Graduate Program

Degrees Offered

Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)
Master of Science in Architecture (M.S.)

Admission Requirements

Application materials must be sent to two different locations at the University of New Mexico: The Office of Admissions, and the School of Architecture and Planning.

The following materials must be sent directly to Office of Admissions:

Online application which is accessed from the OGS Web site.
$50 application fee. Note that the application fee must be paid by credit card in order to submit the online application.

The following materials must be sent directly to the School of Architecture and Planning:

Letter of intent. Explain why you are interested in architecture. Related experience, background, course work may be mentioned, as well as professional and educational goals. The letter should not exceed two pages.
An official transcript from each academic institution previously attended.
Portfolio of creative work. The required portfolio format is an 8½ x 11 inch bound document. The admissions committee does not review slides, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes or Web sites. The committee only reviews bound portfolios in the stated format received by the published deadline. The portfolio should present work in the visual arts and design, or other creative endeavors completed by the applicant. Academic, office related and personal projects are acceptable. The portfolio itself is an example of the applicant’s creative potential. Careful thought should be given to its design. To have your portfolio returned, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Three letters of academic or professional recommendation. At least two letters should be from faculty members. Forms are available on the OGS Web site.
Resume. The resume should include education, employment, professional experience, publications, service and other accomplishments.
Course descriptions. Applicants who do not have a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UNM must submit course descriptions of all architecture classes completed.
Email. Brief email to architecture@unm.edu informing program of application submission.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores are not required, but may be submitted with other materials.

Applicants must identify whether they are applying for the 2-year, 1½-year, or 3½-year program of study.

Send the listed materials to:
School of Architecture and Planning
2401 Central Avenue NE
MSC04 2530, ATTN: Graduate Advisor
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001

For express mailings include the Advisor’s telephone number: (505) 277-1303.

Graduate Program Application Deadlines: Fall semester: The deadline is February 1, however late applications may be accepted on a space available basis until June 15.

Fees: A deposit of $200.00 is required of applicants who accept the School’s offer of admission to the Master of Architecture degree program. The deposit is applied toward tuition. The deposit is non-refundable for those applicants who accept the School’s offer of admission, but subsequently do not enroll in the program.

Early Admission to 2-year Graduate Program from B.A.A.: Following successful completion of their third year, students enrolled in the B.A.A. may apply by June 15 for early conditional admission to the graduate level of the professional degree program. If accepted under early admission, they must successfully complete the B.A.A. requirements in a timely manner. Accepted students take ARCH 502 instead of ARCH 402, ARCH 534 instead of ARCH 432, and ARCH 544 instead of ARCH 442. These courses count only toward completion of the B.A.A.

Faculty Advisors
Stephen Dent–Architecture, 2-year program of study
Geoffrey Adams–Architecture, 3½-year program of study

Master of Architecture

The University of New Mexico offers two paths of study that lead to the nationally accredited professional degree, Master of Architecture (M.Arch).

The 2-Year Path of Study is composed of two parts: a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree and a two-year path of study that leads to the professionally accredited Master of Architecture degree. The undergraduate degree contains a balance of liberal arts courses and core courses in architecture, while the graduate degree is oriented to professional preparation through advanced and specialized course work. Students applying to the two-year graduate path must have successfully completed a four-year pre-professional degree program in architecture.

The 3½-Year Path of Study is designed for students with bachelor degrees from any field. These students may apply to the 3½-year path of study leading to the accredited Master of Architecture degree. Of necessity, this path does not allow for many electives but concentrates almost exclusively on professional preparation. It is assumed that students in the 3½-year program of study bring to it a breadth of knowledge based on previous education and experience.

2-year Path - Degree Requirements

Entrance Requirements

Completion of a Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Architecture, or Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from a school with an NAAB accredited degree program, or equivalent collegiate program as approved by the faculty.

Required Courses

First Year		Term	Hours Credit
ARCH 601	Masters Architectural Design I	Fa	6
ARCH 631	Systems Integration I	Fa	3
	2 electives	Fa	6
ARCH 602	Masters Architectural Design II	Sp	6
	*-or-*
ARCH 603	Masters Architectural Design III	Sp	6
ARCH 522	Modern and Contemporary Architecture	Sp	3
ARCH 632	Systems Integration II	Sp	3
ARCH 551	Research Methodology	Sp	3
	Total Credit Hours		30
Graduate Review
Second Year
ARCH 604*	Masters Architectural Design IV	Fa	6
	*-and-*
ARCH 605	Masters Architectural Design V	Sp	6
-or-
ARCH 596*	Project/Thesis Preparation	Fa	6
	-and-
ARCH 597	Master's Project	Sp	6
-or-
ARCH 596*	Project/Thesis Preparation	Fa	6
	*-and-*
ARCH 599	Master's Thesis	Sp	6
ARCH 651	Professional Practice II	Fa	3
	Architectural Electives		9
	Total Credit Hours		24
	Grand Total		54

*Project and Thesis options require approval from the Director of the Program after consultation with the faculty.

