TYLER SCHOOL OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE

Learn more about the Master of Science in Architecture.

About the Program

The Master of Science in Architecture is a post-professional degree for those who have already earned a Bachelor of Architecture or a Master of Architecture professional degree. Offering the post-professional MS in Architecture provides an opportunity for prospective students to enhance professional skills and gain additional knowledge. While the professional degree programs in architecture focus on the design, technological and professional skills needed to practice architecture, the profession of architecture touches all areas and scales of the built environment. Architectural practices can specialize in such areas as education, healthcare, housing or residential design, preservation, tall buildings and infrastructure, and urban design, to name a few. Opportunities for practice also require different skill sets and advanced knowledge in business, design-build or digital technologies.

In addition to a general studies in architectural design track, the Architecture MS degree program offers three concentrations:

• The concentration in Advanced Technologies and Design broadens students’ knowledge of digital and material technologies.
• The concentration in Health and Design expands students’ knowledge of healthcare design.
• The concentration in Urban Ecologies and Design widens students’ knowledge of design, sustainability and urban ecology.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Areas of Specialization: In addition to a general studies in architectural design track, students may choose a concentration in:

• Advanced Technologies and Design
• Health and Design
• Urban Ecologies and Design

Job Prospects: The post-professional Master of Science in Architecture offers working architects and those seeking advancement in the field the opportunity to build professional skills and design toolsets to elevate their practice competency. Graduates are also prepared to teach architectural design and to practice in other arenas such as government agencies.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students must contact the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design for information. A maximum of 9 graduate credits can be taken at Temple University prior to applying to the program.

Financing Opportunities: The Department of Architecture and Environmental Design has a limited number of scholarships for graduate students. Students should also check the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and Student Financial Services websites for financial aid opportunities. Students should complete a FAFSA application to determine eligibility for student financial aid, work study employment within the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design, or other eligible on-campus jobs.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 6
Spring: November 1

Applications are reviewed as they are received after the deadline. Applicants must meet the January 6 priority deadline to be considered for financial assistance. After January 6, applications may be considered on a rolling basis.

Students are normally admitted in the Fall term. In the instance when students are admitted in the Spring, they may have limited course offerings in the first term because course sequencing begins in the Fall. See the Tyler School of Art and Architecture website for the most up-to-date application information.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members and/or professionals in the field who are familiar with the applicant's academic and professional competence. The letters should be submitted with the application at https://apply.temple.edu/Tyler/, along with the statement of goals and resume.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A Master of Architecture degree is applicable, but is not required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required. Applicants are expected to hold a Bachelor of Architecture or a Master of Architecture degree. Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended, whether or not a degree was awarded, must be sent to Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Graduate Admissions Office, 2001 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6016.

Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, share your interest in Temple's program, educational and research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:
​GRE optional. If you wish to submit scores as a supplemental item, your official scores should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Agency. Temple's institutional code is 2906.

For international applicants, the minimum scores for a standardized test of English are:

• TOEFL iBT: 79
• IELTS Academic: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 53
• Duolingo: 110

Applicants who completed an undergraduate degree in the United States or other English-speaking country are waived of the English-language testing requirements. Please contact Tyler Admissions to learn more.

Portfolio: All applicants must submit work samples of their most important and representative academic and/or professional work. Work samples are to be submitted in portfolio format and must include architectural design projects and can include other creative work. Work samples from applicants who have been in a professional setting for a period of six years or more can include student work, but the applicant should instead emphasize work done in a professional setting and clearly articulate the applicant's role in the project. Papers, research or other materials (preferably dealing with the built environment) are invited as evidence of scholarly, academic or creative work. As much as possible, work samples should best represent the applicant's knowledge, aptitudes, interests, creative ability and experience relative to the program. As a guideline, the applicant should include approximately 20 images or other items.

Work samples are to be uploaded at https://temple.slideroom.com, as instructed on the website. SlideRoom requires an additional fee for this service. Original work, slides, CD-ROMs, catalogs, photographs, books and/or binders are not acceptable substitutes for the SlideRoom portfolio and will not be reviewed or returned.

