The Graduate Program in Architecture offers a design-centered curriculum that promotes personal development, ethical imperatives, critical thinking, and ecologically sustainable practices. These values are expressed in an education that challenges students to expand their awareness, become leaders, master the discipline, and engage architectural production in its cultural and social context with the responsibility of stewardship for the built and natural environments. The program is committed to preparing students for leadership roles, not only within the profession, but also within the broader communities they join and influence.
In the United States, state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure http://www.tn.gov/commerce/boards/ae/. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an 8-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
The Master of Architecture, Advanced Placement (AP), and Master of Architecture, Post-professional (PP) programs at the University of Tennessee received a full 6-year accreditation as a result of its last NAAB accreditation review. Post-professional degrees are not reviewed for accreditation.
The School of Architecture offers three curricular paths leading to the Master of Architecture degree and (when approved) one curricular path leading to a Master of Science in Architecture (currently not available - pending submission of documents and THEC approval).
The Master of Architecture program is a 3.5-year professional degree program for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field other than architecture. Some students may be considered for advanced standing if previous coursework is accepted for credit.
- Master of Architecture, Advanced Placement (MArch AP) is a two-year path in the professional degree program for students with a 4-year pre-professional bachelor’s degree in architecture in which students are placed in upper level coursework based on previously completed coursework in a pre-profession.
- The Master Architecture, Post-Professional (MArch PP) is a 3-semester post-professional degree for students who have already earned an accredited professional degree in architecture, and who seek to develop an area of specialization.
- Currently not available - Pending submission of documents and THEC approval - When available, the Master of Science in Architecture will replace the current MArch, Post-Professional degree. This program will be a 3-semester program for students of diverse backgrounds and experience who share a passion for the role of architecture in society and who seek to develop an area of specialization in the field.
Concentrations
The Graduate Architecture Program offers optional concentrations in Conservation and Stewardship, High Performance Buildings, Sustainable Design, and Urban Design.
A concentration in the MArch and MArch (Advanced Placement) requires a minimum of:
- One focus area studio and two directed elective courses, or
- Four directed elective courses
Requirements may vary by concentration area. Additionally, a concentration in the MArch PP requires an approved thesis in the topic area.
Admission
The following must be submitted by all applicants directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
- A completed online Graduate Application for Admission. Visit their website at http://graduateadmissions.utk.edu/req.shtml for the online application process.
- The general portion scores of the Graduate Record Examination. Applicants should take the GRE at least six weeks in advance of application for admission.
- For applicants whose native language is not English, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s minimum requirements, the following specific admission requirements must be submitted to the Graduate Program in Architecture:
For applicants to all degree programs:
- An essay addressing the applicant’s intent and expectations for study in the program.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A required portfolio illustrating evidence of visual creativity and/or graphic capabilities.
- A personal on-site interview is optional.
For MArch, Post Professional (MArch PP) applicants:
- A professional degree in architecture (5-yr Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or Doctor of Architecture) with a minimum 3.00 GPA, from an NAAB accredited program or international equivalent degree and equivalent grades, as determined by the Graduate Admissions Office. Applicants in their final year of a professional architecture program are eligible to apply.
- A portfolio illustrating evidence of visual creativity and/or graphic capabilities, which must include prior academic and (if applicable) professional design work.
- An essay of intent identifying a specific area of study aligned with the general goals of the Architecture Graduate Program and the existing research / scholarship interests of the standing faculty in the College of Architecture and Design. Applicants may focus on either “advanced design skills” or “research-oriented focus.”
- Prior contact with individual faculty members in the applicant’s interest area and with the Chair of the Graduate Architecture Program is highly recommended.
For all applicants to MArch and MArch (AP):
- A minimum 3.00 undergraduate GPA, minimum 3.25 graduate GPA, minimum GRE scores: 147 QV and 3.0 analytical. Standardized test scores can be weighted differently in the admissions process depending on an applicant’s strengths.
For MArch (AP) applicants additionally:
- A four-year degree (typically, BS, BED, or BA) in architecture, with a minimum 3.00 GPA, or international equivalent degree and equivalent grades, as determined by the Graduate Admissions Office. Placement in the 2-year Track 2 program requires a minimum of 24 semester hours of design studio. Applicants in their undergraduate senior year are eligible to apply.
- A portfolio illustrating evidence of visual creativity and/or graphic capabilities, which must include prior academic and (if applicable) professional design work.
For both MArch and MArch (AP):
- A curriculum plan will be developed with each accepted applicant on a case-by-case basis, based on the applicant’s prior education. Upon the applicant’s acceptance of admission, applicants must provide comprehensive information documenting all professional courses for review of advanced standing or course waivers in the professional degree. This detailed information (syllabi, etc.) is not reviewed during the application process.
For MArch (PP) applicants, additionally:
- A four-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.00 GPA from an accredited college or university, or international equivalent degree and equivalent grades, as determined by the Graduate Admissions Office. Candidates with a GPA less than 3.00 may be considered for conditional admission when evidence of exceptional promise is identified. Applicants in their undergraduate senior year are eligible to apply.
- Undergraduate prerequisites are 1) 12 semester hours of humanities courses, 2) one course in physics, and 3) one pre-calculus math course including trigonometry and logarithms (or college calculus or equivalent). Completion of prerequisites is not required prior to application.
Preparatory courses recommended but not required include: 1) a second course in physics, 2) calculus, 3) freehand drawing (highly recommended).
