Master of Architecture

About the Graduate Degree

The School of Architecture offers an accredited Master of Architecture, a two-year or 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. With a rich history of industry-renowned faculty and alumni designing internationally, the School of Architecture prepares students for a myriad of professional opportunities.

Curriculum

The graduate architecture degree consists of a series of architecture studios, supplemented by courses in history, theory, building technology, and professional practice.

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Graduate Pathways

The School of Architecture offers two degree pathways — a two-year or three-year option — for students with a range of backgrounds and levels of experience.

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Student Work

Program-Specific Costs

The expenses listed below are specific to the Master of Architecture program and do not include university tuition, program fees or other costs. These figures are estimates only. Actual costs may vary.

Computer: $2,650
Software: $340

(3+) First Year
Textbooks: $20
Materials + Printing: $100
Total: $120

(2-Year) First Year
Textbooks: $75
Materials + Printing: $1,050
Total: $1,125

(2-Year) Second Year
Textbooks: $100
Materials + Printing: $900
Total: $1,000

Grand Total: $5,235

Career Resources

Architecture students at the University of Kentucky have access to comprehensive career development resources through multiple university channels. The Stuckert Career Center provides specialized services including resume reviews, portfolio consultations, mock interviews, and career counseling tailored to design professions. Students can access job and internship postings through Handshake, the university's career management platform, which features opportunities from architecture firms, construction companies, and design studios nationwide. The College of Design also maintains relationships with professional alumni and industry partners who participate in portfolio and project reviews, on-campus recruiting events and networking sessions. Additionally, students benefit from career workshops focused on licensure pathways, professional practice, and the transition from academic work to professional employment. The School of Architecture's affiliation with professional organizations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) provides students with access to additional career resources, mentorship opportunities, and industry connections that support their professional development throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Accreditation

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The University of Kentucky School of Architecture offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:

Master of Architecture (bachelors degree + minimum 48 credit hours for two-year M.Arch / varies for 3+ track, based on prior studies). This two-year or “3+” track leads to professional licensure (applicants with an undergraduate degree in architecture may begin in the two-year track).

The University of Kentucky School of Architecture also offers the:

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, a four-year undergraduate degree requiring a minimum of 120 credit hours.

The 2020 NAAB Conditions and Procedures were in effect at the time of the last accreditation visit. The next NAAB APR submission and visit will be in academic year 2029-30.

Licensure Disclosure

States may have additional requirements for programs that lead to professional licensure or certification. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state. Visit the UK Out-of-State Educational Activities website to learn more about your program.