The M Arch I program assumes the following:

the built environment is an active agent in a global ecosystem and the setting for most forms of cultural exchange;

the built environment can make positive and negative contributions to the vitality of local and global communities;

understanding the dynamics of social production, material consumption and cultural exchange is a prerequisite to meaningful architectural design.

Our program demands engagement with contemporary issues and a commitment to lifelong learning. We encourage students to examine the relationships between local, regional and global contexts with a particular emphasis on the dynamics of the contemporary American Midwest. The domain of the architect's action is limited, but the range of information needed to make intelligent and responsible design decisions is vast. We expect our graduates to value the necessity of research, interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork.

The M Arch I professional degree program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than architecture and for students who hold four-year baccalaureate degrees in architecture or non-accredited Professional degrees in architecture. This program, accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB), leads to a professional Master of Architecture degree over three years and an intervening summer. Students with undergraduate degrees in architecture or environmental design may be given advanced standing in the program. Other students admitted to the program hold undergraduate degrees in a broad range of fields such as art history, history, literature, economics, mathematics, computer science, anthropology, and biology. These students must complete the full three years of the curriculum. The diversity of backgrounds helps to create a dynamic environment in which to conduct advanced architectural studies as well as meet the professional requisites of the discipline. The program offers a number of options, including study abroad, specialized studios with a variety of faculty, and the opportunity to do an independent project.


Updated 10/17/07-05:13 PID:429