2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Architecture, M.Arch.
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The major leading to the accredited Master of Architecture degree is intended for students who have completed baccalaureate degrees in architecture or pre-professional majors. Students with non-architectural majors or with a pre professional undergraduate major may also enter the program once pre-requisites are completed. The comprehensive and rigorous curriculum prepares graduates for a full range of professional activities. The course of study emphasizes urban architecture and related topics to take advantage of its diverse metropolitan setting in Florida’s Tampa Bay.
The School of Architecture and Community Design (SACD) is home to the Florida Center for Community Design and Research, is a non-profit public service institute of the School of Architecture and Community Design. It was founded in 1986 to assist the citizens of Florida in the creation of more livable and sustainable communities through applied community design, multi-disciplinary research, and public education. The diverse staff includes architecture faculty and students, research scientists, and programmer analysts. In addition, the Center has affiliated faculty or graduate students from the Department of Anthropology, Biology, Fine Arts, Geography, and Social Work.
Accreditation and Licensure:
Applicants for architectural licensure in Florida, and most jurisdictions in the United States, normally must have:
- earned a professional degree from a School accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
- completed the Intern Development Program (IDP)
- passed the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
According to the 2014 edition of the of the NAAB Conditions and Procedures: “ln the United States, most state 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 US professional degree programs in architecture, recognized two types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture and the Master of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on its degree of conformance with established educational standards. Master’s degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, which, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.”
Accreditation:
Major Research Areas:
Architecture and Community Design
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Admission Information
In order to enroll in the M.Arch. major, students must be accepted by the Office of Graduate Studies and the School of Architecture and Community Design. These are separate admission processes that involve different application forms, supportive materials, and deadlines. For more detailed information, students should see Graduate Admissions online and visit the SACD website. Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below. The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) requires - GRE Test Score
- Written Statement of Intent
- Three letters of recommendation
- Portfolio of creative work*
- Completed 3 prerequisite courses: Physics, Calculus, and AutoCAD
*Students who do not have a body of creative work may enroll in 11 hours of studio to create the required portfolio Foundational Knowledge: 54 hours Students who do not have a Bachelor’s in Architecture or a post-professional degree are required to complete the following pre-requisites prior to admission to the Master’s program. Courses completed in undergraduate pre professional or similar programs with a grade of B or above may apply with approval of admissions committee. Students must have an overall minimum of 3.00 GPA for Foundational Knowledge courses. Applicants must have completed courses in Physics, Calculus, and AutoCAD by the end of the first year in the Degree Program. Design/Graphics- 39 hours Technology -15 hours Curriculum Requirements
Total Minimum hours- 39 (post-professional) - Core hours- 30 hours
- Research- 4 hours
- Project - 5 hours
For licensure a total of 108 hours is required Core Requirements (30 hours)
Required Research Courses (4 hours)
Additional Courses (15 hours)
Students entering with a non-professional post-bachelor’s will need to take additional coursework to meet the 108 hour requirement. All courses must be at the 5000 or 6000 level. Non-ARC courses must have prior approval of the faculty. Comprehensive Exam
Successful completion of the master’s project serves in lieu of the comprehensive exam. Master’s Project (5 hours)
GPA of 3.00 in Design
In addition to the state-wide requirement that students maintain an overall grade point average(GPA) of 3.00 or better, the School also requires that students maintain a GPA of 3.00 or better in all design courses. Portfolios
The faculty requires the submission of portfolios of academic work by each student at two formal portfolio reviews. Students must pass these portfolio reviews in order to advance in the major. The portfolio policy can be found on the School’s website. Students are advised to prepare their design work for inclusion in their portfolios at the end of each design semester, instead of waiting until just before the portfolio due dates. Some expense, varying widely according to reproduction technique and/or ambition, should be anticipated. Field Trips
During the fall and spring semesters, studio students take trips with their faculty to various cities, foreign and domestic. Students are responsible for the costs of these trips including a Travel Fee which supports faculty travel expenses and includes a required processing fee assessed by USF |
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