DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
For its graduate programs, the College of Architecture takes advantage of its unique location within downtown San Antonio, as well as South Texas and the borderlands of the western United States and Mexico. The city of San Antonio, composed of several historical layers from the 17th century to the present, is a laboratory for the exploration of architecture, urbanism, and community planning and design.
Master of Architecture Degree – The Professional Program
The College of Architecture offers the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) as a first professional degree for those intending to enter the professional practice of architecture. The M.Arch. is accredited by NAAB, the National Architectural Accrediting Board, the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture. According to the NAAB 1998 Conditions and Procedures manual:
“In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite of licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes two types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture and the Master of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on its degree of conformance with established educational standards. Master’s degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, which, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.”
Building on a solid base of undergraduate studies in architecture, the degree program provides a challenging professional curriculum. The two-year program is seen as a capstone of professional studies.
The Master of Architecture degree is offered in two forms: M.Arch. 2 program, for students who have earned architectural degrees; and M.Arch. 3 program, for students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than architecture.
The M.Arch. 2 Program
The M.Arch. 2 program is designed for students who have earned architectural degrees (such as B.A., B.S., and B.E.D.) and consists of studies focused on developing the next generation of critical practitioners. This studio-based professional program is normally two years (52 semester credit hours) in length and is completed via an independently-derived, research-informed design project.
M.Arch. 2 Program Admission Requirements. In addition to University-wide admission requirements, applicants must have completed a preprofessional bachelor’s degree in architecture with a minimum grade point average of no less than 3.0 in the applicant’s last 60 hours of coursework (including all graduate and postgraduate coursework taken).
A completed application package consists of the following:
- Completed Application form
- Official transcripts from all universities attended
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Letter of Intent, outlining the applicant’s anticipated focus of studies and its impact on subsequent professional practice
- Portfolio, documenting proficiency in design, graphic communications, and other creative work
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for international applicants whose first language is not English.
An application fee and all application materials must be sent directly to the UTSA Graduate School at One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249. Please consult the UTSA College of Architecture’s Web site (http://www.utsa.edu/architecture) for dates when the review of applications will begin and for more information about the College and its programs.
M.Arch. 2 Degree Requirements. Degree candidates must complete 52 semester credit hours of coursework consisting of the following:
- 37 semester credit hours of the following required courses:
ARC 5133 Professional Practice and Construction in a Global Setting ARC 5513 Advanced Building Technology & Structures ARC 6126 Advanced Design Studio I ARC 6136 Advanced Design Studio II ARC 6146 Advanced Design Studio III ARC 6931 Master’s Project Preparation ARC 6996 Master’s Project Theory/Criticism Elective* History Elective*
- 15 semester credit hours of electives selected from the list posted on the UTSA College of Architecture Web site and within the UTSA College of Architecture graduate handbook. No more than 6 semester credit hours of nonarchitecture (ARC) electives will apply toward the Master of Architecture degree and these electives should be selected in consultation with the Graduate Advisor of Record.
*Note: Courses which satisfy the required elective options (Theory/Criticism, History) will be posted on the UTSA College of Architecture Web site and within the UTSA College of Architecture graduate handbook.
The M.Arch. 3 Program
The M.Arch. 3 program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than architecture. This professional program includes one year of preparatory studies (39 semester credit hours) beginning in the summer, in preparation for the following two years (52 semester credit hours) of the Master of Architecture (M.Arch. 2) program sequence. These preparatory studies are required, as a condition of admission, to be completed in full. We encourage students from all disciplines to consider this program as a means for entering the profession of architecture.
M.Arch. 3 Program Admission Requirements. In addition to University-wide admission requirements, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average of no less than 3.0 in the applicant’s last 60 hours of coursework (including all graduate and postgraduate coursework taken).
A completed application package consists of the following:
- Completed Application form
- Official transcripts from all universities attended
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Letter of Intent, which speaks to the applicant’s preparedness for the study of architecture
- Portfolio of work indicative of the applicant’s preparedness for the study of architecture
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for international applicants whose first language is not English.
An application fee and all application materials must be sent directly to the UTSA Graduate School at One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249. Please consult the College of Architecture’s Web site (http://www.utsa.edu/architecture) for applicable dates when the review of applications will begin and for more information about the College and its programs.
