could you be a little bit more specific? what do you want to know?

In terms of the M.Arch (non-arch bg) program specifcally: I was wondering are they on the theoretical end or the practical end? Are they focused on sustainability? Are they into design/build? What is the success of their grads for getting work? What kinds of extra-academic programs do they run? Is the grad program weak? etc. Anything unique about UTSA architecture?

Well to answer your question about theoretical/practical approach, it really just depends on your studio professor. Some will tend to be highly theoretical while others will not. But on average I would probably say it leans slightly towards the practical realm. The program offers three elective course sequences that focus on historic preservation, urban design, and sustainable design. Each one gets you certificate in addiction to your degree. There is an excellent design build program that I would definitely recommend. Although I have heard that in the past it could sometimes be hit or miss due to political pressure or scheduling issues originating from outside the college. As far as success for getting work I would really have to say it depends on the student. That aside the job market is dominated by UTSA grads in san antonio.

Thanks! These are good things I'm hearing so far. I will be applying to both Austin and SA, but will be visiting in Sept. to get a feel for both.

The previous graduate advisor once told me that he tells students wanting to apply to the grad program that the program is very diverse and allows the student to choose his/her path in education. This is a fairly accurate summation.

A new dean will begin on August 1. He is from Auburn University and spent a lot of time in Construction Science. I would agree that the program can lean towards practical education. The new dean may also lean towards this education with his background, but from what I saw of his presentation to the school, he's more of a business man that wants to form a well-managed college of architecture.

With that said, my concentration is in theory and sustainability. I have found 3-4 professors that will teach me what I want to learn.

And yes, the work prospects depend on the student.

In the Grad Program is it easy to pick from professors you want to learn from? In art school we had a pretty easy choice of the studios we wanted to do and could pick from the professors we wanted.

i had actually posted a thread questions about UTSA and a few other school a few mouths ago. i had done crap load of research on different schools and UTSA was one of them. but at any rate, i included a bunch of information about UTSA in the original post and NoSleep had also provided some good information about the school.

here's the link if your interested.

http://www.archinect.com/forum/threads.php?id=87615_0_42_0_C

if that doesn't work just use search the for thread:

Questions about Transfering: any info about NYIT, UT Arlington, UTSA, or IIT? and any general suggestions on schools to transfer too?

and you can find NoSleep's comment about half way down the page.

i do know that the UT System has some sort of arrangement that if you don't get into UT Austin, you can go to one of the other UT schools for a year or two and then transfer into UT Austin fairly easily. i don't know much about how you would go about doing that but someone form one of the UT schools would probably be able to tell you more about it.

wpmeads:

i looked back over the thread and saw the almost car-salesman pitch i gave on the school. i must have been deprived of sleep and stuck on some buzz i had from a lecture during the spring.

UTSA has it's problems. I'm sure every school does.

To address the UT System issue: that works with some programs, but NOT in the architecture program and DEFINITELY NOT in the grad program of the architecture schools

tasslehawf:

i have found that if you register at the opening of registration, you have a good chance of getting the professor you prefer. And regarding other courses, they typically don't fill up for a month or so after opening registration.

The more I look at the school the more I am beginning to like it. I'll know more for sure when I visit in Sept.