Overview

The dual Master of Architecture I and the Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism is a 126 credit program.  The dual Master of Architecture I AP and Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism program is a 81 credit program.

Master of Architecture I (3-year track)

The Master of Architecture I is a NAAB-accredited, 3-year (7 semesters) program intended for students holding undergraduate degrees in non-design fields. This STEM-designated professional degree program provides a well-grounded understanding of architecture as students immerse in contemporary challenges to address a variety of social, cultural, technological and programmatic contexts.

At the heart of the M.Arch I curriculum are Core Studios that introduce students to critical topics, imbue necessary skills, inspire critical thinking, examine the production of meaning in architecture, and foster an understanding of architecture as an integrative discipline. The Core Studios are carefully synchronized with core courses in drawing and visualization, history and theory, technology and systems, and practice.

The first year of the program is an intensive introduction to the tools, conventions and agendas central to the discipline of architecture. The first two studios balance an exploration of the technologies that will define the future of the profession, with a deep commitment to learning from architecture's past and present. The following summer, students travel to U-SoA’s studio facility on Via del Falco in Rome, with both airfare and lodging covered by the school. This 6-week experience balances design, history, theory, analysis and travel in and around the city.

During the second year, studios focus on the complex interrelationship of architectural problems across scales, from building details to global ecologies. Through design-based critical inquiry, students engage the many mandates of architectural design, including resilience, program, form, structural and environmental systems, building envelope, and urban context. The realities of the architectural profession are a consistent presence throughout the year, with practicing professionals incorporated into the studio context, and an emphasis on proficiency in technical documentation. 

Beyond the Core Studios, students are able to develop individual focuses, including computation and digital technologies, design-build, building construction, sustainability and resilience, urban design, historic preservation, adaptive-reuse, healthcare, or hospitality. Students direct this trajectory to match their own interests and career ambitions, allowing them to earn certificates in a professional concentration. This development is supported by a range of Upper Level Design Studios that reflect the diversity of faculty interests and experience, including those of internationally-recognized visiting scholars and fellows. The School is also home to innovative research units, including RAD-UM, Littoral Urbanism Lab, Community, Housing & Identity Lab, Future Objects and the Center for Urban and Community Design.

In their final year, graduate M.Arch students can opt to take an additional Upper Level Design Studio or pursue an Architecture Design Degree Project. The Architecture Design Degree Project takes one of two forms: 1) an individual design thesis on a topic selected and developed by the student through rigorous research, or 2) a directed design research group. Individual thesis is an opportunity for each student, working with a faculty advisor, to define an individual position with regard to the discipline of Architecture. In contrast, design research groups are led by faculty, and address relevant architectural questions through the lens of the faculty's areas of expertise. 

Master of Architecture I AP (2-year advanced placement track)

The Master of Architecture I AP is a 2-year (4-semester program) for students holding a pre-professional degree in architecture or a closely-related field. This STEM-designated professional degree program provides an advanced platform for students to engage contemporary challenges and address a variety of social, cultural, technological and programmatic contexts.

This M.Arch I AP program allows students to advance their undergraduate education by engaging more complex challenges, honing their skills in essential areas, and by developing individual focus areas, for instance in advanced technology, design-build, and building construction, sustainability and resilience, urban design, historic preservation and adaptive-use, healthcare, or hospitality. Students direct their trajectory following their interests, develop areas of professional concentration through certificates, and engage in critical research.

Beyond the Core Studios, students are able to develop individual focuses, including computation and digital technologies, design-build, building construction, sustainability and resilience, urban design, historic preservation, adaptive-reuse, healthcare, or hospitality. Students direct this trajectory to match their own interests and career ambitions, allowing them to earn certificates in a professional concentration. This development is supported by a range of Upper Level Design Studios that reflect the diversity of faculty interests and experience, including those of internationally-recognized visiting scholars and fellows. The School is also home to innovative research units, including RAD-UM, Littoral Urbanism Lab, Community, Housing & Identity Lab, Future Objects and the Center for Urban and Community Design.

In their final year, graduate M.Arch students can opt to take an additional Upper Level Design Studio or pursue an Architecture Design Degree Project. The Architecture Design Degree Project takes one of two forms: 1) an individual design thesis on a topic selected and developed by the student through rigorous research, or 2) a directed design research group. Individual thesis is an opportunity for each student, working with a faculty advisor, to define an individual position with regard to the discipline of Architecture. In contrast, design research groups are led by faculty, and address relevant architectural questions through the lens of the faculty's areas of expertise. 

Master of Real Estate Development an Urbanism

The University of Miami's (UM) Master of Real Estate Development + Urbanism (MRED+U) program is an immersive one-year graduate program that combines coursework in real estate development, finance, market analysis, construction, architecture, urban design, law and entrepreneurship. The knowledge and skill required to acquire, program, design, construct, reposition and manage real estate is complex. The MRED+U program prepares students for exciting and meaningful careers that embrace this complexity through the most interdisciplinary curriculum of its kind - one that blends the fundamentals of real estate development with livable community design. Students are immersed in one of the world's most dynamic real estate markets through a rigorous curriculum enriched with a wide range of experiences that extend beyond the classroom including study tours, major industry conferences, speaker series, the annual Real Estate Impact Conference, research initiatives and networking events. The prestigious MRED+U Advisory Board connects students with over 60 industry leaders who are directly engaged in the program as lecturers, mentors and advisors, providing case studies, internship and employment opportunities and access to dozens of cutting-edge projects from every real estate sector. 

Admission Requirements with MARCH I (3-Year Track)

Applications are generally considered for entrance in the Fall semester. only. Design studios in the Master of Architecture and courses in the Real Estate program are sequenced to deliver a cohesive educational experience and students are expected to follow the established design studio sequence for their program. Students entering the program in Spring or Summer are not eligible to enter the studio sequence at that time, but may take electives or other required courses. This may extend the duration of the Master of Architecture program.

Applications start on November 1 until June 1 for entry in Fall and October 1 until December 1 for entry in Spring. Admission to the Graduate Program is subject to the rules, regulations and procedures of the Graduate School as stipulated in the University Graduate Bulletin. It is the responsibility of each student to understand these requirements and to ensure that they are met.

Applications will be reviewed by the Architecture Faculty Graduate Admissions Committee only after fulfilling the below requirements and all of the following documents have been received:

  1. 3.0 cumulative point average

  2. Completed application form with an application fee. This fee is mandatory.

  3. A letter or statement expressing your interest in the program and reasons for applying.

  4. Official transcripts of all college and university courses taken, indicating the date your professional or other undergraduate degree was awarded. All transcripts must be sent directly from the institution’s registrar. E-scripts to download are also accepted. See more information on international transcripts below.

  5. Three academic (and professional, if applicable) letters of recommendation. If you have waived your right for access to your letters, they may be sent directly from the recommender, or they may be included with your application in a signed and sealed envelope.

  6. Resume

  7. Optional Digital portfolio sent to email: SoAgradadmissions@miami.edu.                          

Please save the digital portfolio with your Lastname_Firstname. Digital portfolios must be no greater than 8 MB. You may also share a portfolio link to review your work.

In the MArch. I./3 year track it is not required to submit a portfolio but it offers candidates an opportunity to present their visual interests and artistic skills. The work may include, but is not limited to reproductions of drawings, paintings, ceramics, sculpture, woodwork, photographs, video work and models. Although drafting (CAD or hand-drawing) courses are not required for admission to the 3-year program, students who want to include such drawings, are encouraged to do so.

Additional requirements for International Students:

  1. TOEFL of min. 80 or IELTS of min. 6.5 (please use University code 5815). 
  2. Graduate international transcripts will be reviewed by one of the approved Evaluation Services:

For application review purposes, English translated official transcripts are sufficient. Once the applicant gets admitted, the international evaluation report is required. 

Admission Requirements with MARCH (2 Year Track)

Applications are generally considered for entrance in the Fall semester. only. Design studios in the Master of Architecture and courses in the Real Estate program are sequenced to deliver a cohesive educational experience and students are expected to follow the established design studio sequence for their program. Students entering the program in Spring or Summer are not eligible to enter the studio sequence at that time, but may take electives or other required courses. This may extend the duration of the Master of Architecture program.

