Master of Architecture (M.Arch)

University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID) graduate degree in architecture is open to students who have already earned a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture (M-Arch II – comprised of 4 academic semesters and 1 semester of co-op experience) as well as those who received undergraduate degree in a subject other than architecture (M-Arch I - comprised of 6 academic semesters and 2 semesters of co-op experiences).

The University of Cincinnati's Master of Architecture is committed to the design and production of buildings that are useful, durable, meaningful, inspiring, and responsibly engaged with their physical, cultural, and social contexts. Architecture is a useful art, a technical craft, and an ethical practice. Cincinnati's professional, design-centered approach encompasses this range of issues, preparing graduates for licensing and a critical engagement with the world of practice. This critical spirit does not simply accept presumptions and practices at face value but examines their provenance and consequences with a wary eye and an open mind.

Co-op (also called professional practice or cooperative education) gives special character to the Master of Architecture program at the University of Cincinnati. Students reinforce their skills in the field through several co-ops.

Curriculum

MArch 1 2020

Fall Semester Year 1
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH7001    Order and Tectonics in Architecture (C min)    6
ARCH7012    Design Visualization 1 (C min)    4
ARCH7021    History of Architecture to 1600 (C min)    3
ARCH7061    Construction Technology (C min)    3
PD7021    Introduction to M Arch COOP (C min)    1

Spring Semester Year 1
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH7002    Civic Realm and Public Context Studio (C min)    6
ARCH7013    Design Visualization 2 (C min)    4
ARCH7022    History of Architecture 1600 to Present (C min)    3
ARCH7081    Environmental Technologies 1 (C min)    3
ARCH7071    Structures 1 (C min)    3

Summer Semester Year 1
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
COOP8021    COOP for M Arch (First Semester Experience)    0

Fall Semester Year 2
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH7004    Advanced Building Design Studio (C min)    6
ARCH7014    Design Visualization 3 (C min)    3
ARCH7072    Structures 2 (C min)    3
ARCH7054    History and Theory of Cities (C min)    3
Free Electives    Elective 1    3

Spring Semester Year 2
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
COOP8022    COOP for M Arch (Second Semester Experience)    0

Summer Semester Year 2
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH7005    Advanced Integration Studio (C min)    6
ARCH7062    Integrated Technologies (C min)    3
ARCH7037    Contemporary Theory in Architecture (C min)    3
ARCH7082    Environmental Technologies 2 (C min)    3

Fall Semester Year 3
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH8001    Building Design Research Studio (C min)    6
ARCH8011    Thesis Research and Development (C min)    3
ARCH8041    Professional Practice and Ethics (C min)    3
Free Electives    Elective 2    3

Spring Semester Year 3
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH8009    Master of Architecture Thesis (C min)    6
ARCH8010    M.Arch Thesis Writing (C min)    3
Free Electives    Elective 3    3
Free Electives    Elective 4    3

Elective Requirements (12 graduate level credits)
A minimum of 6 graduate level credits inside SAID.
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH6XXX+
Inside SAID Electives
6
Remaining 6 graduate level credits your choice - inside or outside SAID.
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
6XXX+    Additional Electives 6

MArch 2 2020

Fall Semester Year 1
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH7004    Advanced Building Design Studio (C min)    6
ARCH7014    Design Visualization 3 (C min)    3
ARCH7054    History and Theory of Cities (C min)    3
ARCH7072    Structures 2 (C min)    3
Free Electives    Elective 1    3
PD7021    Introduction to M Arch COOP (C min)    1

Spring Semester Year 1
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
COOP8021    COOP for M Arch (First Semester Experience)    0

Summer Semester Year 1
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH7005    Advanced Integration Studio (C min)    6
ARCH7062    Integrated Technologies (C min)    3
ARCH7037    Contemporary Theory in Architecture (C min)    3
ARCH7082    Environmental Technologies 2 (C min)    3

Fall Semester Year 2
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH8001    Building Design Research Studio (C min)    6
ARCH8011    Thesis Research and Development (C min)    3
ARCH8041    Professional Practice and Ethics (C min)    3
Free Electives    Elective 2    3

Spring Semester Year 2
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH8009    Master of Architecture Thesis (C min)    6
ARCH8010    M.Arch Thesis Writing (C min)    3
Free Electives    Elective 3    3
Free Electives    Elective 4    3

Elective Requirements (12 graduate level credits)
A minimum of 6 graduate level credits inside SAID.
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
ARCH6XXX+
Inside SAID Electives
6
Remaining 6 graduate level credits your choice - inside or outside SAID.
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
6XXX+    Additional Electives 6
 

Career

Most graduates work in architectural firms, which often employ other design professionals as well. While the great majority of architectural offices have fewer than 10 employees, who typically assume a wide range of responsibilities, architects in large firms may focus on more specialized roles such as design, technical support, business management and marketing, facility programming or historic preservation. An architectural degree can also lead to a career in interior design, urban design and planning, engineering, construction, real estate development or university teaching.

Admission Requirements

The School of Architecture and Interior Design bases admission decisions on a balanced consideration of the following indications of excellence:

• A baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university.
• Unofficial transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended. Note: Official transcripts are not required during the admissions process, and only unofficial transcripts are required for the application. Applicants should not send official transcripts until they are offered admission. For complete requirements please visit the Graduate School transcript requirements.
• A portfolio of creative work. The portfolio is an opportunity to demonstrate your imaginative and critical thinking talents. Creativity occurs in all fields so the content does not have to be architectural if your background is in another discipline. Written project statements to accompany visual work are usually very helpful to the committee. Portfolios are submitted through the application process to get accepted. We are no longer accepting hard copies of portfolios.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons who are in a position to evaluate your abilities and your potential for success as a graduate student There is no standard form to fill out; instead, based on information you provide in your application recommenders will be emailed instructions on the process for submitting letters of recommendation. 
• A brief resume of your academic and professional experiences. Note: Your resume should indicate both educational and professional accomplishments.
• A two-page statement of your interest in graduate study in architecture. This should be a concise, articulate presentation of your academic and career goals, and any specific interests you have in architectural topics for graduate research and design. It should reflect your prior intellectual and professional engagement with these issues, and may also provide some additional perspective on the work illustrated in the portfolio.
• Writing sample of current work.
• Scores from the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Successful candidates have earned the following average scores: verbal 153 (prior 500); quantitative 151 (prior 650); analytic 4.5. The ETS University code is 1833. You do not need a department code.

Tuition fee- 3 years$105,000