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.

• Baccalaureate Field of Study No restrictions. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in architecture must fulfill prerequisites before enrolling:
  • A year-long university-level survey in art history or architecture history
  • A university-level course in calculus offered through a mathematics department
• Grade Point Average 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study
• Tests Required None; GRE General Test optional. If an applicant feels that GRE scores represent their readiness for graduate study, they are encouraged to submit them.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score (one of the following is required unless English competency is exhibited by prior work or education in the U.S.):
  • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
  • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Three required, preferably from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s recent academic, professional, or creative work. Letters from professors who can assess the applicant’s academic abilities and potential for graduate school are preferred. Letters from employers are also acceptable.
• Statement of Purpose The statement should address academic interests and objectives and how they can be pursued through study at UIC specifically. See the School of Architecture website for the complete personal statement prompt.
• Other Requirements A short essay responding to one of several questions and a portfolio are both required for all applicants. Essay questions and guidelines for the portfolio can be found on the School of Architecture website.
• Advanced Standing Applicants with sufficient prior academic work in architecture may be considered for advanced placement into the second year of the program. Advanced standing candidates must submit all required application materials and meet the following additional requirements: prior completion of one year of architecture history; six to eight studios within an undergraduate curriculum that has a disciplinary focus similar to that of UIC; upper-level course work in theory and history equivalent to ARCH 531/ARCH 532; at least one year of architectural and environmental technology; at least one year of structures. Placement is additionally determined by how well an applicant's previous work aligns with the kind of work done at UIC. Advanced standing status is granted to a very small number of applicants—typically, fewer than 10% of all MArch applicants are granted advanced placement.
• Deadlines 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. At the time of admission, the School of Architecture will specify the level of the program to which each applicant has been admitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 64–100, depending on the student's level of preparation and prior education
• Coursework At least 24 hours must be at the 500-level in architecture

• Comprehensive Examination None
• Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Coursework only. No other options are available.