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 Applicants must have an accredited professional degree in architecture or its international equivalent.

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.

Personal Statement 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.

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

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 32
• Coursework At least 24 hours must be at the 500-level in architecture.

• Comprehensive Examination None.
• Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Coursework only.