Master of Science (MS) Degree in the field of Architecture
Program Learning Outcomes for the MS Degree in the field of Architecture
Upon completing the MS degree in the field of Architecture, students will be able to:
- Integrate architecture and advanced research to address the most pressing and complex issues of design, environment, and culture.
- Develop research techniques and knowledge of advanced systems, techniques, and processes.
- Innovate the knowledge and practice of architecture through advanced critical thinking and experimentation.
Requirements for the MS Degree in the field of Architecture
The MS degree can be either a thesis or a non-thesis master's degree depending on the option the student pursues. For general university requirements for thesis master's degrees, please see Thesis Master’s Degrees. For general university requirements for non-thesis master's degrees, please see Non-Thesis Master’s Degrees. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, please see All Graduate Students.
Present Future is a concentrated undertaking culminating in the MS (Master of Science) degree, in the field of Architecture. The program is structured around a three-semester-long exploration of a topic led by a Rice School of Architecture faculty member. A select group of students form the core: a collective intelligence responsible for developing a discourse that synthesizes theoretical, historical, and design ambitions.
Subjects will be of contemporary importance and will be framed by a 3-credit seminar the first term, a 12-credit studio in the second term, and a concluding 3-credit seminar in the third term. In addition to free electives, each semester will include additional required credits that are appropriate to the selected topic, bringing the total credit hours to 39.
The program's student body will include those with backgrounds in architecture as well as other fields: individuals with BA, BS equivalent, or more advanced degrees in architecture or other disciplines are invited to apply. Coursework will include offerings from the School of Architecture and other departments across Rice University.
The requirements listed in the General Announcements (GA) satisfy the minimum requirements for this degree program. In certain instances, courses (or requirements) not officially listed here may be substituted upon approval of the program's academic advisor, or where applicable, the department or program's Director of Graduate Studies. Course substitutions or any exceptions to the stated official curricular requirements must be approved by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the MS Degree in the field of Architecture | 39 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ARCH 602 | ADVANCED OPTION STUDIO - RESEARCH PLATFORMS | 12 |
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Students must complete 7 additional courses from departmental (ARCH) course offerings 1 | 21 | |
| ARCH 651 | PRESENT FUTURE SEMINAR | 3 |
| ARCH 751 | PRESENT FUTURE II 2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 39 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| 1 | With permission, thesis or a design studio may be taken as electives. |
| 2 | With permission, ARCH 751 may be replaced with an approved elective. |
Required Plan-of-Study
The MS degree in the field of Architecture is a degree program structured around a three-semester-long exploration of a topic, led by a Rice School of Architecture faculty member.
| 1st Semester | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 651 | PRESENT FUTURE SEMINAR 2 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 1 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 1 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 1 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| 2nd Semester | ||
| ARCH 602 | ADVANCED OPTION STUDIO - RESEARCH PLATFORMS | 12 |
| Elective | Elective 1 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 1 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| 3rd Semester | ||
| ARCH 751 | PRESENT FUTURE II | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 1 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 1 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 39 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| 1 | With permission, thesis or a design studio may be taken as electives. |
| 2 | With permission, ARCH 751 may be replaced with an approved elective. |
Policies for the MS Degree in the field of Architecture
School of Architecture Graduate Program Handbook
The General Announcements (GA) is the official Rice curriculum. As an additional resource for students, the School of Architecture publishes a graduate program handbook, which can be found here: https://gradhandbooks.rice.edu/2023_24/Architecture_Graduate_Handbook.pdf
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the MS degree in the field of Architecture should be aware of the following departmental transfer credit guidelines:
- Requests for transfer credit will be considered by the program director on an individual case-by-case basis.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the School of Architecture website: https://arch.rice.edu/
Opportunities for the MS Degree in the field of Architecture
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the School of Architecture website: https://arch.rice.edu/