Master of Architecture

The NAAB accredited M.Arch program is designed for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in any area of studies who wish to enter the profession of architecture

Our first-professional Master of Architecture degree program (M.Arch) is the primary venue for cultivating the critical design practices at Tulane School of Architecture. The program builds on the professional expertise of our faculty and their commitment to an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment.

It is a NAAB accredited program, fulfilling the professional degree requirements leading to architectural licensing and registration designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in any area of studies.

The core of Tulane School of Architecture is its commitment to design excellence and social responsibility. The graduate program provides diverse options to engage the critical topics through the studio, seminar, and lecture courses that bridge intellectual, technical, social, and physical areas. Our graduate students examine architecture by understanding the discipline and its ability to impact the culture positively. Our students use architecture to ask challenging questions and deliver robust solutions through innovative visualization, a design-build project serving the local community, or exploring alternative strategies in sustainable building practices in the Research Studio and Research Concentrations (see below). In addition, the graduate thesis sequence provides students the opportunity to develop an area of expertise through independent scholarship.

3.5-Year Curriculum

The 3.5-year curriculum is structured for students with minimal or no previous architectural education. The seven-semester curriculum begins with a rigorous summer introductory term, followed by four semesters of core instruction. The final two semesters are primarily elective options, encouraging students to develop customized educational experiences through our rich course offerings.

Students with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree, bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or in other three-dimensional design fields may qualify for one semester advanced standing. Students with a pre-professional architecture degree should apply to the two-year advanced standing option.

Plan of Study (PDF, TXT)

2- to 3-Year Option (Advanced Standing)

At the Tulane University School of Architecture, we understand that each student's path to pursuing a Master of Architecture professional degree (M.Arch) is unique. We therefore offer an Advanced Standing Portfolio Assessment option for applicants who have had previous education or experience in architecture. The Advanced Standing portfolio Assessment will constitute an opportunity to accelerate a student’s progress toward the M.Arch degree. Applicants with pre-professional degrees, prior learning experiences, and demonstrable architecture skills, can be evaluated and potentially reduce required courses in M.Arch degree path at Tulane. 

Upon application to the M.Arch program, students may request an advanced standing evaluation of their portfolio, academic records, and previous course syllabi for admission with Advanced Standing. Qualified previous learning experiences may satisfy corresponding degree requirements in the M.Arch program. Such evaluations are conducted by a qualified faculty admissions committee, who carefully assess each instance of previous experience and correlate their findings to our degree requirements. If the committee determines that a student has indeed met these requirements, they will be granted advanced standing toward specific courses.

Advanced standing credit is recorded in each student’s degree audit from their very first day in the program. This means that students can effectively shorten their required course load, allowing them to focus more deeply on areas where they seek further development, and/or shortening the total time needed to achieve the degree.

It is important to note that a minimum of 50% of the required degree credits must be taken in residence at Tulane to comply with the university’s residency requirement policy. This equates to completing 56 credits of the M.Arch’s 111 required credit hours in residence, ensuring that while students can benefit from their prior experiences, they still engage meaningfully with the curriculum of the M.Arch program.

The possible courses for which advanced standing may be granted include, but are not limited to:

ARCH 6011 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.)
ARCH 6012 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.)
ARCH 6021 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.)
ARCH 6022 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.)
ARCH 6110 Intro to Architecture (3 c.h.)
ARCH 6111 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.)
ARCH 6112 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.)
ARCH 6113 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.)
ARCH 6114 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.)
ARCH 6211 Site Strategies (3 c.h.)
ARCH 6212 Materials and Methods (3 c.h.)
ARCH 6213 Building, Climate, Comfort (4 c.h.)
ARCH 6214 Structural Systems (4 c.h.)
ARCH 6311 Digital Media (3 c.h.)
ARCH 6512 Professional Concerns II (3 c.h.)
ARCH electives in M.Arch program

Dual Degree Options

Graduate students may pursue a Master of Architecture degree in conjunction with a Master of Science in Historic Preservation or a Master of Sustainable Real Estate degree. Learn more on the Dual Degree page.

Research Connections

Students are encouraged to explore research interests through specific concentrations cultivated by TuSA's renowned faculty:

Climate Change, Urban Ecologies and Public Space (River and Coastal Urbanism)
Digital Fabrication and Advanced Ecologies
Affordable Housing
Design Build
Contemporary Architecture in Historic Contexts (Adaptive Reuse)

Stem OPT Eligibility

Beginning in fall 2019, the Tulane School of Architecture’s professional Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch), Master of Architecture (M. Arch) degrees and the new post-professional Master of Science in Architectural Research and Design (M.S.ARC) degree will be classified under Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (CIP code 04.0902).

Consequently, international students graduating with B.Arch, M.Arch or M.S.ARC degree from Tulane on or after 2019-2020 academic year will be eligible for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ STEM OPT extension program. This allows international students to remain in the U.S. for up to 36 months after graduation to receive practical training through work experience in the field of architecture.

Visit the Tulane OISS webpage on STEM OPT Extension for more information.