Graduate programs
The NAAB accredited professional Master of Architecture at Portland State University encourages substantive investigation of significant urban situations and prevailing architectural issues pertinent to contemporary human experience. It meets the demands of an accredited first professional degree in architecture as determined by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
Through a series of focused design studios, and courses in humanities, technology and the profession, the program encourages depth in questioning, aptitude in discursive thinking, and versatility in means of representation as each student assimilates the skills, knowledge and dexterity to negotiate the professional demands of comprehensive design while developing a mode of creative inquiry that extends beyond established conventions to possibilities yet to be tested in a critical arena. Student generated questions and polemics will form the inspiration for the final year Design Thesis exploration culminating in a unique thesis proposal fully articulated in drawings, models and text.
We offer two tracks towards the Master of Architecture: the 2-year track for candidates with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in Architecture (74 credits); and the 3-year track for candidates with a Bachelor's degree in any discipline (134 credits).
We also offer a Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Design consisting of coursework and fieldwork that will prepare future leaders in architecture and related fields to aid currently underserved populations throughout the world through sustainable design methods, with an emphasis on addressing social, economic and environmental issues.
Architecture M.Arch: 3-year track
Degree Requirements
Students will enter the program in the Summer term and must complete 4-quarters of graduate transition courses with a minimum of 60 credits followed by the requirements for the 2-year track, for a total of 134 credits to graduate. The transition program includes the following:
Courses
| Arch 520 | Advanced Architectural Graphics and Media | 4 |
| Arch 531 | Studies in Contemporary Urban Design | 4 |
| Arch 533 | Contemporary Issues Seminar | 4 |
| Arch 534 | Topics in Architectural History and Theory | 4 |
| Arch 535 | Topics in Modernism | 4 |
| Arch 563 | Building Science Research Topics | 4 |
| Arch 567 | Advanced Architectural Structures | 4 |
| Arch 568 | Architectural Technology I | 4 |
| Arch 569 | Architectural Technology II | 4 |
| Arch 570 | Architectural Design Transition Studio I | 6 |
| Arch 571 | Architectural Design Transition Studio II | 6 |
| Arch 572 | Architectural Design Transition Studio III | 6 |
| Arch 583 | Architectural Design Studio X | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 60