Delivery
On-campus
UNC Charlotte’s M.S. in Architecture is a 30-credit-hour program that focuses on cutting-edge research essential to the architectural profession. This program offers specialized coursework and in-depth investigation, preparing you for advanced roles in architecture.
Specialize in one of three concentrations:
Discover what UNC Charlotte's School of Architecture has to offer! Request more information or attend an upcoming session to learn about the curriculum, admissions process, and career opportunities.
Your future is calling. The SoA embraces the mission of an urban research university that bridges academic excellence and access. Embrace this opportunity and start your application today.
This concentration explores how preservation and interpretation of the built environment is interconnected with both social and environmental sustainability and integrated within discourses and practices surrounding other tangible and intangible heritages happening in museums, archeological sites, and elsewhere. The program examines local solutions while engaging in global conversations; emphasizes hands-on engagement with communities and organizations; includes a variety of approaches and practices of engaging with the past; and promotes the stories and sites that foreground the heritage of individuals of all backgrounds.
The recommended path to complete this 30-credit program as a stand-alone degree is one academic year. This non-thesis track is geared for working design or planning professionals seeking to augment their skills or add credentials. An internship is required. Alternatively, students may choose to complete their internship over the summer and finish their degree in August. Multi-year part-time plans are also possible.
Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours
This concentration explores the ways in which computational practices have become inseparable from architectural design. As firms rely more and more on computation, those who know how to think, program and script are changing the way architects design and practice. As computing has matured as a discipline, it has expanded its focus to include the physical and virtual settings in which users interact with the machine. Specialties like human computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, gaming and visualization require an understanding not only of the logic of the machine, but also the logic of the user. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augment Reality (AR) are also already changing architectural practice.
The recommended path to complete this 30-credit program as a stand alone degree is 12 months so that Research Methods, Pre-Thesis, and Thesis may be taken in sequence. Alternatively, students may choose to work or conduct research over the summer and complete their thesis in the second fall semester.
Fall (12 credits)
Spring (12 credits)
Summer or Fall (6 credits)
This concentration explores structural principles, statics and strength of materials, structural systems, as well as building technology, intelligent structures, innovative structural assemblies, and integrated design. Areas of inquiry included performance-based design, innovative building systems integration, high performance building facades, air filtration systems, bio-inspired design, and new material technologies.
The recommended path to complete this 30-credit program as a stand alone degree is 12 months so that Research Methods, Pre-Thesis, and Thesis may be taken in sequence. Alternatively, students may choose to work or conduct research over the summer and complete their thesis in the second fall semester.
Fall (12 credits)
Spring (12 credits)
Summer of Fall (6 credits)
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.
M.S. in Architecture applicants must specify the concentration of interest and their own research interests as a part of their application in their Statement of Purpose. 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.
The minimum admission requirements for the MS in Architecture are:
To apply for graduate studies in the School of Architecture, all applicants must submit the following application materials to the UNC Charlotte Office of Graduate Admissions:
Kyoung Hee Kim, Professor of Architecture and Director of the Integrated Design Research Lab: Kyoung Hee Kim’s expertise lies in net-zero design and regenerative building technology as a way to achieve a sustainable built environment.
The SoA invites applicants and prospective applicants to learn more about our program by attending our Open Houses and/or 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.
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.
Students in the Master of Science in Architecture may wish to combine their 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.
The streamlined application process makes it easy to apply. Looking for some additional guidance to perfect your application? Attend an upcoming information session.
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.