Field of Study Focus: Architecture
Advising Resource
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and structures. A wider definition would include the design of the total built environment, from themacrolevel of town planning, urban design, and landscape architecture to the microlevel of creating furniture. Architecture is both the process and product ofplanning, designing, and constructing form, space, and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Architectural designusually must address both feasibility and cost for the builder, as well as function and aesthetics for the user. Some programs are theory-based programs whileothers are design-based programs.

COMMON SPECIALIZATIONSARCHITECTURALENGINEERING

Emphasizes the engineering aspects of the building design and construction process. This is a multidisciplined engineering approach with a focus on architecture and design. Architectural Engineering includes the design of building systems
including electrical, lighting, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC), and structural systems.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

Studies the evolution and history of architecture across the world through a consideration of various influences including
artistic, cultural, political, economic, and technological.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN/SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Emphasizes the integration of architecture with the environment to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space. Deals with designthat incorporates ecologically sustainable energy and waste systems; energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, indoor air quality, and use of appropriate technology.

GENERAL ARCHITECTURE:
DESIGN, THEORY, METHODS

Prepares one for a professional career as a design specialist or a general practitioner. Employs a range of methodologies,
processes and philosophies, techniques, and technologies.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION/CONSERVATION

Studies skills required to address issues relating to the restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive use of existing buildings.

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE

Deals with the process of creating and shaping interior space, as well as surface treatment.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

An applied art whereby the aesthetics and usability of products may be improved. Design aspects specified by the industrial designer may include the overall shape of the object, the location of details with respect to one another, colors, texture,sounds, and aspects concerning the use of the product ergonomics.

(SEE VISUAL ARTS SECTION)LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Involves the art, planning, design, management, preservation, and rehabilitation of the land and the design of humanmade constructs. The scope of the profession includes architectural design, site planning, estate development, environmental restoration, town or urban planning, urban design, parks and recreation planning, regional planning, and historicpreservation.

URBAN DESIGN

Urban design concerns the arrangement, appearance, and functionality of towns and cities. Focuses on the use of public space.

COMMON DEGREESMS ARCH

Master of Architecture is seen as a terminal, professional degree and usually includes a design studio component. It canbe offered on two different tracks, the MArch I or the MArch II.

MARCH I

Master of Architecture I is usually a three-year program designed for those who do not already hold a professional degree
in architecture or have not completed a five-year bachelor of architecture program. Students must hold the U.S. equivalentof a bachelor’s degree and must also demonstrate a basic background in architecture, which normally requires students tohave completed a studio course in drawing, sketching, sculpture, or basic architectural design. In addition, course work in
calculus, physics, and art history may also be required.

MARCH II

Master of Architecture II is usually a two-year program for those students who already hold a professional degree in architecture or have completed a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree. Students with an advanced background in architecture have been known to complete the MArch II program in one calendar year with special permission from the head ofthe department.

MLA

Master of Landscape Architecture is a professional degree and usually culminates in a design thesis. It can be offered on
two different tracks, MLA I or MLA II.
CONTINUED
EducationUSA / CONNECTIONS

ON/ JULY

PAGE

2011

/1110

Field of Study Focus: Architecture
CONTINUED

FROM

PAGE

10COMMON DEGREES (CONT’D)
MLA I

Master of Landscape Architecture I is usually a three-year program designed for those who do not already hold a professional degree in architecture or have not completed a pre-professional undergraduate degree in landscape architecture orarchitecture. Students must hold the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree and must demonstrate a basic background ofvisual arts, such as drawing, sculpture, graphics, and/or basic design. Courses in the humanities, ecology, art history, landscape architecture, and architecture may also be required.

MLA II

Master of Landscape Architecture II is usually a one-and-a-half to two-year program for those students who already holdan undergraduate professional degree in landscape architecture.

MUD

Master of Urban Design is an advanced degree that may be a one- or two-year program. A portfolio is needed and programs generally require a studio component.

MAUD; MAAUD; MARCH/MUD; MARCH/MCP

Combined programs such as Master of Architecture and Urban Design; Master of Advanced Architecture and Urban
Design are relatively new fields and include computer-aided design and environmental architecture. Some of these programs are one-year in length, but begin early, requiring students to complete an entire calendar year of study, i.e. Summer,
Fall and Spring semesters. For programs that are dual degrees, such as Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Design
and the Master of Architecture/Master of City Planning, completion of the requirements in both areas is required and cantherefore take 2-3 years to complete.

Ph.D./D.ARCH/D.DES

Not all programs offer doctoral programs. The Ph.D. is a researched-based degree that prepares students for teaching
and research positions. D.Arch prepares graduates for applied positions. Extremely competitive and most programs requirea master’s degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTSADMISSION/ FINANCIAL AID
DEADLINESDeadlines begin December 1.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

An undergraduate degree in architecture is usually required. Applicants with backgrounds in related fields may also be
considered for admission provided they have demonstrated creative ability. If admitted, however, such applicants will berequired to make up undergraduate deficiencies and will therefore require more time to complete the degree program.
A well-qualified applicant will have a strong overall academic background and a transcript with a Grade Point Averageof a 3.0 or above.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Is not essential but can greatly strengthen an application, especially if one is seeking advanced standing.

TESTTOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper based) or 80 (IBT) is usually required, though a 600 (paper based) or 100(IBT) is more competitive.
GRE: Strong scores are very important with an emphasis placed on the quantitative section of the GRE since this fieldrequires a high aptitude in mathematics. The most competitive schools seek a score of 600 and above for the verbal andquantitative sections of the GRE and a 4.5 and above for analytical writing.

WORK SAMPLE ORPORTFOLIO

Despite advances in technology, almost all programs require a hard copy of a portfolio (not a CD). We are beginning to seesome changes where some programs are now requiring a complete electronic application. In this case the portfolio must
be uploaded to the universities’ electronic application. Individual portfolio requirements should be taken very seriously
and can greatly affect a student’s chances of being admitted. We advise students to submit portfolios with the dimensionsof 8" x 11". Students will need to supply one portfolio to every school to which they apply. The submitted work should berepresentative of the applicant’s development, include complete projects and, if possible, be relevant to the proposed
field of study. The applicant’s role in collaborative projects should be clearly identified. Some schools may require originaldrafts of submitted work. Most schools will not return a student’s portfolio unless a specific request is made. The student
will have to incur the cost of having the portfolio returned by mail as this is not covered by the application fee.

ACADEMIC WRITING SAMPLE

Required for Ph.D., but generally not required for the master’s level.

Source: Prepared by the Institute of International Education’s University Placement Services Division using information from internal resources and materials and resources readily available on the Internet.
EducationUSA / CONNECTIONS/ JULY2011/11