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
| Semester 1: Fall | |
| ARC 605- Research-based Studio | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Intellectual Domain (Theory) | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Technical Methods (Methods) | 3 |
| ARC 575- Environmental Controls 2 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 2: Spring | |
| ARC 606- Research-based Studio | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC 582- Professional Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 3: Fall | |
| ARC 607- Research Studio/Directed pre-Thesis Research | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Elective/Thesis Methods | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| ARC 555- Structures 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 4: Spring | |
| ARC 608- Research-based Studio/Thesis | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Total Required Credits | 64 |
2-yr MArch - Comprehensive Design + GRG - for students who will do comprehensive studio prior to entering the GRG
| Semester 1: Fall | |
| ARC 605- Comprehensive Design Studio | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Intellectual Domain/ (Theory Seminar) | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Technical Methods (Methods) | 3 |
| ARC 575- Environmental Controls 2 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 2: Spring | |
| ARC 606- Research Studio | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Intellectual Domain | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Technical Methods | 3 |
| ARC 582- Professional Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 3: Fall | |
| ARC 607- Research Studio/Directed Pre-thesis Research | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Elective/Thesis Methods | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| ARC 555- Structures 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 4: Spring | |
| ARC 608- Research Studio/Thesis | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Total Required Credits | 64 |
2-yr MArch - Architectural Design + GRG - for students who will complete foundational design studio and a comprehensive studio before entering a GRG.
| Semester 1: Fall | |
| ARC 503- Foundational Design Studio 3 | 7 |
| ARC 553- Structures 2 | 3 |
| ARC 611- Architectural Communications 3 | 3 |
| ARC 575- Environmental Controls 2 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 2: Spring | |
| ARC 504- Design Studio 4 (Comprehensive Studio) | 7 |
| ARC 542- Construction Technology | 3 |
| ARC 573- Environmental Controls 1 | 3 |
| ARC 582- Professional Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 3: Fall | |
| ARC 605- Research-based Studio | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Intellectual Domain (Theory) | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Technical Methods (Methods) | 3 |
| ARC 555- Structures 3 | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Semester 4: Spring | |
| ARC 606- Research-based Studio | 7 |
| ARC xxx- Intellectual Domain (Theory) | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Technical Methods (Methods) | 3 |
| ARC xxx- Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 16 |
| Total Required Credits | 64 |
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.
Typical Course Schedule - MArch 3.5-Year
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 | $6,890 | $11,895 | $11,895 |
| Fees | $1,257 | $1,257 | $1,257 |
| International Student Fee | $0 | $0 | $100 |
| SA&P Fee | $237 | $237 | $237 |
Further details are available at: http://studentaccounts.buffalo.edu/tuition/fall.php
Note: tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Updated: July 2017
Part-Time per Semester
| (per credit up to 11) | Domestic In-State | Domestic out-of-State | International |
| Tuition | $574 | $991 | $991 |
| Fees (per credit up to 8; full-time fees above 8) | $99 | $99 | $99 |
| Activity Fee (per semester) | $64 | $64 | $64 |
| Transcript fee (per semester) | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| International Student Fee (per semester) | $0 | $0 | $100 |
| SA&P Fee (per semester) | $237 | $237 | $237 |
Further details are available at: http://studentaccounts.buffalo.edu/tuition/fall.php
Note: tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Updated: July 2017
Explore our Graduate Research Groups
Interested in a Master of Architecture?
Would you like to learn more?
Contact:
Shannon Phillips
Assistant Dean for Graduate Education
130 Hayes Hall
716-829-5224
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.