Studying Architecture in the United States:
Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Options
FeatureBy Kristina StulicW

ithin the field of architecture there are a variety of degree offerings available to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This article will identify the various study options, specific requirements and objectives for
each, program accreditation, the importance of the studio component, and other information on the application process toarchitecture programs in the U.S.
Architecture has become a particularly diverse field of study in theU.S., requiring a good amount of research to ensure students identify programs best matching their needs and goals. The study ofarchitecture is concerned not only with the exterior and interior ofa particular structure, but also the environment as a whole, with arecent trend of developing environmentally conscious design techniques. Across all programs, an essential component in the study ofarchitecture is the design studio, which provides opportunities forstudents to learn through practical experience.
Undergraduate Degree Study
Undergraduate degree programs in architecture provide students
the necessary knowledge for advanced study and practice in thefield. Those interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in architecture should begin planning in high school as many programs
require a strong background in trigonometry, calculus, and physics. If deficient, many bachelor programs may require students tocomplete prerequisite classes in these areas during the first years ofstudy before offering formal admission into the architecture program.
Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)The Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) is the traditional first degreein architecture. The BArch is normally completed in five years. The
coursework is designed to fulfill the academic requirements of theprofessional accreditation body, which is known as the National
Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Generally, a NAAB accredited curriculum includes general studies, professional studies, andelective coursework. It also offers practical preparation through adesign studio where students develop the skills needed to create
appropriate architectural designs. Upon completion of the accredited BArch program, students must also gain appropriate internships
or practical training.
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies/Bachelor of Sciencein Architecture (BS Arch)/Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies(BA Arch)
In slight contrast to the BArch degree, these alternative degree
options in architecture are shorter in length; they normally can becompleted in four years. However, they are generally not NAAB
accredited. Frequently, they are viewed as pre-professional degrees
because, in order to complete an accredited program that willlead to licensure, students are required to complete the Master ofArchitecture degree (MArch).

Program Spotlight: Sustainable Design
As the world becomes more urbanized, many schools of architecture have developed coursework to help promote solutions tomass urbanization and environmental challenges through sustainability. This focus area has gained tremendous popularity over thelast few years. Some good options for those interested in pursuingthis route include but are not limited to:
University of Minnesota, College of Design, School of Architecture,
MS Architecture-Sustainable Design Track
The School of Architecture at the University of Minnesota’s
College of Design (CDes) has developed an MS in ArchitectureSustainable Design Track (MS-SD). Bringing together a rich groupof multidisciplinary courses, projects, and research opportunities, students can customize the program to meet their individualneeds. http://arch.design.umn.edu/programs/mssd/
University of Texas, School of Architecture, MS Sustainable Design(MSSD)
The MSSD, or Master of Science in Sustainable Design program,is designed for students who wish to prepare for the Ph.D. or for
employment in research, activism, or public policy. The program
as a whole integrates three areas of inquiry related to the built
environment—natural systems, building systems, and cultural systems. The Sustainable Design program is practical, technical, andphilosophical in scope. http://soa.utexas.edu/sustainabledesign/
Program descriptions are courtesy of university websites.

Notes on Applying to Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Application requirements vary by institution and by program. Thatsaid, most Bachelor of Architecture programs look for applicantswith strong high school grade point averages (GPA) or class rank,
appropriate prerequisite coursework, SAT section scores, TOEFL orIELTS scores, and a portfolio of their creative endeavors. The content of the portfolio needs to include an essay that talks about what
has inspired the applicant to pursue the study of architecture alongwith an example of his or her creative work. Most programs preferto see the design intent in a drafting sample. Portfolios are generally
submitted in a bound paper format of approximately 10-20 pages.
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Did you know?
The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers the only NAAB accredited
Doctorate of Architecture (DArch) program in the United States.

