The Graduate Architecture Program at Tennessee challenges students to do more than envision buildings. We influence contemporary technology, material cultures, and political economies while drawing from histories and theories of the built environment. We prepare graduate students to be active intellectuals, willing and able to engage in cultural production and agency. 

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Program Overview  

The School of Architecture offers two tracks leading to a professional Master of Architecture degree—both of which challenge students to design their path through elective offerings, research studios, study abroad options, and degree concentrations. 

Master of Architecture – 3G 

The 3G track admits students from all backgrounds including design, architecture, engineering, sciences, as well as humanities and the arts. This program typically takes three-and-a-half years to complete, and it begins in July. Prospective students should apply for summer second-session enrollment.  

Master of Architecture – 2G 

The 2G track admits students looking to complete a 4+2 pathway, including those holding a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from a NAAB-accredited institution. This program typically takes two years to complete, and it starts in August. Prospective students should apply for fall enrollment. 

An architecture degree from a NAAB-accredited school of architecture is required to be admitted to this track. All other prospective students must apply to the 3G program. 

Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture Dual-Degree (M.Arch + MLA) 

The School of Architecture and the School of Landscape Architecture offer a dual program leading to the conferral of both the Master of Landscape Architecture degree and the Master of Architecture degree. This initiative addresses the growing need for graduates with an understanding of the disciplinary concepts, skills, and agendas of both architecture and landscape architecture. We educate hybrid professionals who are both willing and able to make a strong difference in a world that is increasingly ecologically and systematically designed. 

Concentrations  

Students interested in declaring a concentration will complete a statement of intent and seek advice and approval for the courses chosen. A minimum of 12 graduate credit hours are required to obtain a concentration.  

Read about our specializations on the UT Course Catalog:  

Benefits to Specializing 

Architects lead diverse teams to produce complex projects. Specializing your degree through a concentration allows you to learn techniques and methodologies in an area of expertise that will strengthen your creative practice. Concentrations position architects as deep experts in a subject of specialization and as collaborators with designers and professionals in related disciplines. Concentrations are an additional credential to the professional degree, allowing our graduates to differentiate themselves. 

First-Year Courses   

3G Track 

Recommended pre-requisites: Humanities (12 Hours), Physics (1 course), Pre-calculus (1 course). 

Summer  

ARCH 538 Design I: Foundations
ARCH 518 Design Representation and Process I
ARCH 501 Introduction to the Built Environment

Fall 

ARCH 541 Design II: Explorations
ARCH 519 Design Representation and Process II
ARCH 511 History and Theory of Architecture I
ARCH 557 Structural Practices in Architecture 

Spring 

ARCH 542 Design III: Synthesis
ARCH 512 History and Theory of Architecture II
ARCH 558 Materials and Methods in Architecture
Architecture Approved Elective 

View more courses on UT’s Course Catalog 

2G Track 

Fall  

ARCH 571 Design IV: Architecture and Urbanism 
ARCH 527 Design Tactics
2 Architecture Approved Electives 

Spring 

ARCH 572 Design V: Design Integration 
ARCH 528 Design Theories
ARCH 560 Seminar in Design Integration 
Architecture Approved Elective  

View more courses on UT’s Course Catalog