UCLA Architecture and Urban Design: A Comprehensive Exploration of Master's and Doctoral Programs
The Department of Architecture and Urban Design (AUD) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a robust and diverse array of graduate programs designed to cultivate the next generation of architects, urban designers, scholars, and researchers. These programs are characterized by their rigorous academic standards, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing contemporary global challenges through design and scholarship. This article delves into the details of the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design (M.S.AUD), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs, providing a thorough overview of their structures, requirements, and unique offerings.
Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) Programs: Pathways to Professional Practice
UCLA AUD offers distinct M.Arch. programs, each catering to different academic and professional backgrounds: the M.Arch. I and M.Arch. II. These programs are meticulously designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to navigate the complexities of architectural practice in a rapidly evolving world. The curriculum emphasizes a focused framing of today’s cultural, ecological, political, and technological questions, with a view to what architects may bring to bear on such complex issues.
M.Arch. I: This program is typically for students who hold a Bachelor's degree in a field other than architecture or who have limited prior architectural education. It provides a comprehensive foundation in architectural design, theory, history, and technology. The M.Arch. I curriculum is structured into periods of study. The first period is a two-year foundation, known as "Core," in which students complete six design studios that offer design exercises of increasing scale and complexity. Simultaneously, they take courses in the History and Theory of Architecture; Architectural Programming; Computation; Environmental Design; Representation and Visualization; Structures; as well as a range of complementary cultural and technical elective courses. The second period of study is the culminating third year, in which students choose from an array of one-year thematically-focused Research Studios, as well as two supplemental Advanced Topic Studios (to be completed in the first two quarters), and a number of elective courses. Research Studios are led by senior design faculty and are structured around specific contemporary concerns. The three-quarter Research Studio comprises a first quarter of research, a second quarter of hypothesis definition and development, and a final quarter of design resolution. A minimum of 130 units of coursework is required, with at least 118 units taken at the graduate level (200 and 400 series). Students must take at least eight units per quarter and may take up to 16 units in a quarter.
M.Arch. II: This program is designed for students who already possess a professional degree in architecture, such as a Bachelor of Architecture or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution. It offers an accelerated path to advanced study, allowing students to deepen their specialization and engage with cutting-edge research. The M.Arch. II program focuses on advanced design studios and specialized seminars. Students in the M.Arch. II program are expected to have a strong foundation in architectural principles and are encouraged to build upon their existing knowledge. The curriculum is structured to allow for significant exploration within areas of interest, often through research studios and independent study.
Core Curriculum and Design Studios: Across both M.Arch. programs, design studios form the backbone of the curriculum. These studios are designed to progressively increase in scale and complexity, challenging students to develop their design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills. Students who maintain at least a B average in these studio levels automatically progress from the introductory to the intermediate level, and from the intermediate level to the advanced level, and subsequently to the comprehensive examination.
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Waiving Required Courses: Students who believe they possess adequate background in specific required courses may petition to waive those courses and replace them with electives. However, permission to waive required courses does not reduce the minimum unit requirement for the M.Arch. degree. Such petitions are addressed to the faculty member responsible for the course and may be granted at their discretion, possibly through a special examination.
Independent Study: Students may apply up to eight units of 596 course work (Independent Study) toward the elective course requirements for graduation, providing opportunities for personalized research and exploration.
Academic Standards and Progress: Students in the M.Arch. program are required to maintain a 3.00 GPA overall and in studio coursework. Falling below this threshold in two consecutive quarters can lead to departmental academic probation, requiring bi-weekly meetings with faculty advisors and a student mentor. Students whose performance consistently falls below the required GPA may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study.
Concurrent Degree Program: M.Arch. and M.U.R.P.
UCLA AUD also offers a four-year M.Arch./M.U.R.P. concurrent degree program, integrating knowledge and skills from both Architecture and Urban Design and the Department of Urban Planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Students must apply independently to and be accepted by both departments. This interdisciplinary program allows students to gain a comprehensive understanding of urban environments from both architectural and planning perspectives. A total of 41 courses (26 four-unit, nine six-unit, and six two-unit courses) or 170 units of coursework are required to graduate, with specific unit requirements for both Urban Planning and Architecture and Urban Design. The capstone requirement in Architecture and Urban Design is fulfilled through Architecture and Urban Design 403A-403B-403C, culminating in a final design project.
Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Architecture: Cultivating Scholars and Researchers
The Department also offers graduate programs geared towards scholarly and research pursuits: the Master of Arts (M.A.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Architecture. These programs are designed to produce students whose scholarship aims to provoke and operate within architecture’s public, professional, and scholarly constituencies.
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M.A. Program: The M.A. program is a two-year degree culminating in a thesis. Candidates are expected to be in residence at UCLA for two years and complete a minimum of 16 courses (or 64 units) of graduate or upper-division coursework. Of these, 30 units must come from Architecture and Urban Design 290 courses. Students must enroll in three 4-unit 289 courses per year and at least 4 and no more than 8 units of 598 course work. The remaining units can be from upper-division and/or graduate courses campus-wide, with no more than 20 units of 500-level courses counting towards the total. Students working toward the M.A. degree are initially advised by the Standing MA Faculty Committee and select an individual adviser by the end of their first year. Course selection requires approval from their adviser or the Committee every quarter, and progress is reviewed twice annually. This program prepares students to enter academic professions in architectural history, architectural design, or allied fields.
Ph.D. Program: The Ph.D. program trains students to teach courses in the history and theory of architecture while also engaging in studio pedagogy and curatorial work. Candidates are required to complete six quarters in residence and 72 units of coursework, with 30 units mandated for ARCH&UD 290 courses and three 4-unit 289 courses per year. A college-level foreign language course equivalent to level three or above, or an equivalent placement examination, is also a requirement. Students select an individual adviser by the end of their first year, with course selection requiring approval from their adviser or the Committee each quarter. Progress is reviewed by the Committee twice per academic year.
Qualifying Examinations (Ph.D.): Academic Senate regulations mandate that doctoral students complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. The first qualifying exam requires students to demonstrate a broad mastery of the field of architecture. The second assesses student preparedness for independent doctoral research. These exams, with both written and oral components, should ideally be taken during the third year and no later than the fourth year. Students may not take either exam more than twice. Some students may receive a provisional pass, with a two-week window to submit additional materials.
Dissertation and Defense (Ph.D.): After completing coursework and the foreign language requirement, Ph.D. students undertake a dissertation. This is typically written after passing the qualifying exam, at which point the student enters Ph.D. candidacy. The dissertation is defended around the sixth year of study. The Ph.D. program is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension for F-1 visa holders.
MA/PhD Colloquium: Both MA and PhD students are required to enroll in a two-year colloquium focused on methods for writing, teaching, and researching in the field of architecture. This colloquium trains students in the apparatus of academic scholarship, with students producing original research projects and developing skills in long-format writing. The intellectual life of students is further reinforced by opportunities through specialized faculty-led research projects, such as cityLAB-UCLA and the Urban Humanities Institute.
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Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design (M.S.AUD)
The M.S.AUD program is a unique offering designed for students with a professional degree in architecture who wish to specialize their skills and apply architectural design thinking to real-world challenges beyond the traditional practice of architecture. This program is located at UCLA Architecture and Urban Design’s IDEAS Campus, an incubator for collaborative, cross-disciplinary design research.
Program Structure and Research Topics: The M.S.AUD program kicks off each year in August with the IDEAS Summer Studio, a six-week preparatory course introducing students to software, tools, and techniques. In the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, students participate in concurrent studios exploring four research topics: Entertainment, Mobility, Technology, and Urban Strategy. These studios involve a first quarter of research, a second quarter of hypothesis definition and development, and a final quarter of design resolution. Students also complete Technology Seminars and Critical Studies courses.
