Academy of Art University

Master of Arts (MA-ARH) in Advanced Architectural Design

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Design

• Demonstrate development of design exploration and understanding throughout the program

Visual Communication

• Visually communicate ideas through multiple representation methods
• Visually communicate ideas through architectural drawings: site plan, plan, section, elevation, and 3D representation
• Produce accurate physical models of design ideas

Written Communication

• Effectively summarize architectural projects and design processes in well-crafted proposals and final portfolio book

Presentation Skills

• Professionally present design proposals and final projects

Building Systems, Materials, and Methods

• Demonstrate understanding of material systems and construction methods necessary for advanced architectural design projects
• Demonstrate understanding of the general structure of the project

Portfolio Development (Track 1)

• Demonstrate development of a clear area of focus for the duration of the program
• Present advanced architectural design projects in a final, well-crafted portfolio book

Thesis Proposal Development (Track 2)

• Demonstrate development of a clear area of focus for the duration of the program
• Clearly define the mission of the thesis project
• Present research in relation to the project
• Demonstrate the relevance of the thesis project to the field of architecture

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
• Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
• Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
• Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
• Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
• Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
• Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

Our students enter the profession well prepared, as we educate them to become critical thinkers and visionary designers with skills and experiences to carry them into their architecture careers. We provide them with the knowledge and abilities necessary to investigate their ideas and transform their architectural visions into built reality. We strongly believe in our students’ potential to shape the future of our environment as critical leaders in their fields.

City and Urban Planner

Master planning environmental design decisions at the scale of a neighborhood, district, city, or region, architects can be part of an urban or design team improving urban environments.

Construction Manager

As construction managers, architects contribute their knowledge of building design and coordinate the design delivery of a project from conception to final closeout.

Design Consultant

Graduates from an architectural school are qualified outside of architectural practice to consult across disciplines, from building envelope design, historic preservation, industrial design, furniture design, color, branding, business, and product consulting, among many other possibilities.

Project Architect

Collaborating on large or complex architectural projects, project designers are crucial members of a design team.

Self-Employed Architect

Operating as sole practitioners, firm principals run small to mid-sized offices, sometimes in partnership with other principals. Firm principals are responsible for signing and stamping construction documentation sets and must be licensed in the state in which a project is being built.

Sustainable Design Consultant

Specializing in sustainability-driven design projects, sustainability consultants may be architects or other design professionals.

Unit Requirements

Degree Requirements

MA Advanced Architectural Design Track 1 Degree Requirements

• Successful completion of Final Thesis Project
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
• A minimum grade of C in all required 36 units

MA Advanced Architectural Design Track 2 Degree Requirements

• Successful completion of Final Thesis Project
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
• A minimum grade of C in all required 60 units

Track 1 and Track 2 Placement

The Master of Arts in Advanced Architectural Design (MA-ARH I Track 1 and MA-ARH II Track 2) program allows students to specialize in a particular area of interest. Dedicated to advanced architectural design investigations immersed inside a large and vibrant art and design university, the program has an exceptional profile. Students develop their own interests covering diverse fields that mediate between contemporary architectural developments, design theory, and emerging technology. Through a curriculum led by inspiring faculty, we enable our students to become responsible leaders in their field, possessing the skills to envision, design, and construct a desirable and viable future, and therefore actively contribute to the evolution of society and culture.

• Applicants who graduate from a NAAB-accredited 5-year B.ARCH program or equivalent are eligible for MA-ARH I (36 units). Final placement will be determined after a portfolio review.
• Applicants who graduate from a 4 or 5-year non-NAAB-accredited Bachelor’s program in Architecture, Environmental Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and Engineering are eligible for MA-ARH I (36 units). Final placement will be determined after transcripts and portfolio review.
• Applicants who graduate with an unrelated undergraduate degree will be placed into the MA-ARH II (60 units).
• Applicants interested in Architectural licensure in the United States should consider the NAAB-Accredited M.Arch program. This might also apply to international students when their country of origin requires a professionally accredited degree (NAAB or equivalent) in order to obtain an architecture license in this country.

Note for English as a Second Language Students: All placement into architecture classes is pending ESL evaluation, ESL 603 placement is necessary to start advanced architectural design classes.

Track 1 Curriculum

Track 2 Curriculum