Master of Architecture Track II (Portland)

Degree Requirements | Non-Studio Requirements | Studio Requirements | Sample Curriculum


Degree Overview: Master of Architecture Track II

Our master of architecture (MArch) degree allows you to complete a professional degree, leading to a path for licensure, in a stimulating academic environment characterized by cooperation, rigor, and a commitment to quality in the built environment. Studio projects and courses deal with real projects and problems and engage students in state-of-the-art knowledge and tools to produce visionary leaders. 

Eligible applicants must have a pre-professional degree in architecture from a qualified university that is equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree. A four-year program is considered qualified if the school has an accredited graduate program in architecture. Exceptions may be considered for those with very strong applications. The program is two years, beginning in the fall, and is available at two campus locations: Eugene and Portland.

Prior to fall term admissions, students who choose the Portland location should have completed coursework in:

Portland, Oregon, is known for its innovative leadership in the green buildings movement, breaking new ground in energy conservation practices, mass timber construction, land use development models, and equitable multimodal transportation planning. The city's critical position at the confluence of a diverse set of regional ecologies makes it an unparalleled urban laboratory for the study of architecture and its engagement with social, economic, and environmental systems. With the Design for Spatial Justice initiative, the Portland Program works to ensure that a green city is a just city. Major research threads here include climate action and spatial justice, mobility and inclusion, and housing and health that are spearheaded by research centers such as the Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory and its Institute for Health in the Built Environment, UrbanismNext and the Collaborative for Inclusive Urbanism.

The UO Portland Architecture program houses approximately 60 students in its studio and lab spaces in the historic White Stag Block. Track II students are joined by Track 1 master of architecture graduate students and fifth-year bachelor of architecture students who have completed core architectural studies at the Eugene campus.

The Eugene program for graduate architecture studies houses approximately 160 students in its studio and lab spaces in Lawrence Hall. Focusing on sustainable architecture, building tectonics and performance, urban design, design leadership, and health in the built environment. The program includes Track II graduate students along with Track 1 MArch, MS, PhD, and BArch students.

The Master of Architecture Track II is a STEM-designated degree.

Learn about prerequisites for this degree


Degree Requirements


Required Courses

Professional Coursework (Non-Studio) Requirements (minimum 47 credits)

Introductory Media and Process

5 Credits Total

ARCH 611 Graduate Design Process

3 Credits

ARCH 610 Introduction to Architectural Computing

2 Credits

Intermediate Media

3 Credits Total

ARCH 523 Media for Design Development

3 Credits

Design Arts

12 Credits Total

ARCH 540 Human Context of Design

4 Credits

Design Technology

28 Credits Total

ARCH 561 Structural Behavior

6 Credits

ARCH 562 Structural Design

6 Credits

ARCH 571 Building Enclosure

4 Credits

ARCH 591 Environmental Control Systems I

4 Credits

ARCH 592 Environmental Control Systems II

4 Credits

Professional Practice

4 Credits Total

ARCH 517 Context of the Architectural Profession

4 Credits

Architectural History

3 Courses Minimum

Three 500-level courses covering areas:

  • ancient (ARH)
  • renaissance (ARH)
  • modern (ARCH 610: 20th Century Architecture History)

 

Subject Area Electives

 

Subject area electives include ARCH 607: Option II Seminar

 

Courses not offered in Portland
(must be completed during undergraduate)

 

ARCH 530 Architectural Contexts: Place and Culture
(substitute ARCH 535 Principles of Urban Design)

4 Credits

ARCH 550 Spatial Composition

4 Credits

ARCH 570 Building Construction

4 Credits


Architectural Design (Studio) Requirements (minimum 40 credits)

ARCH 683 Introductory Graduate Design

6 Credits

ARCH 584 Architectural Design (Three Terms)

18 Credits (3 Terms x 6 Credits)

ARCH 585 Architectural Design I

8 Credits

ARCH 586 Advanced Architectural Design II

8 Credits


Professional Focus: 15+ credits (can be integrated into other degree requirements)

Master of Architecture students are required to declare a professional focus. This requirement can be fulfilled through one of three options:

  1. Completing credits in an approved cluster of courses. See the Graduate Advanced Study Cluster Requirements worksheet.
  2. Completing required coursework for one of the following specializations:
    Historic Preservation (Portland campus only)—See the Historic Preservation Specialization Requirements worksheet.
    Urban Architecture and Urban Design (Portland campus only)—See the Urban Architecture and Urban Design Specialization Requirements worksheet.

Students pursuing concurrent master's degrees are not required to complete a professional focus.

See Master of Architecture—Declaring A Professional Focus for additional information. Further details on completing the professional focus requirement are available with the departmental academic advisor.

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Sample Curriculum Outline

Most required courses are only offered in certain terms as shown. Your core course requirements are determined by transcript evaluation.

Year One

FALL TERM

13 Credits

ARCH 683 Introductory Graduate Design

6 Credits

ARCH 607 Option II Seminar

3 Credits

Required Core Course

4 Credits

WINTER TERM

14 Credits

ARCH 584 Architectural Design

6 Credits

Required Core Course

4 Credits

Required Core Course

4 Credits

SPRING TERM

14 Credits

ARCH 584 Architectural Design

6 Credits

Required Core Course

4 Credits

Subject Area Elective

4 Credits


Year Two

FALL TERM

16 Credits

ARCH 584 Architectural Design

6 Credits

Required Core Course

4 Credits

Subject Area Elective

4 Credits

WINTER TERM

16 Credits

ARCH 585 Architectural Design I

8 Credits

Subject Area Elective

4 Credits

Subject Area Elective

4 Credits

SPRING TERM

16 Credits

ARCH 586 Advanced Architectural Design II

8 Credits

ARCH 517 Context of the Architectural Profession

4 Credits

Subject Area Elective

4 Credits

Note: Subject area electives can be taken any term and in any order.

Master of Architecture Track II (PDX)
Degree Requirements

 

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