M.Arch. 3 Degree Requirements. The M.Arch. 3 program requires up to 39 semester credit hours of preparatory studies and 52 semester credit hours of the M.Arch. 2 program sequence for this degree, exclusive of coursework or other study required to remove admission deficiencies. Credit toward the program is earned only for grades of “A,” “B,” and “C.” Students must also maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0, with a maximum of 6 semester credit hours with the grade of “C.”
The M.Arch. 3 program in architecture consists of: a) preparatory studies; b) a performance evaluation; and c) the 52 semester credit hour M.Arch. 2 program sequence. The M.Arch. 3 program begins in the summer.
- Preparatory Studies. 39 semester credit hours consisting of the following:
ARC 5183 Fundamentals of Architectural Design: Principles & Representation ARC 5196 Fundamentals of Architectural Design: Studio
and 30 semester credit hours of coursework that includes a minimum of two consecutive semesters of design studios. This coursework is posted on the UTSA College of Architecture Web site and within the UTSA College of Architecture graduate handbook.
- Performance Evaluation. Upon completion of preparatory studies, each student is subject to a performance evaluation intended to determine readiness to enter the M.Arch. 2 program sequence. The performance evaluation format is determined by the Department Chair and carried out by the faculty. Normally, failure to pass the performance evaluation should be followed by additional coursework or other work to remedy deficiencies or areas of weakness before the evaluation is conducted again. Failure to successfully pass the performance evaluation may result in the postponement of entering the M.Arch. 2 program sequence.
- M.Arch. 2 Program Sequence. Degree candidates must complete 52 semester credit hours of coursework consisting of the following two areas of coursework: required courses and electives:
Master of Science in Architecture Degree – The Research Program
The Master of Science in Architecture (M.S. Arch.) program is a nonstudio research program that prepares students for careers in research, teaching, consulting, and further graduate study. The focus of the program is research in architecture. Areas of research include historic preservation, urban and regional planning, architectural history, sustainability in architecture, and health and wellness. The program stresses critical writing and research methods. The educational opportunities are enriched by the College of Architecture’s location in downtown San Antonio, which has a rich heritage of historic architecture and urbanism.
M.S. Arch. Admission Requirements. In addition to University-wide admission requirements, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average of no less than 3.0 in the applicant’s last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate studies.
A completed application package consists of the following:
- Completed Application form
- Official transcripts from all universities attended
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Letter of Intent
- Samples of expository writing
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for international applicants whose first language is not English.
An application fee and all application materials must be sent directly to the UTSA Graduate School at One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249. Please consult the College of Architecture’s Web site (http://www.utsa.edu/architecture) for applicable dates when the review of applications will begin and for more information about the College and its programs.
M.S. Arch. Degree Requirements. The minimum number of semester credit hours requirements for the Master of Science in Architecture degree, exclusive of coursework or other study required to remove admission deficiencies, is 33. Credit toward the program is earned only for grades of “A,” “B,” and “C.” Students must also maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 with a maximum of 6 semester credit hours with the grade of “C.” Students admitted to the program should consult the Graduate Advisor of Record (GAR) and a faculty advisor in their chosen field of study for specific program requirements for their individual study plans.
Degree candidates must complete 33 credit hours of coursework consisting of the following:
- 12 semester credit hours of the following required courses:
ARC 5173 Architectural Theory and Criticism ARC 6433 Research Methods in Architecture ARC 6983 Master’s Thesis (repeated for a total of 6 credit hours)
- 21 semester credit hours of electives to be selected in consultation with committee chair
- Comprehensive Examination. A candidate for the Master of Science in Architecture must, in addition to other requirements, pass a written comprehensive examination. Students must be registered for ARC 6961 Comprehensive Examination during the semester in which they intend to take the examination.
Comprehensive examinations are given only to students who:
- have satisfied all admission conditions
- are in good academic standing
- have an approved degree plan
- have selected a supervising professor and thesis committee with an approved thesis topic
- are enrolled in ARC 6961 Comprehensive Examination.
Note: Credit earned for ARC 6961 will not count toward the 33 semester credit hours required for the degree.
Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation is a process of design for continuity and the management of change within an existing historic context. The Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation offers specialized education in historic preservation design, technology, planning and management through graduate-level courses.
The Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation enables graduate students from multiple program areas to receive tangible confirmation of skills and comprehension in historic preservation. A Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation offers students from any discipline the opportunity to take historic preservation classes with rationale and purpose. Certificate holders can gain employment advantages in fields related to archaeology, architecture, business, engineering, geography, historic preservation, history, interior design, landscape architecture, law, museum studies, political science, public policy, social science and urban and regional planning. Many government jobs within federal, state, and local agencies specifically require or desire graduate-level training in historic preservation. All states, many counties, and most large cities have nonprofit organizations and societies devoted to historic preservation. Within the construction industry there is currently a huge trend upwards in adaptive use of existing buildings, especially within previously abandoned downtown areas. There is widespread demand for professionals with specialized training in historic preservation. Interested individuals should contact the Historic Preservation Certificate Program Coordinator within the College of Architecture.
Certificate in Historic Preservation Admission Requirements. New and existing graduate students in “good standing” shall declare the intent to seek the Certificate by requesting permission to enter and complete the program. Students not currently enrolled in a graduate program may apply according to UTSA Admission Requirements for Certificate Programs. The Certificate Program Coordinator may determine that a student requires prerequisite background courses to adequately prepare for the courses of the Graduate Certificate Program.
Certificate in Historic Preservation Requirements. The Certificate requires 15 semester credit hours of coursework and 10 weeks (or 350 hours) of practical experience, such as an internship or other type of employment related to historic preservation. Two courses are required and an additional three courses must be selected from the list of approved courses. All requirements must be completed within a six-year period. Courses taken for the Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation can be applied toward the Master of Architecture degree and the Master of Science in Architecture degree. Students will be advised by the Historic Preservation Certificate Program Coordinator/Advisor.
- 6 semester credit hours of the following required courses:
ARC 5203 History and Theory of Preservation ARC 6423 Architectural Conservation Theory
- Required Practical Experience, 10 weeks or equivalent (to be approved by the Certificate Program Coordinator)
- 9 semester credit hours of approved elective courses selected from the following list:
ARC 5233 Architectural Surveys and Measured Drawings ARC 5403 Historic Preservation Seminar ARC 5423 Legal and Economic Aspects of Preservation ARC 5613 American Architecture ARC 6003 Morphology of the Architecture and Landscape of South Texas and Borderlands ARC 6413 Preservation Technology ARC 6433 Research Methods in Architecture
Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning
The purpose of the professional certificate in Urban and Regional Planning is to provide students with an introductory understanding of the historical, social, international, and physical context of comprehensive land planning and sustainable urbanism.
The Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning is a 15-semester-credit-hour program. Degree-seeking, special graduate or non-degree-seeking students from any discipline at UTSA are allowed to complete the Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning (URP) program. Students will be advised by the URP Certificate Program Coordinator/Advisor. Interested individuals should contact the Urban and Regional Planning Certificate Program Coordinator within the College of Architecture.
Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning Admission Requirements. New and existing graduate students in “good standing” shall declare the intent to seek the Certificate by requesting permission to enter and complete the program. Students not currently enrolled in a graduate program may apply according to UTSA Admission Requirements for Certificate Programs. The Certificate Program Coordinator may determine that a student requires prerequisite background courses to adequately prepare for the courses of the Graduate Certificate Program.
Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning Requirements. The Urban and Regional Planning Certificate Curriculum consists of 9 semester credit hours of required Architecture courses and 6 elective hours from the list defined in item B below. Courses taken for the Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning can be applied towards the Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Architecture degrees. Students will be advised by the Urban and Regional Planning Certificate Program Coordinator/Advisor.
- 9 semester credit hours of the following required courses:
ARC 5323 International Community Planning and Design ARC 5333 Introduction to Urban and Regional Physical Planning ARC 5343 History and Theory of Urban and Regional Planning
- 6 semester credit hours of approved elective courses selected from the following list:
ARC 5313 International Housing Design and Neighborhood Planning ARC 5353 Structure and Function of Cities and Regions ARC 5363 Urban Planning Methods II ARC 5373 Planning and Design of Suburbs ARC 5383 Planning and Housing for Rural Communities ARC 5663 The Architecture and Cities of Northern Mexico ARC 6013 Theories and Philosophies of Regionalism GRG 5303 Economic Geography HIS 5313 South Texas: Rural and Urban HIS 6193 Comparative Urban History PAD 5103 Planning and Land Use Law PAD 5473 Land Use Policy PAD 5483 Environmental Policy PAD 5503 Introduction to Urban Planning PAD 5563 Urban Planning Methods POL 5143 Theory and the City SOC 5143 Demography and Community Trends
