Delivery
On-campus
Architecture, M.Arch., and Information Technology, M.S., Dual Degree
Program Overview
The Master of Architecture and M.S. in Information Technology with a concentration in Human-Centered Design dual degree at UNC Charlotte offers a cutting-edge interdisciplinary education, integrating design thinking with computational logic.
- Prepare for careers in human-computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, gaming, visualization, and architectural practice.
- Engage in collaborative, cross-disciplinary projects with students from both Architecture and IT.
- Gain expertise in advanced software systems, databases, and design prototyping.
- NAAB-accredited: Meets all requirements for architectural licensure.
Program Contact
Plans of Study
Any of the three Master of Architecture concentrations can be combined with the M.S. in Information Technology with a concentration in Human-Centered Design, offered by the Department of Software Information Systems in the College of Computing and Informatics. 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. Accredited by the NAAB, this program meets all professional degree requirements for licensure as a registered architect.
M.Arch. I / M.S. IT (Human-Centered Design) – 102 credits
When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 96-credit MArch I and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MSIT Human Centered Design 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 (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)
Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
- ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
- ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)
- ITIS 6300 – Human-Centered Design (3)
Spring 2 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
- ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
- ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
- ARCH 7102 – Design Studio (6)
Fall 3 (15 credit hours)
- ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
- ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
- ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)
- ITCS 5122 – Visual Analytics (3)
Spring 3 (15 credit hours)
- ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
- ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
- ITIS 6120 – Applied Databases (3)
- ITIS 6200 – Principles of Information Security and Privacy (3)
Fall 4 (12 credit hours)
- ITIS 5166 – Network-Based Application Development (3)
- ITIS 5350 – Design Prototyping (3)
- ITIS 5390 – Interaction Design Projects (3)
- ITIS 6342 – Information Technology Project Management (3)
- IT Project Capstone (0)
102 Total Credit hours
M.Arch. II / M.S. IT (Human-Centered Design) – 66 credits
When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 60-credit MArch II and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MSIT Human Centered Design 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 should substitute 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 substitute ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
- ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)
- ITIS 6300 – Human-Centered Design (3)
Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
- ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
- ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4605 should substitute ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics
- ITCS 5122 – Visual Analytics (3)
- ITIS 6200 – Principles of Information Security and Privacy (3)
Fall 2 (12 credit hours)
- ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
- ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
- ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)
Spring 2 (12 credit hours)
- ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
- ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
- ITIS 6120 – Applied Databases (3)
Fall 3 (12 credit hours)
- ITIS 5166 – Network-Based Application Development (3)
- ITIS 5350 – Design Prototyping (3)
- ITIS 5390 – Interaction Design Projects (3)
- ITIS 6342 – Information Technology Project Management (3)
- IT Project Capstone (0)
66 Total Credit hours
M.Arch. A.S. / M.S. IT (Human-Centered Design) – 52 credits
When completed together, a specified 9 credits of the 40-credit MArch Advanced Standing and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MSIT Human Centered Design are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 52-credit dual degree.
Summer 1 (10 Credit hours)
- ARCH 6500 – Follow Up (4)
- ARCH 7101 – Design Build Studio (6)
Fall 2 (15 credit hours)
- ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
- ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
- ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)
- ITIS 6300 – Human-Centered Design (3)
Spring 2 (15 credit hours)
- ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
- ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
- ITIS 6120 – Applied Databases (3)
- ITCS 5122 – Visual Analytics (3)
Fall 3 (15 credit hours)
- ITIS 5166 – Network-Based Application Development (3)
- ITIS 5350 – Design Prototyping (3)
- ITIS 5390 – Interaction Design Projects (3)
- ITIS 6200 – Principles of Information Security and Privacy (3)
- ITIS 6342 – Information Technology Project Management (3)
- IT Project Capstone (0)
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.
M.S. in IT (Human-Centered Design)
The M.S. in IT with a concentration in Human-Centered Design gives you the advanced skills and knowledge you need to plan, design, implement, evaluate, deploy, maintain, and manage technology applications and systems.
Faculty Spotlight
Jefferson Ellinger, associate professor of architecture
Jefferson Ellinger is an architect and the author of Philosophical Difference and Advanced Computation in Architectural Theory: From Less to More. He is a partner in Fresh Air Building Systems, dedicated to designing and producing next-generation air filtering systems for the built environment.
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.
Explore Official University Catalog
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.