Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
University of Southern California (USC)
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Kansas State University
M.Arch Programs and Public Interest Architecture
I'll be applying for 3-year M. Arch programs this Fall and would like to focus on community-based/public interest architecture. I've been slogging through school websites in an attempt to pinpoint schools that are genuinely supportive of the growing interest in architecture as advocacy.
I've been looking for schools with well-established design/build programs, community-focused academic studios, travel opportunities, strong connections to the host city and local organizations, faculty who are actively invested in community work, fellowships for students, and just a general ethos that supports this kind of work.
So far, I've identified Tulane, the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, and UT-Austin has having pretty strong resources.
Can anyone offer insight (from direct experience or otherwise) on other schools that are actively supporting public interest work through their programs?
Hi chi-85, I'm in almost exactly the same boat! (Except looking for the shorter, 2 year M.Arch program for people with undergrad degrees in Architecture.)
In addition to the schools you've listed, I've also been considering the University of Virginia, which offers a design-build curriculum, has strong ties to the Charlottesville Community Design Center, and a design and community engagement track for their Masters program.
If you're interested in peripheral programs, The School of Visual Arts in NYC has a new program in social innovation http://dsi.sva.edu/ that looks interesting, but is not as rigorous as a professional architecture degree. Or there's a one year certificate in public design through the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio/ Mississippi State that combines internship work with class work, but you must have a professional degree in architecture prior to starting. http://www.gccds.org/teaching/interntraining/interntraining.html
I'd be very interested to hearing more about any other research you come up with in your process! It's tough to find out there.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.