Master of Architecture Student Handbook School of Architecture + Planning at UTSA

Why Pursue a Master's Degree in Architecture

The Master of Architecture program is a first professional degree for those intending to enter the professional practice of architecture. The MARCH programs are fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Boards (NAAB) and build on a solid base of undergraduate studies in architecture to provide a challenging professional curriculum, which is seen as a capstone of professional studies. Our faculty are committed to preparing graduates to be innovative leaders of the built environment.

The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design’s downtown location in San Antonio is composed of several historic layers from the 17th century to the present, making the program a perfect laboratory for the in-depth exploration of creativity, professions, and research.

MARCH2 - The Professional Program

This is the professional track program is designed for students who have earned architectural degrees (such as BA, BS, and BED) 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. The MARCH 2 offers admission in fall, spring and summer terms.

See the Graduate Catalogue for all details.

Required coursework

Click here for a video explaining the MArch2 degree program.

MARCH3 - The Preparatory Studies Program

This track is the professional track program designed for students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than architecture. This professional program includes one year of preparatory studies (37 semester credit hours) in preparation for the following two years (52 semester credit hours) of the Master of Architecture (MARCH2) program sequence. The MARCH3 preparatory studies are required to be completed in full, as a condition for matriculation to the MARCH2 Program. We encourage students from all disciplines to consider this program as a means for entering the profession of architecture. The MARCH3 program offers admission in fall, spring and summer terms.

See the Graduate Catalogue for all details.

Course offerings and schedule

Most architecture graduate courses are offered during daily business hours. Design studios, the core component of the MARCH programs, are typically offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. A limited number of graduate seminars are available in the evening. Program classes are offered at the UTSA Downtown Campus.

Click here for a video called "What Is the MArch3?"

Graduate Certificate Options

The School of Architecture + Planning offers certificate programs in Historic Preservation, High Performance Design and Sustainability, and Urban and Regional Planning. Refer to the Graduate Catalog for additional information about these programs.

Research taking place in the Master of Architecture Program

The faculty members in the college undertake research in a variety of fields including:

• Building Design
• Theory of Architecture
• International Practice
• Regionalism
• Architecture of Mexico and the Southwest
• Health and Wellness
• Design / Build
• Fabrication

Master of Science Degree in Architecture – The Research Program

The Master of Science in Architecture (M.S. Arch.) program is a STEM-designated, research-oriented program intended to support post-professional work, professional consulting, teaching, and future graduate studies. Within the degree, UTSA offers two formal concentrations (Historic Preservation and Sustainable Architecture), but students are able to focus on any topic related to faculty expertise. The program offers thesis and non-thesis options. Non-thesis option is recommended for students who are interested in "research in practice" topics.

See the Graduate Catalogue for all details.

Why Pursue a Master of Science Degree in Architecture

The Master of Science in Architecture program stresses critical writing and research methods, which prepare students for careers in research, teaching, consulting, and further graduate study. The program offers thesis and non-thesis options. Non-thesis option is recommended for students who are interested in “research in practice” topics. The program is also enhanced by the college’s location in Downtown San Antonio, which has a rich heritage of historic architecture and urbanism. This downtown location is composed of several historic layers from the 17th century to the present, making the program a perfect laboratory for the in-depth exploration of creativity, professions, and research.

Master of Science in Architecture Focus Areas at UTSA

• Urban & Regional Planning - Provides students with an introductory understanding of the historical, social, international, and physical context of comprehensive land use planning and sustainable urbanism.
• Sustainable Architecture - Research in sustainable architecture provides students with an understanding of both the theoretical and applied sides of sustainable design with a particular emphasis on environmental sustainability. Research areas include the history and theory of sustainable design, methods and tools of sustainable design, and high performance buildings and communities.
• Architectural History - Graduate study in architectural history provides students with essential training in the perceptual, historical, and critical analysis of architecture and cities. This specialization prepares students to pursue career opportunities in architectural history in academic and institutional settings, as well as for post-graduate degree or to pursue careers in education, law, historic preservation, urban planning, and publishing.
• Historic Preservation - Historic preservation is a process of design for continuity and management of change within an existing historic context. Historic preservation offers specialized education in historic preservation design, technology, planning and management through graduate-level courses.

