M.ARCH - 5-year Undergraduate
The Master of Architecture program is structured with required courses and electives to give students thorough professional preparation and opportunities for study in the liberal arts and advanced study in architecture.
First Year
First-year courses include required study in design, visual and digital media, architectural history and theory, technological systems, writing, and other electives in cultural knowledge and scientific inquiry. The emphasis in first-year design is on developing a fundamental understanding of formal, spatial and material principles in architecture, while obtaining a strong skill base in freehand drawing, descriptive geometry, material techniques, and visual and digital media. First year electives allow students to supplement their background in physics or calculus, begin or advance foreign language study, broaden their skills in the arts, or choose any other subject area from among over forty offered by the University’s undergraduate divisions. In their first semester, students may also participate in one of the many TIDES (Tulane InterDisciplinary Experience) courses offered by the University to engage other students and faculty in an intimate, interactive environment.
Second and Third Years
Second and third-year courses cover the majority of the program requirements. Intensive studio work in architectural design is complemented by study in architectural history and theory, structures, technological systems, digital media and urban studies. In second-year, students are fully immersed in digital design techniques while learning to incorporate knowledge from historic, environmental, social, programmatic and technological studies into the design studio. This is followed by third-year, where, in the second semester, a fully integrated program of coursework allows students a truly synthetic experience in the comprehensive design of a complex architectural project.
Fourth Year
The fourth-year curriculum involves advanced architectural design in elective studio courses as well as graduate level seminars in architectural theory, technology, professional concerns, urban studies, and digital media. In the fourth year of study, emphasis is placed on the relationship of architecture to the urban environment, both locally and globally. Students will spend one semester at the Tulane City Center, studying in one of the many programs ranging from urban design, to housing, to design/build. In the fourth-year, students will also have the opportunity for international study through various programs ranging from one week to full semester abroad programs in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Upper level study is intended to be diverse and includes many electives intended to provide significant opportunities for study within architecture as well as in the liberal arts and sciences.
Fifth Year
In the fifth year of study, students will develop an advanced thesis through research, analysis and design in one of four curricular streams. In addition to academic year studies, students are also required to spend two summers working in architecture firms in order to gain an understanding of architecture as a profession.
Transfer Students
Transfer students with previous college work but without any background in architecture may take an intensive summer curriculum as the equivalent of first-year. The intensive summer program includes no English or general electives because previous college work is a prerequisite. For such students, the Master of Architecture as a first college degree may then be obtained in four additional years.
Core Curriculum and Electives
YEAR 1 - Fall Semester
| Semester Total | 17-18 |
| DSGN 1100 - Design Studio | 4 |
| AVSM 1100 - Visual Media I | 2 |
| AHST 1110 - Introduction to Architecture | 3 |
| English 1010 (must complete first year) | 4 |
| TIDES (must complete first year) | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| Semester Total | 15-17 |
| DSGN 1200 - Design Studio | 4 |
| ADGM 1200 - Digital Media I | 2 |
| Non-lab Science | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 |
| Foreign Language | 3-4 |
YEAR 2 - Fall Semester
| Semester Total | 19 |
| DSGN 2100 - Architecture Studio | 6 |
| ADGM 3100 - Digital Media II* | 3 |
| AHST 3010 - Hist/Theory of Arch & Urb I* | 3 |
| ATCS 3010 - Site Strategies for Architects | 3 |
| Lab Science | 4 |
Spring Semester
YEAR 3 - Fall Semester
| Semester Total | 19 |
| DSGN 3100 - Architecture Design Studio | 6 |
| AHST 3030 - Hist/Theory of Arch & Urb III* | 3 |
| ATCS 4010 - Structural Systems | 4 |
| APFC 4100 - Professional Concerns I | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 |
Spring Semester
| Semester Total | 16 |
| DSGN 3200 - Comprehensive Design Studio | 6 |
| ATCS 4020 - Integrated Building Systems | 4 |
| APFC 4200 - Prof. Concerns II: BIM | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 |
YEAR 4 - Fall Semester
| Semester Total | 18 |
| DSGN 4100 - Options Studio | 6 |
| Architecture Elective | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 |
| University Electives | 6 |
Spring Semester
| Semester Total | 15 |
| DSGN 4200 - Options Studio | 6 |
| Advanced History/Theory Elective | 3 |
| Architecture Elective | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 |
YEAR 5 - Fall Semester
| Semester Total | 15 |
| DSGN 5100 - Options Studios | 6 |
| AHST 5110 - Thesis Research | 3 |
| Architecture Elective | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 |
Spring Semester
| Semester Total | 15 |
| DSGN 5200 - Thesis Studio | 6 |
| Architecture Thesis Support Elective | 3 |
| Architecture Elective | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 |
168-171 Total
123 Architecture courses total
45-47 Courses without Architectural Content
NAAB requires 168 total hours.
