Architecture, M.Arch., and Architecture, M.S., Dual Degree

Program Overview

Accredited by the NAAB, this program meets all professional degree requirements for licensure as a registered architect. This combination links a professional design degree (M.Arch.) with a specialized degree (M.S. in Architecture) in one of three concentrations:

M.Arch. / M.S. in Architecture (Critical Heritage Studies): This combination links a professional design degree with a specialized degree focused on exploring connections between the historic built environment, communities, and contemporary practice.
M.Arch. / M.S. in Architecture (Design Computation): This combination links a professional design degree with a specialized degree focused on exploring connections between contemporary architectural practice and computational strategies such as AI, VR, AR, human computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, gaming, and visualization.
M.Arch. / M.S. in Architecture (Sustainable Building Technology): This combination links a professional design degree with a specialized degree focused on exploring connections between contemporary architectural practice and sustainable strategies and technologies including performance-based design, innovative building systems integration, high performance building facades, air filtration systems, bio-inspired design, and new material technologies.

David r. ravin School of architecture

Program Contact

Dr. Mona Azarbayjani & Dr. Emily Makas

Program Directors

soa-admissions@charlotte.edu

M.Arch. and M.S. in Architecture at a Glance

The M.Arch and M.S. in Architecture combination links a professional design degree with a specialized area of architectural study in one of three concentrations.

Delivery

On-Campus

Credit hours

66-102 Credit Hours

Admits

Fall

Application Deadlines

January 15 (Priority)

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.

Plans of Study

Any of the three Master of Architecture tracks can be combined with any of the Master of Science in Architecture concentrations; however, this dual degree works best for students in the M.Arch. I or II tracks. 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.Arch. / M.S. in Architecture (Critical Heritage Studies)

M.Arch. I Track – 102 credits

When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 96-credit MArch I and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 102-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5201 – Architectural History I (3)
ARCH 5602 – Materials (3)
ARCH 6602 – Representation I (3)
ARCH 6101 – Design Studio Fundamentals (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5202 – Architectural History II (3)
ARCH 5603 – Environmental Systems (3)
ARCH 6603 – Representation II (3)
ARCH 6101 – Design Studio Fundamentals (6)

Summer 1 (6 credit hours)

ARCH 6103 – Design Studio Basics

Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
ARCH 5302 – Structural Principles (3)
ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 Credit Hours)

HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
ARCH 5303 – Structural Practices (3)
HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
Heritage Elective (3)

Summer 2 (6 credit hours)

ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3-6) – if full-time internship for 6 credits, counts as internship and heritage elective
Heritage Elective (0-3) – independent study

Fall 3 (12 credit hours)

ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 3 (14 credit hours)

ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (2)
ARCH 7211 – Research Lab – Heritage (4)

102 Total Credit Hours

M.Arch. II Track – 66 credits

When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 60-credit MArch II and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 66-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4203 should take ARCH 5204 – History Topics instead
ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4604 should take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (2)
ARCH 7211 – Research Lab – Heritage (4)
ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4605 should take an ARCH elective instead
ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)

Summer 1 (3-6 credits)

ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3-6) – if full-time internship for 6 credits, counts as internship and heritage elective
Heritage Elective (0-3) – Independent Study

Fall 2 (12 credit hours)

ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
Heritage elective (3)

66 Total Credit Hours

M.Arch. A.S. Track – 52 credits

When completed together, a specified 9 credits of the 40-credit MArch Advanced Standing and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 66-credit dual degree.

