Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Program Director, Architecture: Jeffrey Day, AIA
Program Director, Interior Design: Betsy Gabb, FIDFC, IIDA
Graduate Committee: Professor Hinchman (Chair), Professor Handa; Assistant Professor Olshavsky
Website: archweb.unl.edu
The Architecture Program in the College of Architecture offers three degrees: a professional degree, the Master of Architecture (M.Arch); a graduate degree, the Master of Science (MS); and a doctoral degree (PhD/EdD) specialization in architecture education. In addition, the Program offers joint graduate degrees with the Colleges of Business Administration (MBA) and Engineering (MEng) and internal to the College with Community and Regional Planning (MCRP).
Master of Architecture Degree
The professional program in architecture is administered by the College of Architecture and is designed to educate highly skilled professional architects. The program features design studios and a range of professional electives in theory, technology, representation, cultural issues, and urban design. Each applicant, depending on previous academic training, professional practice experience and specific interests, works with a faculty adviser to establish a specific program of study suited to his or her interests and career objectives.
Two curricula of study are provided in the master of architecture program. The choice is dependent upon the applicant’s prior educational and professional experience.
- Applicants holding a four-year bachelor of science in architectural studies or environmental design, or an equivalent baccalaureate degree granted by an accredited institution, normally complete a 54-credit hour professional program in two years (four academic semesters).
- Applicants with degrees from other fields are eligible to enter the professional program with deficiencies. These deficiencies are established by a departmental faculty committee on an individual basis after a review of the applicant’s transcripts and other pertinent materials. Students in this program will be required to complete 27 to 50 hours of selected undergraduate courses (a minimum of one additional year) prior to pursuing the course work of the professional program. Applicants with deficiencies exceeding 50 credit hours will not be admitted.
Curriculum.
The Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program is designed to empower the student to develop a course of study to begin the process of defining their existence as a design professional. Through selections from option studies proposed by the faculty and the professional elective array offered by the faculty each student can customize their curriculum to support their emerging image of the architect they want to be. Further, students in the last year can propose, develop and design a project of their own choosing working one on one with a faculty mentor as a culminating experience of their graduate studies.
With the adviser’s approval, elective courses may be selected from other University departments at either the 800- or 900-course level. Half of the required hours must be earned at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Internships.
The Architecture Program offers students in the professional program the opportunity to participate in a Summer Internship Program for academic credit. Students have secured internships with prominent national and international firms. The internship program is available to students who have completed the BSD program and will have at least one semester of study remaining after interning.
International Studies Program.
Professional program students are eligible to participate in international programs offered in London, England and Tianjin, China.
Admission Requirements for Master of Architecture.
Applicants for the master of architecture degree should submit to the Department of Architecture Student Affairs Committee the following items:
- A program application.
- A portfolio of recent work.
- A statement of educational goals.
- Official transcripts.
- Three letters of professional or academic recommendation.
- TOEFL for international students whose primary language is not English.
The Graduate Record Examination is not required for the professional program application.
Candidates considered for admission should have completed their undergraduate training with an overall grade average of “B” (3.0) and an architectural design studio average of “B”. Students who wish to be considered for fellowships and assistantships should apply by the February 1 deadline.
Applications for admission received after the deadline for submission may not be considered until the following academic year.
The Student Affairs Committee makes its first recommendations for admission in March for the following fall semester.
Master of Architecture Joint Degree Options
The program offers two joint degree options for students pursuing a master of architecture.
One option is to pursue a curriculum of study that leads to a master of business administration and a master of architecture. This curriculum is a 68-credit hour program of study.
The second option is to pursue a curriculum of study that leads to a master of community and regional planning and a master of architecture. This curriculum is a 68-credit hour program of study.
Admission requirements for Joint Degree Options
Students applying for a joint degree must make an application to both the Graduate School and the Architecture Program’s master of architecture professional program. The Graduate School application requires GRE scores to be submitted as a part of the application. Students interested in pursuing one of these options must include a letter of interest with their application materials.
The master of science in architecture degree is a graduate program with a scholarly, research-based curriculum. The program is available to students who hold an undergraduate degree in architecture or a related discipline.
Curriculum.
Each student, with the guidance of their adviser, prepares a detailed course of study. This course of study must include courses in theory, research methods or analytical techniques, field research, and campus-wide electives. The 36-credit-hour program of study terminates with a written thesis on a topic developed by the student in consultation with their faculty adviser and committee. Candidates for the master of science in architecture degree must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass a comprehensive exam, pass an oral examination covering the area of preparation, and complete the requirements for the thesis.
Master of Science in Architecture
The Master of Science is a research-based program for students who want to pursue such a career as teaching or research-based design. In addition to the specialization in Interior Design described below, students can pursue a variety of topics covered by the faculty expertise including healthcare, sustainable environment, educational facilities, digital fabrication, and history/theory. Those who seek a first professional degree in architecture or interior design should apply to our Master of Architecture or undergraduate Interior Design programs.
Specialization Available for the Master of Science Degree:
Interior Design
Admission Requirements for the Master of Science.
