Master of Science in Architecture

For more information, contact:
Dina Battisto - dbattis@clemson.edu
David Allison - adavid@clemson.edu
Anjali Joseph - anjalij@clemson.edu

For more information, contact:
Dan Harding - hardin4@clemson.edu

The CommunityBUILD Certificate Program is available for students in the M.Arch program. 

For more information, contact:
Peter Laurence - plauren@clemson.edu
Andreea Mihalache - amihala@clemson.edu
Ufuk Ersoy - uersoy@clemson.edu

For more information, contact:
Winifred Elysse Newman - elyssen@clemson.edu
Michael Carlos Kleiss - crbh@clemson.edu
Vincent Blouin - vblouin@clemson.edu
James Stevens - jsteve@clemson.edu

The Digital Ecologies Certificate Program is available for students in the M.Arch program.

Requirements for the MS degree consist of a minimum of 30 credit hours: 24 hours of coursework and directed studies and 6 credit hours of thesis work. The maximum enrollment per semester is 15 credit hours. Therefore, although it is technically possible to complete degree requirements in two semesters, it will take the M.S. student three semesters in most cases. M.S. in Arch. students should therefore plan for: two semesters of coursework, a summer of further research and writing, and a third semester focused on thesis writing.  

Students work closely with a Major Advisor and an Advisory Committee, with whom they determine an Individual Plan of Study. The advisors periodically review the student's work and evaluate thesis research and writing. Successful and timely completion ultimately depends on the student's initiative and diligence. 

Since M.S. students work closely with a major adviser, the applicant must identify a potential adviser and discuss a research focus and possible plan of study with a faculty member in advance of their application.

Faculty members are limited in the number of M.S. students they can advise, so admission is limited and competitive. Apart from determining an adviser for their research, admission is based on an applicant's previous academic credentials, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (for international students), a design portfolio, and a clear and concise research agenda describing the applicant's purpose and intent. 

After discussing a possible plan of study with a prospective adviser, the student must apply to graduate studies at Clemson University through the application portal.

International students must have a high level of ability in understanding, communicating and writing in English to succeed in the program. In preparation for writing research papers and a thesis in English, international applicants must demonstrate the ability to do so in TOEFL scores and/or other documentation. 

The M. Arch.-M.S. in Arch. dual degree offers the student an opportunity to focus on, or continue, a research agenda of personal interest and to earn a second master's degree in less time than pursuing the degrees independently. Applicants must apply to both programs simultaneously or no later than one semester into the M. Arch. program.  

Clemson University Graduate School policy permits the pursuit of dual degrees, which allows a limited number of credit hours to be applied to both degrees. For the M.Arch-M.S. in Arch. dual degree, this is capped at 9 credit hours. Since most ARCH courses are three credit hours, this generally means that three M. Arch. courses can be applied to the M.S. degree. Since the M.S. in Arch. is a research-focused degree, the courses applied will often be elective courses that advance the student's research interests. Following completion of M. Arch. requirements, the student will complete a minimum of 21 credit hours (30 minus 9 credit hours) including thesis work. 

To pursue a M. Arch. + M.S. in Arch. dual degree, the student must: (1) Apply to both degree tracks simultaneously, or within one semester, and be admitted to both, (2) have an appropriate research interest, (3) find a faculty member willing to serve as a primary adviser, and (4) secure the necessary approvals. 

With the combined credit, the M.S. in Arch. component can be earned in two semesters, instead of the typical three semesters, with successful completion of the remaining coursework, research, and thesis.