Exit Requirements

In addition to the required courses above, students must have taken the following courses before graduation. These courses may have been taken as an undergraduate or deficits may be made up while a graduate student, though these courses do not count toward the graduate degree:

Studio: Six semesters of design studios, equivalent to ARCH 201/211, 202/211, 301/311, 302/311, 401, 402.
Architectural History: Equivalent of ARCH 321 World ArchitectureI, ARCH 322 World Architecture II, and ARCH 221 Architecture and Context
Building Systems:Equivalent of ARCH 331 Construction I, ARCH 332 Structures I, ARCH 431 Structures II, ARCH 432 Building Systems, ARCH 441 Sustainability II
Context: Equivalent of ARCH 241 Sustainability I, ARCH 442 Politics, Culture and Architecture
Practice/Research: Equivalent of ARCH 342 Human Factors and Programming, ARCH 451 Research and Design, and ARCH 452 Practice and Theory.
Non-architecture courses in graduate and undergraduate programs: Minimum of 45 hours.

Upon acceptance into the program, the program determines which, if any, of the above requirements have been met in a student’s undergraduate curriculum.

3½-year Path - Degree Requirements

Entrance Requirements

One semester of calculus, one semester of physics, and one semester of foreign language are required. At least one semester of an architecture history survey course is highly recommended. Calculus and physics requirements must be completed before beginning the program. A deficit in foreign language coursework may be made up while a graduate student, though this course does not count toward the graduate degree.

Required Courses

First Year		Term	Credit Hours
ARCH 503	Graduate Architectural Design I	Fa	5
ARCH 515	Graduate Architectural Communications I	Fa	2
ARCH 521	Architectural Analysis	Fa	3
ARCH 531	Graduate Construction I	Fa	3
ARCH 541	Sustainability II	Fa	3
ARCH 504	Graduate Architectural Design II	Sp	5
ARCH 516	Graduate Architectural Communications II	Sp	2
ARCH 522	Modern and Contemporary Architecture	Sp	3
ARCH 532	Structures I	Sp	3
ARCH 542	Architectural Programming and Human Factors	Sp	3
	Total		32
Graduate Review 1
Second Year
ARCH 505	Graduate Architectural Design III	Fa	5
ARCH 517	Graduate Architectural Communications III	Fa	2
ARCH 523	World Architecture I	Fa	3
ARCH 524	World Architecture II	Fa	3
ARCH 533	Structures II	Fa	3
LA 556	Site/Environment	Fa	3
ARCH 602	Masters Architectural Design II	Sp	6
ARCH 534	Building Systems	Sp	3
ARCH 551	Research Methodology	Sp	3
	Total		31
Summer
ARCH 603	Masters Architectural Design III	Su	6
	Architectural Seminar	Su	3
	Total		9
Graduate Review 2
Third Year
ARCH 604*	Masters Architectural Design IV	Fa	6
	-and-
ARCH 605	Masters Architectural Design V	Sp	6
-or-
ARCH 596*	Project/Thesis Preparation	Fa	3
	*-and-*
ARCH 597	Master's Project	Sp	6
-or-
ARCH 596*	Project/Thesis Preparation	Fa	6
	*-and-*
ARCH 599	Master's Thesis	Sp	6
ARCH 631	Systems Integration I	Fa	3
ARCH 632	Systems Integration II	Sp	3
ARCH 651	Professional Practice II	Fa	3
	Architectural Electives		9
	Total		30
	Grand Total		102

Master of Science in Architecture

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Architecture is a post-professional degree for students who have already completed an accredited professional degree (B.Arch., M.Arch.) and wish to obtain an advanced degree. There are few specific established requirements in this program in that students are encouraged to propose the most professionally and personally useful course of studies with their faculty advisor. Students in this 1½-year program are expected to take advantage of the special opportunities offered by this program and our unique physical/social setting to pursue individualized educational goals. This degree is not accredited by National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB).

The following graduate courses are requirements for the post professional degree (1½-year program).

Two semesters of graduate studios/seminars (601, 602 or 603)	12
ARCH 596 Project/Thesis Preparation	3
ARCH 597 Master's Project	6
-or-
ARCH 599 Master's Thesis
Approved graduate electives	16

A minimum of 38 graduate credit hours is required for graduation.

Curriculum Design and Advisement

The faculty advisor assists the student in planning a program of studies, which is recorded in the student’s file. Each student is responsible for the adequacy of his or her own curriculum and is free to alter it in process with the consent of their faculty advisor. The Program of Study must be confirmed by the graduate advisor. Successful completion of a Program of Studies is the basis for attaining a degree.

Master’s Examination

The Master’s examination is divided into two parts. The first part is the Graduate Review. The second part of the Master’s Examination occurs with approval by faculty of the Master’s Project, or Master’s Studio, or Master’s Thesis. Graduate Review Guidelines available in the Architecture Office.

Keys and Symbols Reference