The Department of Architecture at MassArt is focused on design/build construction through sustainability and community partnerships. Grounded in energy-conscious building and site design, studio coursework promotes the practical application of learned theory in building systems, construction technology, ethical practice and cultural traditions in architecture.

4-year Pre-Professional Undergraduate

The undergraduate pre-professional architecture program offers courses of study in architecture and interior architecture. Elective offerings include topics such as exhibit design, furniture design, and sustainable design. As students advance, they learn to solve increasingly complex problems and to design buildings, interiors, and structures that satisfy social, aesthetic, safety, and ecological considerations.

Classes are taught by practicing professionals and are friendly, informal, and highly participatory. Field trips to building sites, seminars on leading design issues, and research on the nature of materials and technologies complement coursework.

Graduates of MassArt's undergraduate architecture program have routinely gained admission to excellent graduate programs around the country. Now students have the additional option of attaining a master of architecture degree at MassArt with an additional four semesters following the four-year undergraduate program.

2 or 3 year M.Arch (Candidate for M.Arch - Waiting for Accreditation in 2011)

The Master of Architecture program is designed to provide rigorous and accessible professional preparation for a variety of architecture centered careers, in a world facing serious global challenges. Grounded in energy-conscious building and site design, studio coursework promotes the practical application of learned theory in building systems, construction technology, ethical practice and cultural traditions in architecture.

The full-residency Master of Architecture program (M.Arch.) offers two tracks starting in the summer term.

Track I is a 7-semester program for applicants with previous bachelors degrees in disciplines other than architecture. The 102-credit Track I starts with a year of architectural design, structures, architecture history and elective courses. In their second year and final summer, Track I students join with students entering Track II to complete the program sequence. Track l Applicants submit a portfolio of art and/or architectural work.

Track II is a 4-semester program for applicants with previous bachelors degrees in architecture. The 60-credit Track II starts with a design-build summer semester, continues through fall and spring, and ends with a summer thesis semester. Track II students must complete the equivalent of all first-year Track I requirements prior to entering Track II. On occasion, students may complete remaining Track I requirements while enrolled in the Track II program.

Why MassArt?

MassArt's extensive fabrication shops provide a unique opportunity for students seeking a hands-on architectural education. The curriculum combines professional requirements with hands-on design-build experience focused on community living and working spaces, so that students develop as socially aware artisan-architects who are versatile problem-solvers and skilled collaborators, dedicated to sustainable improvement of the built environment. The design-build studios are particularly helpful preparation for those whose ultimate goal is to practice as design-build architects or in the construction industry.

Frequent critiques stress sensitivity to clients' needs, ergonomic requirements, structural design, cultural context and environmental considerations. Students are expected to develop a personal language of form and a responsible design ethic through the study of "green," modern, historic, and vernacular architectures, and experimentation with the intrinsic properties of materials and building systems.