Master of Architecture / Urban and Regional Planning

The M.Arch/M.U.R.P. Dual Degree is a formally structured dual degree to develop highly qualified professionals capable of combining architecture and urban planning to work effectively in the professional fields of architecture, urban development, and community development planning. It equips students with a broad range of skills and particular expertise related to the design and planning of the built environment.

Graduates with a dual degree in architecture and urban and regional planning are able to work both in the private sector and with a wide range of public agencies and non-profit organizations. The program combines the two-year/60-credit-hour M.Arch degree with the two-year/48-credit-hour M.U.R.P. degree, resulting in a three-year/84-credit-hour program.

Course of Study

Students admitted to the combined program are required to complete the first year courses in one school during the first year and to complete the first year courses at the other school in the second year. Students may begin at either school. During the third year of the program, students are permitted to elect courses in either school and are generally not restricted in their choices beyond fulfilling the required course work.

Degree Requirements

The dual M.Arch/M.U.R.P. degree requires the completion of a minimum of 84 credit hours. Specifically, a student must complete:

1. 24 credit hours of architectural design courses (ARCH 552, ARCH 562, ARCH 672, ARCH 662).
2. 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).
3. Three courses (9 credit hours) of 500/600 level elective architecture courses.
4. 30 credit hours of graduate-level urban and regional planning courses, including all “core” course work unless waived by the instructor.
5. 9 additional cognate/elective courses needed to fulfill the 84 credit hour requirement.

A cumulative GPA of “B” must be earned in each unit and 24 credit hours may be double-counted toward the two degrees. Each unit maintains a separate transcript, and either degree may be awarded independently, provided the requirements for the single degree have been met. Because enrollment in the dual program involves two separate units, it becomes the responsibility of the student to follow the academic policies and procedures of each.

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 director of the MArch and MS program 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 their studies accordingly.

Admission Requirements

Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Students will work with the academic advisors in both schools to determine which program is best to start with the first year.