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
ENVD 101Intro to Environment Design3
ENVD 102Drawing Basics for Env. Designers1
ENVD 130Drawing Skills for Env. Designers3
ARCH 321History/Theory of Architecture I3
ENGL 110College Composition *3
Science/Tech.Science/Tech Gen. Ed.*3
Total16

SpringClass NameCredits
ENVD 104Env. Design Fundamentals1
ENVD 172Env. Design Fund. Studio3
ENGL 120College Composition II*3
COMM 110Public Speaking*3
ARCH 322History/Theory of Architecture II3
QRQuantitative Reasoning*3
WellnessWellness General Ed*2
Total18

Selective Admission

FallClass NameCredits
ARCH 271Architectural Design I6
ARCH 231Architectural Drawing3
ARCH 233Math for Designers1
PHYS 120Intro to Physics *3
ARCH 323History/Theory of Arch. III .3
Total16

SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 272Architectural Design II6
ARCH 232Design Technology3
ARCH 344Structures 13
PSYCH 111Introduction to Psychology* .3
PHILPhilosophy elective*3
Total18

Curriculum

FallClass NameCredits
ARCH 371Architectural Design III6
ARCH 341Site Design for Architects3
ARCH 351Materials and Construction4
ARCH 453ECS I (Passive Principles)3
Science/Tech.Science Laboratory*1
Total17

SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 372Architectural Design IV6
ARCH 450Architectural Detailing3
ARCH 454ECS II (Active Systems)3
ARCH 461Urban Design3
ENGL 326Writing for Design Professions*3
or ENGL 357Visual Language and Culture
Total18

Curriculum

FallClass NameCredits
ARCH 471Architectural Design V6
ARCH 443Advanced Structures3
ANTH 111Introduction to Anthropology3
Science/Tech.Science/Tech Gen. Ed.*3
Elective*3
Total18

SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 472Architectural Design VI6
or ARCH 474International Design Studio
SOC 110Introduction to Sociology*3
Elective*3
Elective*3
Total15

Graduate Admission (for most students)

FallClass NameCredits
ARCH 771Adv. Architectural Design6
ARCH 763Thesis Research3
ARCH 781Professional Practice3
ARCH 72x/789Topics3
ARCH 72x/789Topics3
Total18

SpringClass NameCredits
ARCH 772Design Thesis8
ARCH 72x/789Topics3
ARCH 72x/789Topics3
or Non-ARCH Graduate Elective
Total14