Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online at https://utexas.box.com/v/UTAustinGraduateHandbooks. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

Master of Architecture

The Master of Architecture is an accredited first professional degree, with graduate professional courses designed to prepare the student for advanced work in architecture and to apply for registration with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) as an architect in the United States. Students are admitted into the three-year 96-hour program or the two-year 60-hour Advanced Standing program on the basis of the student’s previous college work as shown by transcripts, the portfolio, the statement of intent, and references. For students entering with a professional degree in architecture (B.Arch.), a minimum of 48 hours of prescribed coursework is required. Before progressing into the advanced architectural design sequence, all Master of Architecture professional degree candidates must demonstrate proficiency in design and communication through a qualifying portfolio review conducted by the faculty. 

Students may earn stackable graduate certificates or graduate certificates by completing the relevant sequence of courses. More information is available from the graduate advisor.

Master of Advanced Architectural Design

For students entering with a professional degree in architecture, the Master of Advanced Architectural Design is a postprofessional degree. It requires 36 hours of graduate work, including a final six hours of master's design study or a terminal design studio. Before progressing to their final project, all Master of Advanced Architectural Design students participate in a portfolio review conducted by the faculty. 

Students may earn stackable graduate certificates or graduate certificates by completing the relevant sequence of courses. More information is available from the graduate advisor.

Master of Arts

The degree program consists of at least 30 semester hours of coursework, including a thesis. An individual plan of study is defined for each student by the program coordinator.

Master of Science in Historic Preservation

The degree program consists of at least 48 semester hours of coursework, including a thesis, professional report, or coursework-only option. An individual plan of study is defined for each student by the faculty advising contact.

Master of Science in Sustainable Design

The degree program consists of at least 42 semester hours of work and includes a thesis. Up to 24 semester hours of coursework may be chosen in the student’s area of concentration. An individual plan of study is defined by each student in conjunction with the faculty advising contact.

Doctor of Philosophy

The doctoral subcommittee of the Architecture Graduate Studies Committee determines course requirements, prescribes qualifying examinations, and approves dissertation topics. The degree plan requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. These include 21 semester hours of seminars, independent research, and reading courses leading to the qualifying examination. Nine of these hours must satisfy the program’s core requirements, as specified by the doctoral subcommittee (credit may be awarded for core courses taken as part of a School of Architecture master’s program). After passing the qualifying examination, the student registers for a three-semester-hour dissertation colloquium to develop a dissertation topic. Continuous registration is required through the writing, oral defense, revision, and final acceptance of the dissertation. All tracks require experience in design, which may be gained through design studio coursework or professional practice, reading proficiency in two foreign languages, and/or proficiency in qualitative or quantitative analysis as determined by the doctoral subcommittee. 

Dual Degree Programs

The following dual degree programs are offered within the School of Architecture. More information is available from the graduate advisor in each program.

For the Master of Science in Sustainable Design:

Major(s)	Degree(s)
Community and Regional Planning	Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning