About This Program

Ready to pursue an architecture career? The professionally accredited (NAAB) Master of Architecture degree expands your technical knowledge and fosters creative thinking and design skills focused on making built environments that meet societal needs. With a strong emphasis on design skills, hands-on learning and real-world experience, our program offers students the opportunity to work with industry professionals and gain practical skills that will set them apart for leadership in the profession. Enroll today and take the first step toward becoming a licensed architect. Read more...

Contact Information

• Sung Ho Kim | skim67@kent.edu |
  330-672-2917
• CAEDgradprograms@kent.edu

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The M.Arch degree in Architecture is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement (include intent and background information)
• Portfolio, with design work clearly indicating role in group projects
• Three letters of recommendation, with one letter from a non-academic source
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

Applicants with a non-professional bachelor’s degree or a pre-professional degree in architecture from another institution will have their prior education evaluated to determine if they meet student performance criteria as stipulated by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). If evaluated courses are determined to be deficient, the student may be required to complete additional courses to earn the degree. Determinations will be made by the program director and graduate coordinator at the time the student is admitted to the program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Admission to the Prior-Standing Track concentration requires that applicants demonstrate strong completion of the following courses in the following areas:

• Minimum 16 credit hours of studio, including four semesters of foundation design and two semesters with an architecture focus
• Minimum 6 credit hours of history/theory, including a foundation architecture history course - broad/global content and one additional history/theory elective
• 12 credit hours of building technology, of which 9 credit hours must address the following:
  • Introduction/foundations in building structures
  • Introduction to environmental design and technology
  • Introduction to building methods and materials
• 6 credit hours of communication and modeling skills, including one course with learning outcomes related to digital representation (or equivalent skills demonstrated through studio work), one course with learning outcomes related to fabrication (or equivalent demonstrated through studio work) and/or one course with learning outcomes related to coding (or equivalent demonstrated through studio work).

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: January 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: January 15

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
ARCH 60101	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO I	6
ARCH 60102	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO II	5
ARCH 60150	PROJECT PROGRAMMING	3
ARCH 60301	THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE	3
ARCH 60922	METHODS OF INQUIRY IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES	2
ARCH 65001	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT	2
ARCH 65002	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: CONTRACT AND PLANNING LAW	2
ARCH 65003	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: LEADERSHIP, ETHICS AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT	3
ARCH 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE	1
Architecture (ARCH) Graduate Electives (50000 or 60000 level) 1		6
Concentrations
Choose from the following:		11-68
Accelerated Track Concentration
Full-Path Track Concentration
Prior-Standing Track Concentration 2
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		44-101

¹

Elective credits may be taken from offerings in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; other Kent State colleges, schools or departments; or the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

²

Students in the Prior-Standing Track concentration who are deemed eligible to have course requirements waived may graduate with fewer than 90 credit hours, but no fewer than 67 total credit hours.

Accelerated Track Concentration Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
ARCH 60199	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO III	8
Architecture (ARCH) Graduate Elective (50000 or 60000 level)		3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		11

Full-Path Track Concentration Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
ARCH 50301	STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS I	3
ARCH 50302	STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS II	3
ARCH 50401	METHODS AND MATERIALS I	3
ARCH 50402	METHODS AND MATERIALS II	3
ARCH 50501	ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY I	3
ARCH 50502	ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY II	3
ARCH 56995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE	3
ARCH 60111	GRADUATE DESIGN FOUNDATIONS STUDIO	5
ARCH 60112	GRADUATE DESIGN ARCHITECTURE STUDIO	5
ARCH 60113	GRADUATE DESIGN CONTEXT STUDIO	5
ARCH 60114	GRADUATE DESIGN SYSTEMS STUDIO	5
ARCH 60211	GRADUATE GLOBAL HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE I	3
ARCH 60212	GRADUATE GLOBAL HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE II	3
ARCH 60601	TOOLS OF REPRESENTATION	3
ARCH 60602	TOOLS OF FABRICATION	3
ARCH 60603	TOOLS OF SIMULATION	3
ARCH 60604	TOOLS OF CODING	3
Architecture (ARCH) Graduate Electives (50000 or 60000 level)		6
Advisor-Approved Architectural History Elective		3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		68

