Programs of Study Spring 2005 illinois home
 

Architecture

Interim Director of the School: Michael J. Andrejasich
Associate Director of the School, Director of Graduate Studies: Alejandro Lapunzina
117 Temple Hoyne Buell Hall
611 Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 244-4723
E-Mail: arch-grad@uiuc.edu

Graduate Degree Programs

The School of Architecture offers three graduate programs, each leading to the Master of Architecture degree: Track 1, a one-year program for students holding a five-year Bachelor of Architecture professional degree; Track 2, a two-year program for students holding a four-year Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (or similar degree in architecture); and Track 3, a program of variable length for students holding a bachelor’s degree in any field other than architecture. Tracks 2 and 3 are professional degree programs accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board.

The School of Architecture, together with the graduate programs of business administration, computer science, urban and regional planning, and civil engineering, offers graduate programs leading to the following joint degrees: Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration, Master of Architecture and Master of Computer Science, Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning, and Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management).

The School of Architecture, together with the Department of Landscape Architecture, offers a graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Admission

The admission grade point average for full standing in the Graduate College and the school must be at least 3.0 (A = 4.0). For applicants who meet the other requirements but have an admission GPA under 3.0, admission with limited standing may be permitted if evidence of exceptional qualification is presented.

Applicants are selected for admission on the basis of undergraduate academic performance and profession-related experience. Application material is evaluated by faculty members. The faculty’s recommendations are based upon an appraisal of the admission grade point average determined from official transcripts, a portfolio or brochure of applicant’s past work in architecture, a statement of objectives, three letters of recommendation, and relevant professional work experience.

Application forms for graduate admission and financial aid may be obtained from the address above. Application may also be made on-line. Completed applications must reach the Graduate Programs Office by January 15; students are admitted in the fall semester only. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for School of Architecture applicants. All applicants whose native language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. A minimum score of 590 on the paper-based test or 243 on the computer-based test is required.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.

Master of Architecture (Track 1)

Applicants who hold the five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree are considered to have earned the first professional degree. For those applicants, a one-year degree program has been developed emphasizing further study in depth of one optional area of concentration and/or participation in research, which is similar to the final year of Tracks 2 and 3.

Candidates admitted to the Track 1 graduate program must complete at least eight units of graduate work. Candidates must spend at least two semesters and earn at least half of the required units in residence. Candidates admitted with full status may complete the program in one year of full-time academic study.

Master of Architecture (Track 2)

The two-year professional degree program, intended for students entering with a four-year baccalaureate in architectural studies, emphasizes further study in architectural disciplines, study in depth in one optional area of concentration, and/or participation in research.

The initial phase of the two-year graduate program is comprised of advanced study in architectural disciplines, building upon the fundamentals established in a four-year undergraduate study program. This initial phase is a two-semester integrated sequence in architectural administration, design, structures, and electives. This work completes the common core of coursework required of all candidates for the Master of Architecture professional degree.

Election of an optional area of concentration constitutes the final phase of the graduate program and allows students to devote two semesters of work to a specific field of their choice. The department offers optional areas of concentration in architectural design, architectural history and historic preservation, architectural management, architectural practice and technology, architectural structures, and architectural research.

Candidates admitted with full or limited status to the two-year professional degree program must complete at least 62 hours of graduate work. Candidates must spend at least four semesters and earn at least half of the required graduate hours in residence. Candidates admitted with full status may complete the program in two years of full-time academic study.

Master of Architecture (Track 3)

The variable-length professional degree program has been designed for applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in any field other than architecture. Emphasis is placed on the development of sufficient background in introductory architectural studies so that the applicants may successfully complete the equivalent of the two-year graduate program described above.

Applicants accepted into the Track 3 program will initially be admitted with limited status. Full status may be attained by completion of introductory architectural studies. Once full status is attained, a minimum of 54 hours of graduate work is required for completion.

The time necessary to complete the program will depend on the nature of undergraduate coursework completed by the applicant and on the optional area selected.

Doctor of Philosophy

This program offers advanced, rigorous education for those students whose goal is the advancement of the intellectual base of the discipline through a career of research and scholarship. Two areas of concentrations are offered: history and theory, and behavioral and cultural factors in design. The program is administered jointly with the Department of Landscape Architecture.

Students with a professional degree must complete 96 graduate hours of credit, including 32 graduate hours of thesis credit, culminating in a dissertation.

Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning

This joint degree program offers an opportunity to obtain an education for a career that combines the disciplines of architecture and urban planning. The program requires a match of related subject areas from the two programs in order to meet the requirements for each degree. These areas include: housing/community development, preservation/preservation planning, urban design/environmental planning and land use, and management/planning. For entry into this program, applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of each academic unit. Application for admission may be made either simultaneously to both units or in sequence.

Candidates entering the program with a four-year baccalaureate in architectural studies must complete at least 86 hours of graduate work and, if admitted with full status, may complete the program in six semesters and one summer session. Candidates entering the program with a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree must complete at least 64 hours of graduate work and, if admitted with full status, may complete the program in four semesters and a summer session.

Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration, or Master of Computer Science

Two joint master’s degree programs related to the architectural management option prepare graduate degree candidates for the broad range of management activity now developing in architectural practice. Work in the architectural management option in one of these areas can lead to one of the following joint master’s degree combinations: Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration or Master of Architecture and Master of Computer Science.

For entry into one of these programs, applicants must satisfy the admission and performance requirements of each academic unit. Application for admission may be made simultaneously to both units or admission to one unit may be sought after gaining entry to the other.

Candidates entering the Master of Architecture/Master of Business Administration joint degree program with a four-year baccalaureate in architectural studies must complete 82 hours of graduate work. The combination of Master of Architecture and Master of Computer Science degrees requires 74 graduate hours plus nine semester hours of prerequisites in computer science. If admitted with full status, students can complete either of these programs in five semesters. Candidates entering either of these programs with a five-year bachelor of architecture degree must complete at least 64 hours of graduate work and, if admitted with full status, may complete the program in four semesters.

Master of Architecture and Master of Civil Engineering (Construction Management)

This joint degree program offers qualified applicants the opportunity to develop competence in a career that combines the disciplines of architecture and civil engineering (construction management). For entry into this program, applicants must satisfy the admission and performance requirements of each academic unit. Application for admission should be made to the School of Architecture. Admission to the other unit may be sought after the first semester of graduate study in architecture.

Candidates entering the program with a four-year baccalaureate in architectural studies must complete at least 78 hours of graduate work and, if admitted with full status, may complete the program in five semesters. Candidates entering the program with a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree must complete 64 hours of graduate work and, if admitted with full status, may complete the program in four semesters.

Financial Aid

Financial aid for graduate students in architecture is available in the form of fellowships and assistantships (teaching, research, and graduate or resource). Qualified candidates are considered for financial support upon application and in subsequent years of study.