Master of Architecture

• Degree Tracks

  Clemson offers four tracks toward earning the professional, NAAB-accredited (NAAB accreditation) Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) degree:

  • The M. Arch. I  is a three-year, 90-credit hour degree track for students without a portfolio of 6-8 semesters of strong architecture studio work. Students in the M. Arch. I track have diversity of undergraduate majors, including architecture and architectural studies, and various design (art, city planning, urban design, landscape architecture, industrial design, and others) and non-design backgrounds (business, economics, engineering, literature, psychology, and other fields).      
  • The M. Arch. II is a two-year, 60-credit hour degree track for students with a pre-professional Bachelor degree (BA or BS) in Architecture and strong portfolios documenting 6 to 8 semesters of design studio work. The M. Arch. II track is an advanced placement track and a BA or BS in a pre-professional architecture program is a minimum requirement. A competitive portfolio is also required. In the context of applicant pool, advanced placement is determined by the Admissions Committee during the application and portfolio review process. 
• Plan of Study

  Within the framework of the accredited and highly structured M. Arch. degree program, Clemson Architecture seeks to offer students as much choice as possible. Some students seek to focus their studies in the highly respected Architecture + Health program. Others focus their interests in the Architecture + CommunityBUILD program or Digital Ecologies certificate program. Some spend one or two semesters in Charleston, Barcelona, or Genoa. Others pursue up to 12 credit hours of elective coursework (nearly one semester) outside of architecture.

  As seen in the Master of Architecture Plan of Study, the M. Arch. curriculum is described as a three-year curriculum with 6 semesters of coursework. The semesters are numbered 1 through 6 and described as Semester 1, Semester 2, etc. Three-Year, M. Arch. I students begin in First Year, Semester 1; Two-Year M. Arch. II students receive advance placement for their pre-professional studies and begin in Semester 3. 

  All three-year M. Arch. I students take the same coursework in the First Year. After the First Year, students may begin to specialize their studies. Students admitted to the Architecture + Health program move into the A+H studios and concentrate on A+H coursework. All other M. Arch. students have 12 credit hours (4 courses) of open electives in any graduate level subject, may pursue certificate programs, and have greater flexibility for up to two semesters of off-campus study in Charleston, South Carolina; Barcelona; and/or Genova, which together comprise Clemson's Fluid Campus.

  Download a printable version here.

  Master of Architecture Plan of Study

  FIRST YEAR: CORE STUDIOS
  Three-Year (M. Arch. I) Track (90 Credits) begins here

  Semester 1 | FALL | Clemson Campus   6  ARCH 8410  Architecture Studio I   3  ARCH 8100  Visualization I   3  ARCH 8600  Architectural History and Theory I   3  ARCH 8700  Structures I 15 credits

  Semester 2 | SPRING | Clemson Campus   6  ARCH 8420 Architectural Studio II   3  ARCH 8200 Visualization II   3  ARCH 8610 Architectural History and Theory II   3  ARCH 8710  Structures II 15 credits

   

  
  SECOND YEAR: INTERMEDIATE STUDIOS
  Two-Year (M. Arch. II) Track (60 Credits) begins here

  Semester 3 | FALL | Clemson Campus   6  ARCH 8510 Design Studio III   3  ARCH 8210 Research Methods   3  ARCH 8720 Productions and Performance + 8721 Lab    3  ARCH 8730 Environmental Systems + 8731 Lab 15 credits

  Semester 4  | SPRING | FLUID CAMPUS   6  ARCH 8520 Design Studio IV   3  ARCH 8710 Structures II (or GRAD XXXX Elective)   3  GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE   3  GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE 15 credits

   

  THIRD YEAR: ADVANCED STUDIOS

  Semester 5 | FALL |FLUID CAMPUS   6  ARCH 8570 Design Studio V   3  GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE   3  GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE   3  GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE 15 credits

  Semester 6 | SPRING | Clemson Campus   6  ARCH 8920 Comprehensive Studio (Studio VI)   3  ARCH 8640 Architectural History and Theory   3  ARCH 8740 Building Processes: Technical Resolution + 8741 Lab   3  ARCH 8820 Building Economics, Costs and Legal Issues 15 credits

  CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS (Semester 4/5): Optional certificate programs may replace electives in Semesters 4 and 5. Programs offered at Clemson Campus are: Digital Ecologies (15 credit hours) Architecture, Society and the City (12 credit hours) Programs offered at Charleston Campus are: Architecture + Community Build (18 credit hours; 2 semester off-campus requirement) Resilient Urban Design (15 credit hours) FLUID CAMPUS OPTIONS During Semesters 4 and 5 students have the option to study at any of our fluid campus locations: Clemson, Charleston, Genoa, Barcelona. All coursework at each location is prescribed and will replace 'electives' in your plan of study. IMPORTANT NOTES:  CREDIT HOURS: Credit hours must total 15 each semester. STRUCTURES II: All students must complete ARCH 8710 Structures II or have been exempted upon admission through transcript review. ELECTIVES: Any Clemson University course numbered 6000 and above may be taken to satisfy an elective requirement. Pay attention to pre-requisites and co-requisite requirements. Students can take up to 12 credit-hour electives outside architecture. GS2 PLAN OF STUDY FORM: The GS2 form is required for graduation and it has information about graduation requirements.

• Certificate Programs

  Architecture + communityBUILD
  Architecture + communityBUILD is an application-based,18-credit hour certificate program focused on community engagement and a holistic approach to design-build.

  Digital Ecologies
  Digital Ecologies is a 15-credit hour certificate program focused on leveraging technology with computational design thinking to make a positive impact.
  
  Certificate in Architecture, Society and the City
  Architecture, Society and the City is a 12-credit hour certificate program focused on the ideas, histories and theories behind buildings.

  Resilient Urban Design Certificate
  Resilient Urban Design is a 15-credit hour certificate program that addresses design and development thinking relative to stewarding change in rapidly growing metropolitan regions.

• STEM Designation

  This is a STEM designated program:  CIP code 04.0902 (architectural and building sciences/technology)

  STEM designated graduate degree programs:

  CIP Code 04.0902 (architectural and building sciences/technology)
  

  • Master of Architecture (M. Arch.), a NAAB-accredited professional degree
  • Master of Architecture + Health (M. Arch. A+H), a NAAB-accredited professional degree
  • Dual Master of Architecture + Master of Resilient Urban Design Based in Clemson and Charleston, SC.

  Other (non-STEM) graduate degree programs

  • Master of Science in Historic Preservation (M.S. in Historic Preservation), Based in Charleston, SC and jointly administered by the College of Charleston
  • Master of Resilient Urban Design (M.S. in Resilient Urban Design), Based in Charleston, SC
  • Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.), First professional and second professional degree options, Based in Clemson and optional time in Charleston, SC
• Estimated Cost & Financial Aid

  	Undergraduate SC Resident	Undergraduate Out-of-State Resident	Graduate SC Resident Premier Program	Graduate Out-of-State Resident Premier Program
  Tuition & Fees	$15,554	$39,448	$12,646	$24,798
  Room/Board OR Living Expenses (Grad)	$12,871	$12,872	$14,752	$14,752
  Book/Supplies	$1,436	$1,436	$1,080	$1,080
  Personal/transportation expenses	$5,410	$5,410	$4,204	$4,204
  Loan Fee	$66	$66	$156	$156
  Total	$35,338	$59,282	$32,838	$44,990

  Supplies
  All first year BA Architecture and M.Arch students are asked to purchase a list of tools and supplies. The supply list will be provided to the students during the summer and prior to starting their program. Estimated cost is between $300 and $400.

  Given the increasing move toward digital work and presentation, the University and the School of Architecture cover licensing fees for most software applications used to generate and present work. Physical model building and full-scale fabrications remain an important factor in student work as well. Service-learning projects typically cover the material costs associated with projects. The School also has a Marketplace where students can purchase materials and supplies at the lowest possible cost. Furthermore, the School sponsors a swap-shop where students can recycle and utilize used materials
  from their peers.

  Students are asked to purchase a laptop for use throughout their time at Clemson University prior to the beginning of their first semester. Clemson Computing & Information Technology recommends the Lenovo ThinkPad P16G2 ($3,749). For more information on recommended laptops, please visit the CCIT Recommended Laptop webpage.