Resume: Current resume required.

Transfer Credit: The Architecture Admissions Committee recommends the awarding of graduate transfer credits on a case-by-case basis as applications are reviewed. The maximum number of graduate transfer credits a student may receive is 9.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 30, whether or not a concentration is pursued

Required Courses:

MS with No Area of Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Architecture Research Seminar
Select one from the following:		3
ARCH 8131	Arch Research Seminar 1
ARCH 8132	Arch Research Seminar 2
ARCH 8133	Arch Research Seminar 3
ARCH 8134	Architecture Research Seminar 4 - Urban Innovations: Technology, Environment and Health in Society
Current Topics Courses
Select three from the following: 1		3
ARCH 5132	Current Topics in Health Facilities Planning and Design
ARCH 5133	Current Topics in Healthy Communities and Design
ARCH 5134	Current Topics in Resilience and Design
ARCH 5135	Current Topics in Energy and Performance
ARCH 5136	Current Topics in Fabrication and Making
ARCH 5137	Current Topics in Visualization
ARCH 5138	Current Topics in Materials and Design
Architecture Design Studio
Select one from the following:		6
ARCH 8012	Elect Arch Des Studio
ARCH 8013	Comprehensive Architecture Design Studio
ARCH 8014	Architectural Design for Health
ARCH 8015	Urban Ecologies and Design
ARCH 8016	Advanced Technologies and Design
Architecture Electives 2		9
Research Courses
ARCH 9991	Directed Research 3	3
ARCH 9996	Architecture Design Thesis 4	6
Total Credit Hours		30

¹

Multiple sections with different speakers are offered throughout the year. Course numbers may be taken more than once.

²

Electives are selected in consultation with an advisor.

³

If a design thesis is not pursued, the student may, with the permission of an advisor, select a second architecture research seminar or elective course to fulfill this requirement.

⁴

If a design thesis is not pursued, the student may, with the permission of an advisor, select a second architecture design studio course to fulfill this requirement.

OR MS with Optional Concentration in Health and Design

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
ARCH 8014	Architectural Design for Health	6
ARCH 8134	Architecture Research Seminar 4 - Urban Innovations: Technology, Environment and Health in Society	3
Current Topics Courses
Select three from the following: 1		3
ARCH 5132	Current Topics in Health Facilities Planning and Design
ARCH 5133	Current Topics in Healthy Communities and Design
ARCH 5134	Current Topics in Resilience and Design
ARCH 5135	Current Topics in Energy and Performance
ARCH 5136	Current Topics in Fabrication and Making
ARCH 5137	Current Topics in Visualization
ARCH 5138	Current Topics in Materials and Design
Architecture Elective
Select one from the following:		3
ARCH 5013	Facilities for Health Workshop 1
ARCH 5014	Facilities for Health Workshop 2
ARCH 5131	Form and Function in Health and Environments
Concentration Electives
Select two from the following: 2		6
HIM 5101	Fundamentals of Health Informatics
HIM 5111	Technology for Healthcare Financial Management
HIM 5128	Health Data: Standards and Interoperability
HPM 5014	Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations
HPM 5122	Healthcare Quality and Safety
SBS 5001	Fundamentals of Public Health
Research Courses
ARCH 9991	Directed Research	3
ARCH 9996	Architecture Design Thesis	6
Total Credit Hours		30

¹

Multiple sections with different speakers are offered throughout the year. Course numbers may be taken more than once.

²

Alternate elective(s) may be selected with the approval of an advisor.

OR MS with Optional Concentration in Urban Ecologies and Design

Culminating Event:
Design Thesis:
Students undertake an independent design thesis. This requires completion of a two-term, two-course sequence: ARCH 9991 in the Fall, and ARCH 9996 in the Spring. The result is a pre-design position paper and design project analysis, culminating in a design thesis project presentation and written/graphic documentation of the work.

Contacts

Department Contacts: