About the Program
The Master of Architecture Professional degree is awarded upon the successful completion of a full two-year program of studies. The program is studio based with a strong theoretical focus, culminating in a two-credit thesis.
The Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) recognizes this degree as an academic prerequisite for registration in the Intern Architect Program. Further information on professional registration can be obtained from the CACB or from one of the provincial associations.
Academic Regulations
- See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
- Architecture does not permit the C+ option as stipulated in Section 11.2 of the General Regulations.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (see Undergraduate Calendar) with a minimum academic average of B- .
- Application must be accompanied by two examples of the student's academic writing and a portfolio of their most recent studio work demonstrating facility in architectural design and methods of representation.
- Professional experience may be taken into consideration.
- Where applicants do not hold a B.A.S., but hold a four-year undergraduate degree with a concentration in architecture, equivalence may be considered on the basis of a demonstrated, exceptional design ability and high academic standing (B+ minimum average).
- Applicants are required to submit a complete portfolio of their most recent artistic and design work produced during their undergraduate studies and two examples of academic writing. Qualifying Year may be required (see below).
- When professional work is included as part of an applicant's portfolio, a precise description of the applicant's involvement and responsibilities in the completion of the project must be included.
- All applicants must provide two confidential letters of reference on the prescribed forms and a statement of academic and professional objectives.
- The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research requires applicants whose native tongue is not English to be tested for proficiency in English, as described in Section 3.6 of the General Regulations of this Calendar. Note, however, that students with a TOEFL score below 600 will not be considered for admission to the M.Arch. Professional.
- An admissions committee, which includes the supervisor of graduate studies, will determine the merits of each candidate on the basis of academic record, evidence of visual and architectural design ability, and, where applicable, professional experience. Enrolment is limited. The School's admission policy is governed by the availability of graduate student space. Possession of the minimum academic admission requirement does not, in itself, guarantee admission.
Qualifying-Year Program
- Candidates with deficiencies in certain areas according to CACB requirements may be required to take additional prescribed courses as prerequisites to their graduate work.
- Applicants who do not possess an equivalent B.A.S. degree (see below) may be admitted to a qualifying-year program, normally consisting of 5.0 credits at the 4000-level.
- All courses must be approved by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the School in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. (See General Regulations Section 2.3, 'Completion of the Qualifying Year', for more details.)
- Completion of the Qualifying Year is not a guarantee of admission. Re-application to the M. Arch. program is required.
Program Requirements
General requirements:
- 2.0 core course credits
- 1.0 elective course credits
- 3.0 studio credits
- 2.0-credit thesis which must be defended at an oral examination
A list of approved electives is available from the Program Administrator at the School of Architecture. The Associate Director (Graduate Programs) must approve all non-core courses.
Specific requirements:
Year 1
Fall Term
- ARCH 5200, ARCS 5105
- ARCC 5100 or 0.5 credit elective from courses at the 5000-level or above, approved by the Associate Director (Graduate Programs)
Winter Term
- ARCH 5201, ARCS 5106
- ARCC 5200 or 0.5 credit elective from courses at the 5000-level or above, approved by the Associate Director (Graduate Programs)
Year 2
Fall Term
- ARCS 5909 or ARCN 5909* or 0.5 credit elective from courses at the 5000-level or above, approved by the Associate Director (Graduate Programs)
- Winter Term
ARCC 5200 or 0.5 credit elective from courses at the 5000-level or above, approved by the Associate Director (Graduate Programs) - ARCS 5909 or ARCN 5909 (See Note, below)
Notes:
ARCS 5909 and ARCN 5909 normally extend over two terms. By the end of the first term of thesis registration, students will submit an architectural project for which an interim grade is awarded. This project will follow guidelines prescribed by the Associate Director (Graduate Programs).
The thesis is expected to include both a written text and a design component with appropriate modes of two and three-dimensional representation, including digital. Final thesis documentation must satisfy the requirements established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
