Delivery
On-campus
Master of Architecture
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Program Overview
Design Your Future in Architecture
The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) at UNC Charlotte is a NAAB-accredited professional degree that prepares students to become licensed architects and leaders in the built environment. The program offers three distinct tracks to accommodate students from different academic backgrounds:
- M.Arch. I (3.5 years, 96 credits) – Designed for students without a prior architecture degree.
- M.Arch. II (2 year, 60 credits) – For students with a pre-professional B.A. or B.S. in Architecture.
- M.Arch. Advanced Standing (1.5 years, 40 credits) – For UNC Charlotte architecture undergraduates with a strong academic record.
Graduates are well-positioned to complete the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and pursue licensure by taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
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M.Arch. I
The M.Arch. I track (96 credit hours) is designed for those who have completed an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than architecture (such as Business, Engineering, Political Science, etc.). Students who pursue this academic program range from those who are seeking a career change to those who wanted to pursue a liberal arts undergraduate academic program prior to embarking upon architectural studies.
M.Arch. I Curriculum
Students admitted to the M.Arch. I program complete a full-time, three-plus-year, 96-credit curriculum that begins in the fall semester. The M.Arch. I curriculum involves three primary components:
- First Year: Students develop foundational skills in visual and spatial design, conceptualization, problem-solving, and material and environmental influences. Coursework includes design studio, architectural history and theory, building technology, and representation.
- Second Year: Students join incoming M.Arch. II students in advanced coursework, including design studios, contemporary theory, building technology, computational methods, design methodology, and architectural electives.
- Third Year: The program culminates in an integrated project studio and a research-driven graduate diploma studio, along with architectural research, professional practice, and additional electives.
More information on the Master of Architecture programs and the M.Arch. I can be found in the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.
M.Arch. I Admissions & Prerequisites
UNC Charlotte’s Graduate School admissions requirements and the SoA’s expected entry-level competencies for M.Arch. I Candidates include:
- Introductory college-level pre-calculus course
- Introductory college-level physics course
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 83 or minimum IETLS overall band score of 6.5 (for international applicants)
For detailed information about the admissions requirements and process, please visit the SoA Graduate Admissions web page.
M.Arch. II
The M.Arch. II track (60 credit hours) is for students with a four-year undergraduate B.A. or B.S. in Architecture.
M.Arch. II Curriculum
Students admitted to the M.Arch. II program complete a two-year 60-credit curriculum that begins in the fall semester. The duration of graduate study for M.Arch. II students may vary according to prior preparation and course work in architecture, including the fundamentals of visual and spatial design, conceptualization and problem solving, as well as introductory coursework in architectural history and theory, building technology, computation and representation.
- First Year: Students engage in a comprehensive architectural design project and an advanced-design studio, supported by coursework in contemporary theory, building technology, computational methods, design methodology, and architectural electives.
- Second Year: The program concludes with an integrated design project and a research-driven graduate diploma studio, alongside architectural research, professional practice, and additional electives.
More information on the Master of Architecture programs and the M.Arch. II can be found in the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.
M.Arch. II Admissions & Prerequisites
UNC Charlotte’s Graduate School admissions requirements for all students include:
- minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 83 or minimum IETLS overall band score of 6.5 (for international applicants)
Students applying to the M.Arch. II track are expected to have acquired the fundamentals of visual and spatial design, problem solving, conceptualization and introductory coursework in architectural history and theory, building technology, and visual skills. Expected Entry-Level Competencies for M.Arch. II Candidates include:
- A minimum of six semesters of architectural design studios
- A minimum of two semesters of architectural history and/or theory courses
- A minimum of four semesters of building technology courses equivalent to the following School of Architecture courses (ARCH 5301: Material and Assembly Principles, ARCH 5302: Environmental Systems Principles, ARCH 5303: Structural Principles, and ARCH 5304: Structural Systems). Overviews of these courses can be found on the SoA Graduate Courses web page
If applicants accepted to the M.Arch. II program are found deficient in entry-level competencies, they will be required to enroll in additional course work beyond the required 60 credit hours to complete their degree. To ensure that incoming students are evaluated appropriately, the School of Architecture requires that applicants to the M.Arch. II program provide course descriptions and syllabi of architecture courses passed and completed that satisfy the entry-level competencies.
M.Arch Advanced Standing
The M.Arch. A.S. track (40 credit hours) is designed for UNC Charlotte architecture undergraduates who have established a strong record of academic achievement in their four years of study. Students who meet Graduate School admissions criteria and who qualify for recommended automatic admission to the Master of Architecture may receive Advanced Standing in the program.
