Master of Architecture, M.Arch
Architects today are interdisciplinary public intellectuals who engage their community, discipline, and the world through many forms of creative professional practice.
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.
To be admitted into the 2G track, the admissions committee conducts an initial review of the applicant’s portfolio and transcript(s) to ensure that the prior degree satisfies the learning outcomes required for advanced standing. Normally, this is only possible if the applicant has completed an undergraduate degree program that includes coursework comparable to that of a NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture program. Applicants may be asked to provide syllabi for any or all courses listed on their transcripts for review by the Graduate Architecture Chair, who makes the final determination regarding eligibility for entry into the 2G program. Applicants whose undergraduate degree does not meet the requirements for advanced placement may be admitted to the 3G program. In such cases, it may be possible to waive certain required courses. The process for requesting course waivers is outlined in the Graduate Handbook and may be initiated during academic advising at orientation.
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
Full Curriculum Chart – 2G
Full Curriculum Chart – 3G
View more courses on UT’s Course Catalog