Master of Architecture

The BGSU Master of Architecture program is for students who have met the standards of admission and holding the four-year Bachelor of Science degree with a major in architecture from BGSU, or an equivalent pre-professional degree from a domestic or international institution recognized by BGSU.

Those holding an equivalent pre-professional degree with a major in architecture from a domestic or international institution, including students holding a degree in any field other than architecture, may be admitted to the Master of Architecture program with limited standing until specific prerequisite courses have been completed. Students admitted to the Master of Architecture program with limited standing shall be duly informed of the extended length of time required for graduation prior to acceptance into the program. GRE is not required for admission.

Admission to the two-year Master of Architecture program is term-specific. Students are typically admitted to Fall semester; however, there are cases where a student might be permitted to commence study in a different term, such as when needing to make up for background course deficiencies.

Almost all of the students admitted into the M. Arch program complete their pre-professional education through the BGSU B.S. Arch program. Graduates of pre-professional programs in Architecture elsewhere who apply for admission into the M. Arch professional program can be required to complete additional coursework if there are no previous SPC match.

In all instances, students must submit transcripts, course descriptions, and a portfolio, in addition to other admission documents, for review by the Department Chair and Graduate Admissions Committee; the content of transfer courses must align with course offerings in the Department that meet required SPC as defined by NAAB.

When a student’s record indicates that prior coursework does not satisfy given SPC’s, the student is directed to enroll in program courses that will satisfy the missing criteria. In this manner, the evaluation of these documents by the program will determine placement in the curriculum and which, if any, additional courses must be taken by the student in order to complete the program. Within this context, graduates of pre-professional programs in Architecture elsewhere who apply for admission into the M. Arch professional program are evaluated individually, and such students have curricula tailored to their specific situation.

For a regular admission in the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum GPA of a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale, or a grade equivalent to B average.
• Statement of Intent - A concise statement outlining your reasons for applying to the master's degree program and why your application should be favorably considered (about 350 words).  Applicants should attempt to produce an articulate statement both in content and composition.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation from previous professors; a letter from an employer is desirable if applicable.
• Electronic portfolio. The portfolio should have a minimum of five projects with a range of complexity representing work over the student’s undergraduate career and professional experience, if applicable. Projects should have descriptive captions that include the dates of execution, course, professor, or firm, project goals, and a brief self-analysis. Number of pages and format of the portfolio is left to the discretion of applicant. However the portfolio must be submitted as a single Adobe PDF file no larger than 20 MB.
• A personal interview is not required; however, those wishing to visit the BGSU are encouraged to make arrangements by contacting the Department Chair.

The Master of Architecture (MArch) is a professional degree (a minimum 49 semester hours of credit) program that revolves around the concentrations of digital media in design and practice, urban and community design, and architectural history and historic preservation. These concentrations integrate entrepreneurial theories and strategies to advance architectural design and practice. An important feature of the program is the applied entrepreneurship which requires an internship in an organization with significant ongoing entrepreneurial initiatives.

This degree is typically completed in four semesters. This includes 24 credits in design studios. The remaining 25 credits are distributed among required professional, business, technologies, and history/theory requirements.

The faculty members are of a mix of ranks from professor to instructors. The academic and professional credentials of the full-time members combine doctorates, masters, and architectural licenses. Among the faculty are book authors, distinguished chairs, best paper writers, and expert practitioners. While the Department's plan calls for recruiting additional faculty, a core of practicing professionals provide adjunct support for the program.

Meet our Faculty