Requirements
- Master of Architecture, Post-professional (MArch PP) requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate course work, taking approximately three semesters of full-time study. A concentration area of study from among the currently available options ought to be selected. Self-designed concentrations will also be considered upon petition to the Chair, Graduate Architecture Programs.
The MArch (PP) requires 6 hours of Thesis 500 with a public presentation and oral defense of the thesis.
- Master of Architecture, Advanced Placement (MArch AP) requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate course work, taking approximately two years of full-time study. A concentration within the program options is optional.
- MArch normally requires 102 semester hours of graduate course work, taking approximately three and a half years of full-time study. Students with prior formal education in design may receive advanced placement upon admission. In such cases, a minimum of 75 semester hours of graduate course work will be required. A concentration within the program is optional.
Conservation and Stewardship Concentration
Potential resources:
- Baker Center for Public Policy
- UTK Library Special Collections
- UTK McClung Museum
- Knox Heritage
- East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation (Washington)
The conservation and stewardship concentration has three goals: to expand local knowledge through topical research, to document the physical environment and the human effect on these environments, and to disseminate that documented knowledge to educate future practitioners and scholars, and the public at-large. Focusing on the local and regional characteristics of urban and landscape design provides a direct link to the College and University mission.
The conservation and stewardship concentration engages a wide range of disciplines that share common interests. This concentration is a multi-disciplinary, inter-collegiate locus of research and public service projects that operates across colleges, across campuses, across the state and region. It promotes and produces knowledge and techniques in the restoration and regeneration of a wide array of cultural artifacts. Broadly based in the arts and the sciences, the conservation and stewardship concentration focuses on collaborative research and coursework – in particular on the relationships between the design disciplines and their effect on both built and natural environments. With the increased concern for sustainable responses to designed and natural environments, the coursework explores the processes and systems that affect both local and global responses to contemporary issues of public policy.
The conservation and stewardship concentration offers opportunities for topical study such as, but not limited to:
Sustainable Urban and Rural Landscapes
TVA and Public Policy
Cultural Resource Conservation and Development
Architectural Preservation
Requirements for conservation and stewardship concentration:
ARCH 525 Special Topics in Architecture
Six hours from the following:
ARCH 505 History and Theory of Architectural Stewardship
ARCH 508 Preservation Technology
ARCH 520 History of American Architecture
ARCH 586 Advanced Architectural Design: Sustainable Architecture
ARCH 590 Advanced Architectural Design: Special Topics
ARCH 599 Design VII: Diploma Thematic Studio
ARCH 525 Special Topics in Architecture
LAR 501 Introduction to Sustainable Design
LAR 503 Landscape Architecture: Histories and Theories I
LAR 504 Landscape Architecture: Histories and Theories II
Up to 3 elective hours may be from:
ARCH 526 Directed Readings in Architecture
ARCH 591 Foreign Study
ARCH 593 Independent Study
Of the six elective hours, 3 hours may be from approved courses in other departments, such as ART 481 , ANTH 510 , CLAS 436 , GEOG 411 , GEOG 421 , HIST 642 , HIST 643 , WOST 548 , POLS 548 , POLS 549 , POLS 556 .
Optional Course (Master of Architecture student only)
ARCH 500 * Thesis (directly related to CS topic as approved by committee)
* Requires a prerequisite of ARCH 580 (offered Fall Term only).
High Performance Buildings Concentration
Potential resources:
- Institute for Smart Structures (ISS)
- College of Engineering
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- Center for Clean Products (ISSE)
The high performance buildings concentration incorporates knowledge from a wide range of disciplines that share a common base within the College of Architecture and Design and other University of Tennessee Colleges and Institutes. The methodology is based on an integrated design process in which design, research and technology are reinforced with disciplines such as building design, product development, materials science, building physics, climatic design, structural design, computation and modeling, and production techniques. In addition, individual methods from these and other perspectives are also encouraged.
The high performance buildings concentration may address issues of the innovative and sustainable design of buildings, building components and (sub) systems of buildings, and on how these relate to each other and to architecture as an integrated complex system.
The high performance buildings concentration offers opportunities for topical study such as, but not limited to:
Advanced Skills in Design with Technology
Facade Design and High-Performance Building Envelopes
Innovative uses of Traditional materials, both massive and lightweight
Building Performance Design, Development, and Evaluation (energy, structural, mechanic, construction, etc.)
Digital Modeling and Digital Manufacturing
Smart Structures and Lightweight Structures
New Materials and environmental performance criteria
Design with climate: daylight, solar, water harvesting, passive cooling
Requirements for high performance buildings concentration:
One of the following:
ARCH 586 Advanced Architectural Design: Sustainable Architecture
ARCH 588 Advanced Architectural Design: Structural Innovations
ARCH 590 Advanced Architectural Design: Special Topics
ARCH 599 Design VII: Diploma Thematic Studio
And, as an option for MArch (PP) only:
ARCH 572 Design VI: Design Integration
plus 6 hours from the following list of courses in approved building technology topics:
ARCH 508 Preservation Technology
ARCH 509 Seminar in Design Integration
ARCH 525 Special Topics in Architecture
Of the six elective hours, up to 3 hours may be from:
ARCH 526 Directed Readings in Architecture
ARCH 593 Independent Study
Of the six elective hours, up to 3 hours may be from approved courses in other departments, such as CE 562 , CE 573 , CE 576 , ME 567 , MSE 512 .
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