The Catholic University of America

Master of Architecture (3 years)

Students accepted into this program are admitted as Master of Architecture degree candidates. These students must complete the graduate course requirements plus those basic architecture courses in which their background is deficient. Approximately 75% of the required courses offered in the daytime only; students interested in working while completing the Master of Architecture program should work closely with their advisor.

Students applying to this program must have completed two prerequisites for acceptance: pre-calculus math and an introductory course in physics emphasizing mechanics.

The academic and work background of each student entering the program is thoroughly reviewed. Based on this review, a degree program will be tailored to fit the needs of the student. In most cases, the student can expect to be enrolled in both graduate and the basic courses at the same time. The design studio and the mathematics/technical courses are the heart of the curriculum and rely heavily on an extended sequence of prerequisites. Students will be placed in each sequence according to their academic background and experience.

Students will be advanced according to their demonstrated abilities. Enrollment in the Summer Institute for Architecture may be utilized to facilitate the student's advancement. Admission to the 600 level design studios will be on the basis of portfolio review and approval. Students entering the program with professional experience may have courses relating to their areas of experience waived. In this case, the credits must be fulfilled with a Program Elective or by way of transferring credit from previously taken equivalents.

Number Description Credits

Initial Summer
Arch 504 Introduction to Design and Graphics 6

Total:

 6

Semester 1
Arch 501 Studio I 6
Arch 509 Introduction to Sustainable Design 3
Arch 635 History of Architecture I 3
Arch 661 Digital Construction Documents 3
Arch 715 Pre-Design 4

Total:

 19

Semester 2

Arch 502

 Studio II 6

Arch 543

 Basic Architectural Theory 3
Arch 621 Structures I 3
Arch 636 History of Architecture II 3
Arch 716 Designing Construction 4
Arch 758 Environmental Design I 3

Total:

 22

Semester 3
Arch 601 Concentration Studio I 6
Arch Corequisite for 601 Studio 3
Arch 622 Structures II 3
Arch 735 History of Modern Architecture 3
Arch 757 Environmental Design II 3

Total:

 18

Semester 4
Arch 503 Comprehensive Building Design 6
Arch 518 Comprehensive Building Supplement 3
Arch Concentration Elective I 3
Arch Concentration Elective II 3
Arch 608 Thesis Methodologies 3

Total:

 18

Semester 5
Arch 603 Concentration Studio II 6
Arch Corequisite for 603 Studio 3
Arch 600* Thesis Research 3
Arch 721 Structures III 3

Total:

 15

Semester 6
Arch 609* Thesis Design 6
Arch 717 Practice Management 4
Arch An Approved Theory Elective 3

Total:

 13

*Completion of ARCH508 is a prerequisite for enrollment in ARCH600, which is a prerequisite for ARCH609.

Students may request faculty approval to do a written thesis in place of a design thesis. These students substitute ARCH607: Written Thesis in place of ARCH609.

Students must achieve at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in order to fulfill the requirements for the degree. Students may be allowed to repeat courses to improve their standing. In such cases, the highest grade earned in those courses will be considered in determining academic standing.

Since a C grade is passing but marginal at the graduate level, C grades are permitted in a maximum of one-third of the courses required for the degree. A grade of C in studio courses is not acceptable; students who earn C grades may repeat only one studio course.