Master of Architecture
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
For students desiring a career of leadership in society and practice, the University offers the M. Arch. Professional degree program. This degree offers the academic credentials for professional licensing and admission to the field of architecture.
The objective of the Master of Architecture (M. Arch. ) degree program is to combine professional studies in architecture with advanced liberal education courses. Academic course work combines graduate studies in architectural design and theory, self-driven selective research, professional practice studies, advanced liberal education courses and interdisciplinary studies, and an intensive Masters Class studio of visiting professors. A rich variety of architectural elective courses are lead by an outstanding faculty, allowing the opportunity to specialize in one of five concentrations.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Lawrence Tech's College of Architecture and Design is a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). The M.Arch. degree holds the maximum six year accreditation term 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 (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degree; the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a 6-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards. Master's degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree." - NAAB
The one academic year and two summers M. Arch. degree program develops a core curriculum covering the range of knowledge a graduate needs in creative practice. A focus of the program is the Master Class studio that is taken in the first summer and is led by a practitioner who has a critical practice. Past Master Class practitioners have included William Massie, Marlon Blackwell, Mark Sexton, Betsy and Shane Williamson and Dan Wood and Amale Andraos from WorkAC. Building from the core of required courses, self-motivated students can elect their own area of concentration or explore new directions.
The M. Arch student has the opportunity to specialize in an area of professional interest by selecting an area of concentration:
Architecture Design and Practice
Critical Studies in Architecture
Urban Design
Sustainable Architecture
Interior Architecture
The M. Arch. Professional degree program is open to highly qualified graduates of college/university architectural programs who meet all admission requirements. Students who work while earning the M. Arch. Degree should plan to distribute course work over two to four years.
ONLINE M.ARCH.
The M.Arch. Professional degree program is also offered online except for the Master Class studio which is taught during a 10 week summer semester on Friday's or on 4 weekends during the summer plus a field trip with the Master Class practitioner. The online M.Arch. is based on the Architecture Design and Practice concentration and students will complete either the thesis or studio option through independent work with faculty. For more information, contact Alice McHard at amchard@ltu.edu.
DUAL DEGREE - M.ARCH. MBA
LTU offers a dual degree that includes a professional accredited Master's in Architecture and an accredited MBA. This degree is 54 semester credit hours and includes a thesis with faculty from both disciplines. Students will complete core courses from architecture and business and will be enrolled in the Architecture Design and Practice concentration. This entire degree can also be completed online except for the Master Class studio taught on either 10 Fridays during the summer or over 4 weekends during the summer plus a field trip. For more information, please contact Alice McHard at amchard@ltu.edu.
M.ARCH 3+
The Master of Architecture 3+ is a program designed for students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in architectural studies from a NAAB accredited program, but who do have a baccalaureate or advanced degree from any other university or college.
Admissions Requirements and Procedures
For more information about the graduate program, please contact:
Alice McHard
amchard@ltu.edu
*36 Credit Hours in addition to an acceptable undergraduate degree in architecture