Master of Architecture
The Master of Architecture at Texas A&M University prepares students to become licensed architects. Through this program, you will develop a specialty within the built environment through the lens of practice.
Our program will challenge you to think creatively and critically as you address design problems on various scales. You will synthesize ecological, technological, social, behavioral, and aesthetic contexts and constraints into healthy, sustainable human and natural environments.
About the Program
The Master of Architecture is an accredited degree that prepares students to practice architecture on a professional level.
The field of Architecture synthesizes ecological, technological, social, behavioral, and aesthetic contexts and constraints into healthy sustainable human and natural environments. The graduate program provides an opportunity to examine the past, equip for the present, and prepare for future challenges in Architecture.
Our Master of Architecture program lets students explore a range of professional directions related to faculty expertise. Our faculty’s breadth and depth of knowledge allows students to engage with the discipline of architecture at an impactful level.
Faculty members encourage students to develop their own individual course of study, blending architectural design; history, theory, and criticism; design computation; and interior architecture. You will complete your education by creating a final study design project with a strong scholarly basis. Your final study project will exhibit a clear understanding of the integration of both the discipline and practice of architecture.
Areas of Emphasis
- Housing and Urban Development
- Health Systems and Design
- Heritage Conservation and Historic Preservation
- Sustainability and Circular Economy
- Digital Fabrication, Robotics, and Computation
- Leadership and Management in the Design & Construction Industry
Recent Graduate’s Final Study Projects
View Karla’s Master ThesisEl Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua are border cities that share many living condition qualities. Both cities are divided by a highly protected border that consists of physical and natural barriers such as the Rio Grande River and the current wall.
Karla Padilla ’22
View Uran’s Master ThesisReintroducing the public bath house to the American Society focuses on the important historical role of this typology in addressing public health and well being.
Uran Sokoli ’21
View Brittany’s Master ThesisThe world of art and creative expressions is where my passion in life resides. Art of all different forms and mediums inspire wonder and admiration within me. However, there is one particular form of art that intrigues and fascinates me nearly to the point of obsession: the art of tattoo.
Brittany Flowers ’20
View All Past Students’ Final Study Projects
Careers
The Master of Architecture program provides graduates with the required educational background to enter the professional practice of architecture. Students who wish to become a licensed architect must gain professional experience and pass a licensing examination.
Other career directions include:
- Design and fabrication
- Development, real-estate and construction
- Community planning and city planning
- Government and social work
- Teaching, research and scholarly pursuits
Curriculum
The Master of Architecture degree program requires 55 credit hours, typically completed over the course of two years. A total of 25 credit hours of specialization courses, including 12 elective credit hours, allows you to structure a program of study related to your area of emphasis. During your second semester of study, you will develop a degree plan tailored to your career aspirations.
The Master of Architecture curriculum produces conceptual comprehension and technical competency in the design of buildings and environments by weaving together five constituent trajectories:
- Design
- Representation
- History, theory and criticism
- Technology
- Engagement
Integral within these woven trajectories is the:
- Focus on the principles and practice of design synthesis as the confluence of processes and workflows
- Systems of construction
- Relationships to environmental, social, historical, and geographical contexts
- In-depth understanding of topics ranging from aesthetics and symbolism to the complex relationships between human behavior and design
Year 1 30 credit hours
Fall Semester – 15 credit hours
ARCH 605 Architectural Design I 6 credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate classification in architecture or approval of instructor.
ARCH 633 Applied Architectural Systems 3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.
History/Theory course or elective 3 credit hours
ARCH 658 Materials Processes Assemblies 3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Graduate classification in architecture or approval of instructor.
Spring Semester – 15 credit hours
ARCH 606 Architectural Design II 6 credit hours
Prerequisite: ARCH 605.
ARCH 631 Applied Architectural Structures 3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.
History/Theory course or elective 3 credit hours
Elective 3 credit hours
Summer Semester (Optional) – 3 credit hours
ARCH 684 Internship 3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor and department head.
Year 2 25 credit hours
Fall Semester – 15 credit hours
ARCH 607 Architectural Design III 6 credit hours
ARCH 657 Professional Practice 3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.
Elective 3 credit hours
ARCH 685 Final Study Publication 1 credit hour
Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor and department head.
Spring Semester – 10 credit hours
ARCH 608 Final Study Studio 6 credit hours
Prerequisite: ARCH 607 or equivalent.
Elective (if needed) 3 credit hours
Elective (if needed) 3 credit hours
Specialization
A total of 25 credit hours for the Master of Architecture program are dedicated to developing a specialization, including 12 elective credit hours.
During your second semester, you will, with advice from the faculty, select an advisory committee and develop a degree plan using one of the patterns of study as a guide.
