MS Architecture Admissions & Cost

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

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

• Degree: Applicants must hold at least 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 English proficiency exemptions. Duolingo scores are not accepted as tests of English proficiency.

*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 non-refundable application fee 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 upload a statement of purpose that addresses each of the four prompts (maximum 200 words each). Please ensure that the writing is clear, well-stated, and specific. 

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. 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: Submit a current resume or CV summarizing your educational, professional, and other relevant experience.

Reference Recommendation: Please provide the names and contact information of three references who can speak to your potential for success in graduate studies. In most cases this should include at least one academic reference (i.e., a professor or instructor). It is always best practice to notify references in advance of listing them. Your application will not be considered complete unless the recommendations have been submitted by your references; thus it is your responsibility to monitor this completion and follow up with your references accordingly.

Academic and Creative Work Samples: Please upload a single PDF document that includes academic and creative work that informs your research interests.

Formatting

Single PDF of no more than 10 to 20 pages, no more than 20 MB.

Be sure to include a cover with title and a table of contents.

Be Mindful Of

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

What to Include

Include projects, published and unpublished writing samples, or other creative work examples that represent interests in built environment and architectural design research.

Transcripts: Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended. For transcripts not issued in English, include an English translation 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.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) POLICY

The University of Arizona MS.Arch program supports the critical, transparent, and appropriately credited use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in architectural research, design, and practice. As part of the admissions process, however, we want to understand each applicant’s thoughts, experiences, perceptions, and aspirations in their own voice.

AI may be used to assist in the development and refinement of application materials, but it should not substitute for the applicant’s own ideas, experiences, judgment, or voice. Applicants are responsible for the accuracy, authenticity, and final content of everything they submit.

AI-assisted work may be included in the portfolio. For any project in which AI contributed meaningfully to the work, applicants must identify how AI was used and clearly distinguish their own role, process, and critical judgment.

Failure to disclose AI use where required, or use of AI to misrepresent an applicant’s authorship, experience, or abilities, may result in an application being disqualified.

We recognize that funding is an important part of your graduate education planning and the University of Arizona offers a range of opportunities to support MS.Arch students.

• Graduate Tuition Waivers: A limited number of tuition waivers are awarded to first-year MS.Arch students, helping to offset the initial cost of graduate study. All admitted students are automatically considered for these awards during the admissions process. Priority is given to those that submit complete applications by the priority deadline.
• Resident Tuition Programs: Eligible students may qualify for the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which provides reduced tuition rates for residents of participating states and territories: AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, MP, GU, MH, FM, PW, and AS.
• Assistantships: Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available to students in the MS.Arch program, providing financial support as well as valuable professional experience. While assistantships are rarely awarded in the first semester, students are considered for these opportunities as they progress in the program.
• Scholarships: After completing their first full year in the program, students are eligible to apply for a number of scholarships specific to CAPLA. The University of Arizona also offers a wide range of scholarships and financial aid opportunities for both incoming and returning students. Please visit the Scholarships & Financial Aid website for details.

PROGRAM COST
Tuition and fees subject to change. Listed amounts are based off 2026-2027 rates.