Master of Architecture

Program Overview

The Master's of Architecture is traditionally a one year degree taken immediately after completing the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and is often considered the "fifth year."

The fifth year Master of Architecture is dedicated to intensive graduate-level classroom and studio work, culminating in a design thesis project.

Degree earned: Master of Architecture (professional) — recognized by all state licensing boards and accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

The Master of Architecture degree curriculum is made up of two components: general studies and professional studies.

University General Education Requirements

33 credits total, not including 6 credits from the Pre-Professional curriculum

The purpose of general education at NDSU is to ensure that students acquire knowledge, perspectives, and skills associated with a university education. The program is designed so that graduates will be able to adapt to and anticipate changes in their profession and in society. Graduates also will be able to integrate and use the knowledge and perspectives they have gained to live productive, intellectually rewarding, and meaningful lives.

  • Communication: 12 credits
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 3 credits
  • Science and Technology: 10 credits (includes 1-credit lab)
  • Humanities and Fine Arts: 6 credits (met with 6 credits from the professional curriculum)
  • Social & Behavioral Science: 6 credits
  • Wellness: 2 credits

Additional General Education Courses

6 credits total

These courses are general studies courses required by the Architecture program beyond the university's general education requirements.

  • A third social & behavioral science class: 3 credits
  • A philosophy elective class: 3 credits

University General Education Requirements

  • Cultural Diversity
  • Global Perspective
  • Computer Usage in all Majors: (ARCH 232: Design Technology)

Optional Studies

21 credits

  • Three undergraduate level elective courses beyond university general education requirements: 9 credits total
  • Four graduate level courses (minimum three from department offerings): 12 credits total

Courses at the undergraduate level: 88 credits

Courses at the graduate level: 20 credits

Our curriculum is designed to build knowledge and ability in our students in an incremental way as students move through the program. Expectations for increased knowledge, ability and self-reliance continue to rise as student’s approach graduation. This, along with our emphasis on the transfer of knowledge from lecture and seminar courses to active employment in studio projects, constitutes the framework for our professional studies.

Your Five-Year Journey

The Master of Architecture is designed as a five-year program that builds skills progressively through studio and coursework. Below is a snapshot of the goals and milestones students reach each year.

Curriculum

FallClass NameCredits SpringClass NameCredits
ENVD 101Intro to Environment Design3 ENVD 104Env. Design Fundamentals1
ENVD 102Drawing Basics for Env. Designers1 ENVD 172Env. Design Fund. Studio3
ENVD 130Drawing Skills for Env. Designers3 ENGL 120College Composition II*3
ARCH 321History/Theory of Architecture I3 COMM 110Public Speaking*3
ENGL 110College Composition *3 ARCH 322History/Theory of Architecture II3
Science/Tech.Science/Tech Gen. Ed.*3 QRQuantitative Reasoning*3
WellnessWellness General Ed*2
Total16 Total18

Selective Admission

FallClass NameCredits SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 271Architectural Design I6 ARCH 272Architectural Design II6
ARCH 231Architectural Drawing3 ARCH 232Design Technology3
ARCH 233Math for Designers1 ARCH 344Structures 13
PHYS 120Intro to Physics *3 PSYCH 111Introduction to Psychology* .3
ARCH 323History/Theory of Arch. III .3 PHILPhilosophy elective*3
Total16 Total18

Curriculum

FallClass NameCredits SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 371Architectural Design III6 ARCH 372Architectural Design IV6
ARCH 341Site Design for Architects3 ARCH 450Architectural Detailing3
ARCH 351Materials and Construction4 ARCH 454ECS II (Active Systems)3
ARCH 453ECS I (Passive Principles)3 ARCH 461Urban Design3
Science/Tech.Science Laboratory*1 ENGL 326Writing for Design Professions*3
or ENGL 357Visual Language and Culture
Total17 Total18

Curriculum

FallClass NameCredits SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 471Architectural Design V6 ARCH 472Architectural Design VI6
ARCH 443Advanced Structures3 or ARCH 474International Design Studio
ANTH 111Introduction to Anthropology3 SOC 110Introduction to Sociology*3
Science/Tech.Science/Tech Gen. Ed.*3 Elective*3
Elective*3 Elective*3
Total18 Total15

Graduate Admission (for most students)

FallClass NameCredits SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 771Adv. Architectural Design6 ARCH 772Design Thesis8
ARCH 763Thesis Research3 ARCH 72x/789Topics3
ARCH 781Professional Practice3 ARCH 72x/789Topics3
ARCH 72x/789Topics3 or Non-ARCH Graduate Elective
ARCH 72x/789Topics3
Total18 Total14

Architecture and Interior Design

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