The department’s mission is to educate future design practitioners, advance research of the built environment, and disseminate knowledge of architectural studies to improve quality of life for people. We are an academic research environment with experienced practitioners and scholars using a variety of methods to study real world problems. Through a fully integrated model of instruction with established quality, both residence and distance-learners in our MS and PhD programs are taught by accomplished faculty in a hybrid course format. The program encourages an interdisciplinary, scholarly climate celebrating aesthetic values and the human sciences. Consistent attention is placed on planning and designing physical environments that support human needs and aspirations.
The MS and PhD programs build on Architectural Studies coursework and a core curriculum in design theory, research methods, graduate seminars, research, and readings in environment and behavior and digital media. Additional coursework may include courses in supportive areas such as the human and physical sciences, art, humanities and allied design professions. Research is conducted in one of two emphasis areas: Environment and Behavior Studies or Design with Digital Media. Within each emphasis area, specific course work is chosen on the basis of subject matter and the type of research method selected: quantitative, qualitative or a combination of both. The MS leads to a written master’s thesis that demonstrates mastery of the research area, as defined by the thesis committee. The PhD program leads to the written doctoral dissertation. The dissertation is distinctive because it demonstrates the ability to conceive and execute scholarly research, and it contributes “new knowledge” to the discipline.
The Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree builds upon a pre-professional undergraduate or graduate degree in Architectural Studies or related discipline. With the design studio at its core, the curriculum utilizes knowledge gained from supporting coursework and evidence-based design research to provide innovative solutions to problems in the built environment, ultimately resulting in an improved condition for the population it serves. The program emphasizes the Department of Architectural Studies’ strengths in sustainability, digital media, and human factors while encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. The project-based plan of study is an in-depth investigation of a problem culminating in a comprehensive and synthesized design solution and presentation to a professional panel for evaluation. The M.Arch is offered exclusively on campus (in-person).
Human Environmental Sciences with Architectural Studies Emphasis, Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral | 100% Online, On Campus
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall | January 14 |
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Architectural Studies Program
- Statement of Purpose. Statement describing your goals and objectives for advanced graduate-level work in architectural studies. This statement will be uploaded to the Graduate School online application, be 1,500 words maximum, and include:
- A description of your research interests in architectural studies
- Emphasis areas of interest (design with digital media or environment and behavior)
- The graduate faculty with whom you would like to work and why (we suggest closely reading faculty bios and select publications in advance)
- How this Ph.D. degree emphasis area in Architectural Studies will help you to reach your future goals
- Letters of Recommendation. 3 letters of recommendation can be submitted through the Graduate School online application. At least two of these letters should be from college or university faculty members who can speak to your academic competencies. Professional practice references welcome. All letters should include the association to the applicant and length of time recommender has known applicant).
- Portfolio or Dossier. All applicants will submit an electronic portfolio or dossier. Applicants with a background in design should include a sample of design projects from institutional coursework, independent creative work, writing samples, and/or professional practice. Applicants without a design background should upload a dossier that includes writing samples (completed or published), research examples, teaching outcomes, and/or any other materials that demonstrate readiness for graduate-level work in Architectural Studies. Including a link to an online document or website is preferred by the department, otherwise the file must be a single PDF and no larger than 20 MB.
- Resume/CV
- GRE Scores: Recommended but not required
Janna Lancaster
Director of Graduate Study
phone 573-882-7224
place 137 Stanley Hall
email jlancaster@missouri.edu
Architectural Studies, Master of Science
Master's | 100% Online, On Campus
The program offers a Master of Science in Architectural Studies with emphasis areas in Design with Digital Media and Environment & Behavior. A Master of Science in Architectural Studies with an emphasis in Environment and Behavior is also offered online.
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall | January 14 |
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Architectural Studies Program
- Statement of Purpose. Statement describing your goals and objectives for advanced graduate-level work in architectural studies. This statement will be uploaded to the Graduate School online application, be 1,500 words maximum, and include:
- A description of your research interests in architectural studies
- Emphasis areas of interest (design with digital media or environment and behavior)
- The graduate faculty with whom you would like to work and why (we suggest closely reading faculty bios and select publications in advance)
- How this master’s degree emphasis area in Architectural Studies will help you to reach your future goals
- Letters of Recommendation. 3 letters of recommendation can be submitted through the Graduate School online application. At least two of these letters should be from college or university faculty members who can speak to your academic competencies. Professional practice references welcome. All letters should include the association to the applicant and length of time recommender has known applicant).
- Portfolio or Dossier. All applicants will submit an electronic portfolio or dossier. Applicants with a background in design should include a sample of design projects from institutional coursework, independent creative work, writing samples, and/or professional practice. Applicants without a design background should upload a dossier that includes writing samples (completed or published), research examples, teaching outcomes, and/or any other materials that demonstrate readiness for graduate-level work in Architectural Studies. Including a link to an online document or website is preferred by the department, otherwise the file must be a single PDF and no larger than 20 MB.
- Resume/CV
- GRE Scores: Recommended but not required
Janna Lancaster
Director of Graduate Study
phone 573-882-7224
place 137 Stanley Hall
email jlancaster@missouri.edu
Architecture, Master of Architecture
Master's | On Campus
Note: At this time, we are unable to accept applications from international applicants to the on-campus option of this program. Once the on-campus option has been approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for immigration document issuance, we will update this site accordingly.
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall | January 14 |
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Architecture Program
- Statement of Purpose. Statement describing your goals and objectives for the M.Arch. This statement will be uploaded to the Graduate School online application, be 1,500 words maximum, and include:
- A description of your past experience and how that experience has prepared you for the M.Arch.
- A description of your future goals.
- How the M.Arch Studies will help you to reach your future goals.
- Letters of Recommendation. 3 letters of recommendation can be submitted through the Graduate School online application. At least two of these letters should be from college or university faculty members who can speak to your academic competencies. Professional practice references welcome. All letters should include the association to the applicant and length of time recommender has known applicant).
- Portfolio. All applicants will submit an electronic portfolio. Applicants with a background in design should include a sample of design projects from institutional coursework, independent creative work, writing samples, and/or professional practice. Including a link to an online document or website is preferred by the department, otherwise the file must be a single PDF and no larger than 20 MB.
- Resume/CV
- GRE Scores: Recommended but not required
Accreditation Statement
This program is not currently National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited and may not be accepted as meeting licensure requirements in many U.S. states. We are actively pursuing candidacy status with the NAAB for the Master of Architecture degree.
In the United States, most 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 professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
Janna Lancaster
Director of Graduate Study
phone 573-882-7224
place 137 Stanley Hall
email jlancaster@missouri.edu