Description

The Master of Architecture (M. Arch) is a 60 credit degree program, constituting the final two years of a 4 + 2 year NAAB accredited program in Architecture. The 4-year BS Arch and 2-year M Arch “when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education.” (http://www.naab.org).

The Master of Architecture degree is available to students who acquire the Temple Architecture Department’s 4-year BS Architecture degree program or students who apply from other 4-year pre-professional degree programs with equivalent course content to the Temple University B.S. Architecture degree program. It is designed to be completed in 2 years, with a maximum of 4 years for completion. In the program, students have the opportunity to undertake complex and technically advanced coursework and research through a balance of required and elective courses (45 required credits and 15 elective credits) in architecture and related fields.

The primary focus of the curriculum is the design studio. A professional program requires that synthesis of information from other courses occur here. The 6 credit studio courses offered will be investigative and projective, seeking to engage students with urgent urban, architectural and environmental issues. Research seminars along with courses in building technology and professional practice address questions in parallel with design studios. Electives allow students to pursue specializations with focus and intent. Together, the architecture courses satisfy professional accreditation requirements.

During the fall of the first and second years, students undertake required studios. The second year studio is focused on the achievement of comprehensive, integrated design skills. Other studios address a range of current architectural issues. Students may elect to undertake a studio in the summer between the first and second year of study, which will substitute for a regular semester design studio. During the second year of study, students may elect to engage in a year long self-directed research and design inquiry that culminates in a design thesis. This full-year architectural thesis, is advanced by the individual student’s interests and skills with the guidance of an advisor. International study at Temple Rome is encouraged in the spring semester of the first year or second year.

Architecture Accreditation Information
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 6-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

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

Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Architecture Department offers the following NAAB accredited degree programs:
•  B Arch (156 undergraduate credits, last class accepted in fall of 2009)
•  M Arch (BS Arch pre-professional degree + 60 graduate credits)

Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2014