Master of Science in Architecture (Portland)

Degree Overview

The post-professional architecture master of science (MS) degree allows students to complete advanced research and design work that builds on an existing professional degree in architecture, architectural engineering, structural engineering, construction management, or a related field.

Eligible applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited four-year U.S. college or university or hold an equivalent credential from a qualifying international institution. This degree does not provide a path to licensure.

Students who choose to study in Portland have access to a vital urban laboratory and a range of facilities housed in Highland Hall on the Northeast campus. Certain courses such as the recommended Research Methods courses ARCH 620 and ARCH 678 must either be taken in Eugene or via videoconferencing.

The Master of Science in Architecture (Portland) is a STEM-designated degree.

Learn more about what our faculty members are researching by reading their profiles.

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Degree Requirements (45 Minimum Credits)

Students have a wide range of courses and groups of courses to choose from in this degree program, which may be completed in one year or more.

The Master of Science in Architecture degree program provides an opportunity for advanced study and contribution to knowledge in the field through a thesis or terminal project. The post-professional Master of Science in Architecture (MS) degree allows students to complete advanced research and/or design inquiry that builds on an existing professional degree in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, architectural engineering, structural engineering, construction management, or another related field.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science degree program must take a minimum of 45 graduate credits, of which 30 must be in architecture and 9 must be at the 600 level. Students complete a minimum of three terms in residence and are required to complete 9 credits in ARCH 503 Thesis or Terminal Project (ARCH 619).

Students in this program are expected to develop an individual research topic leading to a thesis or terminal project in one or more of the following areas of faculty research and design excellence:

  • Architectural History and Theory: Preservation, Adaptive-reuse, Architectural Theory and Criticism
  • Sustainable Urbanism and Housing: Urban Architecture and Urban Design, Housing Design, Community Design, Livable Communities, New Mobility, and Climate Action

MS in architecture students join a community of inquiring architects, engineers, and designers who are committed to solving multi-faceted problems and furthering architectural knowledge. We seek candidates with an interest in research and gaining technical design skills in topics that may include:

Specializations and Graduate Certificates (optional)

Students may also choose to add one of the following optional specializations or graduate certificates to their degree:

Further details on completing these specializations and certificates are available with the departmental academic advisor.

Courses

Research Inquiry Coursework

MS students may select any number of courses and are strongly recommended to take the following courses:

ARCH 601 Research

4–8 Credits

ARCH 620 Research Methods in Sustainable Design

4 Credits

ARCH 633 History of Sustainable Design

4 Credits

View Course Descriptions

Electives

Below is a list of advanced seminar courses that may assist students in their thesis. Graduates have additional readings, end-of-term paper requirements, comprehensive analysis, research presentations, and/or additional time with the instructor.

AAAP 510 Cultures of Sustainability
ARCH 507 Sustainable Urbanism
ARCH 507 Real Estate Development
ARCH 507 Design the Unseen (Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory)
ARCH 507 Incremental Urbanism
ARCH 507 Ecologies of Health
ARCH 507 Interior Urbanism
ARCH 510 Urbanism Next
ARCH 510 Inclusive Urbanism
ARCH 510 Urban Water Solutions
ARCH 510 Resilient Housing
ARCH 535 Principles of Urban Design
ARCH 537 Theory and History of Urban Design II
ARCH 538 Housing Prototypes
ARCH 558 Types and Typologies
ARCH 607 Track II Portland Architecture Seminar on Urban Research and Climate Action
ARCH 678 Advanced Research Methods

Technical Teaching Courses

ARCH 602 Supervised College Teaching
ARCH 661 Teaching Technical Subjects in Architecture
ARCH 690 Teaching Technology in Architectural Design

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