Apply / Master of Architecture
Graduate Admissions Eligibility:
Taubman College offers two options to its Graduate Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) Program.
2-Year Master of Architecture
Applicants to the 2-year M.Arch. option should have a bachelor of science degree in architecture or its equivalent. Admitted 2-year M.Arch. students begin in the fall term.
A student should have completed the following pre-requisite courses as part of their undergraduate degree in architecture.
- 4 sequential architecture studio design courses (5-6 credits each course)
- 2 construction courses (6 credits)
- 2 structure courses (6 credits)
- 2 sustainable systems courses (6 credits)
- 2 history of architecture courses (6 credits)
- 2 design fundamentals courses (6 credits)
If any course deficiencies are found, the student must complete extra courses in addition to the regular 60 credit hours of the master of architecture curriculum.
Please see course descriptions to compare pre-requisite course content from other schools to determine eligibility.
3-Year Master of Architecture
Applicants to the 3-year M.Arch. program have received an undergraduate degree in a subject other than architecture. Admission is limited to the summer half-term. This 3+ year program draws upon the diverse backgrounds of the students to encourage a multi-faceted discussion of architecture. The first year builds a foundation that drives the following years.
There are two required pre-requisite courses that a student should have completed prior to beginning coursework in the summer half term (late June). These courses must be taken for credit at an accredited institution and the student must earn a C or better in the course. Online classes are not accepted. The two pre-requisites are:
- 1 calculus course (4 credits)
- 1 physics course (lecture and lab) (4 credits)
We also highly recommend students interested in the 3-year M.Arch. program take two studio art courses. The purpose of the studio courses is to explore the design process and the art of making, thereby solidifying an interest in architectural study, and to create work to include in the admissions portfolio. Studio courses are strongly recommended but not required. Examples of studio courses include but are not limited to:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Design (2D or 3D)
- Woodworking
- Ceramics
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Metalworking
- Fashion Design
- Interior Design
- Illustration
- Animation
- Jewelry Making
- Photography
3-year M.Arch. students join their peers in the 2-year M.Arch. track for the second and third year. Both options culminate in a master of architecture degree.
TaubmanCollegeStudentServices@umich.edu
734-764-1649
Application and Portfolio Deadline: January 15th annually (postmarked)
Please take the GRE test 6-8 weeks prior in order for test scores to be received by the deadline.
Application Materials
- Online Application
- Non-refundable application fee: $65 U.S. / $75 fee non-U.S.
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended
- Portfolio
- Three (3) letters of recommendation including recommendation forms
- GRE Scores (required)
- TOEFL test scores (required Non-native English Speakers)
- Financial Certification documents (Non-U.S. Citizens)
Submit any hard copy materials in one package/envelope to:
Master of Architecture Admissions
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
2000 Bonisteel Boulevard
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2069 USA
Do not have hard copy materials sent piecemeal.
Non-refundable Application Fee
The fee for United States Citizens and those with permanent resident visa status is $65 (U.S. funds). The fee for non-U.S. citizens is $75 (U.S. funds). The application fee is paid online, via credit card, before the application is submitted. There is no need to follow-up with a paper copy of the application. Applications received without fees will not be processed.
Statement of Purpose
Please write a concise statement outlining your reasons for applying to the master's degree program and why your application should be favorably considered. The following questions serve only as a guide. It is preferred if your statement of purpose is uploaded as part of the online application. The essay should be 1000-1500 words and clearly communicate to the admissions committee:
- Why you want to study architecture?
- Your career objectives and long term goals?
- What you want to learn/gain from the Program?
- How the Program supports your career objectives?
- What led you to apply to Taubman College?
- Previous professional experiences that have had a profound effect?
- Is there a specific area of emphasis/specialization that you are interested in?
- Your current strengths and weaknesses in reaching your goals?
Resume
It is preferred if your resume is uploaded as part of the online application.
Letters of Recommendation
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. If possible, two of these should come from former professors. Recommendations should be completed online as part of the online application process. Please ask your recommenders to complete the online form and attach their letter electronically.
In order to "see" the online recommendation section, in the online application, a term must be entered on the "Personal Information I" page. The recommendation section can then be viewed on the "Personal Information II" page.
You can edit and send reminders to your recommenders clicking on the "Manage Your Recommenders" link in the recommendation section.
If absolutely necessary, we will also accept hard copy recommendations if they are on university or company/firm stationery. The form and letter must be placed in an envelope, sealed, and signed across the seal by the recommender to ensure its authenticity. If submitting a hard copy, please have your recommender complete and attach the following recommendation form. Please request your letters of recommendation sufficiently early to ensure your recommenders submit their letters by the January 15th deadline.
2-year M.Arch. Letter of Recommendation Form (PDF 1.1MB)
3-year M.Arch. Letter of Recommendation Form (PDF 1.1MB)
Official Transcripts
The college requires applicants, domestic and international, to provide one official transcript or certified credentials (transcripts) from all universities and community colleges attended. Have two transcripts sent to your address. Have one of the transcripts sent in the original unopened envelope, sent in one package/envelope with your other hard copy materials. Do not have transcripts sent to Taubman College piecemeal. Open the second transcript, scan it, and upload the transcript in the "Previous Education" section of the online application. Unofficial transcripts can also be uploaded. If your academic credentials are in any language other than English, you must submit both the original document and a certified English translation. International credentials should include a certified copy of the diploma, if awarded. Applicants holding degrees from Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Burma, India, Nepal, or Pakistan must include detailed examination records for all years of the program showing subjects, marks received, and class obtained. UM graduates and current students do not need to submit a transcript from the University of Michigan but should request transcripts for any other schools they have attended.
Graduate Record Examination Scores (required)
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all students. Information about the GRE including test dates and locations can be found at www.gre.org. Please contact ETS (www.ets.org or www.gre.org) to have an official score report sent to the University of Michigan (Institution code 1839, department code 4401) at least 4-5 weeks prior to the deadline. GRE scores must be no older than five-years old to be valid. There is no minimum requirement for the GRE test.
English Proficiency
All non-native English speakers must take either the TOEFL, IELTS, or the MELAB Examination. Scores must be no older than two years old to be valid. Non-native English speakers who have earned their degree from a university, where English is the primary language of instruction, are not required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB score. The student must have attended the institution for a minimum of four years, and achieved a 4 year degree from that institution to receive a TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB waiver. U.S. citizenship does not exempt applicants from taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB test if his/her native language is not English. Students only need to take one of the above listed tests.
TOEFL Examination (International Students Only)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Internet Based Toefl (IBT) is one of the approved English proficiency tests required of all non-native English speakers. Information about the TOEFL/IBT including test dates and locations can be found at www.ets.org/toefl/. Please contact ETS (www.ets.org) and have an official score report sent to the University of Michigan (Institution code 1839, department code 12) at least 6-8 weeks prior to the January 15 deadline. TOEFL/IBT scores must be no older than two years old (not before 2010) to be valid. The minimum requirement for the TOEFL test is 250 computer based or 600 paper based. The minimum requirement for the IBT test is 100. If you have taken the TOEFL exam and not achieved the minimum score you must continue to take the test until you achieve the minimum score to be considered for admission. Taubman College does not admit students that have not met the minimum score.
IELTS Examination (International Students Only)
The International English Language Testing System exam is another English proficiency tool required of all non-native English speakers. Information about the IELTS including test dates and locations can be found at www.ielts.org. Please have IELTS send an official score report to the University of Michigan.
IELTS scores must be no older than 2 years (not before 2010) to be valid. The minimum requirement for the IELTS test is 7.0. If you have taken the IELTS exam and have not achieved the minimum score, you must continue to take the test until you reach 7.0 to be considered for admission. Taubman College does not admit students taht have not met the minimum score.
MELAB Examination (International Students Only)
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) Examination can be found at lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab. Please take the MELAB exam 5 weeks prior to the January 15th deadline in order for your score to be received in time. The minimum score for the MELAB is 84.
Financial Certification (International Students Only)
The financial certificatino deadline is January 15th.
All international students are required to submit financial certification as part of their application to show they have funding available to study in the USA. The estimated financial certification for 2012-2013 academic year for three-year M.Arch. applicants is $69,134 USD and for two-year M.Arch. applicants is $59,246 USD. The final tuition rates will be set in July and an exact figure will be available then. The Financial Certification does not consider the financial certification form when making decisions regarding scholarships. The financial certification is only an administrative piece and is necessary to process I-20 forms for admitted students. Only funds in a liquid account, such as a checking or savings account will be accepted: Property, life insurance, stock, bonds, jewelry, mutual funds, land, medical savings and retirement accounts, benefit certificates, trusts, securities, and long term savings for housing do not qualify. If a student is supporting him/herself, the applicant must submit an original bank statement in the student's name showing sufficient funds. If a person other than the applicant will be sponsoring the student, the applicant must submit two important documents for the financial certification. An applicant must submit either #1 and #3 OR #2 and #3 below. An applicant may have several different sponsors. We will need the following documentation from each source of funding:
1. Letter of support (who will support the student and what their relationship to the student is) signed by the family member(s) offering financial support to the student. It must be an original signature. OR
2. Completed financial certification form (found in the online application) with original signatures from the family member(s) offering support and the proper boxes checked. AND
3. Original bank statement (on bank letterhead) showing the type of account, the exact balance of the account, and signed by a bank representative (original signature required). The statement must also show the account holder's name; that name must match the name of the person offering support exactly.
2-Year M.Arch. Financial Certification Form (PDF 1.2MB)
3-Year M.Arch. Financial Certification Form (PDF 1.2MB)
Passport Copies (International Students Only)
Each international applicant should submit a copy of their passport (and copies of any dependent family member's passport that would be accompanying the student to the USA) with their application materials. Passport copies are required in order to process and I-20 form. In order to avoid processing delays, please submit the passport copies with your application materials.
I-20 / Visa (International Students Only)
Applicants that are currently in the U.S. should also send a copy of their current I-20 or I-94 form. A Transfer-In form is also required if an applicant is currently attending another U.S. school or college and is admitted to the program.
Transfer-In Form (International Students Only)
A Transfer-In Form is also required if an international applicant is currently attending another U.S. school or college and is admitted to the program.
