Master of Architecture / Master of Science: Advanced Design and Construction

Master of Architecture (2-Year) and Master of Science in Architecture Design and Research: Advanced Design and Construction Dual Degrees

The M.Arch/M.S.A.D.C. dual degree program combines two Master’s degrees — the professional Architecture degree and the specialization in Advanced Design and Construction — as a 6-term (three-year) program. Students leverage the spatial, technical, and professional knowledge of architecture with expertise in advanced computational design, robotics, industrial manufacturing, AI, sensing, and construction R+D to creatively go directly from the drawing board to realization. Equipped to shape the future of architecture and construction, the dual degree prepares students to reshape the profession, innovate how and what we build, and guide the industry toward a future that better responds to society’s needs.

Course of Study

The M.Arch (2-year)/M.S.A.D.C. Dual Degree is an advanced course of study within the Architecture Program.

The M.Arch/M.S.A.D.C. combines the two-year/60-credit-hour (4 terms) M.Arch professional degree with the 1 year/36-credit-hour (3 terms) M.S.A.D.C. degree. The resulting 6-term/81-credit-hour program of study includes up to 15 double-counted credit hours. Graduates with the dual degree are highly qualified professionals who pursue careers in academia, at a wide range of private and public agencies and in non-profit organizations.

Degree Requirements

The dual M.Arch/M.S.A.D.C. degree requires the completion of a minimum of 81 credit hours.

Students may apply for admission to both the M.Arch and M.S.A.D.C. programs simultaneously, or apply to the M.S.A.D.C. program while in residence during the first year of the M.Arch.

Specifically, a student must complete:

• A minimum of 30 credit hours of required and core M. Arch courses: 12 credits of the studio sequence (ARCH 552, ARCH 562) and 18 credit hours of required architecture courses
  • ARCH 515: Sustainable Systems; 
  • ARCH 516: Architectural Representation; 
  • ARCH 527: Integrative Systems; 
  • ARCH 537: Fabrication; 
  • ARCH 572: Architectural Theory and Criticism; 
  • ARCH 583: Professional Practice
• A minimum of 18 credit hours of required and core M.S.A.D.C. courses:
  • ARCH 700: Practice Models in ADC; 
  • ARCH 701: Foundations: Design Computation; 
  • ARCH 702: Foundations: Intro to Making with Robotics; 
  • ARCH 703: Foundations: Data Systems, Construction, & AI;
  • ARCH 704: Foundations: Synthesis and Collaboration; 
  • ARCH 713: Theory, History, and Methods in Computational Design; 
  • ARCH 719: Advanced Computational Geometry and Algorithmic Design.
• A minimum of 15 coordinated double-counted credit hours:
  • ARCH 772 / ARCH 672: Integrative Computational Design + Manufacturing I / Architecture Design: Propositions Studio; 
  • ARCH 760 / ARCH 660: Integrative Computational Design + Manufacturing II / Thesis Development Seminar; 
  • ARCH 762 / ARCH 662: M.S. Capstone Studio / Architectural Design: Thesis Studio.   
• A minimum of 18 credit hours in 500/600 elective Architecture courses

Up to 15 credit hours may be double-counted toward the two degrees and students must earn a cumulative GPA of “B” in each unit.  

Sample Course Sequence

The following sequence presents a sample or representative array of courses that would satisfy the dual degree program of study. Applicants interested in undertaking the dual degree program of study should confer with the chair and directors of the M.Arch and M.S. degrees to discuss course options. Once enrolled in the dual degree program of study, the student is responsible for ensuring that all degree requirements have been met and should confer with academic advisors regularly during his/her studies accordingly.

Admission Requirements

Students must file separate applications to be admitted by both programs. An application fee must accompany each application. Each program will apply its own standards in making admission decisions. Applicants may apply to both the M.Arch and M.S. programs simultaneously, or they may apply first to the MArch program and then, if admitted, apply to the M.S. program during their first year of M.Arch graduate study.