Master of Architecture/MA in Design Criticism Joint Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the program requirements as listed below. See the School of Architecture website for the most up-to-date application requirements.

  • To be considered for direct admission to the joint program, students must apply to each of the individual degree programs separately, noting that they are applying to the joint program in each application. To be admitted to the joint program, a student must meet the admission requirements for each individual degree program.
  • Students who enter the three-year MArch program and later decide to transfer into the joint program may be considered for admission before their second year of study if they meet the admission requirements of the MAD-Crit program. Joint degree applicants who are already enrolled in one program will be evaluated by members of the School of Architecture admission committee. 
  • Students in the joint program will be advised by the School of Architecture Graduate Academic Advisor, who will ensure each student understands and fulfills the program and course sequence requirements. The advisor will also provide guidance regarding elective selections.
  • Students who choose to leave the program before completing the requirements for the joint degree may receive either the MArch or the MAD-Crit degree if the requirements for one of the individual degrees have been met.
  • The application deadline for this program is earlier than the Graduate College deadline; for information about current deadlines, please see the School of Architecture website

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the degree vary according to the student’s previous studies and level of preparation. The Graduate Admissions Committee of the school will specify, at the time of admission, the program to which each student has been accepted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 100–128 depending on the student's prior education and placement in the MArch degree.
MArch Core Courses (44–72 hours)
Architectural Technology I
Architectural Technology II
Architectural Technology III
Architectural Technology IV
Architectural Design I
Architectural Design II
Architectural Design III
Architectural Design IV
Design Development
Topic Studio
Research Studio
Architectural Structures I
Architectural Structures II
Topics in Architectural Technology
Professional Practices
MAD-Crit Core Courses (24–32 hours)
Pro-seminar I: Design Criticism
Pro-seminar II: Publication and Graphic Argumentation
Writing Tutorial I
Writing Tutorial II
Topics in Architectural Theory and History
400- or 500-level approved elective
Shared Requirements for MArch and MAD-Crit (24–32 hours)
Architectural Theory and History I
Architectural Theory and History II
Architectural Theory and History III
Architectural Theory and History IV
Research Seminar
Topics in Architectural Theory and History
400- or 500-level approved elective in Art History
400- or 500-level approved elective
Portfolio Submission
An annual portfolio review occurs during the spring semester of each academic year. The submission of a satisfactory portfolio in each year is a degree requirement.
MArch with Advanced Standing Students
From the above curriculum, students granted full advanced standing in the MArch degree will be waived from the following course work: ARCH 531, ARCH 551, ARCH 552, ARCH 561, ARCH 562, and ARCH 573. Exact advanced standing placement will be determined by the school at the time of admission.
  • Comprehensive Examination:  None
  • Thesis, Project, or Course Work-Only Options: Course work only