  Financial Aid
  The Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture does not offer financial aid. For financial aid, see the University's Financial Aid webpage.

  Semester Abroad
  M.Arch students have the option to spend one semester studying abroad as part of their academic program. Students who choose to study in Charleston will pay Clemson University tuition and fees based on their residency status (in-state or out-of-state).

  Students who study abroad in Barcelona or Genoa will pay Study Abroad tuition and fees as determined by Clemson University. In addition to tuition, these students are required to pay a program fee to Clemson, which covers housing, health insurance, Field Studies, and additional program-related expenses. Please note that students are also responsible for the cost of airfare, meals, and personal travel expenses.

  For more cost of attendance information please visit the Clemson University Tuition and Fee Calculator.

• Financial Support

  Financial Support
  The Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture offers the following types of financial support to graduate students (which is different from need-based financial aid): hourly positions, fellowships, assistantships, and travel grants. To qualify for financial support, students must demonstrate that they possess at least a bachelor’s degree (by submitting an official transcript to the Graduate Admissions office) and must be enrolled full-time in a predominantly main campus or other university campus-based graduate degree program. Students employed in full-time positions inside or outside the University are not eligible for assistantships. The Graduate School reserves the right to withdraw an assistantship appointment at any time because of failure to meet basic eligibility requirements, including maintaining adequate academic performance and satisfactory progress toward degree, or for violation of University policies. Units may also withdraw an assistantship based on failure to follow guidelines or for substandard performance in assistantship duties.

  Hourly Employment
  For some needs and special projects, the School will employ students on an hourly basis. These positions depend on the budget and School employment needs. Hourly employees are limited to 10 hours per week in accordance with the Enrollment Limits policy and chart and the Maximum Work Hours policy.

  Graduate School Policies
  The following Graduate School policies apply to hourly employment:

  • Hourly Employment policy
  • Hours of Employment, Maximum. See Maximum Work Hours policy for M. Arch. students above. 
  • International Student Employment, General
  • International Student Employment, Hourly On-Campus
  • International Student Employment, Hourly Off-Campus

  Fellowships
  The School offers a limited number of merit-based fellowships sponsored by the state chapters of the AIA and other benefactors. Fellowships provide graduate students with in-state tuition and a small, fixed sum that will be applied directly to their tuition bill. Fellowships are not tied to any kind of employment or work obligations.

  Fellowships are limited by the amount and timing of funds and do not extend beyond the number of semesters offered in the official award letter. They are limited in time and none renew automatically.

  Graduate Assistantships
  The School offers a limited number of assistantships that provide graduate students with in-state tuition, 50% tuition remission, and a semester-pay, sometimes referred to as a “stipend.”  Graduate assistants work 10 hours / week for the School for this assistantship opportunity. The number of assistantships available is limited by the School of Architecture's budget in a given year and no assistantships extend beyond the number of semesters offered in the official award letter; all are limited in time and none renew automatically.  

  All current and incoming students must apply for placement to determine their best assistantship role among available positions. Every year in late May – early June, a call for assistantships will go out to all current and incoming students with specific instructions on available positions and procedures. See the Graduate School's Graduate School's Student Employment/Graduate Assistantships webpage.   

  Application Process and Timing
  Assistantships are for one semester or one year and follow the academic calendar. Applications are requested one time per year, during the late spring or early summer—probably in May—before the start of the next academic year. At this time, a call for applications is sent by email to all registered graduate students with a list of available positions. Under normal circumstances, no positions will be offered or available after positions are awarded until the next call for applications, in the next summer, in advance of the next academic year.  

  Qualifications
  Full-time graduate students (i.e., minimum enrollment of 9 credit hours) in good academic standing (i.e., GPA 3.0 and above) are eligible for consideration. For School of Architecture assistantships, the primary considerations for appointment are 1) academic performance for continuing students or applicant ranking for new students, and 2) fitness, experience, or other qualifications for the employment role.    

  Employment Period
  Graduate Assistants work on the same schedule as faculty, including term breaks (but not official holidays). See the Graduate Assistantships, Holiday Leave policy.   

  Payroll Paperwork
  Assistants must complete employment paperwork on campus and no later than August 15. Please see or contact Shay Vinson (shayv@clemson.edu), Student Services Coordinator, for more information. 

  Responsibilities
  Graduate assistants (GAs) serve faculty and the School of Architecture as teaching, research, and administrative assistants. GAs in architecture are required to work an average of 10 hours per week, for a total of 200 hours per semester. Given the required 15-credit hour workload in the Master of Architecture program, M. Arch. students are limited to a "1/4 time" assistantship, with maximum of 10 hours per week. See the Enrollment Limits policy and chart and the Maximum Work Hours policy. Assistants cannot be scheduled for more than 10 hours per week, but must account for 200 hours of work per semester. Assistants must keep a current timesheet and work log, and must be prepared to give a copy of this to their primary supervisor, student services coordinator, or department head upon request. Also see the "Aspire" program requirement below. 

  "Aspire for Graduate Students" Training
  All graduate assistants are required to complete an "Aspire for Graduate Students" session. "Aspire for Graduate Students" is a comprehensive program that provides a dialogue-based educational session focusing on sexual violence prevention in adherence with Title IX guidelines, alcohol and other drug misuse, mental health, and campus resources. Graduate students will learn about beneficial personal health resources and also how to respond to and seek professional help for their peers and the undergraduates with whom they work. The program is administered by the Student Health Services, Division of Student Affairs, Healthy Campus initiative. 

  International Students 
  International students must have a high level of English language ability to qualify for most assistantships; teaching, administrative, and research assistants all need a high level of English language proficiency. International students employed in labs must also have the requisite skills. See the International Student Employment, Graduate Assistantship policy.  

  Tuition/Fees
  Students with assistantships pay fees and get tuition credit. See the Graduate School Tuition & Fees webpage.

  Remuneration
  Graduate assistants are paid. The pay is sometimes referred to as a "stipend." See the Graduate School's Student Employment/Graduate Assistantships webpage.    

  Renewal
  Assistantships are for one semester or one year only and do not automatically renew. Even if your financial aid account shows an assistantship as continuing, this is due to a lag in the accounting process—assistantships do not automatically renew. However, all registered graduate students may apply for an assistantship in the annual call for applications, and the applications of students previously awarded an assistantship who have performed their duties well will be considered.  

  Termination 
  Assistants may be terminated for not carrying out assistantship responsibilities, including not working the required 10 hours per week, and will be required to pay the balance of remitted tuition. See the Graduate Assistants, Termination for Cause policy. Assistants are required to maintain good academic standing; students on academic probation (i.e., with a GPA below 3.0) will not be eligible for an assistantship, and GAs placed on academic probation after the fall semester will lose their assistantship for the spring semester. See the Termination for Academic Deficiency policy.    

  Graduate School Policies 
  For all Graduate School policies related to assistantships, see the Graduate School's Financial Policies webpage.

• Handbook and Architectural Licensure Information

  M.Arch Handbook

  Clemson’s IPAL program
  INTEGRATED PATH to ARCHITECTURAL LICENSURE (IPAL) - provides an opportunity to fulfill the requirements for architectural licensure while completing the architectural degree. Clemson University’s Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture has been selected by NCARB as one of the accredited programs to participate in this initiative, and has developed a rigorous curriculum track that integrates the academic and experience components essential to architectural licensure. Architecture students selected for the program during their second year of undergraduate study will embark on a 4 ½ year track that integrates the academic components of architectural study with the internship and examination components of architectural practice. Two semesters of undergraduate study and two semesters of graduate study will take place at the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston (CAC.C), and summer internships will be necessary to fulfill requirements.

  Architectural Experience Program™ (AXP™)
  The Architectural Experience Program^™ (AXP^™) provides a framework to guide you through gaining and recording your professional experience. Developed by NCARB, the program is required by most U.S. jurisdictions and is a key step on the path to earning a license.

  Architect Registration Examination^® (ARE^®)
  As developed by NCARB, the ARE^® assesses a candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture.  It has been adopted for use by all U.S. registration boards and the Canadian provincial architectural associations as the registration examination for all candidates seeking architectural licensing. NCARB tracks the pass rates for the ARE^® in two ways - one by division and the other by NAAB-accredited schools of architecture.

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