post professional M.Arch.
Design is seen primarily as formal speculation — a legitimately intellectual exercise — that construes meaning from the obscure and obvoluted relationship between architecture and the culture of which it is a part. The Design Program is a unique post-professional master's degree program whose pedagogical objectives are to interrogate the usual assumptions architects make about the role the practice of architecture plays in the evolution of the built environment. Its chief components include two design studios — the first of which involves travel, the second of which may be personal study with the Ruth Carter Stevenson or O'Neil Ford Chairholders, each a distinguished scholar, educator, or practitioner. All students must complete a master's thesis or master's design study intended to be a significant contribution to the theory of design or the cultural dialogue of design.
Program Director
Admissions Contact
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Degree Requirements
Master of Architecture (post-professional). For students entering with a professional degree in architecture, the Master of Architecture is a post-professional degree. Based on the student's interests and an evaluation of the statement of intent, portfolio, and transcripts, specific degree requirements are established for the post-professional program offerings:
- Design and Theory: A post-professional program providing an opportunity to examine and refine design philosophies. This program requires either 30 semester hours of graduate work, including the six-hour thesis; or 36 hours of work, including a final six hours of independent study. Participants may develop an individual program of study based on their specific design interests.
- Sustainable Design: A post-professional program emphasizing the integration of natural systems, building systems, and cultural systems into architectural design.
- Historic Preservation: A post-professional program designed to provide knowledge and skills appropriate for architects who are engaged in preservation practice and policy, written and graphic documentation of historic structures, building pathology, materials conservation, and sensitive design for restoration or adaptive reuse.
- Urban Design: Post-professional graduate study developing an understanding of the urban environment and its users' needs, and promoting design skills to improve the quality and efficiency of the built environment.
Sample Post-Professional m.Arch. design and theory Curriculum
Program curricula are highly individualized and will be determined with the Program Director.
Fall I
- Post-Professional Seminar 3 hrs
- First Master's Studio 6 hrs
- Urban Design Theory 3 hrs
Spring I
- Second Master's Studio 6 hrs
- Major elective (or Thesis 'A') 3 hrs
- Minor elective 3 hrs
Fall II
- Master's Design Study 6 hrs (This is omitted under the thesis option)
- Major elective (or Thesis 'B') 3 hrs
- Minor elective 3 hrs
Total 36 hrs (30 hours if following the thesis option)