2023 Best Graduate Programs in Architecture

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Are you an architect who wants to obtain a graduate degree in architecture, but don’t know what top school you should attend? Well, you are in luck, because we decided to do the legwork for you. In this piece, we will discuss 2022’s best graduate programs in architecture.
The Graduate School of Design at Harvard University offers two graduate degree programs in architecture. The Masters in Architecture I (MARCH I) is a degree program for people who already have an undergraduate degree but have not completed the requirements for a credential in architecture. Students don’t need a background in architecture to be considered for this program. For students who possess a Bachelor’s in Architecture, Harvards five-year program, the Masters in Architecture II (MARCH II) is the best path for them to take. This degree program is for students who are already making a name for themselves in the world of architecture but desire to gain advanced analytical and theoretical skills.
Columbia’s Master of Architecture is a three-year program for students who might not already have a bachelor’s degree in architecture. The program explores concepts such as visual studies, technology, and architectural history and theory. Students will spend most of their studies in the design studio, as opposed to the classroom. In the classroom, they will study the theoretical, historical, social and economic factors that influence architecture. All students at the school are seeking an M.Arch degree. Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in architecture can pursue a Master of Science degree in Advanced Architectural Design. For individuals interested in research in the field of architectural theory and history, the university also offers a Ph.D. program in architecture.
Yale’s School of Architecture has several degree options at the graduate level. For individuals who possess an undergraduate degree in an area other than architecture, the Master of Architecture I (M.Arch.1) would be a great choice. This program provides students with the foundations of architecture and will put them on the path to becoming a professional architect. For individuals that already have a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree, they can increase their theoretical knowledge and design expertise via the two-year Master of Architecture II (M.Arch.II) program. A five-year Ph.D. program gets students ready for advanced architectural work in a variety of areas, such as publishing, teaching, research, etc.
MIT’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree focuses on design studios. Students must complete a design thesis to graduate. After graduating, M.Arch. Students are eligible to pursue licensure in the field of architecture. MIT also offers graduate programs such as the Master of Science in Architecture Studies, Master of Science in Building Technology, and Master of Science in Art Culture and Technology. Individuals can also pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Architecture in Building Technology, Computation or the History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture and Art. Dual degree programs are also possible at the graduate level.
The Cornell University College of Art, Architecture, and Planning offers three-degrees at the graduate level. For individuals who possess and an undergraduate degree in an area other than architecture,– the university offers the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree. This program prepares students to obtain licensure as an architect in their state. Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in architecture can pursue Cornell’s Post-Professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch.II) degree. This design program requires students to spend three semesters studying a specific subject such as Architecture and Discourse, Architecture and Ecology, or Architecture and Urbanism. Cornell also offers a Ph.D. program in History of Architecture and Urban Development, for students interested in research.