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Architecture - M.Arch.

COLLEGE: College of Architecture and Environmental Design
DEPARTMENT: 201 Taylor Hall
Tel: 330-672-3765
E-mail:jpflemi1@kent.edu
Web: www.kent.edu/caed
 
 
DESCRIPTION: The Master of Architecture, accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, prepares graduates to enter the profession by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity, and the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs, as well as by offering a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge. The program has an emphasis in building design and professional practice and offers students the opportunity of selecting elective courses in specialized areas, such as building technology, building preservation, architectural history and theory, urban studies and design.

The Master of Architecture also offers a Post Professional Study concentration and a Dual degree program with the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Urban Design.

Post Professional Studies is for those holding a professional B.Arch. or M.Arch. degree and interested in continuing their education by focusing on one of the various areas: design theory, preservation,  urban design, building technology, green architecture and building management. This research-based program allows students to shape a course of study according to their cultural and professional interests. It particularly suits the needs of those professionals who cannot enroll full-time as each curriculum may be taken in a flexible way. This program is suitable for international students.

Dual Degree with the Master of Business Administration is for architects or undergraduate architectural students who aspire to middle or executive management positions in architectural practices, or who are interested in starting their own business along with the preparation to enter the profession of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. It fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs, also by offering a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge.

Dual Degree with the Master of Urban Design is for graduate students interested in advanced preparation in architecture with a specialization in urban design along with the preparation to enter the profession of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. It fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs, also by offering a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge.
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS:
 Official transcript(s); GRE (or GMAT for the Dual Degree with MBA concentration); goal statement (include intent and background information); three letters of recommendation (one letter should be from a non-academic source); portfolio (design work should clearly indicate role in group projects; and pre-professional degree in architecture (B.A. or B.Arch.). Applicant must have undergraduate coursework equivalent to Kent State B.S. degree. Conditional admission may be granted with specific additional coursework, such as the Comprehensive Building Design and Technology Studio (ARCH 40102), currently offered in the fourth year of the B.S. in Architecture.
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS:
 M.Arch.: Minimum 44 total credit hours, 35 from core courses and 9 from elective courses.

Post Professional: Minimum of 32 credit hours with two alternative culminating experiences.

M.Arch./M.B.A.: Minimum of 74 credit hours, 35 from the M.Arch. program and 39 from the M.B.A. program.

M.Arch/M.U.D.: Minimum of 66 credit hours, 35 from the M.Arch. program and 31 from the M.U.D program.
CULMINATING EXPERIENCE:
 Post Professional: Thesis/Capstone Project
PROGRAM FEE:
 None
ACCREDITATION: The Master of Architecture degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). 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, which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. 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 its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute and accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

Kent State University, College of Architecture and Environmental Design offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:
  • Master of Architecture 44+ the pre-professional (Bachelor of Science in Architecture 125)
  • Master of Architecture 44/ Master of Business Administration dual degree
  • Master of Architecture 44/ Master of Urban Design dual degree
The next accreditation visit for the accredited sequence is 2012, the previous visit was in 2006. A professional program in architecture at Kent State University has been continuously accredited since 1962.