Master of Architecture - STEM Designated
Chicago, USA
DURATION
66 up to 102 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request the earliest start date
TUITION FEES
USD 1,646 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* priority deadline I deadline for Professional Master's and Master of Science May 15th
Introduction
Our Master of Architecture program is a launching pad for those seeking leadership roles in architecture, design, development, and construction, and is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, forging a direct pathway to licensure. Students holding a pre-professional degree in architecture may qualify for our two-year program of study, while students without a background in architecture typically finish in three years.
Our studio-based curriculum emphasizes ethical design practice and is led by prominent architects who work with students to develop the skills they need to address pressing architectural and urban problems. Each studio offers a distinctive learning environment in which students sharpen their capacity to think critically, experiment speculatively, and make architecture ambitiously.
The city of Chicago offers a ready-made urban laboratory for all of our efforts. Moreover, our location in a global city allows us to bring together and work with expert designers, engineers, technologists, and theorists.
This program is open beginning in the fall semester only.
Program Overview
Our M.ARCH. program stresses research, analysis, and synthesis as preparation for an expanding disciplinary field in which resourcefulness and daring are rewarded. We are committed to helping our graduates become exceptional design leaders as well as ethical global citizens.
Our mission is to teach design excellence and technical expertise, and to foster an understanding of the role of the architect in society as an ethical, insightful, and informed leader. We believe that society sustains and enriches itself through thoughtful planning and careful work, and we regard the architect as the central figure who is best able to synthesize the natural and man-made in the creation of a more humane built environment.
The curriculum addresses principles of design concepts, materials, construction, systems, planning, professional practice, history, and visual judgment, which are fundamental for the development of the creative process. The curriculum is progressive with required core coursework offering foundation knowledge, skills, and vocabulary, while upper-level study seeks a broader understanding of architecture by combining theoretical exploration with practical considerations.
Why Illinois Tech is one of the best value universities in the country
As an Illinois Tech student, you’ll automatically be considered for our university’s generous institutional scholarships. On average, this adds up to a savings of $107,472 on tuition and housing for every student during your four years at Illinois Tech ($134,340 for five years, based on fall 2021 figures).
We’re committed to dramatically reducing the cost of your degree, so you can focus on learning at one of the most dynamic and innovation-driven universities in the country.
Want some more great reasons?
- On top of our institutional scholarship, on average, Illinois Tech awards our students an additional $34,412 each in need-based tuition aid over four years ($43,015 for five years). (among FAFSA filers, fall 2021)
- We’re the #44 Best Value School in the nation (U.S. News & World Report)
- 98% of our students receive some form of financial aid
- The mean starting salary of our undergraduates is $63,938
Facilities
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
As required by the university, graduate students must maintain a 3.0 or "B" grade point average in their program of study. The College of Architecture also requires this as part of the Master of Architecture degree requirements. Within the college, particular emphasis is placed on the studio as the forum where aspects of the curriculum are synthesized. Candidates must pass each studio course before continuing to the next studio in the sequence. Students may receive a single "C" in a studio if maintain the required "B" average. However, if a student receives a second "C" in studio coursework, they will be subject to dismissal from the program. Students may remediate this situation by repeating the coursework and achieving a higher letter grade, or enrolling in a remedial studio. The additional credits required for the additional studio cannot be counted toward their program of study.
In addition to the curricular requirements for the degree, there are several milestones that have been integrated throughout the coursework to ensure a student’s successful completion and comprehension of the concepts and material. Each student’s progress will be evaluated by an independent panel of faculty prior to their continuation, and eventual completion, of the program.
There are a wide variety of electives available not only in the College of Architecture, but also in the university’s Armour College of Engineering, Institute of Design, and Stuart School of Business. If the student has previously taken courses that duplicate curriculum requirements, appropriate electives may be substituted. English language courses required for international students do not apply to program credit hours. Master of Architecture students wishing to accomplish a master’s thesis as part of the post-professional Master of Science in Architecture program may petition for dual enrollment.
Master of Architecture
Required Courses ---- ---- (72)
- ARCH 485 ---- ---- Structures I ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 486 ---- ---- Structures II ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 500 ---- ---- Global Modernism ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 501 ---- ---- Contemporary Architecture ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 505 ---- ---- Urban Ecology ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 506 ---- ---- Design Communications I ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 507 ---- ---- Design Communications II ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 508 ---- ---- Design Communications III ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 513 ---- ---- Environ & Building Systems I ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 514 ---- ---- Environ & Building Systems II ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 520 ---- ---- Introduction to Urbanism ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 541 ---- ---- Architecture Studio I ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 542 ---- ---- Architecture Studio II ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 543 ---- ---- Architecture Studio III ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 544 ---- ---- Architecture Studio IV ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 545 ---- ---- Architecture Cloud Studio V ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 546 ---- ---- Architecture Cloud Studio VI ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 568 ---- ---- Architectural Practice ---- ---- 3
Architectural History Electives ---- ---- (6)
Select a minimum of six credit hours from the following:1 ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 502 Adv Topics in History & Theory I ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 503 Adv Topics in History & Theory II ---- ---- 3
Materials Elective (3)
Select a minimum of three credit hours from the following: ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 480 Materials and Construction ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 482 Material: Fibrous ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 483 Material: Transparent ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 509 Topics in Advanced Technology ---- ---- 3
Electives ---- ---- (21)
Select a minimum of 21 credit hours of architecture electives. ---- ---- 21
Total Credit Hours ---- ---- 102
1ARCH 502 and ARCH 503 may be taken multiple times.
Master of Architecture with Advanced Standing
Required Courses ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (54)
- ARCH 485 ---- ---- Structures I ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 486 ---- ---- Structures II ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 500 ---- ---- Global Modernism ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 501 ---- ---- Contemporary Architecture ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 502 ---- ---- Advance Topics in History & Theory I ---- ---- 3
or
- ARCH 503 ---- ---- Advance Topics in History & Theory II ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 508 ---- ---- Design Communications III ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 513 ---- ---- Environ & Building Systems I ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 514 ---- ---- Environ & Building Systems II ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 520 ---- ---- Introduction to Urbanism ---- ---- 3
- ARCH 543 ---- ---- Architecture Studio III ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 544 ---- ---- Architecture Studio IV ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 545 ---- ---- Architecture Cloud Studio V ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 546 ---- ---- Architecture Cloud Studio VI ---- ---- 6
- ARCH 568 ---- ---- Architectural Practice ---- ---- 3
Electives ---- ---- (12)
Select a minimum of 12 credit hours of architecture electives. ---- ---- 12
Total Credit Hours ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 66
Career Opportunities
Our close ties to the professional community in Chicago and beyond allow students early exposure to practice and advanced job placement in the many areas of the discipline, including:
- Architecture
- Interior design
- Landscape architecture
- Real estate development
- Urban design
- Higher education
Gallery
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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