MICHAEL D. HAGGE, MArch, MCRP
Chair
Room 404, Jones Hall
(901) 678-2724

SHERRY BRYAN, MArch
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
901-678-2724
E-mail: sbrynhgg@memphis.edu

http://architecture.memphis.edu

Master of Architecture (MArch)

The first professional Master of Architecture degree is for individuals with a pre-professional degree in architecture, environmental design, or equivalent program of study. The professional curriculum comprises the four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture and the two-year Master of Architecture degrees. The post-professional Master of Architecture degree is for individuals already holding a professional degree in architecture who are interested in pursuing opportunities for research, teaching, and independent studies.

The Department of Architecture is a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a 6-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards. 

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree. 

The University of Memphis, Department of Architecture, offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:

M.Arch. (pre-professional degree + 60 graduate credits)

Next accreditation visit:  2015

Program Objectives: The program of study for the Master of Architecture encompasses both the art and the science of design and is structured to engage students in the processes and professional standards of architecture and design. Through a series of professional core and elective courses, students (1) become competent in a range of intellectual, spatial, technical, and interpersonal skills; (2) understand the historical, socio-cultural, and environmental context of architecture; (3) are able to solve architectural design problems, including the integration of technical systems and health and safety requirements; and (4) comprehend the roles and responsibilities of the architect in society. The culturally diverse Memphis and Mid-South region serves as an urban and non-urban issues laboratory.

All graduate students must comply with the general requirements of the Graduate School (see Admissions Regulations, Academic Regulations, and Minimum Degree Requirements) as well as the program requirements of the degree being pursued.

A. Program Admission
In addition to application to the Graduate School, all persons making application to the MArch degree program must submit the following materials directly to the Department of Architecture:

1. Portfolio: Applicant portfolios are reviewed for demonstration of aesthetic judgment, basic design ability, visual investigation skills, and abilities in architectural design, including identification of building elements and an understanding of their assembly, integration of building systems, a knowledge of building structure, and other evidence of understanding and abilities conforming to NAAB performance criteria.
2. Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required.
3. Statement of Intent: Applicants must submit a two-page essay describing professional background, objectives, and motivation for pursuing graduate study in Architecture. This brief statement should reflect an individual interest in this graduate program and provide some indication of professional goals or intentions.

All admission documents and portfolio must be received by 15 March for fall admission. Students who, in the judgment of the faculty, have adequate preparation may be given advanced standing.

B. Program Prerequisites

1. Persons making application to the first professional MArch degree program must have completed an approved pre-professional undergraduate degree in Architecture, Environmental Design, or the equivalent.
   1. In assessing the pre-professional degree, the following course content or evidence of equivalent experience is required. Otherwise, the appropriate courses must be taken at the undergraduate level before being admitted to the MArch degree program:
      1. Architectural Graphics (both technical and freehand drawing), 6 semester hours
      2. Architectural History (ancient through modern), 6 semester hours
      3. Structural Design Principles (statics; strength of materials; gravity and lateral load tracing; design in timber, steel, concrete), 9 semester hours
      4. Building Materials and Assembly (light construction), 3 semester hours
      5. Environmental Systems (heat, light, sound, human comfort), 3 semester hours
      6. Architectural Design Studio (in addition to "design fundamentals" courses), 24 semester hours
   2. Where slight deficiencies in preparation exist, applicants may be admitted with the stipulation that they complete additional design studio or supporting courses. These may not count toward the required graduate plan of study.
2. Persons making application to the post-professional MArch degree program must have completed a NAAB-accredited professional undergraduate degree in architecture. The Architecture Program director may approve a maximum of 30 semester hours in architecture course work from the professional degree. Registration as an architect in the United States may be substituted for the professional degree.

