Skip to main content

Architecture, M.Arch., and Urban Design, M.U.D., Dual Degree

Program Overview

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) and Master of Urban Design (M.U.D.) dual degree at UNC Charlotte integrates professional architectural training with urban-scale design expertise to shape meaningful public spaces at the neighborhood and city levels.

Year 1: Core M.Arch. courses build a foundation in architectural design and theory.
Year 2: Specialized M.U.D. coursework and a summer program expand students’ urban design skills.
Year 3: The program culminates with advanced M.Arch. coursework and a final integrated project.

This dual-degree program prepares graduates for interdisciplinary careers in architecture and urban design, equipping them with the skills to lead and innovate in sustainable, community-driven design solutions.

Program Contact

Mona Azarbayjani & Ming-Chun Lee

Directors of Graduate Programs

soa-admissions@charlotte.edu

M.Arch. & M.U.D. Dual Degree at a Glance

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.

Delivery
On-Campus
credit hours
84 Credit Hours
Admits
Fall
Application deadlines
January 15 (Priority)

Plans of Study

Any of the three Master of Architecture concentrations can be combined with the Master of Urban Design. The M.Arch. offers three distinct tracks to accommodate students from different academic backgrounds. Explore plans of study, below.

M.Arch. I / M.U.D. – 114 credits

When completed together, a specified 9 credits of the 96-credit M.Arch. I and specified 3 credits of the 36-credit M.U.D. are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 114-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5201 – Architectural History I (3)
  • ARCH 5601 – Materials (3)
  • ARCH 6602 – Representation II (3)
  • ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5202 – Architectural History II (3)
  • ARCH 5602 – Environmental Systems (3)
  • ARCH 6603 – Representation II (3)
  • ARCH 6102 – Design Studio (6)

Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
  • ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
  • MUDD 6606 – GIS and Urban Mapping (3)
  • ARCH 7101  – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
  • MUDD 5601 –  Community Planning Workshop (3)
  • ARCH 7102 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Fall 3 (6 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6101 – Urban Design Studio I (6)

Spring 2 (6 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6102 – Urban Design Studio II (6)

Summer 2 (12 credit hours)

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

Fall 3 (15 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6601 – Modern City (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 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
  • ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)

114 Total Credit hours

 M.Arch. II / M.U.D. – 78 credits

When completed together, a specified 9 credits of the 60-credit M.Arch. II and specified 3 credits of the 36-credit M.U.D. are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 78-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 take MUDD 6601 – Modern City
  • 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
  • MUDD 6606 – GIS and Urban Mapping (3)
  • ARCH 7101  – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (12 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 should take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
  • ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • MUDD 5601 –  Community Planning Workshop (3)

Fall 2 (6 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6101 – Urban Design Studio I (6)

Spring 2 (6 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6102 – Urban Design Studio II (6)

Summer 2 (12 credit hours)

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

Fall 3 (12-15 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6601 – Modern City (3) 
  • ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
  • ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 3 (12 credit hours)

  • ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
  • ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)

78 Total Credit hours

 M.Arch. Advanced Standing / M.U.D. – 64 credits

When completed together, a specified 9 credits of the 40-credit MArch Advanced Standing and specified 3 credits of the 36-credit Master of Urban Design are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 64-credit dual degree.

Summer 1 (10 Credit hours)

  • ARCH 7101 – Design Build Studio (6)
  • ARCH 6500 – Follow Up (4)

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • MUDD 6606 – GIS and Urban Mapping (3)
  • ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
  • ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 1 (12 Credit Hours)

  • MUDD 5601 – Community Planning Workshop (3)
  • ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
  • ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)

Fall 2 (9 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6601 – Modern City (3)
  • MUDD 6101 – Urban Design Studio I (6)

Spring 2 (6 credit hours)

  • MUDD 6102 – Urban Design Studio II (6)

Summer 2 (12 credit hours)

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

64 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.

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.

Admissions Details

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.

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. 

Explore Official University Catalog

Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.