The Master of Architecture II program is for students already holding a professional degree in architecture (B.Arch., or an equivalent first professional degree) who seek a second, master’s-level degree in this discipline and who are interested in developing a stronger theoretical basis for their understanding of the field. Since candidates for this program are expected to have received a professional degree prior to admittance, it should be understood that the degree awarded from this program will not fulfill the educational prerequisite for obtaining an architect’s license in the United States.
This program leads to a degree of Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) and typically requires two years of full-time residency. Because the program combines two years of studio-based activities with a variety of opportunities (both course-related and individually conceived) to extend their understanding of architectural design and its meaning within a broader cultural and social context, students in the M.Arch. II program are given considerable freedom and support to develop an increasingly reflexive, critical, and speculative relationship to their work.
With a number of courses available in the area of history and theory, and with access to a wide variety of Yale courses outside the School of Architecture, post-professional students are able to expand their understanding of the broader cultural context of architecture. Post-professional students are also given opportunities to organize symposia, exhibitions, publications, and seminars. Thus, to an exceptional degree, they are able to shape the curriculum to their own specific interests in collaboration with other students and faculty in the School.
Students in the M.Arch. II program must take Computation Analysis Fabrication (1062c) in the summer prior to beginning the program. Students take one advanced design studio, selected by lottery, in each of the first three terms; these are led by leading designers, urbanists, and theoreticians drawn from the architecture profession worldwide. Additionally, post-professional students are required to take one post-professional research seminar each term, culminating in a focused post-professional studio and symposium in the final term.
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.
Course of study
In course titles, a designates fall term, and b designates spring term. The School reserves the right to change the prescribed course of study as necessary.
M.Arch. II: Total Requirement: 72 credits
First Year (Summer)
*Not required for students matriculating in 2019
| 1062c, Computation Analysis Fabrication | 0 |
First Year (Fall)
| Advanced Design Studio | 9 |
| 3072a, Design Research I | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 18 |
First Year (Spring)
| Advanced Design Studio | 9 |
| 3073b, Design Research II | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 18 |
Second Year (Fall)
| Advanced Design Studio | 9 |
| 3071a, Issues in Architecture and Urbanism | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 18 |
Second Year (Spring)
| Advanced Design Studio | 9 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 18 |
*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.)
Summer preparation courses for incoming M.Arch II students
In the week before the beginning of the fall term, the School offers three preparation courses that are required for incoming M.Arch. II students.
- Computation Analysis Fabrication (1062c). This four-week course introduces students to cutting-edge techniques for 3-D modeling complex geometries and then translating these forms into built work through the use of CNC mills, laser cutters, waterjet cutting, and 3-D printing, among other fabrication technologies.
- Summer Shops Techniques Course. This one-week course introduces incoming students to the School’s fabrication equipment and shops. 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.
- Summer Digital Media Orientation Course. This two-part course, which occurs during the same week as the Summer Shops Techniques Course, covers accessing the School’s servers, the use of the School’s equipment, and the School’s digital media policies and procedures.
- Arts Library Research Methods Session. This ninety-minute session 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.
