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Architecture (Critical Heritage Studies Concentration), M.S., and Urban Design, M.U.D., Dual Degree

Program Overview

This program combines the Urban Design examination of Charlotte’s social, economic, environmental and ethical design challenges with discourse on Critical Heritage approaches and practices of engaging with the past.  Faculty and students participating in the dual degree engage in a curriculum and research that seeks local solutions while engaging in global conversations and that emphasize hands-on engagement with communities. 

College of arts + architecture

Program Contact

Dr. Emily Makas & Dr. Ming-Chun Lee

Program Directors

soa-admissions@charlotte.edu

Critical Heritage / Urban Design at a Glance

The Critical Heritage / Urban Design combination allows students to focus on community engaged research and design to improve neighborhoods and cities through thoughtful practice that builds on history and a sense of place. For M.U.D. students, doing this combination can add as little as one semester to their curricular path and result in two degrees with minimal added investment.

Delivery
On-Campus
Credit Hours
51 Credit Hours
Admits
Fall
Application deadlines
January 15 (Priority)

Plans of Study

Students must apply to each program separately and be admitted to both programs. Dual degree students must satisfy all individual degree requirements with the added benefit of sharing a limited number of credits between the two programs.

M.S. Architecture (Critical Heritage Studies) / M.U.D. – 51 Credit Hours

When completed together, a specified 6 credits of the 36-credit Master of Urban Design and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit M.S. in Architecture (Critical Heritage Studies) are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 51-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (12 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
  • MUDD 6606 – GIS and Urban Mapping (3)
  • MUDD 6101 – Urban Design Studio I (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
  • ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (2)
  • MUDD 5601 – Community Planning Workshop (3)
  • MUDD 6102 – Urban Design Studio II (6)

Summer 1 (12 credits)

  • MUDD 7120 – International Study (6)
  • MUDD 7102 – Urban Design Studio III (6)

Fall 2 (12 credit hours)

  • Heritage Electives (3)
  • HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
  • ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3)

51 Total Credit hours

Visit UNC Charlotte

We invite applicants and prospective applicants to learn more about our programs by attending our Open Houses and Facility Tours, both of which may be done in person or virtually. These events are opportunities to meet current faculty, staff, and students, and to ask questions about the program. 

Visit us!
Emily Makaš headshot

Faculty Spotlight

Emily Makas, associate professor and co-director, Center for Community, Heritage, and the Arts

Emily Makaš’s research focuses on connections between memory and identity and the built environment.

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Admissions Details

Explore Admissions

See our Graduate Admissions page for more information about graduate admissions to the School of Architecture, including specifics for international students and answers to frequently asked questions.

M.S. in Architecture (Critical Heritage Studies)

The Critical Heritage concentration explores how preserving the built environment connects to social and environmental sustainability.

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Master of Urban Design

The M.U.D. degree is a specialized program focused on urban-scale interventions to create meaningful public space for communities, neighborhoods, and cities.

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