Contact

Lauren Mintier, Graduate Program Manager
225 Slocum Hall
ph. (315) 443-1041
e.lmintier@syr.edu

Chair

Julie Larsen, 225 Slocum Hall

Faculty

Jean-François Bédard, Lori Brown, Lawrence Chua, Junho Chun, Iman Fayyad, Greg Corso, Roger Hubeli, Bess Krietemeyer, Robert Lally, Julie Larsen, Mark Linder, Brian Lonsway, Kirk Narburgh, Hannibal Newsom, Emily Pellicano, Nina Sharifi, Michael Speaks, Fei Wang, Abingo Wu

Description

The Syracuse Architecture MArch is a fully accredited professional degree program that leads to preparation for licensure in architecture. We embrace diversity of experiences our students bring and encourage those with any academic background or related field to architecture as well as those holding bachelor degrees in architecture to apply to the program. 

The M.ARCH Program aims to produce architects who not only provide leadership and vision in the construction of the physical environment, but collaboratively draw upon and organize diverse direction for the profession and utilize the latest technologies to expand the field of architectural design. Because the architect’s role in society is complex and changing, students approach the study of architecture as a transdisciplinary enterprise. The program places equal importance on the acquisition of professional skills, knowledge, and expertise, as much as on the necessity for versatility and innovation in the application of design.

Design research is an integral part of the course of study in the Graduate Program, from the first year of courses in design, theory, history, representation, technology, and dedicated “design research workshops,” to the final semester’s Directed Research project (see below for details).

Faculty engage in forward-thinking curricula (from material research to advanced technologies to socially and environmentally conscious inquiries), that serve as a laboratory for the future of architectural practice. Each of the core studio courses is led by faculty members from across the curriculum with differing expertise and approaches; encouraging the studio to be a site of debate, exchange, and design opportunities.

Students actively contribute to the conversations and criticism through their design work. We highly encourage those from all backgrounds to be a part of the Syracuse community; knowing that diversity of thought and unique perspectives enrich the program. Their work is informed by seminars, collaborations, and speculative exercises. Studio work is also coordinated with other core courses in theory, history, representation, structures, technology, and design research workshops so that design is pursued as inseparable from other aspects of the discipline as well as the complexities of the broader culture.
 

Design Studios (along with media/representation seminars, workshops, lecture courses and seminars) during the first four semesters of the MArch curriculum constitute the “core” of the program. The last year consists of “advanced studios,” “directed research,” and study abroad experiences that provide the necessary agency and professional development to prepare students to navigate the field once they graduate. The following is the expected outcome for each year of the Syracuse Architecture Graduate Program:

Year 1: The focus of the first two core studios are on methodologies, fabrication, representation, and materiality; working with local ecologies in the first semester and expanding that knowledge to embody more global environmental topics in the second semester.

Year 2: The design focus of the third and fourth semester is structured around advanced architectural investigations with the third studio engaging in contemporary urban topics with social, environmental or political constraints. The fourth studio is Integrative design that synthesizes knowledge garnered across the curriculum in a highly detailed building design, with input from invited guest critics and engineers for workshops throughout the semester.

Year 3: The final two semesters, plus an additional optional summer intensive term, offer distinct experiences in the Graduate Program. In the fifth semester, all students have the option to select from a range of studios taught by distinguished visiting critics. In the summer of the first or second year, students may choose to study at a summer intensive program in New York City or our “Three Cities Asia” global study program. Both summer programs are focused on the intersection of architecture and the rapidly growing metropolis that is taught by visiting critics.

Directed Research is the culminating design experience that embraces collaboration, where students choose to contribute to a particular design research agenda led by faculty advisors. The final semester at Syracuse is an intense and energized experience with high-levels of production that culminate in rich design investigations examining and exploring more in-depth topics of architectural discourse.

Design Research Workshops provide insight into emerging and experimental processes and practices, that typically lie on the fringe of architectural production, and offer students tools to develop their own agency within the field. The workshops are a short, intense duration and meant to infuse the program with visiting critics or faculty testing new and innovative techniques.

Completion of the degree typically requires three academic years and one summer. Students with a four-year baccalaureate degree in architecture may qualify for advanced standing in the program. Determination of qualification for advanced standing is made at the time of admission.  Participation in the Teaching Assistantship program requires that students take a maximum of 13 credits during the semesters they teach and typically require students with advanced standing to stay an additional semester.

Degree Awarded

Master of Architecture degree.

Prerequisites for Admission into the MArch Program

The program is open to students with an undergraduate degree in any field. The program seeks students with a wide range of experiences. The completed application form must be accompanied by an official copy of prior academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a portfolio of academic and professional work, and a brief statement of interests and objectives. GRE scores are not required but recommended. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English.

Waived Courses / Advanced Standing

MArch applicants who have completed or are about to complete an undergraduate degree from a four-year baccalaureate degree program in architecture may qualify for waived coursework equivalent to courses in the SU M.Arch program, or students may receive advanced standing, if applicants show strong 2D/3D computer skills, extensive design studio and/or professional experience. Advanced standing is determined after a complete review of the applicant’s application and portfolio by the admissions committee.

All admitted students are eligible to sit for equivalency exams in the areas of Architectural History and Structures.  These are offered during the orientation week prior to the first week of classes.  Students who demonstrate competency on these exams equivalent to our coursework will receive equivalency credits in these subject areas that can be applied to the total number of credits required to graduate.  Students entering with advanced standing who demonstrate this equivalent competency will be able to waive specific courses in these subject areas, but will need to substitute elective credits, as they will still be required to complete 77 credits at Syracuse University to meet the degree requirements.