Graduate Programs

Graduate Advisor
Miquela Ortiz Upston
miquela@unm.edu 


Degrees Offered

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

Interdisciplinary Programs

This department participates with the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering department with the Architectural Engineering concentration for the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering. See the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering: Graduate Program section of this Catalog for information and requirements.

This department participates with the Art department with the Built Environment concentration for the Doctor of Philosophy in Art History. See the Art: Graduate Program section of this Catalog for information and requirements.

This department participates with the Latin American Studies program with the Built Environment concentration for the Doctor of Philosophy in Latin American Studies. See the Latin American Studies: Graduate Program section of this Catalog for information and requirements.


Admission Requirements

The following materials must be uploaded at the time of application submission:

  • Online application which is accessed from the Graduate Studies Web site
  • A non-refundable application fee. Note that the application fee must be paid by credit card in order to submit the online application.
  • Letter of intent. The applicant must explain why he or she is interested in architecture. Related experience, background, coursework may be mentioned, as well as professional and educational goals. The letter should not exceed two pages.
  • An unofficial transcript from each academic institution previously attended.
  • Portfolio of creative work. All Master of Architecture applicants are required to submit an electronic portfolio with the online application to the program. Portfolios should show evidence of interest in design. The portfolio should be carefully conceived, well designed, neatly prepared, and easily readable digitally. Applicants are encouraged to design portfolios for digital review, instead of submitting an electronic version of printed portfolios. Additionally, the portfolio should provide an indication of the applicant's aptitude for thinking critically and creatively through design. Examples include: photographs of executed artwork, pottery, sculpture, photographic essays, and weaving. Examples of evidence of an applicant’s interest and experience in dealing with design or aesthetic matters include prose, poetry, published writings, and illustrated reports. With the digital requirement, applicants may also embed links to online videos in portfolios or other creative work. Applicants are encouraged to think freely about the manner in which this application requirement is met. 
  • Three letters of academic or professional recommendation. At least two letters should be from faculty members.
  • 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.

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

Applicants must identify whether they are applying for the M.Arch. program (Track 2, Track 2.5, or Track 3) or the 1½-year M.S. in Architecture program.

Graduate Program Application Deadlines: Fall semester: See the School of Architecture and Planning Web site for further information.

Fees: A deposit of $300.00 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.

In addition, UNM B.A.A. students with a GPA of 3.5 for studios and 3.5 overall are guaranteed admission into the M.Arch. program.


Master of Architecture

The Master of Architcture (M.Arch.) is offered under Plan I (thesis), Plan II (project), and Plan III (coursework only) according to the general requirements specified in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog. The nationally-accredited first professional degree may be completed through one of three tracks, described below.

Entrance Requirements

Track 2:  For students with a pre-professional undergraduate architecture degree (typically, a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Architecture) and sufficient coursework to fulfill the Track 2 prerequisites:

  • six architectural design studios (5-6 credit hours each).
  • three architectural history or architectural theory courses.
  • one or two courses addressing passive design or environmental systems.
  • one or two structures courses, addressing statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, and the design and behavior of basic structural elements and systems.
  • one course addressing construction materials and assembly and construction methods.

Track 2 requires four semesters to complete. UNM Bachelor of Arts in Architecture students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all coursework and in studio courses are automatically admitted to Track 2.

Track 2.5:  For students with a pre-professional undergraduate architecture degree and sufficient coursework to fulfill the Track 2.5 prerequisites:

  • four architectural design studios (5-6 credit hours each).
  • two architectural history or architectural theory courses.
  • one course addressing passive design or environmental systems.
  • one structures course, addressing statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, and the design and behavior of basic structural elements and systems.
  • one course addressing construction materials and assembly and construction methods.

Track 2.5 requires two and one-half years to complete, or two academic years plus a summer session.

Track 3:  For students that already hold an undergraduate degree in any discipline; and for those who have completed an undergraduate degree in architecture or environmental design, but without sufficient coursework to apply for the Track 2 or 2.5 programs. Track 3 students come from a variety of backgrounds, including art history, biology, economics, engineering, political science, etc. 

