Master of Science in Architecture
This program offers summer admission only.
This one-year program is designed for holders of a first professional degree in architecture, or its international equivalent, and consists of studio-centered work in architecture and urbanism supported by elective coursework in advanced technology and contemporary theory and criticism. This program is an intensive course of study intended to further students' critical skills and analytical abilities while expanding their architectural expertise.
Curriculum
Summer: Pretext
The summer semester introduces the School, the faculty, and the city through courses that are unique to the MS Arch program. Research work investigates a diversity of critical and generative approaches to twentieth century architecture and theory, and introduces current themes and debates in contemporary design practices and related disciplines. Design projects investigate and extend the genetic and generic material of Chicago—its history of technical invention, landscape fabrication, infrastructural ingenuity, and lifestyle production—to a current disciplinary project.
Fall and Spring: Position
The studio-centered curriculum is supported by required and elective coursework in architectural technology and theory. Specific design and research agendas of current significance are explored with distinguished visiting faculty (e.g., the Greenwald Visiting Professor) and defined as the result of a year-long course of study (consisting of a fall seminar and spring studio) in a research cluster geared toward publishing its findings and proposals.
Fall: topic studios
These option studios provide the opportunity to work on a contemporary architectural problem through the lens of an internationally-recognized instructor.
Spring: research project
Individual and collaborative design-research that addresses concerns at the edge of the contemporary discipline and results from a year-long course of study.
Laptop Recommendations
For a list of laptops and software recommended by the School, please visit the School's Laptop page.