Summer 1 (10 Credit Hours)

ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)
ARCH 6050 – Architecture Topics (4)

Fall 1 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 credit hours)

HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
Heritage Elective (3)

Fall 2 (0 credits)

Spring 2 (12 credits)

ARCH 7211 – Research Lab – Heritage (4)
ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (2)
ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3)
Heritage Elective (3)

52 Total Credit Hours

M.Arch. / M.S. in Architecture (Design Computation)

M.Arch. I Track – 102 credits

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5201 – Architectural History I (3)
ARCH 5602 – Materials (3)
ARCH 6602 – Representation I (3)
ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5202 – Architectural History II (3)
ARCH 5603 – Environmental Systems (3)
ARCH 6603 – Representation II (3)
ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Summer 1 (6 credits)

ARCH 6103 – Studio (6)

Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
ARCH 5302 – Structural Principles (3)
ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5060 – Architectural History Topic (3)
ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
ARCH 5303 – Structural Practices (3)
ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (2)

Fall 3 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5611 – Computational Research Methods (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 3 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
Approved ARCH or DBSA Elective (3)
ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Fall 4 (6 credits)

ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

102 Total Credit Hours

M.Arch. II Track – 66 credits

When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 96-credit MArch II and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 66-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4203 may take ARCH 5204 – History Topics instead
ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4604 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
ARCH 5611 – Computational Research Methods (3)
ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5060 – Architectural History Topic (3)
ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4605 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (2)

Fall 2 (15 credit hours)

HIST 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
Approved ARCH or DBSA Elective (3)
ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Fall 3 (6 credits)

ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

66 Total Credit Hours

M.Arch. A.S. Track – 52 credits

Summer 1 (10 Credit Hours)

ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)
ARCH 6050 – Architecture Topics (4)

Fall 1 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5611 – Computational Research Methods (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 credit hours)

Approved ARCH Elective (3)
ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Fall 2 (0 credits)

Spring 2 (12 credits)

ARCH 7211 – Research Lab – Sustainability (4)
GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (2)
ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

52 Total Credit hours

M.Arch. / M.S. in Architecture (Sustainable Building Technology)

M.Arch. I Track – 102 credits

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5201 – Architectural History I (3)
ARCH 5602 – Materials (3)
ARCH 6602 – Representation I (3)
ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5202 – Architectural History II (3)
ARCH 5603 – Environmental Systems (3)
ARCH 6603 – Representation II (3)
ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Summer 1 (6 credits)

ARCH 6103 – Studio (6)

Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
ARCH 5202 – Structural Principles (3)
ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5060 – Architectural History Topic (3)
ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
ARCH 5203 – Structural Practices (3)
ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (2)

Fall 3 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 6050 – Sustainability Research Methods (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 3 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
Approved ARCH Elective (3)
ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Fall 3 (6 credits)

ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

102 Total Credit Hours

M.Arch. II Track – 66 credits

ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4203 may take ARCH 5204 – History Topics instead
ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4604 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
ARCH 6050 – Sustainable Technology Research Methods (3)
ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4605 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
ARCH 7211 – Research Lab – Sustainability (4)
GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (2)

Fall 2 (15 credit hours)

HIST 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
Approved ARCH Elective (3)
ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Fall 3 (6 credits)

ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

66 Total Credit Hours

M.Arch. A.S. Track – 52 credits

Summer 1 (10 Credit Hours)

ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)
ARCH 6050 – Architecture Topics (4)

Fall 1 (15 credit hours)

ARCH 6050 – Sustainable Technology Research Methods (3)
ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 credit hours)

Approved ARCH Elective (3)
ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Fall 2 (0 credits)

Spring 2 (12 credits)

ARCH 7211 – Research Lab – Sustainability (4)
GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (2)
ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

52 Total Credit Hours

Master of Architecture

The M.Arch. is a NAAB-accredited professional degree that prepares students to become licensed architects and leaders in the built environment.

Explore Primary Program

M.S. in Architecture

The M.S. in Architecture focuses on emerging research critical to the architectural profession and offers an opportunity for specialized and focused coursework and investigation in three areas of concentration: Critical Heritage Studies, Design Computation, and Sustainable Building Technology.

Explore Primary Program

Two individuals stand before a detailed model of a building, engaged in discussion about its design and features.

“My favorite thing about the School of Architecture is the sense of community. There is an environment of inspiration – and not competitiveness – that drives the school. I know if I am struggling with a concept or design technique, I can reach out to my peers or I can go to a professor to get the assistance I need.”

Joel Fudge
Master of Architecture

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.

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