Master of Urban Planning and Master of Architecture
This program enables students to gain two separate, concurrent degrees: the Master of Architecture, and the Master of Urban Planning offered by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Each degree is under the control of its granting unit with its own advisor. While a graduate candidate must meet the requirements for each degree, application and admission to both units need not be simultaneous.
Reciprocity of credit hours allows students to complete these two degrees, normally requiring two years each, in a total of three years. Up to 20 of the hours required by Urban Planning can count toward the Master of Architecture, and up to 20 of the hours required by the Architecture degree can count toward the Master of Urban Planning. To receive both degrees, students must complete a total of at least 86 hours, including at least 32 hours of UP courses and 42 hours of Architecture courses. These courses must include the core and capstone courses for each program.
Normally a student would take one year emphasizing the Architecture core courses (Arch 501, 502, 571, 572), one year emphasizing the Urban Planning core (UP 501, 503, 504, 505, 506, 408), and the third year emphasizing the capstones (Arch 573-574, and a UP capstone option). In all years, students would take electives from either program as appropriate.
The capstone requirement can be met separately for each program, or jointly by means of a single project. If the latter is chosen, the student must assemble a committee with representatives of each program, who jointly agree that the project would meet the requirements of each program. Registration for the capstone would be under the course rubric of one of the programs, and the other program would agree to recognize this as meeting their capstone requirement.
To satisfy requirements of the Graduate College, joint degree students must be enrolled for at least two semesters in each of the two programs. In any semester, students must be officially enrolled in one degree program or the other. Switching enrollment from one program to the other requires a petition to the Graduate College.
Students currently enrolled in the Master of Architecture program can apply to the joint degree program by requesting Architecture to send their file (or a copy) to the MUP Coordinator, and submitting at least one new letter of recommendation and a statement of purpose. No application fee is necessary. If your application is approved, you can transfer to Urban Planning simply by means of a petition to the Graduate College.
Students can apply initially to both programs simultaneously, with one application fee. The application and supporting materials should be sent to either program, and should clearly specify that the application is for the joint degree. At the same time, applicants should send a letter to the other department, officially informing them that the joint degree application has been submitted.
Dual Degree Program Courses
| Total Required for Dual Degree | 86 hours |
| Architecture Core Courses | |
| ARCH 501 Architectural Practice | 4 hours |
| ARCH 502 Structural Planning | 4 hours |
| ARCH 571 Architectural Design | 6 hours |
| ARCH 572 Architectural Design | 6 hours |
| ARCH 573 Architectural Design | 8 hours |
| ARCH 574 Architectural Design | 8 hours |
| ARCH ??? Architectural Thought | 3 hours |
| ARCH ??? Practice Issues | 3 hours |
Total: |
42 hours |
| Urban Planning Core Courses | |
| UP 408 Law and Planning | 4 hours |
| UP 501 Cities, Societies, and Planning | 4 hours |
| UP 503 Site and Physical Planning | 4 hours |
| UP 504 History and Planning of Cities | 4 hours |
| UP 505 Frameworks & Methods: Analysis | 4 hours |
| UP 506 Frameworks & Methods: Evaluation | 4 hours |
| Additional Courses in Urban Planning | 8 hours |
Total: |
32 hours |
| Electives in Urbana Planning | 6 hours |
| Electives in Architecture | 6 hours |
Total: |
12 |
| Total Required for Dual Degree | 86 hours |
Additional Information
Studying in studio 