Minimum entrance requirements are:
- acceptance to the UNL Graduate Program,
- an undergraduate degree in architecture, interior design, or a related discipline,
- a B average or better in past academic programs, and
- a TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or 213 (computer), 79-80 (Internet) or higher for international students whose first language is not English.
The required submittals for the Master of Science are as follows:
- Graduate School Application
- $45 Application Fee
- Research Goals (Submitted on GAMES) – Please provide answers to the following questions.
- Why do you want a master’s degree?
- What are your research interests?
- What are your academic goals?
- Is there a faculty member with whom you would like to work?
- A Portfolio of Design Work. The Program Office will return portfolios only if a return envelope and postage are provided or if arrangement is made for pick-up at the Program Office. Please note that the PORTFOLIO submission must be sent to the College of Architecture directly at: UNL College of Architecture, Graduate Admissions Coordinator, 302 Architecture Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0105.
- Official Transcripts. All undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required.
- Letters of Recommendation. Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation using the instructions listed on GAMES.
- TOEFL Scores. Results from an English proficiency are required of all international student applicants. (A Bachelors degree from an accredited university in the United States, Canada or England replaces the TOEFL requirement.)
- Financial Certification. International Students only.
- GRE scores.
Master of Science in Architecture Specialization in Interior Design
The Specialization in Interior Design within the master of science degree in architecture is a scholarly research-based curriculum. This 36-credit-hour program of study is designed for those students who have successfully completed a CIDA accredited undergraduate degree in interior design or closely related field and are interested in approaching the design of the built environment as user-centered providing a basis for informed design decisions. It is understood that of prime importance in the design of the built environment is the satisfaction of the user’s physical, psycho-social, and spiritual needs and the protection of their health, safety and well-being.
To fulfill the requirements of the Specialization in Interior Design, candidates must: a) maintain a 3.0 GPA, b) receive a grade of B or better in all courses counted toward the degree, c) pass the required cumulative examinations, d) pass an oral examination covering their area of preparation and thesis research, and e) complete the requirements for the thesis.
Distance Education Options
In addition, the Interior Design Program has launched a Distance Education portion to the Masters degree. For more information on the Distance Ed/MS-ID program, please click on the following link: http://interiordesign.unl.edu/idesdistance/index.html.
The Masters, therefore, can be completed partially, or in its entirety through distance education. Courses offered through distance education are only available when the same course is offered for 'in residence' students. Completing the Masters through distance education will take more than the two years for a typical resident student.
Doctorate in Educational Studies with a Specialization in Architecture Education
We are not accepting applications for the PhD program at this time.
The program provides academic preparation and professional development for those individuals who will serve as: a) faculty members in programs of architecture in public and private post-secondary educational institutions; b) administrative leaders of architecture programs in higher education; and c) leaders in design profession whose practice is informed by research. The program offers students a choice of either the PhD or the EdD. The specialization in architecture education is jointly sponsored by the College of Architecture and the College of Education and Human Sciences.
Curriculum
The program of study offers broad objectives and specific experiences for each student. The common core of studies provides students with a multicultural perspective, a direct teaching experience, and an active research program as well as opportunities for working with community and professional leaders to explore contemporary architecture education problems. The program culminates with either a dissertation (PhD) or field study (EdD).* Higher Education/Education Administration
- Advanced Architectural Concepts
- Practicum/Internship
- Social Science Research Methods
- Doctoral Seminars
- Dissertation
Admission Requirements
The applicant must have an undergraduate degree in architecture or a related discipline and a research-related graduate degree. Those applicants who do not have a research-related graduate degree may be admitted to our Master of Science program instead. The credit hours (up to 36) accumulated during the Master of Science program may be accepted for advanced standing in the doctoral program.
A joint admissions committee composed of representative members of the respective departments (Architecture and Educational Administration) will collectively administer the admissions process. The application shall include the following:
- College of Architecture Ph.D. Application.
- Graduate School Application – must be completed online.
- $50 Application Fee – payable by credit card online.
- Research Goals – Please provide answers to the following questions.
- Why do you want a doctoral degree?
- What are your research interests?
- What are you academic goals?
- Which faculty member would you like to work with?
- A Portfolio of Design Work – The Department will return portfolios only if a return envelope with postage is provided or if arrangement is made for pick up at the Department office.
- Official Transcripts – All undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required.
- Letters of Recommendation – Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation.
- TOEFL Scores – Results from this English proficiency exam of 550 or higher are required of all international student applicants. (A bachelors degree from an accredited university in the United States, Canada, or England replaces the TOEFL requirement.)
- GRE – Applicants must have a GRE score sent to the Office of Graduate Studies.
- Evidence of Scholarly Writing and Research Ability – Provide two examples of scholarly writing that demonstrates research ability.
- Evidence of Experience with Diverse Cultures – Provide written description and/or documentation.
All qualified students are encouraged to apply. If you have any questions or need an application packet mailed to you, please e-mail the Admissions Coordinator at architecture2@unl.edu, or you may call the Programs Office at (402) 472-9280.
Each applicant will need to gain the agreement of a member of the Graduate Faculty to act as chair of his or her supervisory committee and as a mentor. The Admissions Committee and its chair will facilitate the matching of student and mentor.
