Graduate Programs
Master of Architecture
Programs
Two Master of Architecture programs are offered: the "+2" track in American Architecture and Urbanism for students with pre-professional architecture degrees, and a post-professional program for students who already hold a professional Bachelor of Architecture or its equivalent.
Master of Architecture in American Architecture and Urbanism Track: The +2 Program
Admitted students must have a four-year architectural studies degree from: a U.S. school with an accredited professional architecture program; a U.S. school, that is accredited by a regional accrediting body, without an accredited professional architecture program; or an international program that is deemed equivalent. All students must matriculate in the fall semester and be in residence for a minimum of two years (four semesters).
Degree Requirements
Students must meet established standards for graduate study at USC, and complete a total of 64 credit units including prerequisite Basic Studies and 48 units of graduate level courses including Advanced Studies and approved electives.
(1) Basic Studies (the following may be met by an equivalent course taken in an undergraduate program or as a Basic Studies requirement at USC): ARCH 211 Materials and Methods of Building Construction, ARCH 213ab Building Structures and Seismic Design, ARCH 214ab History of Architecture, ARCH 215 Design for the Thermal and Atmospheric Environment, ARCH 313 Design of Building Structures, ARCH 314 History of Architecture: Contemporary Issues, ARCH 315 Design for the Luminous and Sonic Environment, ARCH 402abL Architectural Design IV, ARCH 411 Architectural Technology, ARCH 525 Professional Practice: Pre-Design, Project and Office Administration, and ARCH 526 Professional Practice: Legal and Economic Context Project Documentation.
(2) Advanced Studies courses include: ARCH 505abL Graduate Architecture Design, ARCH 532 Elements of the Urban Landscape, ARCH 533 Urban Landscape Case Studies, ARCH 561 Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and Places, ARCH 563 Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative Theories, and ARCH 605abL Graduate Architecture Design.
(3) Electives: courses may be taken at the 400, 500 or 600 level.
Thesis or Directed Design Research Option
M.Arch. +2 students may elect to complete an independent thesis or a directed design research project (DDR). An independent thesis or DDR option will allow students to substitute ARCH 693abL or ARCH 695abL for 12 credit units of electives. This option requires residency of a minimum of five instead of four semesters.
Sample Curriculum
| First Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 505aL | Graduate Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 532 | Elements of the Urban Landscape | 2 |
| ARCH 561 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and Places | 2 |
| Basic Studies or Electives | 6 |
| | 16 |
| First Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 505bL | Graduate Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 533 | Urban Landscape Case Studies | 2 |
| ARCH 563 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative Theories | 2 |
| Basic Studies or Electives | 6 |
| | 16 |
| Second Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 605aL | Graduate Architecture Design | 6 |
| Basic Studies or Electives | 10 |
| | 16 |
| Second Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 605bL | Graduate Architecture Design | 6 |
| Basic Studies or Electives* | 10 |
| | 16 |
| Optional Third Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 693bL** | M.Arch. Thesis, Option I, or | |
| ARCH 695bL** | M.Arch Thesis, Option II | 8 |
Master of Architecture: Post-Professional
Candidates for admission must have a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree or its equivalent. Completion of the degree requires 48 units, including 20 units of required courses, 12 units of thesis or directed design research, and 16 units of approved electives.
The required courses are ARCH 532 Elements of the Urban Landscape; ARCH 533 Urban Landscape Case Studies; ARCH 561 Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and Places; ARCH 563 Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative Theories; and ARCH 605abL Graduate Architecture Design.
Thesis or Directed Research Option
In addition to the opportunity to initiate an independent thesis, students are provided the option to undertake independent design research related to important urban projects already in progress within the school. Whichever option is taken, students are supported in their work by a three-member faculty advisory team including a principal critic.
48-Unit Sample Curriculum
| First Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 532 | Elements of the Urban Landscape | 2 |
| ARCH 561 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and Places | 2 |
| ARCH 605aL | Graduate Architecture Design | 6 |
| Elective | | 6 |
| | 16 |
| First Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 533 | Urban Landscape Case Studies | 2 |
| ARCH 563 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative Theories | 2 |
| ARCH 605bL | Graduate Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 693aL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option I, or | |
| ARCH 695aL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option II | 4 |
| Elective | | 2 |
| | 16 |
| Second Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 693bL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option I, or | |
| ARCH 695bL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option II | 8 |
| Electives | | 8 |
| | 16 |
Advanced Standing
Students may apply for advanced standing based on their general qualifications and any unusual strengths or experience. Applicants who have completed a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree and at least five years of teaching or practice (or a combination of) may be qualified for advanced standing. Each student will be considered individually. Qualified students will be admitted to a two-semester program at the time of review for admission. Students with advanced standing must complete 32 units.
32-Unit Advanced Standing Sample Curriculum
| First Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 532 | Elements of the Urban Landscape | 2 |
| ARCH 533 | Urban Landscape Case Studies | 2 |
| ARCH 605aL | Graduate Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 693aL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option I, or | |
| ARCH 695aL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option II | 4 |
| Elective | | 2 |
| | 16 |
| First Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 561 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and Places | 2 |
| ARCH 563 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative Theories | 2 |
| ARCH 693bL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option I, or | |
| ARCH 695bL | M.Arch. Thesis, Option II | 8 |
| Elective | | 4 |
| | 16 |
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