Master of Architecture

ARC 606 [Urban Design Exhibition] : Articulating the Edge Visual Resources Center Photo Photographer: Alexander J Becker May 9, 2017.

The Master of Architecture degree is designed with tracks for individuals who hold a pre-professional baccalaureate degree in architecture from an NAAB-accredited school of architecture; a professional architecture degree from an international university; or a non-architecture baccalaureate degree.

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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 up to five Graduate Research Groups: Ecological Practices, Inclusive Design, Material Culture, Situated Technologies, and Urban Design. 

We accept and review applications year round. Submit your application today for preferred scholarship consideration.

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What will I be studying in the MArch-2YR Track A Program

Explore our Graduate Research Groups

2-Year Master of Architecture (MArch) Track A Curriculum

Typical Curriculum
Effective Fall 2020

The curriculum of any vital and dynamic program will change from time to time. The description, which follows, should be considered illustrative.

All enrolled graduate students should have in their possession an original copy of the curriculum they must satisfy based upon their date of matriculation. Matrixes are sent to all students when they accept into the program. If you need a copy of your matrix, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Stacey Komendat.  

  • The curriculum varies depending upon the students’ entry into the program. Students may enter the MArch program in the fall semester or spring semester.
  • Students may apply to waive a required course based on prior coursework. 
  • Faculty serve at advisors for graduate students in addition to the Graduate Advisor, Stacey Komendat and Associate Chair, Joyce Hwang.
Semester 1: Fall     
     
ARC 605/7  Research Studio  7
ARC xxx  Intellectual Domain Seminar* 3
ARC xxx  Technical Methods Seminar* 3
ARC 555  Structures 3 3
Total Semester Credits 16     
     
Semester 2: Spring     
     
ARC 606/8  Research Studio  7
ARC xxx  Intellectual Domain Seminar* 3
ARC xxx  Technical Methods Seminar*  3
ARC 575  Environmental Systems 3  3
Total Semester Credits 16     
     
Semester 3: Fall     
     
ARC 607/5  Research Studio or Directed Research** 7
ARC xxx  Elective or Research Methods*** 3
ARC xxx  Elective 3
ARC xxx  Elective 3
Total Semester Credits 16     
     
Semester 4: Spring     
     
ARC 608/6  Research Studio or Thesis (if not taking portfolio) ****  7
ARC xxx  Elective or Portfolio (if not taking Thesis)**** 3
ARC xxx  Elective  3
ARC 582  Professional Practice  3
Total Semester Credits  16  
     
Total Required Credits  64  

What will I be studying in the MArch-2YR Track B Program

2-Year Master of Architecture (MArch) Track B Curriculum

Typical Curriculum
Effective Fall 2020

The curriculum of any vital and dynamic program will change from time to time. The description, which follows, should be considered illustrative.

All enrolled graduate students should have in their possession an original copy of the curriculum they must satisfy based upon their date of matriculation. Matrixes are sent to all students when they accept into the program. If you need a copy of your matrix, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Stacey Komendat.  

  • The curriculum varies depending upon the students’ entry into the program. Students may enter the MArch program in the fall semester or spring semester
  • Students may apply to waive a required course based on prior coursework. Incoming students in track B and 3.5 students will be sent instructions on how to request a course waiver or advanced standing through their portal. They will be required to upload the syllabus of their equivalent course, several supporting document and prove that they received a grade of B or higher in the course. This should be done prior to students beginning their program.
  • Faculty serve at advisors for graduate students in addition to the Graduate Advisor, Stacey Komendat and Associate Chair, Joyce Hwang.
Semester 1: Fall     
     
ARC 603  Design Studio 3 7
ARC 553  Structures 2 3
ARC 511  Architectural Media 1 3
ARC 573  Environmental Systems 2 3
Total Semester Credits    16
     
Semester 2: Spring    
     
ARC 604  Design Studio 4 7
ARC 542  Construction Technology 4
ARC 575  Environmental Systems 3 4
ARC 512  Architectural Media 2 3
Total Semester Credits    17
     
