MS Architecture Admissions & Cost

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE REQUIREMENT

Students applying to the program must meet University of Arizona Graduate College admissions standards:

• Degree: Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-US institution of higher learning. 
• GPA: A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.*
• English proficiency: International students must demonstrate English language proficiency and submit current test scores. Please review U of A Graduate College English Proficiency requirements for acceptable thresholds and exemptions.
• Entrance exams such as the GRE are not required.

*Applicants that do not meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, may pursue admission in the future by enrolling in 6 to 12 units as a Graduate Non-Degree Seeking student. For more information, please contact capla-grad@arizona.edu.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required to apply to the MS.Arch.

Prospective MS Arch students must apply online using GradApp. Applications will not be evaluated until all application material has been submitted in GradApp and the application fee has been paid. The non-refundable application fee for the MA program is $90. Please note that we do not provide application fee waivers. 

All applicants must upload the following documents using PDF format:

Statement of Purpose: Please write a concise statement of purpose outlining your reasons for applying to the University of Arizona's  Master of Science in Architecture program. Your ideas should be clear, well-stated, and specific. The essay should be 500-1000 words with one-inch margins and single to 1.5 line spacing.

1. Goals and objectives for pursuing this degree: This must include a summary of your research interests in the built environment and how it relates to current MS.Arch concentration/s.

2. Relevant qualifications and academic and/or professional preparation.

3. Career academic and professional goals that this degree will help you achieve.

4. Optional: In a few lines, discuss any SoA CAPLA faculty work that interests you and specify faculty you may want to work with for your thesis research.

Resume or CV: Please include a resume or CV outlining your academic and professional background.

Letters of Recommendation: Please provide the names and email addresses of three people who can speak to your potential for success in graduate studies. A combination of academic and professional recommendations is preferred.

Portfolio: Please upload a portfolio that adheres to the following guidelines and does not exceed 20 pages, including the cover, title and table of contents.

1. Include projects, publications or other creative work examples that represent your research and design interests in the built environment. 

2. Non-design background students may include selected research publications or other writing and work examples that represent their research interests.

3. In collaborative/team projects, be transparent and specify your role and responsibilities. 

4. Select the best projects that are well-organized, show a progression of skill, and include variety. Your work should communicate concepts quickly and visually. 

5. Aim for an uncluttered and attractive visual layout. 

Transcripts: Please include unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended. If not in English, please be sure to include English translations in addition to the original. Upon admission, you are required to submit official copies of all transcripts to the University of Arizona Graduate College by the end of your first semester.

Graduate research and teaching assistantships may be available for students, but these are usually not awarded in the first semester of the program. Please refrain from contacting faculty and staff to solicit these opportunities during the application process.