Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture (Professional Degree)
The Master of Architecture first professional degree serves those students seeking a consummate professional education. The degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB), and is a necessary component for licensure in the field.
The curriculum addresses principles of design concepts, materials, construction, systems, planning, history and visual judgment which are fundamental for development of the creative process. The curriculum is progressive with required core coursework offering foundation knowledge, skills and vocabulary, while upper-level study seeks a broader understanding of architecture by combining theoretical exploration with practical considerations.
The program culminates in an independent Masters Project which demonstrates excellence in design with a final product that is environmentally conscious, socially responsible, and technologically advanced. The Masters Projects are grouped into areas of focus that include but are not limited to: sustainable cities, building delivery practices, community based planning, history and theory, advanced technologies, housing and urban design, high rise typology, and cultural institutions.
Master of Architecture with Advanced Standing
Candidates who hold a B.A. or B.S. in Architecture (a pre-professional program from an NAAB recognized school if from the U.S.) and who have completed the equivalent of the first year's required courses may qualify for up to one year of advanced standing in the professional degree program.
Admission with Advanced Standing may allow the candidate to complete the Master of Architecture degree in as few as two years (four semesters), depending on prior preparation. Candidates may be asked to provide additional information on their previous coursework, including projects and course syllabi, to determine eligibility for Advanced Standing. Candidates will be notified upon admission as to their exact program of study.
International students with a Bachelor of Architecture degree (or equivalent) who wish to pursue a NAAB accredited program to be eligible for licensure in the United States should apply to the Master of Architecture with Advanced Standing.
Additional Admission Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Architecture program are accepted for the fall term only. For complete admission requirement, please see the College of Architecture's Graduate Admission page.
To be admitted without conditions to the Master of Architecture program, an applicant is required to possess the following:
1) an understanding of basic systems and analytical procedures, including mechanics, heat transfer, light and sound, as demonstrated through the successful completion of college level physics course equivalent to IIT's PHYS 212;
2) an understanding of basic mathematical principles and analytical procedures, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, as demonstrated through the successful completion of college-level mathematics equivalent to IIT's MATH 122;
3) a basic ability to produce freehand drawings of architectural forms and spaces, as demonstrated by the successful completion of one college-level drawing course or by portfolio submissions;
4) a basic understanding of design, as demonstrated by the successful completion of one college-level design course or by portfolio submissions; an equivalent of 20 credit hours of liberal arts and humanities.
Curriculum
Skills taught and learned in the Master of Architecture program will reinforce the notion of integration using categories that are not drawn along subject lines, but rather recognize capabilities applicable to a wide variety of disciplines: expressivity, sensitivity, proficiency, and synthesis. Intended to draw explicit connections between the content and methodologies of varied coursework, the utmost goal of the program is an integrated whole, which is intellectually and professionally rigorous.
Expressivity: Expressing ideas, thoughts, and designs in a manner that is clear and understandable through visual, spoken, and written methods of presentation.
Sensitivity: Thorough awareness of subjects, disciplines or methods which influence architecture.
Proficiency: Mastery of particular materials or skills.
Synthesis: Culminated understanding of the components and the processes of effective integration.