Why Pursue a Master's Degree in Architecture
The Master of Architecture program as a first professional degree for those intending to enter the professional practice of architecture. The MArch programs are fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Boards (NAAB) and build on a solid base of undergraduate studies in architecture to provide a challenging professional curriculum, which is seen as a capstone of professional studies. Our faculty are committed to preparing graduates to be innovative leaders of the built environment.
The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design’s downtown location in San Antonio is composed of several historic layers from the 17th century to the present, making the program a perfect laboratory for the in-depth exploration of creativity, professions, and research.
MArch 2
This track is designed for students who have earned architectural degrees (such as BA, BS, and BED) and consists of studies focused on developing the next generation of critical practitioners. This studio-based professional program is normally two years (52 semester credit hours) in length and is completed via an independently-derived, research-informed design project. The MArch 2 offers admission in fall, spring and summer terms.
MArch 3
This track is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than architecture. This professional program includes one year of preparatory studies (39 semester credit hours) in preparation for the following two years (52 semester credit hours) of the Master of Architecture (MArch 2) program sequence. These preparatory studies are required to be completed in full, as a condition of admission. We encourage students from all disciplines to consider this program as a means for entering the profession of architecture. The MArch 3 offers admission in fall, spring and summer terms.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.
| Architecture (MArch) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | 18 credit hours in an area related to this graduate degree and at least 12 hours must be at the upper-division level. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) directly from the graduate admission application platform | |
| English Language Proficiency | 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 | |
| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time) | |
| Portfolio | Required for the MArch 2 track. A portfolio is not required for the MArch 3 track. | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Architecture (MArch) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2025 | Not Available | October 1 | October 1 |
| Summer 2025 | Not Available | March 1 | March 1 |
| Fall 2025 | February 1 | June 1 | Aug 1 |
| Spring 2026 | Not Available | October 1 | October 1 |
| Summer 2026 | Not Available | March 1 | March 1 |
Funding Opportunities
The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design offers opportunities for competitive recruitment scholarships, for qualified applicants, which allow out-of-state and international applicants to pay tuition at the in-state rates. All applicants to the department’s graduate programs are automatically considered for these scholarships. The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design also has an annual scholarship program for existing students, which includes college scholarships as well as scholarships offered by institutions and foundations such as the Texas Architectural Foundation (TAF). Applications for these scholarships are solicited in the spring semester for the following academic year.
Career Options
UTSA prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below is data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
Most architecture graduate courses are offered during daily business hours. Design studios, the core component of the MArch programs, are typically offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. A limited number of graduate seminars are available in the evening. Program classes are offered at the UTSA Downtown Campus.
The faculty members in the college undertake research in a variety of fields including:
- Building Design
- Theory of Architecture
- International Practice
- Regionalism
- Architecture of Mexico and the Southwest
- Health & Wellness
- Design/Build
- Fabrication
The School of Architecture and Planning also offers two certificate programs in Historic Preservation and Urban and Regional Planning. Refer to the Graduate Catalog for additional information about these programs.
