Urban Design Specialization

Requirements | Instructions

Urban Design Specialization¹ [16 Credits]

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Required Courses

10 Credits

Required courses [6 Credits]

• ARCH 534          Sustainable Urbanism
• ARCH 537          Theory of Urban Design II

Required studio with an Urban Design focus [4 credits will count toward the specialization]

• AARCH 584 Architectural Design
• ARCH 585 Architectural Design I
• ARCH 586 Advanced Architectural Design II

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Electives²

6 Credits minimum

Choose from: 

• ARCH 531 Community Design
• ARCH 535 Principles of Urban Design
• ARCH 538 Housing Prototypes
• ARCH 558 Types and Typology
• ARCH 601 Research [Independent Research 1-2 credits]
• LA 515 Computers in Landscape Architecture
• PPPM 534  Urban Geographic Information Systems
• PPPM 542 Sustainable Urban Development
• JCOM 637 Community Listening

¹ Any course substitutions require approval from the Director of Graduate Studies and the SAE advisor after the Specialization is declared and before course registration. Requests must include the course number, title, term, and reason for the substitution.

² Students may take courses offered under the temporary course codes 506/607, 507 508, 608, 510/610 with the URAD attribute to count as electives in the Urban Design Specialization. There may be 523 courses and courses taken during a study abroad.

The University of Oregon Department of Architecture offers graduate specializations in focused academic and professional areas with a strong graduate‑level curriculum.

Graduate specializations are listed after the major on official university records and transcripts (not on the diploma) and are awarded upon graduation with the primary degree.

Eligibility

To earn a specialization, students must:

1. Be enrolled in the MArch or MS degree program in the Department of Architecture
2. Complete 16 credits of approved coursework
3. Earn a grade of B- or better, or P, in all specialization courses

Getting Started

1. Review the Division of Graduate Studies’ Pursuing a Graduate Specialization guidelines.
2. Plan your coursework using the approved course list.
3. Review past course offerings on the Department of Architecture current student site.

Students are expected to complete courses from the approved list or from subject area electives designated ahead of each term. Course substitutions are possible but require approval from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Completing the Specialization

1. Before your final term, schedule an appointment with the SAE Advisor. 
   • Example: For spring graduation, schedule no later than early March
2. Bring the following completed forms to your appointment: 
   • Specialization Requirements Form
     • Include term/year, credits, and grades for each course
   • Declaration of Graduate Specialization Form
     • Available on the Division of Graduate Studies website
3. Both forms must be approved by Friday of Week 2 of the graduation term.
4. Apply for graduation online and declare the specialization when prompted.

Notes

1. Earning a specialization is not required for graduation.  
2. You can earn both a certificate and a specialization if your schedule allows.
3. Talk with the SAE Advisor if you’re interested in completing more than one specialization.