Architecture: MS

The post-professional architecture Master of Science (MS) degree allows students to complete advanced research and design work that builds on an existing professional degree in architecture, architectural engineering, structural engineering, construction management, or a related field.  

Eligible applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited four-year U.S. college or university OR hold an equivalent credential from a qualifying international institution. This degree does not provide a path to licensure. 

The Master of Science in Architecture is a STEM-designated degree. 

Learn more about what our faculty members are researching by reading their profiles. 

Students have a wide range of courses and groups of courses to choose from in this degree program, which may be completed in one year or more. 

  • Research Inquiry Coursework 
  • Electives 

The Master of Science in Architecture degree program provides an opportunity for advanced study and contribution to knowledge in the field through a thesis or terminal project. The post-professional Master of Science in Architecture (MS) degree allows students to complete advanced research and/or design inquiry that builds on an existing professional degree in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, architectural engineering, structural engineering, construction management, or another related field. 

Students enrolled in the Master of Science degree program must take a minimum of 45 graduate credits, of which 30 must be in architecture and 9 must be at the 600 level. Students complete a minimum of three terms in residence and are required to complete 9 credits in ARCH 503 Thesis or Terminal Project (ARCH 619). 

Students in this program who are enrolled at the Eugene campus are expected to develop an individual research topic leading to a thesis or terminal project in one or more of the following areas of faculty research and design excellence: 

  • Design Computing: Modeling, Simulations, and Design Communication 
  • Design for Social Sustainability: Environment-Behavior Studies, Human Context of Design, Spatial Justice, Accessibility and Universal Design, Cultural, Social and Economic Sustainability 
  • Health and Indoor Environments: Indoor Environmental Quality, Human-Centric Design, Occupant Performance, and Health 
  • Lighting Design: Daylighting, Electric Lighting, Luminaires and Photometrics, and Visual Comfort 
  • Sustainable Buildings: Green Technologies, High-Performance Envelopes, Net-Zero Buildings, and Eco-Districts 
  • Sustainable Construction: Mass Timber Design*, Green Building Materials, Fabrication, Construction Methods, and Life Cycle Analysis 

Students in this program who are enrolled at the Portland campus are expected to develop an individual research topic leading to a thesis or terminal project in one or more of the following areas of faculty research and design excellence: 

  • Architectural History and Theory: Preservation, Adaptive Reuse, Architectural Theory and Criticism 
  • Sustainable Urbanism and Housing: Urban Architecture and Urban Design, Housing Design, Community Design, Livable Communities, New Mobility, and Climate Action 

Students may also choose to add one of the following optional specializations or graduate certificates to their degree: 

Students who choose to study in Portland have access to a vital urban laboratory and a range of facilities housed in the historic White Stag Block in the heart of downtown. Certain courses such as the recommended Research Methods courses ARCH 620 and ARCH 678 must either be taken in Eugene or via videoconferencing.  

The Master of Science in Architecture is a STEM-designated degree.

Application at a Glance

You apply for admission through your program. This program has two separate applications, the University of Oregon application and a department application. Detailed instructions are available on the program’s website.

Application Available: September 15 

None on Priority Application Deadline: Grace deadline through January 2, 11:59 p.m., PST 

Second Round Application Deadline: March 15 - Late applications may be accepted on a space-available basis through May 1. 

The following are required for your application:

Program-Specific Application Requirements:

  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Portfolio 
  • Research Statement of Intent
  • Resume or CV 
  • Summary of Goals and Intent  
  • Writing Sample

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Master of Science (MS)
College of Design
Campus: Eugene, Portland
Fall Term:
Priority Deadline - January 2
Final Deadline - May 1
This program may accept applications after the posted deadline on a space-available basis. Refer to the program’s website for more details.