The Master of Architecture is a first-professional graduate degree, accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). This two-year degree comprises the second part of a sequential “4+2” curriculum, in which a student obtains a four-year (non-professional) Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and concludes with the two-year, first-professional Masters of Architecture degree. Students who receive this degree are eligible to seek professional registration as an architect.
The Graduate School of Architecture offers an accredited Master of Architecture, a two-year and three-year+ professional degree program, which qualifies graduates to pursue licensure in architecture. Applicants with National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited Bachelor of Science or Arts in Architecture may apply for advanced standing, in order to complete the graduate program within two years.
All applicants to the School of Architecture Graduate Program must have a bachelor degree from an accredited four-year college or university prior to starting the Master of Architecture Program. The Master of Architecture is a three-year professional degree program, which qualifies graduates to pursue licensure in architecture. Applicants with NAAB accredited Bachelor of Science or Arts in Architecture may apply for advanced standing, in order to complete the graduate program within two years.
It is recommended that applicants have fulfilled a minimum of 45 credit hours of general studies in the arts, humanities and/or science at their undergraduate institution. Prior to enrollment in the program, candidates without an architectural background must have completed either a 3-credit university level course in general physics or two 3-credit courses in calculus, as well as a course in architectural graphic presentation (e.g. an architectural, environmental design, landscape, or visual arts studio).
Applicants will be placed into the first or second year of the three-year program based on an evaluation of all application materials. To apply for advanced standing in the Master of Architecture program, candidates must demonstrate an ability to pursue advanced work in architectural design and provide a transcript of professional undergraduate or graduate coursework in an accredited professional degree program in architecture (accredited by National Architectural Accrediting Board in the US or by Canberra Accord for international students).
The University of Kentucky School of Architecture provides financial and merit based scholarships to qualified students, whenever possible. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, please submit your application by January 15.
Application Requirements
- CV
- Personal Statement
- A single-spaced essay, not exceeding one page, that includes a brief personal history and reasons for pursuing a Master of Architecture. Upload your essay as a PDF document.
- Portfolio
- A portfolio provides a well-edited and broad representation of the applicant’s most important visual arts, design, research, and/or professional work. Portfolios will be viewed on a computer screen by members of the admissions committee, and should be uploaded as a single PDF document (optimized not to exceed 20MB and limited to no more than 20 pages).
- For candidates without a background in architecture, the portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s drawing skills and three-dimensional aptitude. Work represented may include drawings, paintings, sculpture, sketches, landscape and architectural designs, or other creative work.
- For applicants with degrees in architecture, who are seeking advanced standing in the graduate program, the portfolio should demonstrate an ability to pursue advanced work in architectural design. Within the limitations defined in the application, a portfolio should show ability in areas of architectural design and communication.
- The graduate admissions committee will evaluate portfolios and award advanced standing for competence in architectural design, coherent demonstration of spatial aptitude and visual acuity expressed through a basic understanding of material and construction, and a strong ability for clear visual communication. Candidates are encouraged to include complementary work that demonstrates visual and graphic capabilities in two-dimensional and three-dimensional work, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, sculpture, product design, film, or interaction design.
- NAAB Matrix
- Students applying to the graduate program must provide a copy of their respective school's NAAB Matrix. If your school is not part of a NAAB professional degree program and you would like to apply to the UK College of Design School of Architecture, please see our Undergraduate Application.
- Please provide official copies of transcripts for all previous graduate and undergraduate work. Applicants with NAAB accredited Bachelor of Science or Arts in Architecture, who seeking advanced standing in the Master of Architecture program, should provide a National Architectural Accrediting Board Student Performance Criteria (SPC) course matrix from their undergraduate institution.
- If you have questions about whether your bachelor degree is accredited, the NAAB SPC course matrix, or other documents, please contact the UK/CoD Recruitment office at 859.257.8870 or designadmissions@uky.edu.
- If you have questions about the NAAB Matrix, please contact Azhar Swanson in UK/CoD Student Services, 859-257-7623 or aswan2@uky.edu.
- GRE
- Please forward all Graduate Records Examination scores directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the University of Kentucky Graduate School, institution code R1837.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Applicant will be asked to provide at least 3 letters of recommendation. References will be accepted up to 7 days after the program deadline.
Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements.
Application Deadlines
- Please refer to the UK Graduate School for both International and Domestic deadlines.
- To be considered for a scholarship, please submit your application by January 15.
