Architecture (M.Arch.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

Students and instructor in the architecture lab.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Sean Ervin, Professor of Practice and Program Coordinator
School of Design
Chicoine Architecture, Mathematics and Engineering Hall 382, Box 2225
605-688-4103

Program Information

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) program prepares professional leaders with specialized knowledge and skills to meet the nation’s needs in design, build, and education. The aim of the program is to prepare architecture majors to practice in a full range of contexts and settings.

The Master of Architecture degree is comprised of a 48-credit hour, four semester graduate curriculum which rounds out the department’s seven semester NAAB accreditation candidate professional program. Refer to the department website for NAAB Professional Program details.

Accreditation

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural 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 three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

South Dakota State University’s Architecture Program offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:

M.Arch. (preprofessional degree plus 48 graduate credits)
M.Arch. (nonpreprofessional degree plus 97 credits)
Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2027

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Architecture

Non-Thesis: 48 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

ARCH 544 - History of Profession Credits: 3
ARCH 555 - Building Studio Credits: 5 *
ARCH 555L - Building Lab Credits: 2 *
ARCH 603 - Practicing Architecture Credits: 1
ARCH 631 - Technology of Envelopes Credits: 2
ARCH 632 - Technology of Interiors Credits: 2
ARCH 650 - Comprehensive Building Design Credits: 6
ARCH 653 - Independent Performance Credits: 6
ARCH 654 - Research Studio Credits: 5
ARCH 654L - Research Lab Credits: 2
ARCH 655 - Independent Documentation Credits: 3
ARCH 673 - Professional Practice I Credits: 3
ARCH 674 - Professional Practice II Credits: 3
500- or 600-level Electives. Electives will be selected in consultation with advisor. Credits 5*

Total Required Credits: 48 (Non-Thesis)

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL iBT: 4
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
IELTS: 6.5
Duolingo: 110

The first application preference deadline for admission during the fall semester is January 31. The second application preference deadline is March 15. There is not an option to start the graduate program in a spring semester due to the sequential nature of studios.

Students may be admitted fully or conditionally. Students conditionally admitted with insufficient graphic capacity may be required to take fundamental drawing and / or design courses the fall semester before beginning professional study.

Accelerated Master’s Program

The accelerated master’s program will be available to eligible SDSU Bachelor of Fine Arts Architecture students. During the fall of the student’s Junior year in the program, students may apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program in Architecture by the March 29 deadline. Up to 12 credits applied to the undergraduate degree may be used to satisfy graduate credit. Students must follow SDSU Policy 2:22 Use of Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

*Students completing the B.F.A. in Architecture to accelerated Master of Architecture program will complete the following courses in place of ARCH 555 - Building Studio Credits: 5 , ARCH 555L - Building Lab Credits: 2 , and 500- or 600-level Electives (5 credits):

ARCH 501 - Writing Architecture Credits: 3
ARCH 502 - Reading Architecture Credits: 3
ARCH 534 - Technology of Systems Credits: 3
ARCH 543 - Urban History Credits: 3

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .