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The MArch is an accredited professional degree program at ASU.
Two programs of study are available. The two-year program is for applicants who have completed the four-year BSD in architectural studies at ASU or who have earned an equivalent degree from another school. The three-plus program for applicants with an undergraduate degree in a discipline or field other than architecture.
Both programs promote broad areas of knowledge, professional skill and a social awareness that the architect must command if architecture is to enhance contemporary life and remain an enduring and valid expression of society.
At A Glance
Architecture, MArch
- Offered by: Herberger Institute for Design & the Arts
- Location: Tempe
Plan of study
The Plan of study is the required curriculum to complete the program.
Admission
Application Procedures and Requirements
Application period
Online applications are open September 15 with a priority deadline of January 15 for the following programs: MArch 2-year; MArch 3-year; MIA 2-year; MIA 3+; MID 2-year; MID 3+; MLA 2-year; MLA 3-year; MS.Arch; MSD; MUD; MVCD 2-year; and MVCD 3+.
Fall Admission: MArch 2- year and MArch 3-year programs only admit students for the fall semester. We accept applications until July 15th. Any applicant who would like to apply after these deadlines is welcome to contact designgrad@asu.edu.
Paying for College
Teaching and Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships are appointed each term to a select number of graduate students who are excelling in The Design School. Learn more about teaching assistantships including eligibility and application details.
Financial Aid
Learn more about your financial aid options.
Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)
Students who live outside of Arizona may be eligible for 150% in-state tuition, find out if you qualify.
Admission requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- a portfolio, letter of intent and contact information of three references submitted via SlideRoom (https://asudesign.slideroom.com)
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. The minimum score for admission to the program is 80 (internet-based) or 550 (paper-based) on the TOEFL or an overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS. Other information can be found at https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate/english-proficiency.
The portfolio, letter of intent and references are required by the Design School in addition to the Graduate College application requirements.
Applicants are encouraged to report GRE scores, especially if the applicant's background is broad or other than a traditional design major, but it is not required.
A personal interview is not required; however, a candidate wishing to visit the school is welcome and should make arrangements by contacting the department.
Admission to the program is selective. Admission cannot be deferred; students must enroll in the semester for which they are admitted, otherwise they will need to go through the entire application process again for the year in which they are applying.
Applicants may be admitted to the program with deficiencies if their previous coursework is not equivalent to the ASU undergraduate requirements and standards. If a student is assigned any deficiency coursework by the academic unit upon admission, those courses must be completed with a grade of "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher before completing the graduate program's required coursework. A Master of Architecture student with assigned deficiencies has two pathways: the three-year plus pathway with up to 42 credit hours which begins in the summer, and the the two-year plus pathway with up to 15 credit hours which begins in the spring. Deficiency courses may include:
ADE 510 Foundation Architectural Studio
ADE 511 Core Architectural Studio I
ADE 512 Core Architectural Studio II
ALA 235 Introduction to Computer Modeling
APH 313 History of Architecture I
APH 314 History of Architecture II
APH 509 Foundation Seminar
ATE 361 Architectural Technology I
ATE 362 Architectural Technology II
ATE 452 Architectural Technology III
Admission requirements to the two-year pathway: Applicants must have completed a four-year Bachelor of Science degree with a major in architectural studies or a similar preprofessional degree in architecture. The undergraduate degree must be granted by an institution that is recognized by ASU and offers a National Architectural Accreditation Board-accredited degree program in architecture.
Admission requirements to the three-year plus pathway: Applicants must have earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field other than architectural studies.
Admission Requirements
Master of Architecture Two-year Program (MArch)
- Applicants must have completed a four-year Bachelor of Science degree with a major in architectural studies or similar pre-professional degree in architecture. The undergraduate degree must be granted by an institution that is recognized by ASU and offers a National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) accredited degree program in architecture.
- Applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirements as established by Graduate College. A 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) is preferred, but students with a GPA less than the minimum requirement may still receive consideration if they have supporting evidence of creative work, significant work experience, or other indicators of their potential to succeed in the program. Particular emphasis is placed on the last two years of the applicant's undergraduate GPA record.
- Applicants to the MArch program are encouraged to report GRE scores, especially if the applicant’s background is broad or other than a traditional design major, but it is not required.
- Students must enroll in the semester for which they are admitted. The MArch program commences in the fall semester of each year.
- Applicants may be admitted to the two-year program with deficiencies if their previous course work is not equivalent to the ASU undergraduate requirements and standards. Deficiencies must be completed prior to taking the required course(s) if necessary.
- A personal interview is not required; however, a candidate wishing to visit the school is welcome and should make arrangements by contacting designgrad@asu.edu.
- Applicants to The Design School graduate programs are required to complete a two-step application process. Applicants must submit the Graduate College application as well as The Design School SlideRoom application. For complete information on how to apply, please view the steps to apply on the admissions page.
Master of Architecture Three-year Program (MArch 3)
- Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree in any field other than architectural studies.
- Applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirements as established by Graduate College. A 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) is preferred, but students with a GPA less than the minimum requirement may still receive consideration if they have supporting evidence of creative work, significant work experience, or other indicators of their potential to succeed in the program. Particular emphasis is placed on the last two years of the applicant's undergraduate GPA record.
- Applicants to the MArch program are encouraged to report GRE scores, especially if the applicant’s background is broad or other than a traditional design major, but it is not required.
- Students must enroll in the semester for which they are admitted. The MArch 3-year program commences in the fall session of each year.
- A personal interview is not required; however, a candidate wishing to visit the school is welcome and should make arrangements by contacting designgrad@asu.edu.
- Applicants to The Design School graduate programs are required to complete a two-step application process. Applicants must submit the Graduate Education application as well as The Design School SlideRoom application. For complete information on how to apply, please view the steps to apply on the admissions page.
Accreditation
In the United States, most 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 professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a preprofessional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
The Design School in the ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:
- MArch (pre-professional degree + 56 graduate credits)
- MArch 3-year (non-pre-professional degree + 98 credits)
Our next accreditation visit for all programs: 2022
More information about architecture accreditation.
Please visit the ASU Professional Licensure website for information on licensure surrounding this and other ASU programs.
STEM Designation
Effective Spring 2018, the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program has the approved CIP code 04.0902, which makes the program a recognized STEM degree program. STEM designation makes M.Arch students at ASU eligible for STEM specific Scholarships, OPT extension for International Students, and expanded GI benefits for Student Veterans.
Global Engagement Studios
The graduate program curriculum encompasses a travel studio which is completed in the fall semester of the final year. Students travel all over the world for the opportunity to experience a foreign place or country for one week at the beginning of the fall semester. This trip is faculty led and the cost is inclusive within tuition fees. The benefit of this experience to our graduate students is invaluable. To hear what our students are saying about the Global Engagement Studios and their experience view this video.
Internships
Students completing a 2–year or 3-year graduate degree program in the following studio-based disciplines are required to complete an internship: Architecture, Interior Architecture, Industrial Design, Landscape Architecture, and Visual Communication Design. The internship typically takes place during the last summer that precedes the final year of the graduate program.
Learn more about internships.
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations serve as the public face for their respective professions, providing information to the general public about disciplinary practice and its role in improving the well-being of communities, promoting design excellence through the recognition of notable professional achievements, supporting the exchange of ideas and information about best practices between professional members through the development of conferences and through the support of opportunities for continuing education.
Learn more about professional organizations.
Student Organizations
Joining a discipline-specific student organization is a great way to help your long-term career plans and goals. Membership can add to your academic experience by building a portfolio, making important connections, networking, and engaging with local and national professional communities.
Learn more about student organizations.