Architecture and Environmental Design - M.S. Download to print

The Master of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design program is planned to a thirty-five (35) credit hour, research-intensive program with one-year full residency requirement. Six (6) credits are required research methods coursework, three credits (3) required theories of Architecture, nine (9) credits of thesis research and thesis, twelve (12) credits of directed electives selected with the advisor, and six (6) credits of free electives.

The program of study is designed to enable the students to customize their research degree with the approval of the thesis advisor and Master of Science Graduate Committee (MSGC).

According to the Department of Labor, the employment of architects and interior designers is expected to grow by 24% and 19% respectively from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations (14%). The job prospects however, will be highly competitive because of the growing number of students graduating with architectural degrees. The best job opportunities will be for candidates who can distinguish themselves with their creativity. With an expected high rate of change in the professions, demand for scientific and technical services may increase by over 29% in architecture and 58% in interior design professions in the same period. it is therefore more likely that the demand for highly skilled specialized designers in the technical and scientific areas of the built environment will increase at a higher rate than that of the general practice.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-13 Edition.)

Admission will be offered to students with professional or pre-professional degrees in environmental design fields of study. Conditional admission may be offered to candidates with undergraduate and graduate degrees in related disciplines. In this case, additional coursework will be required.

In addition to the University general requirements, the applicants of the Master of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design are expected to have completed a bachelor degree or equivalent from a college or university with a minimum of 3.2 GPA. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 and higher may be conditionally admitted on an individual basis. Admission to the program is administered through the Master of Science graduate committee and is based on:

• Providing a resume giving and educational and work history
• Providing a two-page statement of purpose and outline of a proposed study program
• Providing three letters of recommendation
• Submitting an Official transcript per University description
• Providing GRE test scores
• For international students, a minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT
• Portfolio for design or research work

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

Minimum 35 credit hours, including thesis.

Thesis required

1 year