PhD

Architecture and Design Research

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
201–250 place StudyQA ranking:4319 Duration:4 years

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There are two major tracks within the Ph.D. in Architecture and Design Research degree program, each of which has topical areas. The requirements for the tracks vary slightly, but both provide significant flexibility for each student to develop a plan of study consistent with his or her academic goals. The two tracks are Architecture and Design Research.

Architecture Track

The Architecture track within the Ph.D program in Architecture and Design Research includes research topics in Architectural Representation and Education, Architectural History and Theory, Historic Preservation, and Computing and Representation.

The Architecture track will share resources on the Blacksburg Campus and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center in the National Capital Region (NCR). At the latter location, students have the best resources to develop their topics in architectural representation since they can make use of the many research libraries available in the Washington, DC area, including the Library of Congress, National Building Museum library, American Institute of Architects Library, CASVA, Smithsonian Institution, the Dumbarton Oaks Library and many privately-owned architectural archives.

Design Research Track

The Design Research track within the Ph.D. program in Architecture and Design Research primarily operates on the Blacksburg campus. A principal focus area within the Design Research track is Building Science. Candidates for the Ph.D. in Architecture and Design Research may also conduct research on topics related to Landscape Architecture. Over the past fifteen years the number of students and diversity of research activities in the Design Research track has steadily grown resulting in an internationally recognized program. Admission to the program is highly competitive with only a few admissions offered each year. 

he faculty are seeking to admit a highly selective group of students who have master’s degrees in closely allied fields, such as Architecture, Environmental Design, Building Science, Landscape Architecture, Architecture History and Theory, Interior Design, and Industrial Design. In addition to the application requirements of the Virginia Tech Graduate School and those pertaining to all graduate programs within the School of Architecture + Design, applicants to the Ph.D. degree in Architecture and Design Research must submit a portfolio and a 2,500 word statement of research focus.

Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. in Architecture and Design Research:

  • The Graduate School requires each Ph.D. student to complete 90 semester hours of graduate study and dissertation.
  • All students, regardless of area of specialization, are required to complete a sequence of specific Architecture and Design Seminars. A two-semester sequence seminar will focus primarily on epistemology and the nature of discipline and practice of architecture, viewed in the context of architecture and the allied fields. Students will also enroll in a continuing seminar course required every semester of residence. In these seminars, Ph.D. students, the School faculty involved with the graduate program, and possible guests present their own research for critical review and feedback. The Ph.D. students in the Architecture track must also pass a test of reading ability in a foreign language related to their selected topics (native languages and English do not fulfill this requirement).
  • In addition, all students must complete a special Research Methods course organized by area of specialization. At the approval of the student’s advisory committee the course may be also taken in the other area of specialization or outside of the school.

The degree in architecture or a related field is not absolutely required, applicants must demonstrate relevant background and experience, as well as capabilities for undertaking advanced academic study.

In order for an application to be considered, the following items must be submitted:

  • A completed graduate application (on-line strongly recommended), including payment of a nonrefundable application fee.
  • Up-to-date transcripts of undergraduate and graduate records. Copies of your official transcripts should be uploaded into the on-line application. Please do not mail your official transcripts to us until you have received an offer of admission from Virginia Tech. Please note that non-legible scans will not be accepted. Make sure your scanned documents are legible before uploading, as non-legible documents will result in processing delays. Make sure your scanned copy is of your official transcript. A grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale) for the last 60 semester credit hours, or equivalent, is required. An applicant whose previous academic performance is deemed slightly deficient (grade point average of 2.75 to 2.99) or whose transcripts are not current may be admitted as a “Provisional” student, as described in the University Graduate Catalog.
  • Three letters of recommendation from teachers, professionals or other people knowledgeable about the applicant’s work. Letters of recommendation that are not submitted on-line should be sent directly to the Graduate Architecture Program office.
  • A Résumé and a Statement of Intent briefly describing the applicant’s background, personal interests, motivation for the study of architecture, and, if applicable, proposed area of research focus. In lieu of the brief Statement of Intent, PhD applicants must submit a 2,500-word statement of research focus.
  • The Graduate School requires official test scores from the TOEFL for all International applicants. The minimum TOEFL score for the The School of Architecture + Design is 233 computer based, 577 paper based and 90 for Internet based. We will also accept the IELTS score of 7.0. The School of Architecture + Design requires official GRE scores for applicants for the M.Arch.3, Comprehensive Professional Studies program, the Master of Science in Architecture program, the Ph.D. program and all international applicants. GRE scores are recommended for all other applicants.

 

The School of Architecture + Design offers:

  • scholarships, both merit- and need-based (to qualify for a need-based scholarship, a student’s FAFSA results must show an unmet financial need at the time of the award);
  • internship opportunities;
  • the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP);
  • graduate assistantships and tuition remission scholarships;
  • student employment opportunities, including wage employment and employment through the Federal Work-Study Program.
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