Master of Science in Architecture
The School of Architecture's Master of Science (MS Arch) is a STEM-designated, non-professional degree program requiring a minimum of 30 semester hours of advanced study in architecture, focusing on advanced knowledge that can be applied in the design of better performing built environments. The program is especially suitable for those applicants who plan to develop a career in architectural research but will serve equally well those future practicing architects who wish to add a specialization to their general professional training. The program of study is normally expected to take 3 semesters of work but may be completed in 2 semesters with planning and preparation.
The program accepts students with a bachelor’s degree in architecture or design-related field. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a non-design field will also be considered but may be required to take up remedial coursework upon admission. The nature and extent of such remedial coursework will be determined on a case-by-case basis for each student upon admission.
The program of study consists of 12 credit hours of common foundational coursework followed by 18 credit hours of specialized work in an area of concentration under an advisor. Flexibility in shaping one’s own program to match the student’s ambition and plans is one of the distinctive aspects of the program. Students also have the option to pursue coursework in other schools and departments in the College of Design, in other schools of the Institute, and, with advance planning, even at other Atlanta area colleges and universities. Coursework can also include work in school and college laboratories that pursue industry-sponsored research. Areas of concentration offered to the students can be found at the program website https://arch.gatech.edu/master-science-architecture. For a listing and description of the school laboratories please visit https://arch.gatech.edu/research-labs.
Applicants are expected to have an outstanding undergraduate record. International applicants must additionally demonstrate adequate competency in English language. This can be done by achieving a combined score of at least 100 in TOEFL, or a band score of at least 7.5 in IELTS. No other tests for competency in English are accepted at Georgia Tech. All applicants should be aware that each program in the School of Architecture has specific application requirements; they should consult the relevant requirements for their chosen degree programs by visiting the School of Architecture website https://arch.gatech.edu or contacting an academic advisor. The deadline for applications, usually in December for admissions to the Fall semester of the subsequent semester, can be found on the school website as well.
The School of Architecture also offers a Master of Science in Urban Design (MSUD). For more information about this program please visit https://arch.gatech.edu/master-science-urban-design-0.
In their first semester students complete a set of foundational courses on computational design, scripting for automated drawing and modeling tasks, building systems analysis, and human subjects data collection and analysis. They are also given a practical introduction to the conduct of research through, a research colloquium, and a course on the logic of inquiry. They begin focused study in their concentration area in the second semester, completing advanced coursework of their own choice under the guidance of their advisors. This phase of study must include at least three credits earned for work on applied design problems; these credits may be earned either through work in one of the school labs, or as participants in design and research studios. The final phase of their study requires the completion of 6 credit hours for work on MS Thesis.
https://catalog.gatech.edu/programs/architecture-ms/#text
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Courses | ||
| ARCH 6512 | Research Colloquium | 3 |
| ARCH 7625 | Theories of Inquiry | 3 |
| Foundation Courses (select two) | 6 | |
| Building Physics Modeling | ||
| Evidence-Based Design | ||
| Scripting for Architecture and Design | ||
| Shape Grammars | ||
| Design Application (select one option) 1 | 6 | |
| Design + Research Studio 2 | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Concentration Electives 2 | 6 | |
| Media + Modeling 2 | ||
| Architectonics | ||
| Analytical Investigations in Urban Design | ||
| Building Simulation in Design Practice | ||
| Practice of Architecture 2 | ||
| Theory of Architecture 2 | ||
| Building Information Modeling - Concepts and Applications | ||
| Construction Materials, Systems, and Fabrications | ||
| Parametric Modeling and Design | ||
| Advanced Productions | ||
| Building Systems & Data | ||
| Media + Modeling 3 | ||
| Design & Climate Change | ||
| Architecture Space & Culture | ||
| Special Topics: Architectural Technology (Data Driven Methods) | ||
| Special Topics: Architectural Technology (Data Driven Parametric Design) | ||
| Special Topics: Architectural Technology (Adv Shape Grammars) | ||
| Special Topics: Architectural Technology (Spatial Analytics) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Special topics coursework taken to meet the Design Application requirements must meet additional qualifications. Please see student handbook for details
- 2
The list here is illustrative. For a list of courses being offered currently, please see the MS Arch program webpages. Courses listed here may be substituted for other coursework, including guided self-study, with the area advisor’s approval.