C. Program Requirements

1. A total of 60 semester hours, including 6 hours of thesis studio or professional project studio.
2. A total of 36 semester hours of Architecture core courses, consisting of 18 semester hours of advanced architectural design studios (ARCH 7711, 7712, 7713), 9 semester hours of architectural seminars (ARCH 6231, 7011, 7012, 7013), and 9 semester hours of architectural theory and advanced professional and technical courses (ARCH 7211, 7421, 7431)
3. A minimum of 3 semester hours of Architecture Research (ARCH 7930) and 6 semester hours of Architecture Thesis Studio (ARCH 7996) or Professional Project Studio (ARCH 7995). The thesis or professional project must be approved by a faculty committee.Students should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.
4. Students receiving assistantships are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

D. Transfer of Credits

The Architecture program director may recommend to the Graduate School acceptance of no more than 12 semester hours of credit for architecture course work successfully completed at another institution. For students formerly enrolled in programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, a maximum of 30 semester hours in architecture course work may be approved.

ARCH (ARCHITECTURE)

NOTE: The ARCH courses below require a $20 per credit hour materials fee.

ARCH 6021 - Architecture Independent Study (1-3)
Independent research in selected area of architecture faculty. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6022 - Architecture/Urbanism Seminar (3)
Review of contemporary concepts in architectural design in the context of the urban environment; attitudes and phenomena making the particular culture of today and their impact on the built environment. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6023 - Urban Design Seminar (3)
Comprehensive overview of significant issues of contemporary urban design; emphasis on experiential nature of cities and role of the architect in urban design. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6221 - Determinants/Mod Design (3)
Significant works of architecture and urban design from 1900 to present; focus on Europe, the US, and non-Western world; examines architecture as a mode of cultural production in relation to its aesthetic. PREREQUISITE: ARCH 1211, 1212, or equivalent.

ARCH 6231 - Issues in City Building (3)
Review of historical and contemporary issues in architecture, urban design, planning, and real estate development within the context of urban environment. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

ARCH 6421 - Sustainable Design (3)
Principles of sustainable design as it relates to architecture and interior design. Topics include successful integration of sustainable design principles into building solutions; systematic evaluation of various design strategies in order to determine the most appropriate application. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

ARCH 6430 - Internship in Architecture (1-6)
Experiential learning to be achieved through an approved work assignment with a design firm, appropriate public or private entity, or a Department of Architecture faculty member. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

ARCH 6451 - Site/Environ Planning (3)
Building sites; selection and utilization, including environmental influences; technical aspects such as zoning, contour lines, parking, ingress/egress, site drainage, building location, and sustainable design. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6613 - Computer Appl/Architecture III (3)
Advanced design, modelling, and analytical concepts using various computer software programs. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6811 - Parameter/Architecture Studio (3-6)
Comprehensive overview of differences and relationships of history, technology, and culture in terms of impact on architecture and urban design; concepts of form generation and historic dimensions of architecture with respect to human settlement. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours when topic changes. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6812 - Furniture Design Studio (4)
Examination of the historical precedents in modern style and the place of furniture in architecture; design philosophy, expression of materials, and construction. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6821 - Urban Design Studio (6)
Comprehensive overview of significant issues of contemporary urban design; emphasis on experiential nature of cities, role of public policy, and genesis and development of urban building types. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 6822 - Architecture/Urbanism Studio (6)
Advanced design studio for identifying needs, resources, and operational methodologies across an expanded range of environmental scales; methods for identifying socio-cultural needs and coordination of complex variables, information, and resources, leading to conceptualization and development of design of components of the built environment.

ARCH 6833 - Architectural Illustration (3)
Basics of phenomenological theory as it applies to design communication; techniques of observational analysis; skills in applied color theory, perspective drawing, compositional refinement, and characteristics of materials and light; precedents of representation; graphic and verbal presentation. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

ARCH 6841 - Studio Study Abroad (3-9)
Comparative studies of cultures; relationships of culture to physical environment, organization of cities; history and behavior of inhabitants; analysis and documentation of elements of physical environment and relationship between buildings and urban fabric. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 7011 - Adv Arch Design Sem I (3)
Offered in conjunction with advanced studio problems in architecture; changing topics address a variety of critical and ideological constructs; emphasizes life-safety, building envelope and service systems, materials and assemblies. COREQUISITE: ARCH 7711.