Applications start on November 1 until June 1 for entry in Fall and October 1 until December 1 for entry in Spring. Admission to the Graduate Program is subject to the rules, regulations and procedures of the Graduate School as stipulated in the University Graduate Bulletin. It is the responsibility of each student to understand these requirements and to ensure that they are met.

Applications will be reviewed by the Architecture Faculty Graduate Admissions Committee only after fulfilling the below requirements and all of the following documents have been received:

  1. 3.0 cumulative point average
  2. Completed application form with an application fee. This fee is mandatory.
  3. A letter or statement expressing your interest in the program and reasons for applying.
  4. Official transcripts of all college and university courses taken, indicating the date your professional or other undergraduate degree was awarded. All transcripts must be sent directly from the institution’s registrar. E-scripts to download are also accepted. See more information on international transcripts below.
  5. Three academic (and professional, if applicable) letters of recommendation. If you have waived your right for access to your letters, they may be sent directly from the recommender, or they may be included with your application in a signed and sealed envelope.
  6. Resume
  7. Digital portfolio sent to email: SoAgradadmissions@miami.edu.                          

Please save the digital portfolio with your Lastname_Firstname. Digital portfolios must be no greater than 8 MB. You may also share a portfolio link to review your work.

Students applying for advanced standing (MArch.I AP/ 2-year track) must present a selection of their best architectural works during their pre-professional studies. In order to facilitate the waiving of courses and studios, examples must emphasize comprehensive skills including sketches, plans, sections and elevations, and graphics that exhibit conceptual and diagramming abilities, understanding of structures and of urban context, as well as any other skills (computer modeling, models, photography and film abilities, etc.). Examples of professional work are encouraged but must clearly identify and describe work done independently and as part of a team.

Additional requirements for International Students:

  1. TOEFL of min. 80 or IELTS of min. 6.5 (please use University code 5815). 
  2. Graduate international transcripts will be reviewed by one of the approved Evaluation Services:
  3. Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Associates , (www.jsilny.org)
  4. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (www.ece.org)
  5. World Education Services (www.wes.org)

For application review purposes, English translated official transcripts are sufficient. Once the applicant gets admitted, the international evaluation report is required. 

Please visit our website at www.arc.miami.edu and refer to our latest admission and portfolio requirements here.

Curriculum Requirements  with MARCH I (3-Year Track)

ARC 604Immersive Architectural Design Studio I6
ARC 605Immersive Architectural Design Studio II6
ARC 606Great Cities Design Studio6
ARC 607Advanced Architectural Design Studio6
ARC 608Integrated Architecture Design Studio6
ARC 609Architecture Design6
ARC 610Architecture Design Degree Project 6
ARC 611Spatial Representation + Architectural Media 13
ARC 613Spatial Representation + Architectural Media 23
ARC 620Responsible Architecture3
ARC 630Building Technology I: Materials and Methods3
ARC 631Building Technology II: The Form of Forces3
ARC 632Structure Pt. I - The Form of Forces in Elements3
ARC 633Structure Pt. II - From Elements to Assemblies3
ARC 652Management of Professional Practice3
ARC 662Environmental Building Systems I3
ARC 663Environmental Building Systems II3
ARC 667History of Architecture3
ARC 668Diverse Histories of Architecture 20C. + Beyond3
ARC 691Analysis and History of Urban Form3
ARC 699Directed Research3
RED 601Introduction to Real Estate Development and Urbanism3
RED 610Financing Urban Real Estate Development3
RED 612Applied Real Estate Finance and Investments: I2
BSL 694Real Estate Law2
RED 660Urban Redevelopment3
RED 680Entrepreneurship in Real Estate Development3
RED 690Case Studies in Real Estate Development3
RED 699Capstone: Real Estate Development and Urbanism Charrette3
History of Architecture Elective3
Professional Elective3
Electives14
Total Credit Hours126

 Curriculum Requirements with MARCH I AP (2-Year Track)

