MS Architecture Admissions & Cost

Applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year Open September 1.

Prospective students are encouraged to review the admission and application requirements below. Once you are ready to apply, please complete your online application through GradApp. If you have any questions, consider attending one of our information sessions or contact our graduate programs coordinator

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Deadline 1: January 16 (for full consideration of college/departmental financial support)
Deadline 2: February 19
Deadline 3: March 15*

After March 15, applications will be considered on a rolling basis depending on program capacity.

* To allow time for I-20 and visa processing, we recommend international applicants meet the March 15 deadline.

Apply Now


PROGRAM COST

IN-STATE AND WRGP TUITION AND FEES
Per semester (7+ units)
$7,369 tuition + $1,500 program fees + $59 university fees

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION AND FEES
Per semester (7+ units)
$16,996 + $1,500 program fees + $59 university fees

Tuition and fees subject to change.

View Detailed Cost Information

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

*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 students must submit application materials directly to the University of Arizona Graduate College. Apply online using GradApp, the Graduate College's online admissions application.

The nonrefundable application fee for degree-seeking and certificate-seeking applications is $90, and for non-degree-seeking applications is $45. Learn more about graduate application fees.

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.

 

After their first full year in the program, students are eligible for a number of CAPLA-specific scholarships.

The university also offers other scholarship and financial aid opportunities for incoming and returning students.

CAPLA also offers WRGP pricing for eligible incoming and returning students.

Students may be eligible for graduate research and teaching assistantships, though they are not typically awarded in the first semester of the program.

Explore Scholarships & Financial Aid

From the West? Get Arizona Resident Tuition Pricing for the MS.Arch!

If you're from one of 15 Western states, you're now eligible for Arizona resident tuition pricing for the Master of Science in Architecture through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP).

Learn More About This New Pricing Program