Master of Architecture
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The two-year Master of Architecture degree is intended for individuals who hold a pre-professional baccalaureate degree in architecture from an NAAB-accredited school of architecture or a professional architecture degree from an international university.
The University at Buffalo offers a fully accredited Master of Architecture degree. This four-semester track is configured to provide all the coursework, including design studios and ancillary courses, required for the fully accredited MArch degree. Students participate in one of five Graduate Research Groups: Ecological Practices, Inclusive Design, Material Culture, Situated Technologies, and Urban Design.
What will I be studying in the MArch-2YR Program
Learn more:
2-yr MArch - Graduate Research Group (GRG) - for students entering directly into the GRGs
Typical Curriculum - Effective Fall 2018
| Semester 1: Fall | ||
| ARC 605 | Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC 555 | Structures 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2: Spring | ||
| ARC 606 | Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC 575 | Environmental Systems 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3: Fall | ||
| ARC 607 | Research Studio/Directed Research | 7 |
| ARC*** | Elective/Research Methods | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 4: Spring | ||
| ARC 608 | Research Studio/Thesis | 7 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| ARC 582 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Total Required Credits | 64 | |
Note: Students may register for a maximum of one independent study course each semester, with a maximum career total of two.
2-yr MArch - Integrated Design + GRG - for students who will do comprehensive studio prior to entering the GRG
Typical Curriculum - Effective Fall 2018
| Semester 1: Fall | ||
| ARC 605 | Integrated Design Studio | 7 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC 555 | Structures 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2: Spring | ||
| ARC 606 | Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC 575 | Environmental Systems 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3: Fall | ||
| ARC 607 | Research Studio/Directed Research | 7 |
| ARC*** | Elective/Research Methods | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 4: Spring | ||
| ARC 608 | Research Studio/Thesis | 7 |
| ARC 582 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Total Required Credits | 64 |
Note: Students may register for a maximum of one independent study course each semester, with a maximum career total of two.
2-yr MArch - Architectural Design + GRG - for students who will complete foundational design studio and a comprehensive studio before entering a GRG.
Typical Curriculum - Effective Fall 2018
| Semester 1: Fall | xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | |
| ARC 503 | Design Studio 3 | 7 |
| ARC 553 | Structures 2 | 3 |
| ARC 611 | Architectural Communications 3 | 3 |
| ARC 573 | Environmental Systems 2 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2: Spring | ||
| ARC 504 | Design Studio 4 | 7 |
| ARC 542 | Construction Technology | 3 |
| ARC 575 | Environmental Systems 3 | 3 |
| ARC 582 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3: Fall | ||
| ARC 606 | Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC 555 | Structures 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 4: Spring | ||
| ARC 606 | Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Total Required Credits | 64 |
Note: Students may register for a maximum of one independent study course each semester, with a maximum career total of two.
A full copy of the curriculum can also be obtained in the department office.
What will I be studying in the MArch-3.5YR Program
3.5 YR MArch curriculum
The curriculum is configured to provide all the coursework required for the fully accredited MArch degree. The first four semesters consist of a core sequence of architectural design studios with ancillary courses. The last three semesters are an accelerated version of the two-year track. A total of 112 credit hours are required in the 3½-year MArch track.
3.5-Year Master of Architecture (MArch) - Typical Curriculum - Effective Fall 2018
| Semester 1: Fall | ||
| ARC 501 | Design Studio 1 | 7 |
| ARC 511 | Architectural Communications 1 | 3 |
| ARC 531 | Architectural History 1 | 3 |
| ARC 541 | Environmental Systems 1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2: Spring | ||
| ARC 502 | Design Studio 2 | 7 |
| ARC 512 | Architectural Communications 2 | 3 |
| ARC 534 | Architectural History 2 | 3 |
| ARC 552 | Structures 1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3: Fall | ||
| ARC 502 | Design Studio 3 | 7 |
| ARC 553 | Structures 2 | 3 |
| ARC 611 | Architectural Communications 3 | 3 |
| ARC 573 | Environmental Systems 2 | 3 |
| ARC*** | Architectural Theory | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 4: Spring | ||
| ARC 504 | Design Studio 4 | 7 |
| ARC 542 | Construction Technology | 4 |
| ARC 575 | Environmental Systems 3 | 3 |
| ARC 582 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 17 | |
| Semester 5: Fall | ||
| ARC 605 | Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC 555 | Structures 3 | 3 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 6: Spring | ||
| ARC 606 | Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC*** | Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC*** | Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective/Directed Research | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 7: Fall | ||
| ARC 607 | Research Studio/Thesis | 7 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| ARC*** | Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 13 | |
| Total Required Credits | 112 | |
This program enables international students to apply for STEM Extension, which allows graduates to work for an additional 24 months beyond the completion of their optional practical training (OPT).
MArch graduates will demonstrate proficiency in the Student Performance Criteria as outlined by the NAAB:
Critical Thinking and Representation including, communication skills; design thinking skills; visual communication skills; technical documentation; investigative skills; fundamental design skills; use of precedents; ordering systems skills; historical traditions and global culture; cultural diversity; and applied research
Integrated Building Practices, Technical Skills and Knowledge including pre-design; accessibility; sustainability; site design; life safety; comprehensive design; financial considerations; environmental systems; structural systems; building envelope systems; building service systems; building materials and assemblies.
Leadership and Practice, including collaboration; human behavior; client role in architecture; project management; practice management; leadership; legal responsibilities; ethics and professional judgment; and community and social responsibility.
Cost of study
Full-Time per Semester
| Domestic In-State | Domestic out-of-State | International | |
| Tuition | $7,095.00 | $12,250.00 | $12,250.00 |
| Fees | $1,307.50 | $1,307.50 | $1,307.50 |
| International Student Fee | $ - | $ - | $100.00 |
| School Fee | $237.00 | $237.00 | $237.00 |
Further details are available at: http://www.buffalo.edu/studentaccounts/tuition-and-fees.html
Note: tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Updated: July 2018
Part-Time per Semester
| (per credit up to 11) | Domestic In-State | Domestic out-of-State | International |
| Tuition | $ 591.00 | $1,021.00 | $1,021.00 |
| Fees (per credit up to 8; full-time fees above 8) | $101.46 | $101.46 | $101.46 |
| Activity Fee (per semester) | $85.00 | $85.00 | $85.00 |
| Transcript fee (per semester) | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| International Student Fee (per semester) | $ - | $- | $100.00 |
| School Fee (per semester) | $237.00 | $237.00 | $237.00 |
Further details are available at: http://www.buffalo.edu/studentaccounts/tuition-and-fees.html
Note: tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Updated: July 2018
Explore our Graduate Research Groups
Interested in a Master of Architecture?
Would you like to learn more?
Contact:
Recruitment team for Graduate Education
126 Hayes Hall
716-829-5900
gradrecruitment@ap.buffalo.edu
Let Us Answer Your Questions
Please fill out the form below and our graduate recruitment team will be happy to answer any questions.