M.Arch. A.S. Curriculum
Candidates for the M.Arch. A.S. track pursue a 12-month (summer, fall, spring) professional curriculum that leads to the accredited architectural degree. This 40-credit hour curriculum includes options for summer study abroad or campus-based design investigations, and a fall and spring term in which students complete a comprehensive architectural design project, a research-driven graduate diploma studio along with courses in architectural research, professional practice, and additional architectural electives.
More information on the Master of Architecture II Advanced Standing program can be found in the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.
M.Arch. A.S. Admissions & Prerequisites
UNC Charlotte’s Graduate School admissions requirements for all students include:
- minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0: UNC Charlotte applicants with a B. Arts in Architecture with an in-major GPA of 3.5 or more may be recommended for automatic admission
- minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 83 or minimum IETLS overall band score of 6.5 (for international applicants)
Students applying to the M.Arch. AS track are expected to have already acquired the fundamentals of visual and spatial design, problem solving, conceptualization and introductory coursework in architectural history and theory, building technology, and visual skills. Expected entry-level competencies for M.Arch. AS candidates must include the following UNC-Charlotte School of Architecture coursework:
- Eight semesters of architectural design studios
- Three semesters of architectural history and one history/theory elective
- Four semesters of building technology courses equivalent to the following School of Architecture courses (ARCH 5301: Material and Assembly Principles, ARCH 5302: Environmental Systems Principles, ARCH 5303: Structural Principles, and ARCH 5304: Structural Systems). Overviews of these courses can be found on the SoA Graduate Courses web page
To ensure that incoming students are evaluated appropriately, the School of Architecture requires that applicants to the M.Arch. AS track provide the required application materials. If applicants accepted to the M.Arch. AS track are found deficient in entry-level competencies, they may be able to apply and enroll in M.Arch. II track to complete their professional degree.
Welcome to the David R. Ravin School of Architecture
One of two accredited architecture programs in North Carolina, the David R. Ravin School of Architecture capitalizes on its location in one of the fastest-growing and most diverse cities in the United States.
“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
M.Arch. student
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Alaa Bou Ghanem '18, '20
Architect, Founder of A.B. Group, Charlotte, NC
“When joining the SoA, I had no idea what to expect, but then I slowly began to see that what was being taught was not solid facts to be retained. Instead, we were being taught a way of thinking… That completely changed my perspective. Today as a licensed professional, I use design thinking in my everyday life. Of course in designing and delivering architecture, but also in designing my relationships with others and ultimately designing my practice, A.B. GROUP.”
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Natasha Edwards '09
Workplace Interiors Studio Principal, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Charlotte
“I think the role of an architect in the civic sphere is to be an educator. We have to be a sort of a ‘master of all trades’ because we coordinate with so many other disciplines to get a building designed and built. With that, we gain a plethora of knowledge. On a daily practicing architect level, we use this knowledge to educate our clients on things like sustainable design or new practices. We also have the opportunity to shape our communities by being directly involved in them, like architectural review boards or other commissions.”
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Cathy Cervantes Morrison, FAIA, '06
CEO at Neighboring Concepts, Charlotte, NC
“The studios and culture of UNC Charlotte were very different from my undergraduate architectural education. This helped me form stronger opinions on design and communities by exposing myself to different ideas. Broadening my curriculum to incorporate a dual master’s in Geography (Community Planning) took those preferences a step further. During my time at UNC Charlotte, I felt encouraged to make my education fit my personal passions. I took that confidence post-graduation to design my career path with experiences in and out of the office.”
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Garrett Herbst '17
Project Manager and Architect at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
“The School of Architecture’s Career Expo not only introduced me to Little, which led to my current job, but also helped me build relationships with professors and alumni. These connections have provided me with valuable research and teaching opportunities that have shaped me into the architect I am today.”
Visit the SoA
The School of Architecture invites you to explore our program by attending an upcoming open house or facility tour—offered both in person and virtually. Our facilities include Storrs Hall on UNC Charlotte’s main campus, home to design studios, classrooms, computer labs, digital fabrication labs, and an exhibition gallery, as well as our uptown location at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City. These events offer a great opportunity to connect with our faculty, staff, and current students, and to ask any questions you may have about the program.
Discover our primary programs of architectural study
In addition to the Master of Urban Design, the David R. Ravin School of Architecture has two other primary graduate degree programs. All three degrees may be pursued individually or may be combined with other programs for dual degrees that offer more efficient pathways to earning two graduate degrees.
Master of Science in Architecture
Master of Urban Design
Dual Degree Options
Students in the Master of Architecture may wish to combine their professional architecture studies with graduate work in other programs. Dual Degree options allow you to earn degrees across two academic disciplines. 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 & Master of Urban Design
M.Arch. & M.S. in Architecture
Top Tips for Completing Your Application
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Explore Official University Catalog
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.