ARCH 7012 - Adv Arch Design Sem II (3)
Advanced studio problems in architecture; changing topics address a variety of critical and ideological constructs; emphasizes structural and environmental issues as design determinants. PREREQUISITE: ARCH 7711; COREQUISITE: ARCH 7712.

ARCH 7013 - Adv Arch Design Semn III (3)
Offered in conjunction with advanced studio problems in architecture; changing topics address a variety of critical and ideological constructs; emphasizes comprehensive design. COREREQUISITE: ARCH 7713.

ARCH 7021 - Arch Independent Study (1-3)
Independent research in selected area of architecture faculty. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in increments of 1, 2, or 3 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Grades of A-F, of IP will be given.

ARCH 7031 - Research and Training (1-3)
Collaborative research with faculty or students in selected area of architecture and/or teaching either independently with faculty mentorship or in direct collaboration with faculty. The primary goal of the course is to learn about common design teaching and research methods employed in a practical setting. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 7211 - Contemp Arch Theory (3)
Critical study of contemporary theoretical writings and related architectural production; contemporary issues informing current architectural discourse; the Modernist canon and "-isms" from the mid-twentieth century to the present.

ARCH 7232 - Adv Issues City Building (3)
Analysis and understanding of the qualities of the existing physical environment, natural and built, and social and economic issues within the context of the urban environment. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

ARCH 7421 - Adv Environmental Sys (3)
Advanced principles, appropriate applications and performance of environmental systems; accoustical, lighting, climate modification systems, and energy use integrated with the building envelope. PREREQUISITE: ARCH 3421 (or approved equivalent) or permission of instructor.

ARCH 7431 - Adv Professional Prac (3)
Principles and legal aspects of architectural practice: professional ethics, organization, financial management, business planning, time and project management, risk mitigation, mediation and arbitration; trends affecting practice such as globalization, outsourcing, project delivery, expanded practice settings, diversity, and others. Prerequisite: ARCH 3431 (or approved equivalent) or permission of instructor.

ARCH 7711 - Adv Arch Design Stu I (6)
Advanced studio problems in architecture; changing topics address a variety of critical and ideological constructs; emphasizes life-safety, building envelope and service systems, materials and assemblies. COREQUISITE: ARCH 7011.

ARCH 7712 - Adv Arch Design Stu II (6)
Advanced studio problems in architecture; changing topics address a variety of critical and ideological constructs; emphasizes structural and environmental issues as design determinants. PREREQUISITE: ARCH 7711, 7011; COREQUISITE: ARCH 7012.

ARCH 7713 - Adv Arch Design Studio III (6)
Advanced studio problems in architecture; changing topics address a variety of critical and ideological constructs; emphasizes comprehensive design. COREREQUISITE: ARCH 7013.

ARCH 7833 - Adv. Experiential Dwg. Studio (3)
Phenomenological theory as it applies to design communication and pedagogy; narrative compositional refinement; precedents of representation; aesthetic theory of depiction and representation. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

ARCH 7930 - Architecture Research (3)
Study in research in a specific area culminating in an integrating experience through individual project; research techniques, preliminary research, and conceptual development of an architectural project; site analysis and selection, case studies; development of thesis or professional project proposal. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.Grades of A-F, or IP will be given.

ARCH 7995 - Professional Project Studio (6)
Studio research problems in architecture; changing topics address a variety of critical and ideological constructs; emphasizes creative professional research and design in a course of study developed with architecture faculty based on the individual research interest of the student. PREREQUISITE: ARCH 7930, permission of instructor.

ARCH 7996 - Arch Thesis Studio (1-6)
Emphasizes comprehensive integration of disciplinary and professional skills through formulation of architectural propositions grounded in theoretical, critical, and creative research. PREREQUISITE: ARCH 7930.Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.