Master of Science in Architectural Research & Design

The post-professional M.S.ARC program is designed for individuals with an accredited professional architecture degree who wish to enter an academic career in architecture and affiliated fields.

Our post-professional Master of Science in Architectural Research and Design degree program is the most advanced research venue at Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment. It is a selective design research degree that builds on the deep expertise of our faculty and the strategic commitment of the school and the university as a whole. This program does not provide a professional degree that leads to licensure. It is intended for individuals with an accredited professional architecture degree interested in teaching and research as a career in the field of architecture.

The program offers five concentrations directed by our internationally-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)

Students are encouraged to develop an area of expertise through independent scholarship. Under the guidance of our diverse faculty, the program focuses on cultivating advanced theory and technology relevant to the design and construction of a sustainable and resilient built environment. The program provides opportunities to form a course of study around students’ interests and to develop appropriate strategies within the Research and Design Thesis framework.

Plan of Study (PDF, TXT)

STEM OPT Eligibility

The Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Master of Science in Architectural Research and Design programs are classified under Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (CIP code 04.0902). Consequently, international students graduating with these degrees from Tulane are 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. For more information, contact Tulane OISS.