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Graduate Record 2010-2011 [ARCHIVED RECORD]
Master of Architecture
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 Return to: Graduate School of Architecture
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Admission
The Master of Architecture Program attracts a diverse range of students with undergraduate degrees in liberal arts as well as architecture. The professional, accredited Architecture programs (Paths A and B) offers within its design curriculum a forum for synthesizing parallel studies in history, theory, technology, and representation. In the design of buildings, landscapes and urban infrastructure, the curriculum supports a stimulating and sustainable setting for diverse cultural expression.
A two-semester Post-Professional Master of Architecture Program, directly tailored to the interests of each student, is available for those with an accredited professional degree in architecture. Admission to all Master of Architecture programs is extremely competitive. Curriculum
The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) curricula emphasize strong foundation studies in design with coursework in architectural history, theory, building technology, and construction. To gain broader understanding of the relationships within and parallel to the field of architecture, students may take courses in the departments of Architectural History, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Environmental Planning. Upper level graduate students are encouraged, through an optional teaching elective, to expand their knowledge by serving as teaching assistants to undergraduate students in design, theory or technology courses. Students who wish to obtain the Master of Architecture degree should have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average with a 3.5 average in design studios. Master of Architecture Path A
This program allows students without pre-professional undergraduate degrees (e.g., B.S. in Architecture) to obtain a first professional degree in a minimum of three years plus an initial summer session. The curriculum follows the prescribed core of foundation studies — history, land, and building and subsequently encourages students to explore individual interests through elective course work. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. After an introductory summer session, students typically complete the program in six semesters. Master of Architecture Path B
Students admitted to this program typically hold a pre-professional undergraduate degree in Architecture (e.g., B.S. in Architecture). The curriculum follows the prescribed core of foundation studies — history, land, and building. Students are encouraged to develop a planned sequence of electives either independently or through one of the certificate programs. Independent scholarship is encouraged through the thesis option. Students entering with pre-professional degrees in architecture may receive waiver of individual courses by permission of the chair.
Master of Architecture Path C (Post Professional Program)
The program is open only to those students who a NAAB accredited professional degree in architecture. The program provides an opportunity to undertake advanced interdisciplinary studies in architecture and develop individual research interests/projects and is normally completed in two semesters. Students admitted to the program will develop a program in consultation with a faculty advisor and the department chair, tailored to their individual design and research interests. If an independent studio is pursued, it must be preceded by ALAR 8100 (Design Research Seminar).
Accreditation
In the United States, most state 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 US professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of conformance with established educational standards. Masters degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional undergraduate degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree. The University of Virginia’s Master of Architecture program received a professional six-year term of accreditation in 2009. This program will be reviewed again in 2015. A professional degree in architecture is a necessary prerequisite for the one-year post-professional Master of Architecture degree. Master of Architecture Curriculum
This program allows students to obtain a first professional degree in three years plus an initial summer session. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Students entering with a four-year pre-professional bachelor’s degree in Architecture may receive up to one year of advanced placement. Students entering with pre-professional degrees in architecture may receive waiver of individual courses by permission of the chair.
Prior to enrollment, it is required for students to have completed a calculus and physics course or the equivalent. Candidates admitted to the program must have taken a survey course in Architectural History. Summer Design Institute - Credits: 3
On very rare occasions students with unusual circumstances and entering with design studio experience may receive waiver of attending the Summer Design Institute by permission of the chair. Fall Semester - Credits: 16
Spring Semester - Credits: 19
- Elective Credits: 3
Students entering with pre-professional degrees in architecture typically receive waiver of courses by permission of the chair.
Elective Courses must include two in architectural history, one in architectural theory, one in building technology, and three open electives.
Fall Semester - Credits: 15
Students who have entered the M.Arch with significant waivers (Path B) must take ARCH 614 and SARC 600 in their first year of study. - ARCH 7010 - Foundation Studio III Credits: 6
Prerequisite: ARCH 6020 - ARCH 7210 - Structural Design for Dynamic Loads Credits: 3
Students entering with pre-professional degrees in architecture may receive waiver of courses by permission of the chair.
Elective Courses must include two in architectural history, one in architectural theory, one in building technology, and three open electives. Credits / Units: 6
Spring Semester - Credits: 17
Fall Semester - Credits: 15
- ARCH 8010 - Comprehensive Studio Credits: 6
Prerequisite: ALAR 7020 - ARCH 8230 - Building Synthesis Credits: 3
Students entering with pre-professional degrees in architecture may receive waiver of courses by permission of the chair.
Elective Courses must include two in architectural history, one in architectural theory, one in building technology, and three open electives.
Credits / Units: 6
Spring Semester - Credits: 15
- ALAR 8020 - Design Research Studio II Credits: 6
Prerequisite: ALAR 8010 or - ALAR 8995 - Independent Design Research Studio Credits: 6
Students may pursue Independent Design Research in lieu of ALAR 8020. These students must take ALAR 8100 (Design Research Seminar, 3 credits) and get approval from the chair to enroll in ALAR 8995. - ARCH 8480 - Professional Ethics and Communication Credits: 4
Students entering with pre-professional degrees in architecture may receive waiver of courses by permission of the chair.
Elective Courses must include two in architectural history, one in architectural theory, one in building technology, and three open electives. Credits / Units: 6
Degree Total - 99 Credits
Architecture Course Descriptions
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Return to: Graduate School of Architecture
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