This four-semester program is for strong architectural design students beginning their studies who hold baccalaureate degrees in architecture (a BS in Architecture, typically, or a professional degree from outside of the United States). Students are considered for placement in the MArch 2 curriculum on the basis of design portfolio evaluation and the extent of their undergraduate architectural studies. Placement in this curriculum is highly selective. The MArch 2 program begins with the final comprehensive core studio (ARCH 419) and concludes with the Degree Project. This 75-credit program leads to a professionally accredited Master of Architecture degree.
Waiver Requirements
Students admitted to the MArch 2 program have the opportunity to waive the following courses:
Students must obtain a waiver prior to the semester in which they would normally be expected to take the course that is being waived. In other words, students may not skip a required course on the assumption that they will receive a waiver for it in the future.
Any such waiver requires evidence that the student has had adequate exposure to the required material as part of their previous academic experience. Course waivers will only be granted for an equivalent course or a combination of satisfactorily completed courses to fulfill NAAB-accredited program requirements. Equivalence is measured in terms of both content and assignments.
A total of 6 waived units may count toward the degree; all other waived units must be replaced with general electives.
Please note that admitted MArch2 students must waive at least one of the courses listed above or they must take both Structures I and Structures II during the first summer of their program.
For a list of faculty members, please refer to the Architecture faculty page.
Master of Architecture: MArch 2
Note: The requirements for this program vary based on the first semester of enrollment. Visit the MArch 2 Curriculum website for the most up-to-date requirements.
Requirements: 75 units
Master of Architecture Studio Grade Requirement
Students in the MArch 2 program must earn a minimum studio grade of B- (2.7 studio grade-point average) in the 419 studio. If a student does not receive a B- grade or better in the 419 studio, they must take a leave of absence in the spring semester and repeat the 419 studio the following academic year. If a student has not received a B- or better after repeating the 419 studio, they will be dismissed from the Master of Architecture program.
The option to repeat a studio is contingent on a student having met the requirements of Academic Probation. A suspension or dismissal that is a result of the Academic Probation policy takes precedence over this Studio Grade Requirement policy.
Master of Architecture Comprehensive Studio Requirement
All Master of Architecture graduate students must take one Comprehensive Options Studio (as designated in the semester Director's Letter) and earn a minimum grade of B- before entering Degree Project.
Master of Architecture Degree Project
ARCH 616 Degree Project must be completed during the student’s final semester. Students should not register for additional course work once Degree Project has been completed. Students should plan to complete all outstanding degree requirements during their Degree Project semester. Any exceptions to the Degree Project studio requirement must be approved in writing by the program chair for graduate architecture.
Master of Architecture Degree Project Grade Requirement
In order to enroll in ARCH 616 Degree Project, graduate students must have earned a cumulative studio GPA of 2.7 or above. Students who have not fulfilled this cumulative studio GPA requirement must repeat an options studio and raise their cumulative studio GPA to 2.7 or higher before being permitted to enroll in Degree Project.
The option to repeat a studio is contingent on a student having met the requirements of Academic Probation. A suspension or dismissal that is a result of the Academic Probation policy takes precedence over this Studio Grade Requirement policy.
For a list of available courses, please refer to the Courses section of the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design in this Bulletin.
Students pursuing a Master of Architecture degree have the opportunity to participate in a study abroad program that provides an immersive experience in a city distinguished by its architecture, social policies, urbanism, and public space. Students complete the 511 or 611 comprehensive architecture studio during the semester-long program.
MArch students with 419 status or higher in the semester prior to study, in good academic standing, and with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher can sign up to study abroad. Priority is given to students with higher studio levels and GPAs.
- For first-semester students without a Washington University GPA, the cumulative GPA on the official transcript(s) from their previous institution(s) will be used.
- GPA scores are pulled from the Washington University Student Information System on the day of the sign-up and updated during the first week of each semester.
- GPAs will not be recalculated after the first week of each semester.
- Students can participate in one study abroad program.