Master of Architecture

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Tulane University is one of the most highly regarded and selective independent research universities in the United States, currently ranked 40th in National Universities by US News & World Report. As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, we take pride in being a part of this select group of “pre-eminent programs of graduate education and scholarly research.”

The first professional Master of Architecture degree program (M.Arch I) is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and is open to students with a baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited college or university. The seven-semester program fulfills the professional degree requirements leading to architectural licensure and registration. Two distinct tracks accommodate students’ diverse undergraduate backgrounds.

3.5-Year Track

The 3.5-year track is structured for students with minimal or no previous architectural education. The seven-semester curriculum begins with a rigorous summer introductory semester, followed by four semesters of core instruction. The final two semesters are primarily elective options, encouraging students to develop customized educational experiences through our rich course offerings.

Students with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree, bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or in other three-dimensional design fields may qualify for one semester advanced standing. Students with a pre-professional architecture degree should apply to the two-year track.

2-Year Track (Advanced Standing)

The two-year track provides an accelerated path for students with substantial architectural education. Those with a pre-professional degree such as a Bachelor of Science in Architecture or a Bachelor of Environmental Design, or international students with a terminal architecture degree in their respective country who wish to work towards licensure in the US and Canada should apply to this track to gain advanced standing within the M.Arch I program.

The Director of Graduate Architecture determines the level of advanced standing based on students’ college transcripts and design portfolio strength. Typically, students will complete the curriculum in four semesters, two semesters of core instruction to fulfill NAAB requirements and two semesters of elective options to develop independent scholarship. International students with a license to practice architecture or eligible for licensure in their respective countries may qualify for further advanced standing to complete the degree in three semesters.

Dual Degree Options

Graduate students may pursue a Master of Architecture degree in conjunction with a Master of Preservation Studies or Master of Sustainable Real Estate degree, typically with one additional semester of course work.

Option Studio

The Option Studio provides students with opportunities to engage in advanced-level architectural problems with various scales and complexity. Several distinctly different design topics are offered every semester,

reflecting the diverse academic interests of our faculty instructing the studio, such as design strategies related to aesthetic, cultural, and symbolic issues; infrastructure; housing and community design; urban design; and historic preservation to name a few. Our award-winning URBANbuild and Tulane City Center projects are also offered as design-build studios in this context.

International Students

STEM OPT Eligibility

Beginning in fall 2019, the Tulane School of Architecture’s professional Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.), Master of Architecture (M. Arch I.) degrees and the new post-professional Master of Science in Architectural Research and Design (M.S.Arc.) degree is classified under Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (CIP code 04.0902).

Consequently, international students graduating with B. Arch., M. Arch I. or M.S. Arc. degree from Tulane on or after 2019-2020 academic year will be eligible for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ STEM OPT extension program. This allows international students to remain in the U.S. for up to 36 months after graduation to receive practical training through work experience in the field of architecture.

Curriculum

3.5-Year Track curriculum

Summer Session

• ARCH 6011 Architecture Studio
• ARCH 6012 Architecture Studio
• ARCH 6110 Introduction to Architecture

Year 1

• Fall
  • ARCH 6021 Architecture Studio
  • ARCH 6121 Hist/Theory of Arch & Urbanism I
  • ARCH 6211 Site Strategies
  • ARCH 6311 Digital Media
• Spring
  • ARCH 6022 Architecture Studio
  • ARCH 6122 Hist/Theory of Arch & Urbanism II
  • ARCH 6212 Materials and Methods
  • ARCH 6213 Building, Climate, and Comfort

Year 2

• Fall
  • ARCH 6041 Advanced Studio Elective
  • ARCH 6214 Structural Systems
  • ARCH 6312 Advanced Digital Media
  • ARCH 6130 Architectural Research Methods
• Spring
  • ARCH 6032 Integrated Studio
  • ARCH 6215 Integrated Building Systems
  • Architecture Elective
  • Architecture Elective

Year 3

• Fall
  • ARCH 6051 Advanced Studio Elective
  • ARCH 6980 Thesis Research* or Arch Elective
  • ARCH 6511 Professional Concerns I
  • ARCH 66xx Advanced History/Theory Elective
  • Architecture Elective
• Spring
  • ARCH 6990 Thesis* or ARCH 6052 Advanced Studio
  • ARCH 6925 Ind. Thesis Research* or Arch Elective
  • ARCH 6512 Professional Concerns II**
  • ARCH 66xx Advanced History/Theory Elective

*The 12-ch thesis program (comprised of ARCH 6980 Thesis Research 3-ch, ARCH 6990 Thesis Studio 6-ch, and ARCH 6925 Independent Thesis Research 3-ch) is optional for Graduate students. A Graduate student may instead choose to take two additional 3-ch Architecture Electives and 6-ch Option Studio in their final year.
**ARCH 6512 Prof. Concerns II course can be taken either in 2nd year or 3rd year spring semester.

2-Year Track curriculum

Typical Curriculum - may vary depending on the level of standing granted by the program director.

Year 1

• Fall
  • ARCH 6041 Advanced Studio Elective
  • ARCH 6130 Research Methods
  • ARCH 6312 Advanced Digital Media
  • ARCH 6214 Structural Systems or
  • ARCH 6211 Site Strategies
• Spring
  • ARCH 6032 Architecture Studio
  • ARCH 6215 Integrated Building Systems
  • Architecture Elective
  • Architecture Elective

Year 2

• Fall
  • ARCH 6051 Advanced Studio Elective
  • ARCH 6980 Thesis Research* or Arch Elective
  • ARCH 6511 Professional Concerns I
  • ARCH 66xx Advanced History/Theory Elective
  • Architecture Elective
• Spring
  • ARCH 6990 Thesis* or ARCH 6052 Advanced Studio
  • ARCH 6925 Ind. Thesis Research* or Arch Elective
  • ARCH 6512 Professional Concerns II**
  • ARCH 66xx Advanced History/Theory Elective

*The 12-ch thesis program (comprised of ARCH 6980 Thesis Research-3ch, ARCH 6990 Thesis Studio-6ch, and ARCH 6925 Independent Thesis Research) is optional for Graduate students. A Graduate student may instead choose to take two additional 3-ch Architecture Electives and 6-ch Option Studio in their final year.
**ARCH 6512 Prof. Concerns II course can be taken either in 1st year or 2nd year spring semester.