I understand 4 years in undergraduate architecture means a BS degree.
But the 2 years graduate school for 4+2 program will give me a MA 1 or MA 2? What about Tulane’s “undergraduate” master degree, is it is a MA 1 degree or something else? I also get accepted to USC 5-year architecture program today, should I go there? USC seems way too expensive but the program and the school have a really good reputation.
Hi. Actually 4 year Arcitecture degree can either be a BA or BS. My understanding is if you take at least four Architectural Design/Studio courses then you can get a Masters in 2 years (traditionally that is 5 semesters). If you take less than that or get a degree in anything else then it will take 3 years to get a Masters (or traditionally 7 semesters).
If you get a BArch (5 years) then it will take one year to get a Masters in Archtecture. So in short the 4+2 takes the same amount of time as 5+1 if you want a Masters. Just a reminder, Tulane MArch is the same thing as a BArch (an undergraduate 5 year degree). I just looked at Tulane and Rice - they dont’ have a Masters of Architecture for 1 year (3 semesters) anymore. They used to. I don’t know what happened to that? However, Cornell still has it but they dont’ offer the 2 year program. Wow, this is NUTS!
You’d have to ask Tulane why they no longer have the Masters in Architecture for 1 year (3 semesters) for students who have a BArch or MArch.
Rice explains it well (http://www.arch.rice.edu/Academics/Academic-Programs/Graduate-Overview/):
Option 1 (Master of Architecture): seven semester program
Offered to individuals who hold a four-year undergraduate degree with a major in a field other than Architecture. Preference for admission is given to those who have completed a balanced education in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A minimum of two semesters of college-level courses in the history of art and/or architecture and one semester of college level courses in mathematics or physics is recommended. Previous preparation in the visual arts is also desirable, as are courses in philosophy, literature, and economics. In order to graduate, students in this program must complete, in addition to 6 semesters of design studios, a curriculum of 43 credit hours with an additional free electives course load of 30 credit hours.
Option 2 (Master of Architecture): five semester program
Offered to individuals who hold a four-year undergraduate degree with a major in Architecture. Preference for admission is given to those who have successfully completed between four to six semesters of undergraduate design studio as well as undergraduate courses that are analogous to those given in the first year of Option 1. A minimum of two semesters of college-level courses in the history of art and/or architecture and one semester of college-level courses in mathematics or physics is recommended. In order to graduate, students in this program must complete, in addition to 4 semesters of design studios, a curriculum of 37 credit hours with an additional free electives course load of 18 credit hours.
Here are some examples…
Rice offers BArch (5 year) and Masters in Architecture 2 or 3 years (5 or 7 semesters)
Tulane offers BS in Archtecture (4 years), MArch (which is the same thing as a BArch - 5 years), Masters in Architecture 2 or 3 years (5 or 7 semesters)
Wash U offers BA and BS in Architecture (4 years), Masters in Archtecture 2 or 3 years (4, 5 or 7 semesters) Yes, they have as masters in architecture that is only 4 semesters long - shorter than the traditional 5 semester program.
Cornell offers BArch (5 years), Masters in Architecture 1 or 3 years (3 or 7 semesters).
Thank you so much!!! Every time your answers are so thorough! @newjersey17
just want to make sure, all the master degree you talk about are Master Of Architecture 1, right? @newjersey17
I know of four ways to get a Masters in Architecture (it all depends on what you did for UG):
- Masters in Architecture - is a 3 semester program for BArch/MArch (5+1)
- Masters in Architecture - is a 4 semester program for BS in Architecture (with a minimum of 4 Architect design studios (called 4+2)
- Masters in Architecture - is a 5 semester program for possibly a BA and BS in Architecture (called 4+2)
- Masters in Architecture - is a 7 semester program for all other majors (4+3)
They may not be called 1, 2, 2+, 3… every school names it differently. You have to read the description to find out what kind of programs they offer.
The easiest way is to search the NAAB site to see which programs they offer that are accredited.
Here’s an example of Wash U accredited programs: http://naab.org/r/schools/view.aspx?record_id=20623&origin=results&QS=QS&f1_4580=washington+university+&top_parent=243
M. of Arch - 60 credits (4 semesters)
M. of Arch - 75 credits (5 semesters)
M. of Arch - 105 credits (7 semesters)
Regarding getting a Masters and the time it takes if you already have a BArch this varies on the program and some are changing the requirements or have recently changed them. The ones I know have gone to a 2 year or 4 studios are Harvard GSD and Yale.
Also, I didn’t include the M.Arch as one of the ways to get a Masters degree because it is a 5 year undergraduate degree. See Tulane’s MArch http://architecture.tulane.edu/programs/degrees/march-undergraduate
Confusing right??!!
Also, I didn’t include the M.Arch because it is a 5 year undergraduate degree. See Tulane’s MArch http://architecture.tulane.edu/programs/degrees/march-undergraduate
USC’s BArch program is certainly prestigious, but may or may not be your best choice if it’s “way too expensive.” How does the total cost compare to the BS+MArch at UMich?
The terms MArchI for Professional (or First Professional) and MArchII for Post-Professional degrees are used by many architecture schools; however, other schools have moved away from this designation and use other names like Option 1 & 2, 2 Year & 3 Year or just Professional and Post-Professional. So don’t become overly focused on the I or II designation.
There is no real standardization in length of time or courses required by each MArch program (other than courses mandated for accreditation by the NAAB). This is especially true for Post-Professional Programs which vary considerably.
The time required may be shortened by Advanced Placement or Advanced Standing credits it may be lengthened by summer sessions or thesis semesters. Unless you are continuing from undergraduate to MArch at the same university, you may find that different schools credit your undergraduate courses differently, so it’s difficult to generalize.
This is what Cornell says
The 1.0 year MArchs are less common and can be quite restrictive. For example, for Northeastern’s 1.0 year MArch you must either have a BS from Northeastern or a BArch from another school plus one year IDP / specific work experience. I believe Cornell’s 3 semester MArchII is only open to BArch holders.
The 5.0 year MArchs offered by Tulane, UKansas and Kansas State have to be completed consecutively. Whether they are considered undergraduate or graduate degrees is a source of confusion. They are sometime called “non-baccalaureate MArchs”.
This is how KU describe the 5.0 MArch
thank you!! @momrath @newjersey17