Prior-Standing Track Concentration Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
ARCH 50301	STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS I	3
ARCH 50302	STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS II	3
ARCH 50402	METHODS AND MATERIALS II	3
ARCH 50502	ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY II	3
ARCH 56995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE	3
ARCH 60113	GRADUATE DESIGN CONTEXT STUDIO	5
ARCH 60114	GRADUATE DESIGN SYSTEMS STUDIO	5
ARCH 60212	GRADUATE GLOBAL HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE II	3
ARCH 60603	TOOLS OF SIMULATION	3
ARCH 60604	TOOLS OF CODING	3
Prior-Standing Foundation Requirements 1
ARCH 50401	METHODS AND MATERIALS I	3
ARCH 50501	ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY I	3
ARCH 56991	SEMINAR: VARIABLE TOPIC	1-3
ARCH 56995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE	1-3
ARCH 60111	GRADUATE DESIGN FOUNDATIONS STUDIO	3-6
ARCH 60112	GRADUATE DESIGN ARCHITECTURE STUDIO	3-6
ARCH 60211	GRADUATE GLOBAL HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE I	3
ARCH 60601	TOOLS OF REPRESENTATION	3
ARCH 60602	TOOLS OF FABRICATION	3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		57

¹

Some or all of these courses may be waived upon review of the student's prior qualifications. See admission requirements for specific criteria.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary

Minimum Major GPA	Minimum Overall GPA
-	3.000

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to design across the various scales of architecture and integrate multiple factors in design process.
2. Demonstrate a holistic ability to address the relationship between built and natural environments, employing ecological design principles, advanced building performance and the use of emerging technologies in the design process and production of architecture.
3. Demonstrate the ability to design equitable environments for diverse populations, addressing diverse cultural, social, theoretical and historical contexts.
4. Demonstrate the ability to engage with multidisciplinary teams collaboratively and to address professional ethics, business practices and regulatory contexts.
5. Engage in architectural research to test, evaluate and apply innovations in the field, promoting continuous learning and advancement in architectural knowledge.
6. Participate in an academic environment that fosters positive, respectful learning and that promotes collaboration, optimism and innovation among students, faculty and staff.

Dual Degree with M.B.A. in Business Administration

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the Master of Architecture degree and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

The dual degree combining the M.Arch. and the M.B.A. is designed 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 Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
ACCT 63037	FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING	2
ACCT 63038	MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING	2
ARCH 60101	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO I	6
ARCH 60102	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO II	5
ARCH 60150	PROJECT PROGRAMMING	3
ARCH 60199	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO III	8
ARCH 60301	THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE	3
ARCH 60922	METHODS OF INQUIRY IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES	2
ARCH 65001	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT	2
ARCH 65002	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: CONTRACT AND PLANNING LAW	2
ARCH 65003	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: LEADERSHIP, ETHICS AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT	3
ARCH 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE 1	1
BA 64005	ANALYTICS FOR DECISION MAKING	2
BA 64026	SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT	2
CIS 64042	GLOBALIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY	2
ECON 62021	MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS	2
ECON 62022	MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS	2
FIN 66060	MANAGERIAL FINANCE	2
HRM 64271	HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT	2
MGMT 64158	LEADERSHIP	2
MGMT 68051	BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I	1
MKTG 65051	MARKETING MANAGEMENT	2
Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship Graduate Electives (50000 level or higher)		3
Accounting (ACCT) Course
Business (BUS) Course
Business Analytics (BA) Course
Computer Information Systems (CIS) Course
Economics (ECON) Course
Entrepreneurship (ENTR) Course
Finance (FIN) Course
Human Resource Management (HRM) Course
Management (MGMT) Course
Marketing (MKTG) Course
Culminating Requirement
MGMT 64399	BUSINESS STRATEGY	3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		64

¹

Topics in professional practice.