Track 3 requires three years to complete, plus a summer session prior to the first year.

Degree Requirements

Master of Architecture- Track 2

NAAB accreditation requires students to have a minimum total of 45 credit hours in non-architectural coursework in their undergraduate and graduate education combined. If necessary, students complete electives to achieve this number.

Credit
Hours
First Year Fall
ARCH 601 Masters Architectural Design I 6
ARCH 633 Sustainability II 3
ARCH 634 Systems Integration I 3
ARCH 652 Pre-Design and Architectural Programming 3
Subtotal 15
Spring
ARCH 602 Masters Architectural Design II 6
ARCH 621 Research Methodology 3
ARCH 624 Architectural Theory 3
ARCH 635 Systems Integration II 3
Subtotal 15
First Year Total 30
Second Year Fall
ARCH 596
-or-
ARCH 603
Project-Thesis Preparation

Masters Architectural Design III
6
ARCH 651 Professional Practice 3
LA 556 Site-Environment 3
Subtotal 12
Spring
ARCH 597
-or-
ARCH 599
-or-
ARCH 604
Master's Project

Master's Thesis

Masters Architectural Design IV
6
Elective: Architectural History or Architectural Theory (Plan II students may apply 3 credit hours of ARCH 596 to this elective.) 3
Elective: any graduate-level course 3
After the Master's review M.Arch. students are in one of three degree plans to graduate.
Plan I requires 6 credit hours of ARCH 596 in the Fall, and ARCH 599 in the Spring.
Plan II requires 3 credit hours of ARCH 596 in the Fall, and ARCH 597 in the Spring.
Plan III requires ARCH 603 in the Fall and ARCH 604 in the Spring.
Subtotal 12
Second Year Total 24
Degree Total 54


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

The Architecture Department Chair may allow a program of study shorter than 54 credit hours, but not fewer than 45 credit hours.

Master of Architecture- Track 2.5

NAAB accreditation requires students to have a minimum total of 45 credit hours in non-architectural coursework in their undergraduate and graduate education combined. If necessary, students complete electives to achieve this number.

Track 2.5 may be completed in two years if the student takes a studio and other courses during the summer.

Credit
Hours
First Year Fall
ARCH 601 Masters Architectural Design I 6
ARCH 633 Sustainability II 3
ARCH 634 Systems Integration I 3
ARCH 652 Pre-Design and Architectural Programming 3
Subtotal 15
Spring
ARCH 602 Masters Architectural Design II 6
ARCH 621 Research Methodology 3
ARCH 624 Architectural Theory 3
ARCH 635 Systems Integration II 3
Subtotal 15
First Year Total 30
Second Year Fall
ARCH 603 Masters Architectural Design III 6
ARCH 651 Professional Practice 3
LA 556 Site-Environment 3
Subtotal 12
Spring
ARCH 596
-or-
ARCH 604
Project-Thesis Preparation

Masters Architectural Design IV
6
ARCH 596
-or-
Project-Thesis Preparation
Electives
6
Elective: Architectural History or Architectural Theory (Plan II students may apply 3 credit hours of ARCH 596 to this elective.) 3
Subtotal 15
Second Year Total 27
Third Year Fall
ARCH 597
-or-
ARCH 599
-or-
ARCH 605
Master's Project

Master's Thesis

Masters Architectural Design V
6
Elective: any graduate-level course 6
After the Master's review, M.Arch. students are in one of three degree plans to graduate.
Plan I requires 6 credit hours of ARCH 596 in the Spring, and ARCH 599 in the Fall
Plan II requires 3 credit hours of ARCH 596 in the Spring, and ARCH 597 in the Fall.
Plan III requires ARCH 604 in the Spring and ARCH 605 in the Fall.
Third Year Total 12
Degree Total 69


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

The Architecture Department Chair may allow a program of study shorter than 69 credit hours, but not fewer than 60 credit hours.