NAAB requires 30 hours of graduate level courses in professional studies and electives.
NAAB requires 45 hours to be taken in courses without architectural content.
*Satisfies the Fine Arts Requirement.
**Note that University Core & Elective Courses, with the exception of TIDES and English Composition, may be completed at any time during the student’s curriculum.
To help ensure academic breadth within the liberal arts and depth within the field of architecture, students in the Master of Architecture curriculum may take elective credits. Students are required to distribute a portion of these elective credits among courses in the humanities and fine arts (12 credits, including 9 in lecture courses), social sciences (6 credits), science and mathematics (6 credits) and 12 additional university credits. Courses offered by the liberal arts colleges fall into these three categories. All students are required to complete foreign language proficiency (see Liberal Arts and Science section for further information) and to take one elective course with an emphasis on non-Western traditions.
Students in the Master of Architecture I curriculum are required to take 3 credits in digital design tools prior to completion of third-year, 3 elective credits in advanced Structure/Technology, 3 elective credits in advanced History/Theory, and 3 elective credits in advanced Professional Practice. Additionally, students have to complete 15 credits of architecture electives. The Associate Dean of Students may authorize waiver of the distribution requirements in special cases. Students in dual degree programs may also receive special consideration.
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- African & African Diaspora Studies
- Art History
- Art Studio
- Classical Studies
- Communication
- Dance
- English
- Jewish Studies
- Language - placement required
- Music
- Philosophy
- Theatre
- Social Sciences
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education
- History
- Latin American Studies
- Political Economy
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Women’s Studies
- Sciences and Mathematics
- Astronomy
- Cell & Molecular Biology
- Chemistry
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Computer Science
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
To acquire practical experience within the profession of architecture, the School requires students to take two qualifying internships in an architect’s office or in related professional areas after second year and prior to graduation. A qualifying internship will consist of ten weeks of full-time (35 hours per week) work for paid employment, or five weeks of full-time or ten weeks of part-time (20 hours per week) work for unpaid employment or volunteer services. While it is preferable that students gain experience in an architect’s office for at least one of the required internships, credit may also be given for employment in related professional areas. Additionally, international studies in a university-organized program or participation in a design/build studio may substitute for one of the internship requirements. To ensure credit, students must verify with the Associate Dean of Students that an employment opportunity or activity will qualify prior to participation.
To receive credit for an internship, students must complete the Internship Certification of Employment form. At the beginning of the semester following the internship, the School requires verification of length of employment and quality of performance from the employer.
Additionally, students must complete an Internship Studies Registration form for each internship (forms located in the main office). All completed forms should be submitted to the Senior Program Coordinator of the School of Architecture.
Visit International Programs page for more information.
Check back for more information.
Requirements are generally taken in the prescribed year indicated in the curricula above, but some required courses may be taken in another year to allow strategic placement of electives. Generally, all courses required for the professional degree must be completed prior to entry into fifth year. In special circumstances, the Associate Dean of Students may waive this requirement.
An architecture student may elect to pursue a minor or major in another division of the University, in addition to the pursuit of the Master of Architecture (non-accelerated program). Anyone who is interested in such a program should contact the appropriate department chair and develop a program of courses in the chosen field. This proposal should be approved by the department chair and forwarded to the Associate Dean of Students in the School of Architecture. When all requirements are met, the transcript will reflect that a minor or major has been completed. Successfully completed minor or major courses can fulfill the School’s distribution of electives requirement. This does not eliminate other distribution requirements, however, and could require additional courses for graduation.