Collaborative Research and Partnerships: The M.S.AUD program emphasizes institutional networking and collaboration. Past research studios have catalyzed breakthroughs in high-profile projects with partners such as Hyperloop and SpaceX, high-performance architecture with Boeing and Cirque du Soleil, 3D-printing design and technology with Autodesk and Red Bull, and urgent issues of sustainability with UNICEF in Haiti. The program leverages contemporary technologies to produce architecture and cities at the intersection of the digital and physical worlds, examining life in mixed realities and interactive environments.
Application and Admission: All new M.S.AUD students must enter in the summer session. Applications are completed via the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission (AGA), with a deadline typically in January for Fall matriculation of the following year. The Statement of Purpose is a critical component, allowing applicants to detail their academic background, research interests, achievements, and goals. A Personal Statement provides an opportunity to share additional information that might help the selection committee evaluate aptitude. A Curriculum Vitae (résumé) is recommended but not required.
Application Requirements and Considerations
Across all graduate programs in UCLA AUD, a consistent set of application requirements is maintained, with specific nuances for each degree.
Academic Background: A Bachelor’s degree is generally required for M.Arch. and M.S.AUD programs, while M.A. and Ph.D. programs may accept students with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or the foreign equivalent is a standard requirement.
Standardized Tests: As of recent application cycles, the GRE is NOT required for M.Arch. and M.S.AUD programs. However, applicants who have taken the GRE can choose to submit their scores. For international students whose primary language of instruction is not English, TOEFL or IELTS scores are mandatory. Minimum scores are set for each program, and failure to meet these may necessitate the English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) upon arrival.
Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required, ideally from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic and professional experiences and their capacity for graduate-level study. These letters are submitted electronically directly to UCLA by the recommenders.
Portfolio: A digital portfolio of original creative work is a central part of the application for M.Arch. and M.S.AUD programs. This portfolio should be formatted as a single PDF, no larger than 15 MB, and present a cohesive representation of previous experience and creative abilities. Professional work must be properly credited.
Essays: The Statement of Purpose is a critical opportunity for applicants to articulate their motivations, experiences, and goals. The Personal Statement allows for the inclusion of additional information regarding educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences that have shaped their academic journey, as well as any challenges faced and overcome.
Prerequisites: Specific prerequisite courses, such as Newtonian Physics (minimum grade of “C”), may be required for certain programs. Applicants who have not completed these prerequisites at the time of application must outline their plan to do so before program entry.
Department Supplement Form: Applicants are typically required to complete and submit a Department Supplement Form to confirm their intention to apply and, for M.S.AUD, to indicate preferences for research topics.
Financial Aid and Funding Opportunities
UCLA AUD is committed to making its programs accessible to a diverse student population and offers a range of financial support opportunities.
Recruitment Fellowships: These are offered to outstanding M.Arch. and M.S.AUD applicants as part of the application review process, requiring no additional application. M.Arch. fellowships generally cover one to three years of in-state tuition fees and supplemental tuition, with an approximate value of $26,000 per year.
Merit and Need-Based Awards: Continuing M.Arch. students are eligible for various awards based on merit and need, with applications typically in the Spring quarter. These awards can range from $1,000 to $15,000.
Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Readerships: Second- and third-year M.Arch. students can apply for TA and Readership positions, which provide in-state fees and a salary for the awarded quarter. AUD typically awards a significant number of these positions annually.
Employment Opportunities: The department offers various on-campus employment opportunities, such as social media, marketing, and fabrication shop assistant roles. These positions, often prioritized for Work-Study eligible students, allow students to build skills and earn income.
Work-Study Programs: Federal Work-Study awards up to $2,000 per year, while the Graduate Work-Study program awards between $5,000 and $15,000 per year for need-based eligible graduate students engaged in internships, research, or community service.
Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) Positions: These positions are available based on faculty securing extramural or Academic Senate grants. Readerships are also available depending on funding.
Extramural Funding: A variety of external funding opportunities, including academic fellowships, research grants, and competition awards, are available. Students are encouraged to apply directly to funding organizations, and UCLA Graduate Division maintains directories of such opportunities.
California Residency: Students who are not legal residents of California pay non-resident tuition fees. However, U.S. citizens and permanent residents may become eligible for California residency after their first year.
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