Through our customizable curriculum, students can structure their program of study to include:
- Studying within an established departmental emphasis area
- International opportunities
- Pursuing a graduate certificate
- Exploring a unique topic with faculty support
- Taking complementary courses throughout the school in construction science, landscape architecture, land development, or urban and regional planning
- Taking courses from any other discipline at the university and relating to that knowledge through the lens of architecture and design
- Participating in research supported by school research centers
- Engaging in interdisciplinary experiences in engineering, business, management, and leadership
FAQ about the M.Arch program
What’s the difference between the Master of Architecture and M.S. in Architecture programs?
The Master of Architecture is an accredited degree that fulfills the educational component of professional licensure as an architect. The M.S. degree enhances your design and research skills and can lead to pursuing a Ph.D.
How long will this program take to complete?
This program should take two years to complete.
Who will be part of my advisory committee?
This committee is composed of a chair and at least two additional graduate faculty members. The chair and one of the members must be faculty. The third member must be from outside the architecture department faculty. Committee chairs assist in finding graduate faculty members to join the committee.
Is there an online version of this program?
No, this is an in-person program.
Admissions
Admission to our Master of Architecture program is offered to students with a pre-professional bachelor’s degree in architecture.
Learn more about the M.Arch admissions requirements
FAQ about the admission process
What do we look for in an applicant?
- Curiosity, rigor and initiative
- Robust academic preparation
- Creative and engaging design portfolio
- Intriguing outside classroom experiences
Is a portfolio required to apply?
Yes, an academic / professional portfolio is required to apply and should showcase recent, high-quality work.
Read more about the Master of Architecture application requirements
How does the admission process work?
Submit your application at Texas A&M GradCas along with a non-refundable application fee. The fee may be waived only in exceptional cases for low-income applicants and McNair Scholars.
Your application should include the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended
- 3 letters of recommendation (academic references preferred)
- Statement of intent essay
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Academic/professional portfolio
Read more about the Master of Architecture application requirements
Are there specific requirements for international students?
International students should follow the university application process for international students, including passing an English proficiency test.
We also require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of at least 146 in Verbal and 295+ combined (V+Q) score.
Because of the many international students applying for admission, competition is strong and we cannot admit all who apply.
What are the admissions deadlines?
Applications must be submitted in full by January 15. Students wishing to be considered for financial assistance should submit all application materials to the university and department by 15 January for fall admissions.
What kinds of financial aid does the program offer?
We offer competitive recruiting scholarships upon admission.
International students must meet English language proficiency requirements to be eligible for a graduate teaching position.
Who can I go to for questions?
All inquiries about the Master of Architecture program should be directed to march@arch.tamu.edu.
Support from the Start
You’ll be assigned an academic advisor upon admission to the program. The advisor will help choose your first-year courses. With guidance from the program coordinator, you will be responsible for locating a faculty member to chair your advisory committee who has expertise in your chosen focus area. Once your committee is in place, they will guide and assist with graduate degree planning, research methods, and thesis work.
Our Commitment to Our Students
We are committed to delivering a 21st-century, student-centered education to all of our students. We weave diversity, inclusivity and critical thinking throughout all of our courses. We view design, both as a process and a product, as the unifying force within our program.
Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity statement
NAAB Statement on Accreditation
United States, registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
The Texas A&M University Department of Architecture offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program(s):
- Master of Architecture (pre-professional degree + 55 graduate credits)
Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2023
About the Texas A&M architecture programs
- 2014 NAAB Accreditation Report for Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University (PDF)
- 2014 Texas A&M Architecture Program Report (PDF)
APR PART II.4 Public Information
- 4.2 Access to NAAB Conditions for Accreditation
- 4.3 Information on Career Development
- 4.4 Public Access to APRs and VTRs
- The Architecture Program Report (APR) and Visiting Team Report (VTR) from the previous accrediting visit may be found on reserve in the Department of Architecture.
- 4.5 ARE Pass Rates
- The most recent data on Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) pass rates for graduates of the M. Arch Program may be found on reserve in the Department of Architecture.
General Disclosure
Notice to students pursuing programs that may lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.
The following programs may lead to a professional license or certification that is required for employment. Professional licensure/certification requirements vary from state to state, which may affect a student’s ability to apply for a professional license/certification upon the completion of the program. The U.S. Department of Education regulation, 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), requires an institution to disclose whether the program will fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification for each state. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
| Program | Meets | Does not meet | A determination has not been made |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Architecture | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, NO, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR, VI, CNMI, GU | AS, MH, FM, PW |
Please note that American Samoa, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau (represented by the abbreviations AS, MH, FM, and PW) are not incorporated territories and do not have any licensing or certification educational requirements for the practice of Architecture. We recommend students contact the appropriate state licensing agency in their state or the state where they intend to work to seek the most up-to-date information about state licensure/certification requirements before beginning the program.
Pertinent information related to the importance of licensure in architecture can be found at https://www.ncarb.org/become-architect/basics
Additional information for architectural licensure by state and territory can be found at https://www.ncarb.org/get-licensed/licensing-requirements-tool
Ahmed K. Ali
Associate Professor // Associate Department Head for Professional Programs // Harold L. Adams Endowed Professor of Architecture
979.862.5863 Email Ahmed K. Ali