College of Design Graduate Admissions

All applicants to the School of Architecture Graduate Program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university prior to starting the Master of Architecture Program. The Master of Architecture is a three-year professional degree program, which qualifies graduates to pursue licensure in architecture. Applicants with an NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Science or Arts in Architecture may apply for advanced standing to complete the graduate program within two years.

It is highly recommended that applicants have fulfilled a minimum of 45 credit hours of general studies in the arts, humanities and/or science at their undergraduate institution. Prior to enrollment in the program, candidates without an architectural background must have completed either a 3-credit university level course in general physics or two 3-credit courses in calculus, as well as a course in architectural graphic presentation (e.g., an architectural, environmental design, landscape or visual arts studio).

Applicants will be placed into the first or second year of the three-year program based on an evaluation of all application materials. To apply for advanced standing in the Master of Architecture program, candidates must demonstrate an ability to pursue advanced work in architectural design and provide a transcript of professional undergraduate or graduate coursework in an accredited professional degree program in architecture (accredited by National Architectural Accrediting Board in the United States or by Canberra Accord for international students).

The University of Kentucky School of Architecture provides financial and merit-based scholarships to qualified students, whenever possible. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, please submit your application by January 15.

ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Portfolio

• A portfolio provides a well-edited and broad representation of the applicant’s most important visual arts, design, research and/or professional work. Portfolios will be viewed by members of the admissions committee, and should be uploaded as a single PDF document (optimized not to exceed 20MB and limited to no more than 20 pages). 
• For candidates without a background in architecture, the portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s drawing skills and three-dimensional aptitude. Work represented may include drawings, paintings, sculpture, sketches, landscape and architectural designs, or other creative work.
• For applicants with degrees in architecture, who are seeking advanced standing in the graduate program, the portfolio should demonstrate an ability to pursue advanced work in architectural design. Within the limitations defined in the application, a portfolio should show ability in areas of architectural design and communication.
• The graduate admissions committee will evaluate portfolios and award advanced standing for competence in architectural design, coherent demonstration of spatial aptitude and visual acuity expressed through a basic understanding of material and construction, and a strong ability for clear visual communication. Candidates are encouraged to include complementary work that demonstrates visual and graphic capabilities in two-dimensional and three-dimensional work, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, sculpture, product design, film or interactive design.

Statement of Purpose

• An essay, not exceeding one page, that includes a brief personal history and reasons for pursuing a Master of Architecture. Upload your essay as a PDF document.

Transcripts

• Please provide official copies of transcripts for all previous graduate and undergraduate work. Applicants with an NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Science or Arts in Architecture, who are seeking advanced standing in the Master of Architecture program, should provide a National Architectural Accrediting Board Student Performance Criteria (SPC) course matrix from their undergraduate institution.
• If you have questions about whether your bachelor’s degree is accredited, the NAAB SPC course matrix, or other documents, please contact the College of Design Recruitment office at 859-257-8870 or designadmissions@uky.edu.

References

• Applicants will be asked to provide at least 3 letters of recommendation. References will be accepted up to 7 days after the program deadline.

GRE or TOEFL

• Please forward all Graduate Records Examination scores directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the University of Kentucky Graduate School, institution code R1837.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRADUATE DEGREES

Master of Historic Preservation(MHP) and online Masters in Heritage Resources Administration (MHRA)

To be considered for fall admission and all forms of financial aid, an application must be complete by March 1.  Applications received after this date will be considered for admission, but financial aid may be limited.

The following are required to apply to the MHP program:

• Transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Applicants must have obtained a baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution.
• A resume or curriculum vitae.
• Three letters of recommendation. Letters from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic ability and aptitude for graduate study are preferred. Note: The application requests contact information for three recommenders. Once your application is submitted, the university will contact each person identified and ask that they submit their recommendations directly to the Graduate School. You can log into the online system at any time to see who has submitted a recommendation.
• A personal statement describing your interests in historic preservation and the reasons you wish to earn a MHP (2,000 words maximum).
• A writing sample or portfolio. If submitting a writing sample, an analytic essay intended for an academic audience is preferred.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRADUATE CERTIFICATES

On-Campus and Online 

Applications for the certificate programs are accepted on a rolling basis, with opportunities to start in spring, summer, or fall.

The following are required to apply for the on-campus graduate certificate in Historic Preservation:

• Transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Applicants must have obtained a baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution.
• A resume or curriculum vitae.
• A personal statement describing your interests in historic preservation and the reasons you wish to pursue a graduate certificate in the field (1,000 words maximum).
• Two letters of recommendation. Note: Recommenders submit their letters directly to the Graduate School. The application requests contact information for two recommenders. Once your application is submitted, the university will contact each person identified and ask that they submit their recommendations directly to the Graduate School. You can log into the online system at any time to see who has submitted an application.

GRE scores are NOT required for graduate certificate applications.

To be considered for fall admission and all forms of financial aid, international applications must be complete by January 15, and domestic applications must be received by March 1.

INTERIORS GRADUATE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Statement of Purpose

• The statement of purpose should be a written essay that includes a brief personal history and reasons for pursuing a Master of Arts in Interiors at the University of Kentucky. Upload your essay as a PDF document not to exceed 2 pages.

Resume

• The resume should clearly highlight educational background, relevant experience, and skills in addition to (although not required) notable awards, honors, and research activity. Upload your resume as a PDF document not to exceed 5 pages.

Portfolio

• The portfolio should include a well-edited and broad representation of the applicant’s most important visual arts, design, research and/or professional work. 
• Portfolios should be uploaded as a single PDF document (optimized not to exceed 20MB and limited to no more than 20 pages).  
• For candidates without a background in interior design, the portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s drawing skills and three-dimensional aptitude. Work represented may include drawings, paintings, sculpture, sketches, landscape and architectural designs, or other creative work. 
• The portfolio will be reviewed by members of the admissions committee. 

Transcripts

• Official transcripts from previous educational institutions uploaded as a pdf.

References

• Applicants will be asked to provide at least 3 letters of recommendation. References will be accepted up to 7 days after the program deadline.