Master of Architecture (1-Year Program)

College of Architecture, Design & Construction Management

Full Time
Graduate Program
Masters Programs
On Campus

Program Description

For Wentworth grads, a fast track to success

Students who have successfully completed the Bachelor of Science in Architecture program at Wentworth may earn a Master of Architecture (MArch) degree through an intensely focused one-year program of study. This degree is an essential credential for those who aspire to professional registration and licensure as architects.

Your first-semester coursework would include a special topics studio, a seminar on research methods and a class focused on thesis preparation. These subjects are designed to prepare you for the final semester's thesis studio and advanced topics seminar. You will have the opportunity to fully develop and defend original research in the form of a design thesis that you will present.

Application Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Architecture students at Wentworth who wish to enroll in the one-year Master of Architecture program must do so in their senior year; acceptance is based on a portfolio evaluation by department faculty, cumulative GPA, resume, a statement of objectives, and references.

Undergraduate students graduating with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 will automatically be accepted into the Master of Architecture program for the following year. These students only need to submit an application form, resume, a statement of objectives, and an unofficial transcript. Automatic acceptance applies only to applicants currently enrolled in Wentworth’s Bachelor of Science in Architecture program and may not be deferred.

Specific requirements are listed below. All materials must be submitted electronically to the Admissions Department and postmarked no later than February 15 of the year of enrollment. Follow this link to apply online.

Learn more about our Department of Architecture.

  • Internal Candidates – No Automatic Acceptance

    Internal candidates are applicants currently enrolled in Wentworth’s B.S. in Architecture degree program or who have graduated from this program within one year of the application deadline.

    • Statement of Objectives. Answer each of the two following questions listed below:
      1.    Describe an architectural topic or issue which you could envision exploring as a thesis topic during your Masters program. Explain its relevance to you and how architecture can address the identified issue. (300 words)
      2.    Identify and describe a place you have visited in which architecture made a strong impression on you and why. (300 words)
      The statement must be submitted as an electronic file with the application. 
    • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Reference Sheet. Include the names and contact information for two people who may be contacted as references. Recommendation letters are not required and should not be submitted. Reference sheets should be submitted as a separate electronic file with the application and include reference name, title, address, email and phone number.
    •  Transcript(s). All applicants must submit a transcript from Wentworth. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable and may be downloaded from LeopardWeb. Unofficial transcripts should be submitted electronically with the application.
    • Application Fee. A non-refundable $50 fee is required.
    • Design Portfolio. Portfolios should contain work that demonstrates your proficiency in architecture and reflects the full range of your creative, research and technical skills. The portfolio should be submitted as an electronic pdf. See the Portfolio Recommendations section below.

  • Internal Candidates – Automatic Acceptance

    Internal candidates who have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 at the end of their junior year qualify for Automatic Acceptance into the program. Students receive confirmation of their status in the fall of their fourth year from the Department of Architecture.

    • Students who have earned Automatic Acceptance must submit all the materials listed above, with the exception of a Design Portfolio and Application Fee. A code for an application fee waiver will be sent to students with Automatic Acceptance.

Program Curriculum

  • FIRST YEAR

    Fall Semester (total credits 18)

    • ARCH9000, Studio 09: Special Topics
    • ARCH9200, Thesis Preparation I
    • ARCH9300, Thesis Preparation II
    • ELECTIVE, Architecture

    Spring Semester (total credits 18)

    • ARCH9500, Studio 10: Thesis
    • ARCH9600, Professional Perspectives
    • ARCH9700, Advanced Topics
    • ELECTIVE, Architecture

Program Tracking Sheet

Download the tracking sheet (Download Tracking Sheet) Download Tracking Sheet

Portfolio Recommendations

The following recommendations are designed to help you produce a strong architectural portfolio:

  • Format. Applicants should submit an electronic copy of their portfolio, saved as a PDF file. Portfolios must be uploaded to the application.
  • Content. Emphasis should be placed on your four to five best and most creative projects. Creative and professional work may be included if it helps illustrate your abilities to perform successfully as a graduate student. Preference should be given to your original design work. Show a range of your two- and three-dimensional work: sketches, images, photography, sculpture, writing samples or any works that convey your artistic sensibilities.
  • Organization. Portfolios should be well organized with a brief introductory text for each project. Each project should be clearly labeled. Indicate if the project was completed as part of a curriculum by including the name of the professor, studio, and year. If the project required teamwork, indicate your role on the team.
  • Simplicity. The goal of the portfolio is to legibly display the quality of your design and creative work. Focus your efforts on making the clearest presentation with simple elegant layouts of imagery and brief, informative texts. Use straightforward typefaces (avoid all-caps body texts and force-justification to ease legibility).
  • Quality. Make an effort to document your work carefully so that photographs, digital prints, and scans of your work are of high quality when printed. The committee expects a professional presentation.

 

Top 5 Job Titles for Architects with MS degrees

  • Architectural Designer
  • Designer
  • Junior Architect
  • Project Manager
  • Junior Designer
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