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CAPLA’s Master of Architecture is an NAAB-accredited, professional STEM degree devoted to the education of tomorrow’s leading architects.
The M.Arch offers pathways that vary depending on your background. Students with undergraduate studio-based architecture degrees can complete the program in two years, while others can complete the program in three years, including an immersive summer session. The University of Arizona M.Arch combines place-based design honed in the extreme climate and exquisite landscape of the Sonoran desert with cutting edge material and environmental research, all delivered through hands-on learning. As an M.Arch student, you will acquire a portable design sensibility, empowering you to develop critical modes of practice, regardless of where or how you practice.
In the M.Arch, you’ll learn:
The School of Architecture in the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona is devoted to professional education, innovative research and community service with a sensibility honed by the conditions of an extreme climate. We combine place-based design in the exquisite landscape of the Sonoran Desert and our world-class facilities with cutting-edge material and environmental research—all delivered through robust hands-on learning and service to our profession and communities.
College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Application Requirements
Prospective students are required to submit application materials directly to the University of Arizona Graduate College. Please pay careful attention to the procedures described in the online application portal. You can access the online application system as many times as necessary to prepare your application up until the time you formally submit your materials. Applications will not be reviewed until all materials have been received.
All applicants must upload the following documents using PDF format:
Personal Statement: You will be required to submit a Statement of Purpose, clearly and concisely delineating your focus or interest, special aptitude or personal characteristics and any other relevant factors related to your career aspirations in the profession of architecture. Additionally, discuss your reasons for applying to the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture and the University of Arizona.
Portfolio: Things you may want to illustrate in your portfolio could include 1) creative and/or utilitarian personal projects: crafts, furniture, home additions, creative/technical writing, pastries or drawings/illustrations, etc., and 2) academic or professional projects that exhibit technical, aesthetic or social experiences. Technical drawings are a plus; preferably drawn with a sensitive hand/eye rather than dry quantitative color-coded line weights (showing architectural potential beyond engineering experience).
Resume/Curriculum Vitae: You will be asked to provide a biographical profile/resume including a complete record of academic and professional work.
Letters of Recommendation: You will be asked to provide the names and contact information (email address) of three persons who can comprehensively evaluate your record and potential for success in the graduate program. A combination of academic and professional recommendations is preferred. As soon as you have entered this information, an automatic email message will be sent to your recommender, explaining what is required and giving him/her instructions on how to log in on our website. On the recommendations site they will be asked to complete a form and will also be able to upload a PDF copy of the letter or enter a supplemental text directly into the application.
Transcripts: One complete set of official college transcripts for all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework (diplomas, titulos). If these original documents are not in English, an official English translation must also be included. Submit these documents directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate College Online Application system. An official transcript, at minimum, must be submitted for ALL institutions attended, before the application will be accepted as completed and allow the review process to proceed.
Financial Guarantee: Applicants must submit a Financial Guarantee form certifying they have sufficient U.S. funds for their first year of education. If family members are to accompany the student, additional funds are required. If the student receives a fellowship or an assistantship, the amount of the award will constitute part of the financial guarantee.
Proof of English proficiency is required for international applicants who hold citizenship from a country where English is not the official language.
Please check the Graduate College English Requirement list to verify your need to submit an English proficiency test.
The University of Arizona's institution code for sending official electronic score reports from ETS is 4832.
Acceptable English Proficiency Credentials:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 79 iBT (or 60 on the revised PBT with no section score lower than 15). Individual MyBest scores must also be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.
Note, for Master's programs, we also accept the TOEFL Essentials test with a minimum band score of 9.5.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum composite score of 7, with no subject area below a 6
Pearson PTE Academic - minimum score of 60
Graduate English Language Endorsement from the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)
CEPT Full Academic test - offered by our Center for English as a Second Language (CESL), minimum Total score of 110.
The Graduate College does not accept Duolingo scores for demonstration of English Proficiency.
N/A
Financial aid is available to qualified students based on the program, by review of portfolio, supplemental application materials, merit, and financial need. Many of our students receive some form of financial aid excluding loans.
Applicants are eligible to apply for federal financial aid through Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (https://financialaid.arizona.edu) for more information.
Please check the CAPLA website for the up-to-date admissions deadlines.
International Conditional Admission
International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion. Please review the Graduate College website for more information.
International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.
4832
62
Summer Term Immersion
Fall 1
Spring 1
Fall 2 (Advanced Standing Pathway starting point)
Spring 2
Fall 3
Spring 3
History + Theory: Technical Elective (3 units)
Integrated Technologies: Technical Elective (3 units)
Graduate Level Elective (3 courses = to 9 credit hours)
Suggested Electives:
ARC 561d Computer Energy Analysis
ARC 561i Materials: Properties + Tests
ARC 571n Arid Region Urbanism: Arizona/Sonora
ARC 593 Internship (1-3 units, up to 6 units may apply towards elective requirements)
ARC 596b (H/T Elective) The Architecture of International Exposition: Envisioning Healthy Designs for Expo 2027
ARC 596b (H/T Elective) Contemporary Urbanity and Public Space
ARC 597a Research Methods (LAR/PLG 597a)
ARC 597b Special Topics in Architecture Environmental Science Laboratory
ARC 597d Practice Elective: Reading Architecture
ARC 597k The Portfolio: Advanced Graphics, Presentation, Layout and Design
ARC 561a Water Efficiency in Buildings
ARC 597b (001) Health and Wellbeing in the Built Environment
ARC 596d Social Behavioral Issues in Built Environments
ARC 596b (002) (H/T Elective) Trans Journal
ARC 535 Forms of Critical Inquiry and Expression
ARC 599 Independent Study (1-9 units may be taken as Independent Study, to apply towards elective requirements)
(Courses are subject to title/topic changes each semester)
Electives may be taken in various fields with faculty advisor permission.
Students are recommended to have completed a minimum math/science level of:
College Algebra & Trigonometry
&
Introductory Physics (with Lab is preferred).
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 72.13% |
| Avg. Time-to-degree (years) | 2.46 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 60.47% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 39.53% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 27.91% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 16.28% |