• Actual offerings and schedules vary from year to year and the college will jointly provide a pre-approved recommended course of study. Students who wish to take a different course of study need to obtain separate approvals from both college graduate coordinators. Contact the College of Architecture and Environmental Design graduate secretary for details on coursework registration.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum of 64 credit hours: 35 credit hours from the M.Arch. degree and 29 credit hours from the M.B.A. degree.

Dual Degree with M.U.D. in Urban Design

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.U.D. degree in Urban Design and the M.Arch. degree in Architecture. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page. Students in the M.Arch. degree must be declared in the Accelerated Track concentration to be admitted to the dual degree.

This dual degree program prepares students 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 and offers a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge related to urban design.

Dual Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
ARCH 60101	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO I	6
ARCH 60102	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO II	5
ARCH 60150	PROJECT PROGRAMMING	3
ARCH 60301	THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE	3
ARCH 60922	METHODS OF INQUIRY IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES	2
ARCH 65001	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT	2
ARCH 65002	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: CONTRACT AND PLANNING LAW	2
ARCH 65003	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: LEADERSHIP, ETHICS AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT	2-3
ARCH 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE 1	1
UD 55705	FORCES THAT SHAPE CITIES	3
UD 60701	URBAN DESIGN STUDIO I	6
UD 60703	URBAN DESIGN STUDIO III	5
UD 65101	COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS	1
UD 65102	URBAN SYSTEMS	3
UD 65632	URBAN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS	3
UD 66896	URBAN DESIGN PRACTICUM PROJECT	2
UD 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN DESIGN 2	1
UD 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN DESIGN	1
Architecture (ARCH) Electives (50000 or 60000 level)		6
Approved Electives, choose from the following: 3		8
ARCH 60301	THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE
GEOG 51066	GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
GEOG 52052	HEALTH GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 54010	GEOGRAPHIES OF GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
GEOG 55085	URBAN TRANSPORTATION
GEOG 56070	URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
GEOG 59070	GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59076	SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
GEOG 59080	ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59162	CARTOGRAPHY
GEOG 59230	REMOTE SENSING
GEOG 60191	SEMINAR IN TOPICAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 60800	SEMINAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT
LARC 50095	SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
LARC 50100	DESIGN VISUALIZATION
LARC 60111	LANDSCAPE HISTORY AND THEORY
UD 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN DESIGN
Other course as approved
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		65

¹

Special topics course in professional practice.

²

Special topics related to studio.

³

With approval, students may apply other courses in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; or from another Kent State college, school or department; or from at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

Full Description

The Master of Architecture degree seeks to prepare graduates to lead in the field of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. This STEM-designated program fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs. Master coursework affords opportunities for inquiry in architecture through the introduction of traditional scholarly research methods as well as approaches to research through design in a studio setting. Professional practice courses are paired with theory seminars and elective classes in areas of digital technology, building sciences and history to provide a comprehensive exposure to professional opportunities and a broad capacity for considering and postulating architecture in innovative ways.

The Architecture major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Accelerated Track concentration is intended for students who have completed the B.S. degree in Architecture at Kent State. Non-Kent State applicants should apply to the Full Path Track or the Prior Standing Track concentration.
• The Full-Path Track concentration is intended for students who are new to the study of design, hold a non-design related degree or whose prior design experience needs augmenting. Normally, full-time students in this concentration complete the degree in three years.
• The Prior-Standing Track concentration is intended for students holding a prior design degree. Required total credit hours depend on specific student backgrounds and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Normally, full-time students in this concentration complete the degree in two or two-and-a-half years depending on the individual plan of study and required coursework.

Students may also pursue a dual degree program with the Master of Business Administration degree or with the Master of Urban Design degree.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.