Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Architecture M.Arch.School of Architecture
College of Design
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
School of Architecture, College of Design, University of Minnesota, 145 Rapson Hall, 89 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-7866; fax: 624-5743)
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Architecture encompasses the making and study of the buildings and environments that we inhabit. The concerns of architecture involve a wide variety of areas of study, including the art of representing built projects through drawings and computer graphics; the technology of building structure, building materials, and natural and mechanical systems; the history, theory, and art of making, using, and understanding buildings as cultural artifacts for human use; and the practice of architecture in the context of sustainable environmental systems, urban form, and business economics.
The master's of architecture degree is the accredited three-year professional program that prepares students for licensure and practice in the discipline of architecture as a speculative, analytic, and investigative endeavor. Through rigorous methods of inquiry—developed in the design studio, lectures, and seminars—students acquire the breadth of knowledge required of the professional architect, including: the techniques and processes of representation, communication, and analysis; the history and theory of making architecture and urban form for human use; and the technology, systems, processes, and economics of construction and practice. The 90-credit M.Arch. professional degree program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). A portfolio for admission is required.
The M.Arch. program is designed to provide rigorous training in the areas of materials and media literacy, stewardship of the built and natural environment, and systemic, urban-scale thinking. M.Arch. students take required coursework in the areas of design studio, building technology, building structures (statics), structural engineering systems (applications), environmental systems, advanced building technology/integrated building systems, technical applications in design, architectural history, design theory, and catalyst workshops. The required curriculum includes integrated design/technology coursework such as the second year graduate design studio + building structures; a “net-positive” design studio with a focus on daylighting, solar design, and energy conservation in buildings; an advanced studio focused on urban and landscape systems; a two-part global and cultural history sequence; and a Master’s Final Project developed independently by the student. Computer tools and applications as well as analog modes of critical representation are incorporated into the design studio sequence.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
59 to 90
major credits and
up to
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: The Master's Final Project is a 10-credit studio-based design exploration under the supervision of a studio faculty mentor.
This program may not be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 4 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Advanced placement into the second year is possible for students with a Bachelor of Science or other pre-professional degree and excellent English language proficiency.
Required Coursework (61 credits)
Take the following required courses for a total of 61 credits:
ARCH 5411 - Principles of Design Theory
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5412 - Architecture: A Global and Cultural History
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5561 - Tech 1, Structures for Building
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5562 - Tech 2, Intro to Building Technology
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5563 - Tech 3: Advanced Building Technology Integrated Building Systems
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5564 - Tech 4: Building Structural Systems
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5621 - Professional Practice in Architecture
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 8251 - Graduate Architectural Design I
(9.0 cr)
ARCH 8253 - Graduate Architectural Design III
(6.0 cr)
ARCH 8255 - Graduate Architectural Design V
(6.0 cr)
ARCH 8299 - Master's Final Project
(10.0 cr)
ARCH 5518 - Environmental Technology: Integrative Ecological Design for Responsive Architecture
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5413 - Modern and Contemporary Global Architecture
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 8254 - Technical Applications in Design
(3.0 cr)
Project Modules (9 credits)
Take 9 credits (3 courses) from the following:
ARCH 5250 - Advanced Topics in Design
(1.0-6.0 cr)
Catalysts (2 credits)
Take the following course twice for a total of 2 credits:
ARCH 5110 - Architecture as Catalyst
(1.0 cr)
Electives (18 credits)
Take 18 credits of Architecture electives. At least 3 credits must be in ARCH 54xx or 84xx.
ARCH 5xxx
ARCH 8xxx
Advanced Standing (59 credits)
Students with a bachelor of science in architecture may be eligible for a waiver of the required first-year coursework.
Required Courses (40 credits)
Take the following courses for 40 credits:
ARCH 5563 - Tech 3: Advanced Building Technology Integrated Building Systems
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5564 - Tech 4: Building Structural Systems
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5621 - Professional Practice in Architecture
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 8253 - Graduate Architectural Design III
(6.0 cr)
ARCH 8255 - Graduate Architectural Design V
(6.0 cr)
ARCH 8299 - Master's Final Project
(10.0 cr)
ARCH 8254 - Technical Applications in Design
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5411 - Principles of Design Theory
(3.0 cr)
ARCH 5413 - Modern and Contemporary Global Architecture
(3.0 cr)
Project Modules (3 credits)
Take one of the following courses once for 3 credits:
ARCH 5250 - Advanced Topics in Design
(1.0-6.0 cr)
or
ARCH 8250 - Advanced Topics in Design
(1.0-6.0 cr)
Catalysts (1 credit)
Take the following course for 1 credit:
ARCH 5110 - Architecture as Catalyst
(1.0 cr)
Electives (15 credits)
Take 15 credits of Architecture electives. At least 3 credits must be in ARCH 54xx or 84xx.
Arch 5xxx
Arch 8xxx
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
M.Arch/M.S.-Architecture
Students may take a total of 24 credits in common
among the academic programs.
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 9.0 [max 9.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 10.0 [max 10.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 5412/Arch 5413 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 24.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | M.Arch |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 10.0 [max 10.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 5412/Arch 5413 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 24.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | M.Arch |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |