Faculty
Professor and Director, G. Kessler, Professor and Assistant Director, K. Keane; Professors, K. Carper, B. Kazimee, A. Mutin, M. Samizay; Associate Professors, J. Abell, R. Barnstone, D. Ascher-Barnstone, P. Hirzel, W. Kirk, M. Owen, A. Rahmani, D. Septelka, K. Singhrs, D. Wang; Assistant Professors, J. Burnett, M. Cohen, A. Como, K. Diaz-Moore, T. Miyasaka, J. Neary, M. Taylor.
Program
Degrees Granted: Master of Architecture; Master of Science in ArchitectureThe School of Architecture and Construction Management offers an accredited (NAAB) Master of Architecture degree. Once completed, this degree allows students to participate in an architect internship program and qualify for the State Architecture Licensing exam. (Note that most states require an accredited degree by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) in order to take the licensing exam.)
The accredited graduate program at WSU offers three different tracks for completing the Master of Architecture degree. Track 1 is a 1-year program (3 semesters plus summer) and is specifically for students that have a four year undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from WSU or a professional accredited degree (B Arch) from a university in the U.S. Track 2 is a 2-year (5 semesters plus summer) program that is available for students who have a four year undergraduate pre-professional degree in architecture from a U.S. university or its equivalent. Track 3 is a 3-year program (7-semesters plus summer) for students with a four year undergraduate degree (from a U.S. university or equivalent) in a discipline other than architecture.
The Master of Architecture is offered at both the Pullman and Spokane campuses. Two-thirds of the Master of Architecture students study at the main WSU campus in Pullman. The remaining one-third conducts their studies at the Interdisciplinary Design Institute at WSU Spokane. Track 2 and Track 3 students may be required to take undergraduate architecture classes at the Pullman campus their first one to two years in preparation for their last three semesters of graduate coursework.
Admission
Selection of Master of Architecture students is highly selective and is made during the spring semester with initial coursework beginning the following fall semester (All applicants must submit application materials to be received by January 15th). Notification of acceptance will be on or before June 15th. Contact School of Architecture and Construction Management (509.335.5539)or access website (www.arch.wsu.edu) for detailed requirements regarding transcripts, portfolio, application forms, etc.
Master of Architecture students will engage in course work in site design, structures, technology and history and theory. The culmination of graduate study is a two semester graduate studio project. It is expected that the project be based on a defined hypothesis and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and solution to a particular issue in architecture.
Curriculum (final 3 semesters plus summer)
Note: Curriculum does not show Track 2 and Track 3
required undergraduate coursework as it is individually
determined by an Admissions Committee based on
applicant’s previous degrees and relevant
coursework.
Fall: Semester one – 12
credits
Arch 527 Site and Landscape
Design- 3 credits
Arch 531 Advanced Tectonics – 3 credits
Arch 515 Research Methods and Programming – 3
credits
Arch 563 Structures III – 3 credits
Spring: Semester two – 12
credits
Arch 525 History and Theory
– 3 credits
Arch 511 Graduate Design Studio – 6 credits
Arch 573 Ethics and Professional Practice – 3
credits
Summer – 4 credits
Arch 580
Internship/Travel/Independent Study
Fall – Semester three – 12
credits
Arch 542 Issues in Architecture
– 3 credits
Arch 513 Graduate Design Studio – 6 credits
Elective (300 level or above) – 3 credits
Master of Architecture
511 Design VIII/Graduate Design Project 6
(0-12)
Prereq Arch 403. Studio course is divided between eight
weeks of urban design and eight weeks of preliminary
design on graduate project.
513 Graduate Design Project 6 (0-12)
Prereq Arch 511, 515.
Final graduate design studio focusing on individualized
topics.
515 Research Methods & Programming
3 Prereq Arch 403.
Exploration of traditional research methods and
investigations for architects.
525 History & Theory 3 History and theory
of 20th Century
Architecture focusing on cultural philosophical
principles related to design.
527 (427) Site and Landscape Design 3 Exploration of issues of site context analysis, topography, planning and landscape design.
531 (331) Advanced Tectonics 3 Prereq Arch 330, 403. Tectonic theory of concrete and metal construction with focus on skin design and technology as formative elements in architecture.
542 Issues in Architecture 3 Prereq graduate standing; Arch 409, 525. Examination of issues in architecture related to society, culture, environment, politics and philosophy.
563 Structures III 3 Prereq Arch 515 or c//. Graduate-level counterpart of Arch 463; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both Arch 463 and 563.
573 Ethics & Practice 3 Prereq Arch 472. Ethical and professional practice issues related to the business and practice of architecture; investigations into marketing Client and business orientation.
577 Theories and Methods of Urban Construction 3 Prereq graduate standing. Morphology, theoretical concepts, planning and spatial structure of cities and analysis of the transformation of the city core in Europe and America.
580 Architecture Internship V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Prereq graduate student in M.S. Arch degree program. Placement in an approved industrial, professional, or governmental situation for specialized or general experience.
MS in Architecture
The Master of Science in Architecture is a post-professional advanced specialization degree giving students a deeper knowledge of the field through advanced study and research of issues and trends challenging the ever-changing design and construction enterprise. The MS Arch degree is only available through the WSU Spokane campus.
The program appeals to those with a professional degree in architecture or a related discipline who want to pursue research, doctoral studies, and/or teach in the field; and to those seeking a higher level of specialization in a certain area of the profession. The MS Arch does not lead to registration as a licensed architect.
The MS Arch is a 30 credit minimum degree with core
courses in theory and research methods. One design
studio (or equivalent substitution as approved by
advisor) is required. Electives related to the
student's field of research are available, and the MS.
Arch culminates in a thesis. The degree is available
either on a full-time or part time basis via the
Executive Track
Program, which is designed for working professionals to
obtain the degree while staying on the job.
Admission
Admission into the MS Arch requires an undergraduate baccalaureate degree, preferably in architecture or a related design field. 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required as well as the TOEFL for non-US resident students. While the GRE is not required, it is preferred, especially in cases needing more clarity of academic competence. Applicants must also provide a research area of interest statement, a portfolio of past work and three letters of recommendation.
Master of Science in Architecure
520 Directed Topics in Architecture V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. Topics related to areas of emphasis in the program and student specialization.
530 Philosophies & Theories of the Built Environment 3 Focuses on systematic thought that may describe the behavior of the built environment.
534 Theory Case Studies 3 In depth exposure to the literature of selected theory typologies covered in Arch 530 (Necessity Empirical Observation, History, Comparison, etc.)
535 Design/Theory Case Studies 3 In depth analysis of social-cultural-technological factors affecting designs of the built environment.
540 Research Methods 3 Covers a variety of research methods, from quantitative to technical to philosophical, directed towards qualitative research.
546 Computer Animation II 3 Prereq Arch 446. Advanced computer animation techniques; advanced specialization in building/design simulation, art animation, science/engineering animation. May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 9 hours.
550 Design Applications 2 Emphasizes the cognitive and behavioral practices of design. Exploration in terms of content and the value.
551 Design/Build Firm Management 3 Introduction to design/build firm management procedures, policies, and strategies.
552 Design/Build Project Management 3 Introduction to policies, contracts and joint venture organizational structures related to management of design build policies.
553 Design and Construction Law 3 Introduction to contract law affecting the design and construction industry.
554 Design/Build Case Studies 3 Design/Build Case Studies 3 Prereq graduate standing. Case studies of specific design/build projects from legal, economics, technology, or firm management perspectives.
560 Interdisciplinary Seminar 3 Explores the chronological development of selected place-types in the US, Western Europe and Asia.
561 Interdisciplinary Seminar II 2
Builds upon the knowledge
gained from ARCH/ID/LA 560. Expected to conduct an
in-depth investigation of a specific aspect of
dwelling.
570 Advanced Architectural Studio/Laboratory 6 (0-12) In depth study of design problems relating to cultural, environmental, technological and other issues as related to the student’s area of emphasis.
580 Architecture Internship V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Prereq graduate student in the MS in Arch degree program. Placement in an approved industrial, professional, or governmental situation for specialized or general experience.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study Variable credit. S, F grading.
700 Master’s Research, Thesis and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading.
701 Thesis Project Variable Credit. Prereq Graduate Standing. Thesis work comprising a design component along with a research component.702 Thesis Project V 1-6 Prereq graduate standing. Thesis work comprising a design component along with a research component.