Master of Architecture I

First Professional Degree

The Master of Architecture I curriculum provides a disciplined approach to the fundamentals of architecture in a setting that ensures the flexibility and latitude necessary for students to develop their individual talents and skills.

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Master’s degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The School’s Master of Architecture program currently has a six-year term of accreditation.

The M.Arch. I program is for students holding undergraduate liberal arts degrees, such as a B.A. or B.S., who seek their first professional architectural degree. This program requires a three-year, full-time in-residence program, although in exceptional cases, advanced standing may be granted.

Entering students, with a sound liberal arts background assumed, are required to follow a curriculum in which their creative powers are stimulated through a sequence of problem-solving exercises involving basic and architectural design, building technology, freehand and computer-assisted drawing, and an introduction to design methodologies, as well as courses in architectural theory and the planning, design, and development of the urban landscape. Architectural design problems start at limited scale and by the spring term of first year progress to an investigation of dwelling. During the spring term of first year and until mid-June, a community building project is undertaken, which provides an opportunity for the design of an affordable house as well as the experience of carrying the design through the building process when the class builds a final design. The fall term of second year undertakes the design of a public building, and the spring term of second year is devoted to urbanism. During the fall and spring terms of third year, students, through a lottery system, are at liberty to choose from a variety of advanced design studios, many of which are led by the profession’s leading practitioners and theoreticians. With faculty approval, students in their final term may undertake an independent design thesis (1199b) in lieu of an advanced studio. Students may, if they wish, continue their work for an additional term by taking an advanced studio and/or elective courses. A number of support courses are required during the three-year curriculum. Required courses in design and visualization, technology and practice, history and theory, urban studies, and visual studies support the studios.

Within the limits of certain required credit distributions, students are encouraged to explore elective course options. Courses—falling into the broad categories of design and visualization, technology and practice, history and theory, and urbanism and landscape—support and augment the pivotal studio offerings. Courses offered by other schools and departments within the University may be taken for credit. Emphasis throughout the program is on architectural design and decision making.

Course of Study

In course titles, a designates fall term, b designates spring term, and c designates summer. The School reserves the right to change the prescribed course of study as necessary.

M.Arch. I: Total Requirement: 108 credits

*This course is required for those students so designated by the Admissions Committee. Typically, this course will be required for students who do not have significant pre-architectural training. This five-week course begins July 13 and concludes August 14.

†This course does not conclude until June 25 and thus extends beyond the normal school year. ‡This course begins May 10 and concludes on June 25.

§Students may take the one term of 15 required course credits in any of the last four terms by adjusting the number of electives.

**Two electives must be in History and Theory study area and one elective must be in Urbanism and Landscape study area. These required electives may be taken in any term(s). Courses taken outside of the School may fulfill these requirements provided they are listed in the appropriate study areas or they have been approved by the area coordinators. Students not on academic warning or probation may substitute independent elective course work. (See the School’s Academic Rules and Regulations for procedures and restrictions.)

If an entering student can demonstrate competence and passing grades, from an accredited school, in the material covered in any of the program’s required support courses, that student may request a waiver of those courses. A waiver of any required course, however, does not reduce the number of course credits required to fulfill the program’s degree requirements. Permission for any requested waivers for any required support course must be obtained from that course’s study area coordinators within one week of the start of the first term of the student’s enrollment. A transcript, course syllabus, and a notebook or examples of work accomplished must be presented to the study area coordinators.

Summer Preparation Courses for Incoming M.Arch. I Students

In the six weeks before the beginning of the fall term, the School offers the following four summer preparation courses for incoming M.Arch. I students.

1. Visualization I: Observation and Representation (1001c) is a five-week required course offered at no charge for those newly admitted students who do not have significant pre-architecture training. Students required to take the summer session must satisfactorily pass this course before being admitted to the School’s first-year M.Arch I program in the fall. Classes are held each day, Monday through Friday. The average day is broken into morning and afternoon sessions. Students are expected to complete assignments outside of class.
2. The Summer Shops Techniques Course is required of all incoming students. It is a one-week course that introduces incoming students to the School’s wood and metal shops through an intensive furniture/object building process. The course stresses good and safe shop techniques. Students are not allowed to use the School’s shops unless they have satisfactorily completed this course.
3. Incoming M.Arch. I students not taking the Summer Architectural Introductory Course are required to take a one-day two-part Summer Digital Media Orientation Course. The first part covers accessing the School’s servers, the use of the School’s equipment, and the School’s digital media policies and procedures. The second part covers the School’s digital fabrication equipment. Access to the School’s digital fabrication equipment will be granted only after completing the latter course.
4. The Arts Library Research Methods Session is required of all incoming students. In this hour-and-a-half session, discussion covers various strategies to answer research questions pertaining to course curricula and topics by using tools such as the Yale University online catalog, architecture databases, image resources, print resources, and archival resources.

School Portfolio

In addition to the 108 satisfactorily completed course credits, a student must satisfactorily complete the portfolio requirement as described on page 125 in order to receive an M.Arch. degree. The portfolio requirement is administered and periodically reviewed by the Design Committee.

Academic Rules and Regulations

Procedures and restrictions for the M.Arch. I program can be found in the School’s Academic Rules and Regulations section of the School of Architecture Handbook. This handbook can be found online here.