Semester 3: Fall    
     
ARC 605/7  Research Studio  7
ARC xxx  Intellectual Domain Seminar or Technical Methods Seminar*  3
ARC 611  Architectural Media 3 3
ARC 555  Structures 3   
Total Semester Credits    16
     
Semester 4: Spring    
     
ARC 606/8  Research Studio  7
ARC 582  Professional Practice 3
ARC 697 Portfolio 3
ARC xxx  Elective/Independent Study 2
Total Semester Credits    15
     
Total Required Credits    64

What will I be studying in the MArch-3.5YR Program

3.5 YR MArch curriculum

3.5-Year Master of Architecture (MArch) Curriculum

Typical Curriculum
Effective Fall 2020

The curriculum of any vital and dynamic program will change from time to time. The description, which follows, should be considered illustrative.

All enrolled graduate students should have in their possession an original copy of the curriculum they must satisfy based upon their date of matriculation. Matrixes are sent to all students when they accept into the program. If you need a copy of your matrix, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Stacey Komendat.  

  • The curriculum varies depending upon the students’ entry into the program. Students may enter the MArch program in the fall semester or spring semester.
  • Students may apply to waive a required course based on prior coursework. 
  • Faculty serve at advisors for graduate students in addition to the Graduate Advisor, Stacey Komendat and Associate Chair, Joyce Hwang.
Semester 1: Fall     
     
ARC 501  Design Studio 1  7
ARC 511  Architectural Media 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 Media 2  3
ARC 534  Architectural History 2  3
ARC 552  Structures 1  3
Total Semester Credits    16
     
Semester 3: Fall     
     
ARC 503  Design Studio 3  7
ARC 553  Structures 2 3
ARC 611 Architectural Media 3  3
ARC 573   Environmental Systems 2 3
ARC 562   Architectural Theory 2
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 605/7  Research Studio  7
ARC 555  Structures 3  3
ARC xxx  Intellectual Domain Seminar* 3
ARC xxx  Technical Methods Seminar* 3
Total Semester Credits    16
     
Semester 6: Spring     
     
ARC 606/8  Research Studio  7
ARC xxx  Intellectual Domain Seminar* 3
ARC xxx  Technical Methods Seminar* 3
ARC xxx  Elective/Directed Research** 3   
Total Semester Credits    16
     
Semester 7: Fall     
     
ARC 607/5   Research Studio or Thesis*** 7
ARC xxx  Portfolio*** or Elective  3
ARC xxx  Elective 3
Total Semester Credits    13
     
Total Required Credits    112

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.

The Master of Architecture (MArch) 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

Earn a best-value education at UB's School of Architecture and Planning

Full-Time per Semester

Learn more about Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships

Part-Time per Semester

Explore our Graduate Research Groups

  • Ecological Practices
    5/27/20
    The built and natural environment are a complex web of interconnected parts, constantly exchanging energy and resources. This group critically engages environmental systems and examine the role that architecture and urbanism play in harnessing and stewarding them.
  • Inclusive Design
    5/27/20
    Develop environments, products and systems for a wider range of people, especially those in underserved populations. One of the most important design movements of our era, inclusive design is based on the values of non-discrimination, social justice, equal opportunity, and personal empowerment.
  • Material Culture
    5/27/20
    Projecting forward from Buffalo’s legacy in material innovation, this group explores constructive sensibilities and investigate how our culture is deeply embedded in material artifacts. Pursue design, production, and potential materials through full-scale fabrication, assembly, and installation.
  • Situated Technologies
    5/27/20
    There is no digital architecture anymore—just architecture. Consider architecture in the expanded field of technologies and mediated environments. Complex assemblages of code, people, space, material, infrastructure, practices, and processes—each are technologies unto themselves as is their gathering in architecture.
  • Urban Design
    5/27/20
    Urban design works at the confluence of the scale of buildings and the scale of cities. Straddle the fields of architecture and planning to critically examine parameters of contemporary urban form, including political, economic, environmental, social, and cultural forces.

Interested in a Master of Architecture?

Apply TODAY

Would you like to learn more?

Contact:
Kevin P. Donovan
 Director of Graduate Recruitment
129 Hayes Hall
716-829-5224
gradrecruitment@ap.buffalo.edu

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