Dual Master of Architecture and M.S. in Architecture Degree Program

This dual degree program is designed to offer the opportunity for qualified graduate students to study both Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) and Master of Science in Architecture (M.S.Arch.) in the UTSA Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design's School of Architecture and Planning. This research-oriented professional track combining the M.Arch. and M.S.Arch. degrees aims to produce graduates who possess the skill set needed to conduct architectural research and, more importantly, understand how to integrate research outcomes into the design decision-making processes. This dual degree program will serve a recent growing trend in architectural professional practice that pairs the conventional approach to practicing architecture with a focus on applied research and evidence-based decision-making. This STEM designated and NAAB accredited professional program informed by a research agenda will provide students with the skills needed to conduct valid and reliable research projects within professional settings.

Applicants will be admitted to the M.Arch. and M.S.Arch. degree programs independently, according to the admission schedule and policies of each degree program. Applicants must submit all admission materials to each program independently and on time. Admission to the dual degree program may occur after a student has already matriculated in the M.Arch., M.S.Arch., or both degree programs, as long as the student is still within the first half of each program.

Required Courses

Students choosing the dual degree program must complete the 52 semester credit hours of Master of Architecture 2 (M.Arch. 2) coursework and the 33 semester credit hours of Master of Science in Architecture (M.S.Arch.) coursework. For students without a preprofessional bachelor’s degree in architecture, an additional 37 preparatory graduate semester credit hours listed in the M.Arch. 3 degree must be completed prior to the required dual degree coursework. However, under this dual-degree program, up to 15 semester credit hours of either M.Arch. 2 or M.S.Arch. coursework can be applied to the other degree requirements. These shared-credit courses substantially reduce the total time required for students to complete both programs, when compared with taking each of the two degree programs separately.

Students should refer to the School of Architecture and Planning catalog for M.Arch and M.S.Arch program admission and degree requirements

Dual Master of Architecture and M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning Degree Program

Architecture (M.Arch.) and Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (M.S.URP). Both the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) and Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (M.S.URP) degree programs are within the School of Architecture and Planning, based at the UTSA Downtown Campus. This integrated professional track combining the M.Arch. and M.S.URP degrees provides architecture students an opportunity to complete their degree program in architecture while acquiring urban and regional planning expertise. Through this dual degree program, urban and regional planning students can develop physical design skills and the possibility to acquire professional licensure in architecture. Through completion of an accredited professional degree that integrates physical building design with considerations of land use, public policy, economics, environment, and culture, graduates of the dual degree program will enter the work force well-equipped to comprehensively lead multidisciplinary projects.

Applicants will be admitted to the M.Arch. and M.S.URP degree programs independently, according to the admission schedule and policies of each degree program. Applicants must submit all admission materials to each program independently and on time. Admission to the dual degree program may occur after a student has already matriculated in the M.Arch., M.S.URP, or both degree programs, as long as the student is still within the first half of each program.

Required Courses

Students choosing the dual degree program must complete the 52 semester credit hours of Master of Architecture 2 (M.Arch. 2) coursework and the 48 semester credit hours of Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (M.S.URP) coursework. For students without a preprofessional bachelor’s degree in architecture, an additional 37 preparatory graduate semester credit hours listed in the M.Arch. 3 degree must be completed prior to the required dual degree coursework. However, under this dual-degree program, up to 15 semester credit hours of either M.Arch. 2 or M.S.URP coursework can be applied to the other degree requirements. These shared-credit courses substantially reduce the total time required for students to complete both programs, when compared with taking each of the two degree programs separately. URP 5343 History and Theory of Urban and Regional Planning is a required course in this program, which substitutes for ARC 5813 History and Theory of Urban Form. Either the thesis option or non-thesis option is available for each program. No more than 6 credit hours of electives may be taken outside of the School of Architecture and Planning.

Students should refer to the 23 - 25 Graduate Catalog for M.Arch and M.S.URP program admission and degree requirements.

Admission Deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.

For all information about Admissions, click on the link

KRWU Program

The Keep Running with Us (KRWU) program is a streamlined, invite-only admissions process to retain talented University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) undergraduate students and recent undergraduate alumni in pursuit of their graduate education. Students are nominated based on academic performance or faculty nomination.

The KRWU application can be completed in minutes and removes many of the common barriers that come with applying to graduate school. Selected candidates are fast-tracked through the graduate admissions process that waives test scores and supplemental documentation including statement of purpose, letters of recommendation and resume/CV.

For more information about How to Receive an Invitation, How to Apply, and Minimum Qualifications, visit the UTSA KRWU university resource.

Handy tools

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Created by David C. Matiella, Graduate Advisor of Record, June 2023; Rvsd. May 2024, August 2024