Degree Requirements

Students who entered the college earlier should refer to the specific degree requirements from the year they entered.

Degree Requirements (Master of Architecture with Advanced Standing)

The Master of Architecture Degree with Advanced Standing requires a student to complete 60 credit hours, including a minimum of 54 credit hours of graduate-level architecture courses. Specifically, a student must complete:

  • Four courses (24 credit hours) of architectural design studio (ARCH 552, ARCH 562, ARCH 662, ARCH 672)
  • Eight courses (21 credit hours) of specific required architecture courses (ARCH 515: Sustainable Systems, ARCH 516: Architectural Representation, ARCH 527: Integrative Systems I, ARCH 528: Integrative Systems II, ARCH 537: Fabrication, ARCH 572: Architectural Theory and Criticism,  ARCH 583: Professional Practice, and ARCH 660: Thesis Development Seminar)
  • Three courses (9 credit hours) of graduate-level (500/600) architecture elective courses
  • Two courses (6 credit hours) of either architecture elective courses or non-architecture elective courses at the graduate level

Important Notes about Master of Architecture with Advanced Standing Degree Requirements:

  • No more than six hours of Tutorial Studies (ARCH 593 and ARCH 600) can be counted toward the 60-hour minimum.
  • Students with Advanced Standing may not elect undergraduate architecture courses for credit.
  • The following courses cannot be counted towards graduation requirements: ARCH 993: Teaching Methods for GSIs, ARCH 690: Architectural Curriculum Practical Training, ARCH 490: Architecture Spring Break Externship Experience, ELI 530: Academic Speaking and Writing for Architecture Students

A student must complete the 60 credit hours required for the M.Arch. degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and with a grade of C- or better in each required architecture course. Those students earning a cumulative GPA in the top 5% of their class shall graduate with high distinction; students earning a GPA in the top 5%-10% of the class shall graduate with distinction. These honors will be entered on the student’s transcript and diploma. It is suggested that you speak with your faculty advisor regarding course elections, especially electives.

The Architecture program uses Online Advising Files (OAFs), which students can request from Taubman College Student Affairs, to track and record a student’s progress towards completing degree requirements. The OAF is also used to finalize degree audits at the time of graduation. In addition, all students expecting the Master of Architecture Degree are required to apply to graduate online through Wolverine Access. This should be done at least three months in advance of the expected date of graduation. Students who meet this deadline will have their names published in the commencement program. Although faculty advisors and administrators may assist a student in arranging an academic degree plan, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting all program and degree requirements. If degree requirements are not completed for the commencement period to which the graduation application has been filed, a student must complete a new graduation application to be considered for graduation at a subsequent commencement date.

Course Waiver(s)

A student may seek a waiver of any course(s) listed as deficiencies in their letter of admission or from course(s) that are required for the master’s degree.  Course waivers should be requested upon your arrival in the fall and approved before the end of the official drop/add date for the current semester. Course waivers do not reduce the 60 credit hour requirement. Take the form along with a copy of your transcript, course description, syllabus/reading list, to the instructor of the course you are requesting to be waived. In the case of a construction course, bring projects/drawings that you have completed as supporting evidence of your request for a waiver. The instructor will then review your material and approve the course waiver form. This form is then returned to the college registrar and placed in your file. A course waiver can only be approved by the faculty member currently teaching the course.

Degree Requirements (Master of Architecture)

The Master of Architecture Degree requires a student to complete 99 credit hours. Specifically, a student must complete:

  • Seven courses (42 credit hours) of architectural design studio (ARCH 402, ARCH 412, ARCH 422, ARCH 552, ARCH 562, ARCH 662, ARCH 672)
  • Eight courses (21 credit hours) of specific required architecture courses (ARCH 515: Sustainable Systems, ARCH 516: Architectural Representation, ARCH 527: Integrative Systems I, ARCH 528: Integrative Systems II, ARCH 537 – Fabrication, ARCH 572—Architectural Theory and Criticism,  ARCH 583—Professional Practice, and ARCH 660—Thesis Development Seminar)
  • Two courses (6 credit hours) in History of Architecture (ARCH 413 and an Arch History Elective course)
  • One course (3 credit hours) Environmental Systems (ARCH 425)
  • Two courses (6 credit hours) in Structures (ARCH 314 and ARCH 324)
  • One course (3 credit hours) in Design Fundamentals (ARCH 416)
  • One course (3 credit hours) in Construction (ARCH 417)
  • Five courses (15 credit hours) graduate-level (500/600) architecture elective courses
  • Two courses (6 credit hours) of either architecture elective courses or non-architecture elective courses at the graduate level

Important Notes about Master of Architecture Degree Requirements:

  • No more than six hours of tutorial studies (ARCH 593 and ARCH 600) can be counted toward the 99-hour minimum.
  • All required 300- and 400-level architecture courses should be completed by the end of the first year.
  • The following courses cannot be counted towards graduation requirements: ARCH 993: Teaching Methods for GSIs, ARCH 690: Architectural Curriculum Practical Training, ARCH 490: Architecture Spring Break Externship Experience, ELI 530: Academic Speaking and Writing for Architecture Students

A student must complete the 99 credit hours required for the M.Arch. degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and with a grade of C- or better in each required architecture course. Those students earning a cumulative GPA in the top 5% of their class shall graduate with high distinction; students earning a GPA in the top 5%-10% of the class shall graduate with distinction. These honors will be entered on the student’s transcript and diploma. It is suggested that you speak with your faculty advisor regarding course elections, especially electives.

The Architecture program uses Online Advising Files (OAFs), which students can request from Taubman College Student Affairs, to track and record a student’s progress towards completing degree requirements. The OAF is also used to finalize degree audits at the time of graduation. In addition, all students expecting the Master of Architecture Degree are required to apply to graduate online through Wolverine Access. This should be done at least three months in advance of the expected date of graduation. Students who meet this deadline will have their names published in the commencement program. Although faculty advisors and administrators may assist a student in arranging an academic degree plan, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting all program and degree requirements. If degree requirements are not completed for the commencement period to which the graduation application has been filed, a student must complete a new graduation application to be considered for graduation at a subsequent commencement date.

Course Waiver(s)

A student may seek a waiver of any course(s) listed as deficiencies in their letter of admission or from course(s) that are required for the master’s degree.  Course waivers should be requested upon your arrival in the fall and approved before the end of the official drop/add date for the current semester. Course waivers do not reduce the 99 credit hour requirement. Take the form along with a copy of your transcript, course description, syllabus/reading list, to the instructor of the course you are requesting to be waived. In the case of a construction course, bring projects/drawings that you have completed as supporting evidence of your request for a waiver. The instructor will then review your material and approve the course waiver form. This form is then returned to the college registrar and placed in your file. A course waiver can only be approved by the faculty member currently teaching the course.

Students who are non–native English speakers and do not have a four-year degree from an English-medium institution are required to take and successfully complete ELI 530, a two-credit hour architecture-specific English course offered by the English Language Institute (ELI) at U-M in their first fall term. ELI 530 is taken in addition to their regular architecture coursework and does not count toward degree requirements.