MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch)
2023-2024 | Curriculum | 2-year program
At the discretion of the admission committee, applicants with a four-year undergraduate degree in architecture may be admitted to the Masters of Architecture advanced standing track. Successful advanced standing students typically complete degree requirements in two years.
Requirements for advanced standing consideration:
a four-year undergraduate degree in architecture at an accredited college or university
at least two semesters of six-credit studios in architecture
demonstrated design proficiency (in the view of the admissions committee)
equivalent of two semesters of graduate level studio work
24 credits (or equivalent) of architecture courses, including 18 credits of architectural technology (including structures and environmental control systems), architectural history and construction of architectural drawing
six credits of undergraduate coursework for a total of 42 required credits
a minimum grade of C for any course counted towards advanced standing
MArch 2YR FIRST YEAR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Core 1 Studio: Subjects. Tools. Process. | 6 | Elective | 3 | Advanced Studio [a] | 6 | |||
Graduate Theory Seminar: Making Discourse | 3 | ARCH-255G | Enclosure Design | 3 | ||||
Elective(s) | 6 | Electives | 6 | |||||
TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | TOTAL CREDITS | 3 | TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | |||
SUMMER | ||||||||
Professional Internship [b] | (3) | |||||||
MArch 2YR SECOND YEAR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
Advanced Studio [a] | 6 | Principles of Professional Practice | 3 | |||||
Building Assembly and Systems (BASD) | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||||
Elective | 3 | |||||||
AND | Thesis Track | Thesis Track | Thesis Track | |||||
Thesis Seminar | 3 | Thesis Discursive Workshop | 3 | Thesis Project | 6 | |||
Elective | 3 | |||||||
or | Directed Research Track | Directed Research Track | Directed Research Track | |||||
Directed Research Scope Seminar | 3 | Elective | 3 | Directed Research Seminar | 3 | |||
Directed Research Studio | 6 | |||||||
TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | TOTAL CREDITS | 3 | TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | |||
Total Credits: 69 | ||||||||
Notes:
[a] Two course: Advanced Studios are required. One of these may be in an allied department (Landscape Architecture or Interior Architecture).
[b] course: Professional Internship is the required summer internship course. It may be completed in any summer prior to entering the final year. Total hours required are 280. Professional ARCH Internship credit can be granted providing students can verify an equivalent experience through a previous internship which requires a letter from the firm/company. This internship can count for NCARB Architectural Experience Program AXP. The internship hours for ARCH-2199 can be used towards architecture licensure through the NCARB Internship. Student’s intent upon becoming registered architects in the USA after graduation should enroll in the AXP as soon as possible. AXP is the internship program required by all registration jurisdictions. The work experience accomplished during ARCH-2199, the department’s minimum Internship experience (280 hours) can be recorded as acceptable experience in the AXP (3,740 hours) and thus accelerate one’s pace towards architectural licensure. Visit the NCARB website for more information.
course: Professional Internship is an optional internship, which may be taken during the summer or in Wintersession. Depending on the nature of the work, the internship may count for major elective credit within the department or for non-major elective credit. Total hours required are 180.
Students entering the Department of Architecture must participate in its Academic Laptop Program, purchasing hardware, software, and upgrades. Students should direct questions to the Computer Technician in the Architecture Department.
National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) Accreditation
In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architecture 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 term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require of a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
Rhode Island School of Design, Architecture department offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program(s):
Bachelor of Architecture (156 credits)
Master of Architecture (non-accredited degree + 111 credits)
Master of Architecture (non-accredited degree in architecture + 69 credits)
Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2023