In recent years some programs have begun requiring students toupload electronic portfolios to a specific link.
Graduate Degree Study
Graduate degree programs in architecture offer many tracks depending on one’s previous study, current degree objectives, and area offocus or specialization. At the master’s level, there are two maindegree options: Master of Architecture (MArch) and Master of
Science in Architecture (MS Arch). In addition, those interested
in landscape architecture may pursue a professional Master ofLandscape Architecture (MLA). Graduate level study frequently
includes specific focus areas such as design, building technology,
design computing, architectural history, sustainable design, environmental design, landscape architecture, or historic preservation.
Master of Architecture (MArch)The Master of Architecture is a terminal, professional degree that
normally requires a studio component. It is not intended to lead tofurther study at the doctoral level. Those who have not completed
a professional degree in architecture or a five-year bachelor of architecture program (the BArch or its equivalent) are required to complete a three-year MArch I program. Students who hold a professional degree in architecture or have completed a five-year Bachelorof Architecture degree frequently qualify to enter a two-year MArch
II program. In some cases, those with advanced standing may be
eligible to complete the MArch degree in one year.
Master of Science in Architecture (MS Architecture)
The MS in Architecture is a nonprofessional, nonterminal degree
that is normally completed in less than two years. It is appropriate
for those looking to strengthen knowledge in a particular aspect of
the field or for those interested in eventually pursuing a doctoraldegree. In addition, there are a variety of other popular specialized
master’s degrees, including the MS in Historic Preservation and theMaster of Urban Design (MUD).
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctorate in Architecture (DArch), andDoctorate in Design (DDes)
The three research architecture doctorates include the Ph.D., theDArch, and the DDes, representing the highest degrees awardedin field. The Ph.D. is designed for students interested in pursu-ing careers in teaching or advanced research. The Doctorate ofArchitecture (DArch) offers the opportunity to pursue advanced
study in a particular area while also including one or two semestersof professional studio experimentation. The Doctorate of Design(DDes) is appropriate for those interested in a more practical andapplied approach to architecture or pursuing advanced study andresearch in a particular design discipline. In most cases, the DArchand DDes are intended for those who have already mastered theirprofessional skills in architecture.
Notes on Applying to Graduate Programs
Similar to the undergraduate process, graduate application procedures vary from school to school and the specific program to whicha student is applying. Advanced MArch degree options that allow
students to complete the MArch degree in less than three years will
require a five-year Bachelor’s in Architecture, strong GRE Generalscores, especially in the verbal and analytical writing sections,
TOEFL or IELTS (minimum depends on programs to which one isapplying), and a strong portfolio.
The Portfolio
The portfolio is an extremely important component of admission at
the graduate level. Most programs in the U.S. require a hard boundportfolio with dimensions of 8 x 11 inches. The submitted portfolio
work should demonstrate the applicant’s development and include
complete projects that are relevant to the proposed study focus
and/or specialization. When presenting collaborative work, theapplicant’s role needs to be clearly identified. Unlike many fine arts
programs in the U.S. where portfolio requirements and formats canvary dramatically, architecture applicants can generally prepare one
portfolio that can be reproduced for each program to which they
are applying. Frequently portfolios can be returned if the request is

About NAAB
The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is the sole
professional body authorized to accredit architecture professional
degree programs. Successfully completing an NAAB accredited
program is required by most U.S.-based architectural licensing
boards. Please note the guidelines set by NAAB may differ fromthose established in other countries. For international students,
it is important to review the program curricula carefully to determine whether the program offerings will be acceptable to obtainlicensure in other countries.
(About the NAAB. National Architectural Accrediting Board.
Retrieved June 20, 2011 from www.naab.org/about/)

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made in advance and the cost for postage is incurred by the applicant. It’s important to review the individual program’s portfolio
requirements as many have begun to require students to submit
electronic portfolios.

Online Architecture Resources
The National Association of Architecture Accrediting Board
www.naab.org
American Institute of Architecturewww.aia.org

Kristina Stulic is an Assistant Director in the University Placement
Services Division at the Institute of International Education.

American Institute of Architecture Students
www.aias.org

Some of the information provided in this article has been drawn from the following sites. Undergraduate Admissions: University of Southern California School of Architecture,
http://arch.usc.edu/Admissions/UndergraduateAdmissions
Graduate Admissions: Harvard University Graduate School of Design, www.gsd.harvard.edu/admissions/info_applicants
Program-related: University of Hawaii Manoa School of Architecture, www.arch.hawaii.edu

Program Spotlight: Totalization Studios
at Rice University
A central aspect of architecture programs in the United States is thestudio component, which is design focused and draws on knowledgeof program, form, and technology. Studio components vary from institution to institution. For example, some institutions focus on doing
more pragmatic design projects, solving problems or doing projects
that might actually be built, called “design build” studios. Other institutions have studios that are more theoretical in ambition, working on
big idea problems that often overlap with larger issues, such as globalization, customized mass production, or digital possibilities. Students
considering studying architecture in the United States should closely
research the studio component at the institutions they are interested
in and think carefully about the type of experience that best matches
their academic goals.
At Rice University, we developed “Totalization Studios,” which ask
students to rigorously weigh all aspects of building design, including
historical, political, economic, and physical dimensions. Each fall,
Rice offers four Totalization Studios, each with a distinct focus. The
four areas of focus for the fall 2010 semester included: Framework(researching “numbers,” that is, how architecture, economic feasibility,and finance integrate), Softwork (looking at mechanical systems andtheir relation with program and form), Groundwork (looking at questions of urban density, site, and type), and Formwork (analyzing skins
and envelopes). The ambition of the Totalization Studios is to teach ourstudents that architecture equals innovation plus practice.
Innovation within the Totalization Studio comes not from simply mastering a set of core competencies at the center of established building
practice, but from understanding how an architect’s formulation ofa total project canchallenge thesepractices, setting
them in motion
andexpanding
their current definitions. To support this process,the Totalization
Studios engage aset of consultants
Totalization Studios ask students to weigh
all aspects of building design.
who are at theforefront of newtechnical and informational practices in the building industry. All ofthe consultants visit the School of Architecture at Rice to give a public
lecture and review the Totalization Studios’ work in progress, as well as
to attend the students’ final review. To extend the consultant collaborations and broaden the students’ engagement with practice, all fourstudios participate in a sponsored trip to New York City for a four-day
tour of projects, office visits with the individual consultants, and general explorations of the city.
Speculation and practice: the Totalization Studio will be considered
total only when the distinction between these terms becomes indistinguishable in each student’s final project.

Sarah Whiting is the William Ward Watkin Professor and Dean of the Rice
School of Architecture.
Troy Schaum is an Assistant Professor and Totalization Coordinator at theRice School of Architecture.

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