Master of Architecture- Track 3

NAAB accreditation requires students to have a minimum total of 45 credit hours in non-architectural coursework in their undergraduate and graduate education combined. If necessary, students complete electives to achieve this number.

Track 3 students may take Design Visualization from among any of the 1 or 2 credit hour ARCH 572 options at any time during their curriculum.

Credit
Hours
First Year Summer
ARCH 500 Graduate Architectural Design I 6
ARCH 570 Introduction to Visualization 1
Subtotal 7
Fall
ARCH 501 Graduate Architectural Design II 6
ARCH 523 World Architecture I: History of the Built Environment From Prehistory to 1800 CE 3
ARCH 532 Architectural Structures I 3
ARCH 572 T: Design Visualization 1
ARCH 623 Architectural Analysis 3
Subtotal 16
Spring
ARCH 502 Graduate Architectural Design III 6
ARCH 524 World Architecture II: History of the Built Environment from 1800 CE to the Present 3
ARCH 531 Graduate Construction I 3
ARCH 533 Architectural Structures II 3
ARCH 572 T: Design Visualization 1
Subtotal 16
First Year Total 39
Second Year Fall
ARCH 601 Masters Architectural Design I 6
ARCH 633 Sustainability II 3
ARCH 634 Systems Integration I 3
ARCH 652 Pre-Design and Architectural Programming 3
Subtotal 15
Spring
ARCH 602 Masters Architectural Design II 6
ARCH 621 Research Methodology 3
ARCH 624 Architectural Theory 3
ARCH 635 Systems Integration II 3
Subtotal 15
Second Year Total 30
Third Year Fall
ARCH 596
-or-
ARCH 603
Project-Thesis Preparation

Masters Architectural Design III
6
ARCH 651 Professional Practice 3
LA 556 Site-Environment 3
Elective: Architectural History or Architectural Theory (Plan II students may apply three credit in ARCH 596 to count for this elective.) 3
Subtotal 15
Spring
ARCH 597
-or-
ARCH 599
-or-
ARCH 604
Master's Project

Master's Thesis

Masters Architectural Design IV
6
Elective: any graduate-level courses 9
After the Master's review, M.Arch. students are in one of three degree plans to graduate.
Plan I requires 6 credit hours of ARCH 596 in the Fall, and ARCH 599 in the Spring.
Plan II requires 3 credit hours of ARCH 596 in the Fall, and ARCH 597 in the Spring.
Plan III requires ARCH 603 in the Fall and ARCH 604 in the Spring.
Subtotal 15
Third Year Total 30
Degree Total 99


The Architecture Department Chair may allow a program of study shorter than 99 credit hours, but not fewer than 90 credit hours.


Master of Science in Architecture

The Master of Science in Architecture (M.S.) is a non-professional, research-based graduate degree for students who have already completed a Bachelor's degree and wish to obtain an advanced degree. The degree is offered through a one and one-half year plan of study that facilitates advanced research, in which students are expected to take advantage of the special opportunities offered by this program and the program's unique physical and social settings to pursue individualized educational goals. The M.S. in Architecture is not accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB).

The M.S. in Architecture follows a specific research area of focus, supported by faculty.

Public Health and the Built Environment area of focus asks, how can designers and planners address health disparities and positively impact population health in communities? One’s zip code is a better predictor of health outcomes than almost any other factor, and the planned and built environment is a powerful determinant of community health. This area of focus allows advanced students to develop a line of research about how the composition of the built environment shapes public health. Specific lines of inquiry are described in the list of faculty. Graduates will have learned about contemporary issues in urban/rural/community design, along with best practices in policy and design, including health impact assessments, context-sensitive design, smart growth principles and community engagement strategies. Area of Focus Chair: Michaele Pride.

Entrance Requirements

Completion of a Bachelor's degree or equivalent collegiate program as approved by the faculty.

