Students admitted to the program must already hold either a master’s degree in architecture from an accredited program or have an accredited professional degree in architecture and a master’s degree in a related field. A current architectural license and design practice may be applied in lieu of a professional degree in architecture; however, a master’s degree in a related field would still be required in this scenario.

Please do not contact faculty advisors during the application process. Before an admission offer, our department will establish whether there is a sufficient match between your scholarly goals and aspirations with the skills, interests, and availability of at least one faculty member who would be willing to serve as a major advisor.

Before beginning your departmental application, please review the PhD Handbook carefully so you can align your application with the program’s capabilities. You can also review doctoral student profiles.

Degree Info: PhD in Architecture

Application Process

The Division of Graduate Studies offers limited graduate application fee waivers for applicants who meet specific criteria, as outlined on the Division of Graduate Studies' application fee waiver page. 

• UO Division of Graduate Studies Application Requirements 
  • Domestic Applicants – Application fee $70 
  • International Applicants – Application fee $90 
  • UO Transcript Requirement 

Department of Architecture Application Requirements:

• Summary of Goals and Intent
  • Describe your general academic and career goals, the field(s) in which you would like to study, and why you wish to attend the University of Oregon, and the issues that are important to your proposed area of research. You may want to refer to specific classes, faculty, or research projects that interest you. Your ideas should be clear, specific, and persuasive. 
• Statement of Research Intent
  • Describe your intended area of specialization with a specific research proposal for your dissertation. Your proposal should succinctly describe a research question, articulate why it is important to the field of architecture, demonstrate an understanding of the relevant literature and gaps in current knowledge, and identify several research methods that can be applied to the problem and potential outcomes. It is expected that your ideas will evolve when you are here, but the committee will use this proposal to assess your ability to conceptualize and articulate a research plan and your preparedness to pursue these ideas. 
• Writing Sample
• Vitae or Resume
• Transcripts
  • Eligible applicants must have earned an MArch degree, a post-professional degree in architecture, or a professional degree in architecture and a master’s degree in a related field.
• GRE Test Results
  • Official GRE test scores need to be sent to the University of Oregon, Institutional Code: 4846
• Three (3) Recommendations
• Portfolio

Non-native English speakers need to meet the UO Division of Graduate Studies’ language proficiency requirements.

Once admitted to the program, a deposit will be required of all incoming students.

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Online Interviews

As part of the admissions process, some applicants will be asked to participate in a departmental online interview during which the candidate will have an opportunity to answer and ask questions. Interviews generally take place in February.

Graduate Teaching

Department of Architecture graduate employee (GE) positions will be offered to some Ph.D. applicants who have been offered admission.

Graduate Employees: English Language Policy for Non-Native English Speakers

Non-native English speakers in Graduate Employee teaching positions are required to prove their spoken English proficiency by way of the SPEAK Test or the speaking component of the internet-based TOEFL or IELTS.

For questions about the program or for more information, please contact our SAE Student Ambassadors at archrecruiter@uoregon.edu or at 541-346-1740.