Prerequisites for Professional M. Arch Admissions
This information is for prospective students who a.) hold an undergraduate degree in architectural studies (or equivalent) from an institution other than the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or b.) hold an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field from any institution.
Students With An Undergraduate Degree in Architectural Studies
Students lacking only a few prerequisite courses (and with no deficiencies in Group I) may be admitted with full standing, conditional on their successful completion of the prerequisites within the first two semesters of enrollment. Completion of prerequisites can often take the place of electives, allowing such students to complete the program in 2 years.
Students With An Undergraduate Degree in an Unrelated Field
Students lacking a substantial number of prerequisite courses (or any courses in Group I) will only be admitted with limited standing (MArch-Limited Standing). Completion of all prerequisites (Groups I and II) can be accomplished in four semesters of full-time enrollment. Students admitted with limited standing must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in completing these prerequisites in order to continue with full standing. Graduate credit can only be earned for the completion of prerequisite courses in Group II and ARCH 475.
Prospective students should consult the graduate office for preliminary advice about equivalency of coursework completed at other institutions. Final decisions on equivalency are made by the Associate Director for Graduate Studies in consultation with the instructor of the equivalent course.
Prerequisite Group I
one introductory course in building materials and systems
(equivalent to ARCH 231: Anatomy of Buildings)
one course in architectural graphic communication
(equivalent to ARCH 171: Principles of Arch Design)
at least three semesters of rigorous, studio-based design
(equivalent to 272: Strategies of Arch Design; ARCH 373: Arch Design & the Landscape or ARCH 374 Arch Design & the City; ARCH 475: Arch Design & Development)
at least one course in static and dynamic structural forces in buildings
(equivalent to ARCH 351: Statics & Dynamics or ARCH 352: Mech of Mat & Design Appl)
one introductory survey course in the history of architecture
(equivalent to ARCH 210: Intro to the Hist of Arch)
one college-level course in calculus
(equivalent to MATH 220: Calculus I)
one college-level survey course in western history
(equivalent to HIST 141: Western Civ to 1660 or HIST 142: Western Civ Since 1660)
Prerequisite Group II
at least two semesters of intermediate study in the history of architecture, with one course dealing with a period before 1800 and one dealing with a period since 1800 (equivalent to ARCH 409-417)
one course in the design and selection of steel and wood structures
(equivalent to ARCH 451: Theory & Design Steel & Timber)
one course in the design and selection of concrete structures
(equivalent to ARCH 452: Theory of Reinforced Concrete)
one course in building environmental control systems
(equivalent to ARCH 341: Environment Tech HVAC)
one course in building lighting systems and acoustics
(equivalent to ARCH 342: Environment Tech Ltg & Acoust)
one course in building construction and construction documents
(equivalent to ARCH 432: Construction of Buildings)
Additional Information
at work in studio