ARC 607Advanced Architectural Design Studio6
ARC 608Integrated Architecture Design Studio6
ARC 609Architecture Design6
ARC 610Architecture Design Degree Project 6
ARC 615Advanced Architectural Media3
ARC 620Responsible Architecture3
ARC 652Management of Professional Practice3
ARC 699Directed Research3
BSL 694Real Estate Law2
RED 601Introduction to Real Estate Development and Urbanism3
RED 610Financing Urban Real Estate Development3
RED 612Applied Real Estate Finance and Investments: I2
RED 630Real Estate Economics and Market Analysis3
RED 660Urban Redevelopment3
RED 680Entrepreneurship in Real Estate Development3
RED 690Case Studies in Real Estate Development3
RED 699Capstone: Real Estate Development and Urbanism Charrette3
Electives17
History of Architecture Elective3
Total Credit Hours81

Suggested Plan of Study with MARCH I (3-Year Track)

Plan of Study Grid
Fall ICredit Hours
ARC 604 Immersive Architectural Design Studio I 6
ARC 611 Spatial Representation + Architectural Media 1 3
ARC 620 Responsible Architecture 3
ARC 630 Building Technology I: Materials and Methods 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring I
ARC 605 Immersive Architectural Design Studio II 6
ARC 613 Spatial Representation + Architectural Media 2 3
ARC 631 Building Technology II: The Form of Forces 3
History of Architecture Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Summer I
ARC 606 Great Cities Design Studio 6
ARC 691 Analysis and History of Urban Form 3
 Credit Hours9
Fall II
ARC 632 Structure Pt. I - The Form of Forces in Elements 3
ARC 662 Environmental Building Systems I 3
ARC 667 History of Architecture 3
RED 601 Introduction to Real Estate Development and Urbanism 3
RED 610 Financing Urban Real Estate Development 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring II
ARC 608 Integrated Architecture Design Studio 6
ARC 633 Structure Pt. II - From Elements to Assemblies 3
ARC 663 Environmental Building Systems II 3
ARC 668 Diverse Histories of Architecture 20C. + Beyond 3
RED 630 Real Estate Economics and Market Analysis 3
 Credit Hours18
Summer II
ARC 609 Architecture Design 6
Electives 6
 Credit Hours12
Fall III
ARC 607 Advanced Architectural Design Studio 6
ARC 652 Management of Professional Practice 3
ARC 699 Directed Research 3
RED 612 Applied Real Estate Finance and Investments: I 2
BSL 694 Real Estate Law 2
 Credit Hours16
Spring III
ARC 610 Architecture Design Degree Project 6
RED 660 Urban Redevelopment 3
RED 680 Entrepreneurship in Real Estate Development 3
Professional Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Summer III
RED 690 Case Studies in Real Estate Development 3
RED 699 Capstone: Real Estate Development and Urbanism Charrette 3
Electives 5
 Credit Hours11
 Total Credit Hours126

Suggested Plan of Study with MARCH I AP (2-Year Track)

Plan of Study Grid
Fall ICredit Hours
ARC 607 Advanced Architectural Design Studio 6
ARC 615 Advanced Architectural Media 3
ARC 620 Responsible Architecture 3
RED 601 Introduction to Real Estate Development and Urbanism 3
RED 640 Applied Design for Real Estate Development 1
 Credit Hours16
Spring I
ARC 608 Integrated Architecture Design Studio 6
RED 612 Applied Real Estate Finance and Investments: I 2
RED 630 Real Estate Economics and Market Analysis 3
RED 660 Urban Redevelopment 3
Electives 2
 Credit Hours16
Summer I
Electives 12
 Credit Hours12
Fall II
ARC 609 Architecture Design 6
ARC 699 Directed Research 3
BSL 694 Real Estate Law 2
RED 670 Construction and Project Management 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring II
ARC 610 Architecture Design Degree Project 6
ARC 652 Management of Professional Practice 3
RED 680 Entrepreneurship in Real Estate Development 3
History of Architecture Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Summer II
RED 690 Case Studies in Real Estate Development 3
RED 699 Capstone: Real Estate Development and Urbanism Charrette 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours79