree (BS in Architecture) + 60 graduate credit hours
/ Paying for your Degree
Making decisions about the next step in your educational journey is a time full of opportunity and potential; however, it may also be accompanied by concerns regarding paying for your degree. There are numerous financial resources to help you manage tuition and living expenses.
/ STEM Designated Degree Program
The Master of Architecture degree is an approved field of study within the U.S. government’s official STEM fields list. When a student earns a degree in a field on the STEM fields list, they may be eligible for the 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. OPT is defined as practical work experience in your field of study after completion of a degree. With a STEM degree, a student’s “regular” OPT of 12 months may be extended for an additional 24 months. For further details regarding STEM extensions contact the International Center.
Taubman College Pathways
The Taubman College Pathways program seeks to create avenues to diversify the Taubman College community and the fields of architecture and urban planning. Geared toward those exploring graduate education, the program provides an opportunity for career exploration and learning more about Taubman College’s academic offerings in an intimate setting. Our goal is to expand the diversity of our College and disciplines in as many ways as possible, including but not limited to socioeconomic status, educational experiences, race/ethnicity, etc.
Career
Taubman College Career and Professional Development offers a variety of programs, services and resources to assist students and alumni in exploring careers, securing positions and continuing skill development and management.
For additional information on career opportunities, visit our career and professional development page.
Student Profile
Ahmed Noeman
M.Arch 2G
Alumni Profile
Komal Kotwal
M.Arch ’06,
Sustainable Design Leader - Health, Well-being, Equity, HOK
Alumni Stories