Requirements

Credit
Hours
ARCH 596
Project-Thesis Preparation 3
ARCH 597
-or-
ARCH 599
Master's Project

Master's Thesis
6
ARCH 621 Research Methodology 3
ARCH 696 Master's Project or Thesis Documentation and Dissemination 3
Approved graduate electives 18
Total 33


Master’s Examination

Both components of the Master’s examination for the M.S. in Architecture will be conducted as a component of ARCH 599.  

The Architecture Chair may allow a program of study shorter than 33 credit hours, but not fewer than 30 credit hours. The degree must be completed within three academic years.


Additional Information

Under current federal policy, Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Architecture graduates who are studying under an F1 visa are eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM extension to a graduate’s 12-month post-graduate Optional Professional Training (OPT). More information can be found online at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Web site.  


Courses

ARCH 1115. Introduction to Architectural Graphics. (3)



ARCH 1120. Introduction to Architecture. (3)



ARCH 1125. Design Fundamentals. (3)



ARCH 133. Physics and Math for Designers. (3)



ARCH 201. Architectural Design I. (5)



ARCH 202. Architectural Design II. (5)



ARCH 2120. World Architecture I. (3)



ARCH 2125. World Architecture II. (3)



ARCH 2151. Design Thinking. (3)



ARCH 233. Sustainability I. (3)



ARCH 301. Architectural Design III. (5)



ARCH 302. Architectural Design IV. (5)



ARCH 323. Architecture and Context. (3)



ARCH 324. Architectural Theory. (3)



ARCH 331. Construction I. (3)



ARCH 332 / 532. Architectural Structures I. (3)



ARCH 333 / 533. Architectural Structures II. (3)



ARCH 401. Architectural Design Studio V. (6)



ARCH 402. Architectural Design VI. (6, may be repeated once Δ)



ARCH 433 / 633. Sustainability II. (3)



ARCH 450. Design Leadership. (3)



ARCH 461 / 661. Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 462 / 662. Seminar. (1-3, no limit Δ)



ARCH 465. Real Estate Development. (3)



ARCH 472 / 572. Topics in Design Visualization. (1-3, may be repeated six times Δ)



ARCH 500. Graduate Architectural Design I. (6)



ARCH 501. Graduate Architectural Design II. (6)



ARCH 502. Graduate Architectural Design III. (6)



ARCH 523. World Architecture I: History of the Built Environment From Prehistory to 1800 CE. (3)



ARCH 524. World Architecture II: History of the Built Environment From 1800 CE to the Present. (3)



ARCH 531. Graduate Construction I. (3)



ARCH 532 / 332. Architectural Structures I. (3)



ARCH 533 / 333. Architectural Structures II. (3)



ARCH 570. Introduction to Visualization. (1)



ARCH 572 / 472. Topics in Design Visualization. (1-3, may be repeated six times Δ)



ARCH 596. Project/Thesis Preparation. (3-6, no limit Δ)



ARCH 597. Master's Project. (6)



ARCH 599. Master's Thesis. (6, no limit Δ)



ARCH 601. Masters Architectural Design I. (6)



ARCH 602. Masters Architectural Design II. (6, may be repeated once Δ)



ARCH 603. Masters Architectural Design III. (6, may be repeated once Δ)



ARCH 604. Masters Architectural Design IV. (6, may be repeated once Δ)



ARCH 619. Built Environment Teaching Colloquium. (1, may be repeated once Δ)



ARCH 621. Research Methodology. (3)



ARCH 623. Architectural Analysis. (3)



ARCH 624. Architectural Theory. (3)



ARCH 633 / 433. Sustainability II. (3)



ARCH 634. Systems Integration I. (3)



ARCH 635. Systems Integration II. (3)



ARCH 651. Professional Practice. (3)



ARCH 652. Pre-Design and Architectural Programming. (3)



ARCH 661 / 461. Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ARCH 662 / 462. Seminar. (1-3, no limit Δ)



ARCH 691. Sustainable Settlements. (3)



ARCH 694. Urban Design Methods. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



ARCH 696. Master's Project or Thesis Documentation and Dissemination. (3)



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Office of the Registrar

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