Architecture - M.Arch.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Architecture degree seeks to prepare graduates to lead in the field of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. This STEM-designated program fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs. Master coursework affords opportunities for inquiry in architecture through the introduction of traditional scholarly research methods as well as approaches to research through design in a studio setting. Professional practice courses are paired with theory seminars and elective classes in areas of digital technology, building sciences and history to provide a comprehensive exposure to professional opportunities and a broad capacity for considering and postulating architecture in innovative ways.

The Architecture major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Accelerated Track concentration is intended for students who have completed the B.S. degree in Architecture at Kent State. Non-Kent State applicants should apply to the Full Path Track or the Prior Standing Track concentration.
• The Full-Path Track concentration is intended for students who are new to the study of design, hold a non-design related degree or whose prior design experience needs augmenting. Normally, full-time students in this concentration complete the degree in three years.
• The Prior-Standing Track concentration is intended for students holding a prior design degree. Required total credit hours depend on specific student backgrounds and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Normally, full-time students in this concentration complete the degree in two or two-and-a-half years depending on the individual plan of study and required coursework.

Students completing the Accelerated Track concentration may also pursue a dual degree program with the Master of Business Administration degree or Master of Urban Design degree.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement (include intent and background information)
• Portfolio, with design work clearly indicating role in group projects
• Three letters of recommendation, with one letter from a non-academic source
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

Applicants with a non-professional bachelor’s degree or a pre-professional degree in architecture from another institution will have their prior education evaluated to determine if they meet student performance criteria as stipulated by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). If evaluated courses are determined to be deficient, the student may be required to complete additional courses to earn the degree. Determinations will be made by the program director and graduate coordinator at the time the student is admitted to the program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Admission to the Prior-Standing Track concentration requires that applicants demonstrate strong completion of the following courses in the following areas:

• Minimum 16 credit hours of studio, including four semesters of foundation design and two semesters with an architecture focus
• Minimum 6 credit hours of history/theory, including a foundation architecture history course - broad/global content and one additional history/theory elective
• 12 credit hours of building technology, of which 9 credit hours must address the following:
  • Introduction/foundations in building structures
  • Introduction to environmental design and technology
  • Introduction to building methods and materials
• 6 credit hours of communication and modeling skills, including one course with learning outcomes related to digital representation (or equivalent skills demonstrated through studio work), one course with learning outcomes related to fabrication (or equivalent demonstrated through studio work) and/or one course with learning outcomes related to coding (or equivalent demonstrated through studio work).

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: January 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: January 15

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to design across the various scales of architecture and integrate multiple factors in design process.
2. Demonstrate a holistic ability to address the relationship between built and natural environments, employing ecological design principles, advanced building performance and the use of emerging technologies in the design process and production of architecture.
3. Demonstrate the ability to design equitable environments for diverse populations, addressing diverse cultural, social, theoretical and historical contexts.
4. Demonstrate the ability to engage with multidisciplinary teams collaboratively and to address professional ethics, business practices and regulatory contexts.
5. Engage in architectural research to test, evaluate and apply innovations in the field, promoting continuous learning and advancement in architectural knowledge.
6. Participate in an academic environment that fosters positive, respectful learning and that promotes collaboration, optimism and innovation among students, faculty and staff.

Dual Degree

Dual Degree with M.B.A. in Business Administration

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the Master of Architecture degree and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

The dual degree combining the M.Arch. and the M.B.A. is designed for architects or undergraduate architectural students who aspire to middle or executive management positions in architectural practices, or who are interested in starting their own business along with the preparation to enter the profession of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. It fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs, also by offering a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge.

Dual Degree Requirements

¹

Topics in professional practice.

• Actual offerings and schedules vary from year to year and the college will jointly provide a pre-approved recommended course of study. Students who wish to take a different course of study need to obtain separate approvals from both college graduate coordinators. Contact the College of Architecture and Environmental Design graduate secretary for details on coursework registration.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum of 64 credit hours: 35 credit hours from the M.Arch. degree and 29 credit hours from the M.B.A. degree.

Dual Degree with M.U.D. in Urban Design

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.U.D. degree in Urban Design and the M.Arch. degree in Architecture. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page. Students in the M.Arch. degree must be declared in the Accelerated Track concentration to be admitted to the dual degree.

This dual degree program prepares students to enter the profession of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. It fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs and offers a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge related to urban design.

Dual Degree Requirements

¹

Special topics course in professional practice.

²

Special topics related to studio.

³

With approval, students may apply other courses in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; or from another Kent State college, school or department; or from at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Accreditation

The M.Arch degree in Architecture is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).