Architecture

The Master of Architecture is a three-year professional degree, which weaves together the highest level of disciplinary expertise with the critical and technical skills necessary to recast the boundaries of the discipline, building on a long legacy of groundbreaking innovation in the fields of architecture and design.

At Columbia GSAPP, architecture is understood as a form of knowledge situated within a broader context of environmental and global engagement, building on strong historical and theoretical foundations, which are always actively reframing our contemporary cultural condition.

By bringing together a progressive approach to architectural education—where pedagogy is simultaneously rigorously structured with definable objectives and constantly re-examined to respond to ever-changing contexts—the Master of Architecture program creates a sense of openness, inquisitiveness and intellectual generosity that enables individual development and collaborative thinking.

Six sequential studios starting in autumn term, first year:

• A4001 Core studio, I 9 pts
• A4002 Core studio, II 9 pts
• A4003 Core studio, III 9 pts
• A4004 Advanced studio, IV 9 pts
• A4005 Advanced studio, V 9 pts
• A4006 Advanced studio, VI 9 pts

Total: 54 pts

Two sequential courses:

• A4348 History of architecture, I: 1700-1850 3 pts
• A4349 History of architecture, II: 1850-1930 3 pts

Total: 6 pts

If a student has had a similar class or classes, he or she may petition the professor of the class to waive the requirement.

Students must complete four courses (3 pts each for a total of 12 pts).

One course must be Pre-1750 and one course must be Non-Western.

The remaining two courses must be chosen from the following three categories:

1. Modern: 1750 to the Present
2. Urban Society
3. American

Students are expected to combine breadth in those fields they have not previously studied with in-depth seminars in at least one of these categories. At least one of the distribution areas must be Pre-1750, and one in Non-Western architecture, unless waivers are granted. Each term course schedule will identify those courses fulfilling the distribution requirements.

• A4509 Architectural drawing: basic 3 pts
• A4511 Architectural drawing: advanced or A4534 Advanced computer-aided design in architecture 3 pts

Total: 6 pts

• A4535 Computer-aided design in architecture 3 pts
• A4560 Professional practice 3 pts

Total: 6 pts

Six sequential courses:

• A4111 Architectural Technology I (AT1) 3 pts
• A4112 Architectural Technology II (AT2) 3 pts
• A4113 Architectural Technology III (AT3) 3 pts
• A4114 Architectural Technology IV (AT4) 3 pts
• A4115 Architectural Technology V (AT5) 3 pts
• A4116 Architectural Technology VI (AT6) 3 pts

Total: 18 pts

Electives are open to all students in the School, subject to the prerequisites listed in the course descriptions. Students waived out of ATII; ATIII; ATIV; or ATV, must take an advanced elective course for each waived course. Some courses are not offered every year. Additional technology electives are taught occasionally. See the printed version of the bulletin for a full listing of qualified technical electives.

Requirements

1. All applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time they start the M. ARCH program.
2. All applicants must have fulfilled a minimum of 45 credit hours of general studies in the arts, humanities and/or science at their undergraduate institution.
3. History/Theory Course Sequence: All applicants must have completed a 3-point survey course in architectural history at an accredited college or university dealing with any of the following periods: classical to Renaissance, Renaissance to modern, or modern.
4. Building Technologies Course Sequence: All applicants must have completed a 3-point course in general physics or two 3-point calculus courses at an accredited college or university.
5. Applicants who have no prior background in architecture must complete a course in architectural graphic presentation (this could be one term of architectural studio or a studio in the visual arts such as drawing, painting, or sculpture) as a prerequisite for the Core Studio Sequence, before registering in the M. ARCH Program.
6. Upload a personal statement. This may not be changed or updated after submission.
7. Upload scanned copies of official academic transcripts for each university attended and credit earned, including certified English translations (if applicable).
8. Send GRE score report to the Columbia GSAPP Admissions Office. A minimum verbal score of 150 is required.
9. Send TOEFL score report to the Columbia GSAPP (International students only). A minimum score of 100 is required.
10. Submit online application and fee ($75 USD, payable only by VISA or MasterCard).
11. Mail a copy of your portfolio to the Columbia GSAPP Admissions Office: 400 Avery Hall, 1172 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027. Portfolios must be postmarked or received by the application deadline; we do not accept digital portfolios under any circumstances. Portfolios must not exceed 8.5 X 11 inches (21.5 X 27.9cm) or be more than 0.5 inch (1.27cm) thick. Large Portfolios with glass or protruding metal parts, slides, DVD's, or CDs are not acceptable. Portfolios must be marked with the applicant’s name.

Scholarships

• Global Education