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Full Description

The Master of Architecture degree seeks to prepare graduates to lead in the field of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. The program fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs. Master coursework affords opportunities for inquiry in architecture through the introduction of traditional scholarly research methods as well as approaches to research through design in a studio setting. Professional practice courses are paired with theory seminars and elective classes in areas of digital technology, building sciences and history to provide a comprehensive exposure to professional opportunities and a broad capacity for considering and postulating architecture in innovative ways.

Students may also pursue a dual degree program with the or with the .

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• GRE scores (or GMAT scores for the dual degree with the M.B.A.); test scores are not required for applicants with a Kent State B.S. degree in Architecture (effective for summer 2025 admission, test scores will no longer be required)
• Résumé
• Goal statement (include intent and background information)
• Portfolio, with design work clearly indicating role in group projects
• Three letters of recommendation, with one letter from a non-academic source
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

Applicants with a non-professional bachelor’s degree or a pre-professional degree in architecture from another institution will have their prior education evaluated to determine if they meet student performance criteria as stipulated by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). If deficient criteria or courses are recognized, the student may be required to complete additional courses to earn the degree. Determinations will be made by the program director and graduate coordinator at the time the student is admitted to the program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: January 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: January 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Increase level of intellectual discourse about architecture.
2. Demonstrate enhanced verbal, graphic and writing skills.
3. Develop and enhance student's research skills.
4. Develop and enhance problem-solving and reasoning skills; an ability to critically analyze information and fundamental design skills.
5. Understand the complexities of environmental design, including both technical and theoretical components.
6. Develop management and leadership skills.
7. Understand design and systems integration.
8. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and to gather, record and apply relevant information.
9. Develop an awareness of and sensitivity to international cultures.
10. Understand different cultural perspectives, values, customs and traditions.
11. Understand the principles of building programming, including assessment of user needs, review of precedents, an inventory of space requirements, site analysis and review of the relevant laws and standards.
12. Understand design principles and theories of urban design.
13. Develop an ability to compare and contrast the perspectives, values, customs and traditions of their own culture from those held by other cultures.
14. Develop and enhance writing skills.
15. Understand the following professional practices:
    1. real estate and development,
    2. contract and planning law,
    3. leadership and ethics and
    4. office and finance management.
16. Understand site.
17. Understand the responsibility of the architect to elicit, understand and resolve the needs of the client.
18. Develop an awareness of diverse cultures, ideals and beliefs.

Dual Degree with M.B.A. in Business Administration

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the Master of Architecture degree and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

The dual degree combining the M.Arch. and the M.B.A. is designed for architects or undergraduate architectural students who aspire to middle or executive management positions in architectural practices, or who are interested in starting their own business along with the preparation to enter the profession of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. It fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs, also by offering a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge.

Dual Degree Requirements

¹

Topics in professional practice.

• Actual offerings and schedules vary from year to year and the college will jointly provide a pre-approved recommended course of study. Students who wish to take a different course of study need to obtain separate approvals from both college graduate coordinators. Contact the College of Architecture and Environmental Design graduate secretary for details on coursework registration.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum of 64 credit hours: 35 credit hours from the M.Arch. degree and 29 credit hours from the M.B.A. degree.

Dual Degree with M.U.D. in Urban Design

Student have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.U.D. degree in Urban Design and the M.Arch. degree in Architecture. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

This dual degree program prepares students to enter the profession of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. It fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs and offers a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge related to urban design.

Dual Degree Requirements

¹

Special topics course in professional practice.

²

This course is offered at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

³

These credits may be taken from the course offerings in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; or from another Kent State college, school or department; or from at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Elective credits may be taken from the offerings in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, or from other Kent State colleges, schools or departments or from at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

Graduation Requirements

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Note

Time to completion for the degree typically is one to two years for students with an accredited pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture. Students admitted without a pre-professional degree may be required to take additional courses, in addition to the requirements for the degree, to meet NAAB student performance criteria. Therefore, time for graduation may be three years with more than the listed credit hours.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

The M.Arch degree in Architecture is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).