Degree requirements for the 2-year (Track 1) MArch
The Master of Architecture Program has 2 options for completion:
Total credits required for 2-year (Track 1) MArch: 48-60 crs
For students with a BA/BS in Architecture and evidence of strengths in design and writing, the 2-year (Track 1) program requires 48-60 credit hours.
Each design studio has critical and creative content that allows students to incrementally build towards their final independent project studio (ARCH 604). The first design studio (ARCH 601) is a collaborative, immersive learning, applied design-build project that unites all students together from both the 2-year and 3-year (Track 1 and 2) MArch programs.
Design studio connected course content seminars Applied Systems Thinking (ARCH 618) and Applied Architecture Building Technology (ARCH 624) focus on the technical aspects of design, systems, and materials and their application to architectural solutions and the impact of such decisions on the environment. Design studio connected course content seminar Urban Design: History, Theory, and Practice (ARCH 646) focuses on a historical and contemporary understanding of the urbanism of Indianapolis, allowing students to understand the impact of their design ideas based in this rich urban context. Design Studio connected course content seminar Applied Theory and Representation (ARCH 647) provides students with a diverse range of theoretical knowledge and representation skills to convey architectural ideas in their final project.
A minimum of 12 credits of elective graduate courses are required for those who do not hold an advanced design degree. The 12 credits are available for electives in three certificate programs offered in the Department of Architecture which include: Historic Preservation (HP); and Social and Environmental Justice (SEJ). The elective requirement may also be used to fulfill certificate programs in other departments.
The 12 credits of elective graduate courses may also be used to fulfill dual degree programs in a customizable platform that consolidates curricula in allied disciplines within the College of Architecture and Planning (MUD; MLA; MUP; MID; MSHP) or another college (College of Business; College of Fine Arts; College of Communication, Information, and Media). The elective credits may include ARCH 590 (Independent Study), ARCH 598 (Special Project in Architecture), and any graduate course at Ball State University approved by the graduate program director.
Required courses in the 2-year (Track 1) MArch
| ARCH 551 | Contemporary Issues in Architecture | 3 |
| ARCH 601 | Community Engaged Applied Learning Design Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 602 | Integrated Architecture Design Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 603 | Multi-Disciplinary Design Knowledge Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 604 | Independent Final Project Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 618 | Applied Systems Thinking | 3 |
| ARCH 620 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| ARCH 624 | Applied Architectural Building Technology | 3 |
| ARCH 636 | Research Methods in Architecture | 3 |
| ARCH 637 | Final Project Preparation | 3 |
| ARCH 646 | Urban Design: History, Theory, and Practice | 3 |
| ARCH 647 | Applied Theory and Representation | 3 |
| 12 credits in 500 or 600-level courses in ARCH, PLAN, LA, IDES or SUST | 12 |
*based on the evaluation of prior academic work, up to 12 credits may be applied toward prior learning credit at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director for those who hold an advanced design degree in an allied field.
Degree requirements for 3-year (Track 2) MArch
The Master of Architecture Program has 2 options for graduation:
Total credits required for 3-year (Track 2) MArch: 99 crs
For students with a BA/BS in any discipline other than Architecture, the 3-year (Track 2) program requires 99 credit hours.
Students in Track 2 of the M.Arch program begin with a year (three semesters) of introductory content that facilitates the transition into the combined years of the program. After the first year of courses, students in Track 2 will join their colleagues in Track 1 to create one combined cohort. Beginning in the second year, all course details are reflected in the information in Track 1.
During the first year, students will complete two introductory studios (ARCH 501 and ARCH 502), which focus on familiarizing students with disciplinary questions and building fundamental skill sets necessary for success in the upper years of the program. Students are exposed to history (ARCH 639), theory (ARCH 642), building technology (ARCH 514), environmental systems (ARCH 570 and ARCH 571), and structural design (ARCH 518 and ARCH 538). Visualization techniques and assembly details will be emphasized in ARCH 561 and ARCH 503.
Required foundational courses (unless waived) in the 3-year (Track 2) MArch
| ARCH 500 | Design Thinking and Visualization Workshop | 0 |
| ARCH 501 | Design Thinking and Foundations Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 502 | Environmental Design and Site Context Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 503 | Design Application Workshop | 3 |
| ARCH 514 | Introduction to Architectural Building Technology | 3 |
| ARCH 518 | Introduction to Structural Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 538 | Structural and Material Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 561 | Visualization and Communication | 3 |
| ARCH 570 | Passive Environmental Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 571 | Active Environmental Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 639 | Contemporary History and Theory of Architecture | 3 |
| ARCH 642 | Architectural Theory | 3 |
*based on evaluation of prior academic work, up to 15 credits may be applied toward prior learning credit at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director for those who hold an advanced design degree in an allied field.
Required second and third year courses in the 3-year (Track 2) MArch
| ARCH 551 | Contemporary Issues in Architecture | 3 |
| ARCH 601 | Community Engaged Applied Learning Design Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 602 | Integrated Architecture Design Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 603 | Multi-Disciplinary Design Knowledge Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 604 | Independent Final Project Studio | 6 |
| ARCH 618 | Applied Systems Thinking | 3 |
| ARCH 620 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| ARCH 624 | Applied Architectural Building Technology | 3 |
| ARCH 636 | Research Methods in Architecture | 3 |
| ARCH 637 | Final Project Preparation | 3 |
| ARCH 647 | Applied Theory and Representation | 3 |
| ARCH 646 | Urban Design: History, Theory, and Practice | 3 |
| 12 credits in 500 or 600-level courses in ARCH, PLAN, LA, IDES or SUST | 12 |