Urban Architecture

 

Overview

The Urban Architecture program teaches students to utilize design as a tool for creating sustainable urban environments. Through research-based collaboration with partners across various fields such as environmental studies and agriculture, students within the program are constantly exploring new solutions for sustainability in urban settings. As the program is housed within the only urban land-grant institution in the nation, a major focus of the program is the relationship between architecture and urban agriculture.

 

Mission

The Urban Architecture program seeks to educate the next generation of architects with an emphasis on developing the sustainable infrastructure and urban sustainability initiatives of the District of Columbia and urban areas around the world.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.Sc.Arch.)

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree program is a four-year program that requires the completion of 120 credit hours. Students may opt for a concentration in urban sustainability, which includes 12 credits of environmental science courses (see curriculum).

Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)

The M.Arch. (Track I) program is for students with a pre-professional degree in architecture. The program has a duration of three years and requires 49 credit hours (see curriculum).

The M.Arch. (Track II) is for students with a non-architecture, undergraduate degree. This is an accelerated program of study that requires 85 credit hours to complete (see curriculum).

 

Career Options

  • Architect (upon completion of licensure process)
  • Designer
  • Building plans examiner/code official
  • Planner (upon completion of the certification process)
  • Facility Manager
  • Contact Career Services

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition rates for the University of the District of Columbia can be found here. Financial Aid Information for the University of the District of Columbia can be found here.

Faculty Contact

Anna Franz, PhD, FAIA, NAC, LEED AP
Chair, Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability
Program Director, Architecture
(202) 657-3794
anna.franz@udc.edu

Resources

Master of Architecture Thesis Guide

 

Upcoming Events

TBA

 

Accreditation Requirements

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The University of the District of Columbia, Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:

M. Arch. (pre-professional degree + 49 graduate credits)
M. Arch.  (non-professional degree + 85 graduate credits)

Next accreditation visit; 2028

For more information, reference the NAAB website.

Architecture Program Documents

2022 NAAB Annual Statistical Report

2020 NAAB Decision Letter

2020 NAAB Visiting Team Report

2020 Architecture Program Report

For more information, reference the NAAB website.

2020 Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation

2017 APR Report

2017 NAAB Decision Letter

2017 NAAB Visiting Team Report

NAAB 2015 Procedures for Accreditation

NAAB 2014 Conditions for Accreditation

NAAB Annual Reports

ARE 5.0 Pass Rates

ARE 4.0 Pass Rates

Additional Resources

Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
Tau Sigma Delta, Gamma Pi (TSD-GP)
Arch Daily
Toward an Evolution of Studio Culture
The Emerging Professional’s Companion

For More Information:

    Choose Program Bachelor of Science in ArchitectureMaster of Architecture