Master of Architecture

3 Years On Campus Masters Program

Miami University Oxford

Program Overview

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch. III) at Miami University, Oxford is a three-year, 88-credit professional program designed for students whose undergraduate degree is outside architecture, combining intensive architectural education with opportunities to develop an individual design perspective. Students build knowledge in architectural design, graphic communication, history and theory, building technology, environmental systems, professional practice, and independent thesis research, preparing them for professional architectural practice and licensure.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The first year provides a strong foundation in architectural design, representation, materials, construction, and architectural history. Students develop these skills through ARC 517 – Architectural Materials, ARC 582 – Architectural Design Studio, and ARC 613 – Graphic Media II, followed by ARC 518 – Construction Methods, ARC 583 – Architectural Design Studio, and ARC 622 – History of Architecture II.

Year 2: Students progress into more advanced architectural and technical studies, connecting design with structural and environmental performance. Key courses include ARC 510 – Statics & Strengths of Materials, ARC 513 – Environmental Control Systems I, and ARC 601 – Architecture Studio, followed by ARC 511 – Structural Design, ARC 514 – Environmental Systems II, ARC 602 – Architecture Studio, and ARC 636 – Design & Research Methods. The Design & Research Methods course establishes the foundation for the written thesis and site research.

Year 3: The final year brings together advanced design, professional preparation, architectural theory, and independent research. Students undertake ARC 701 – Pre-Thesis Design Studio, ARC 541 – Professional Practice, and ARC 551 – Contemporary Architectural Theory and Practice, before completing ARC 702 – Thesis Design Studio and a graduate-level elective; the thesis combines a written research component with an individual design project developed with a faculty committee.

Focus areas

Architectural design, architectural materials, construction methods, graphic media, architectural history, structural design, environmental systems, architectural theory, design research, professional practice, digital media, technology, landscape, urbanism, and cultural heritage.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to investigate sites, formulate architectural programs, analyze ecological, social and economic conditions, develop conceptual and schematic designs, integrate structure and building systems, communicate through 2D and 3D media, conduct independent research, and produce a comprehensive architectural thesis project.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Miami University’s M.Arch. III is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and is the professional degree pathway for students entering from non-pre-professional undergraduate backgrounds; the degree, together with the required period of professional internship, qualifies graduates to pursue the Architectural Registration Examination and architectural licensure. The next accreditation visit for Miami’s M.Arch. programs is scheduled for 2031.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Miami University reports that 99.1% of master’s degree graduates are successfully employed, enrolled in higher education, or participating in a volunteer/service program. The Architecture department also highlights graduates who have gone on to work with leading firms such as Safdie Architects, Shepley Bullfinch, and Urbanus, demonstrating the program’s professional reach.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Architecture at Miami University combines intensive design studio work with architectural research, material exploration, digital fabrication, and technical development. Students in the three-year M.Arch. III track progress from foundational architectural design, graphic communication, materials, and construction methods into advanced studios, professional practice, and an independently developed thesis design project. The department also emphasizes independent research, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and off-campus study, giving students opportunities to test architectural ideas through making, analysis, presentation, and real design problems.

Students can build practical and research experience through:

Design studios: ARC 582 and ARC 583 Architectural Design Studio provide intensive studio-based design experience during the preparatory year, while ARC 601 and ARC 602 Architecture Studio develop more advanced architectural design and technical integration.
Material exploration: ARC 517 Architectural Materials introduces students to materials and their architectural applications, while the department's materials resources support hands-on investigation and design development.
Construction skills: ARC 518 Construction Methods gives students a practical foundation in how architectural projects are assembled and constructed.
Digital representation: ARC 613 Graphic Media II and ARC 614 Graphic Media III develop architectural graphic communication and representation skills as students progress through the three-year curriculum.
Digital fabrication: The department has a Digital Fabrication Lab equipped with a large-format router, laser cutter, and 3D printers, allowing students to translate digital designs into physical models and prototypes.
Woodworking and model-making: The approximately 3,000-square-foot Alumni Hall Woodshop supports woodworking, model-making, furniture building, and larger-scale construction work, with additional provision for light metalworking and an outdoor building yard for welding and metal work.
Computer facilities: Students have access to approximately 300 dedicated studio workstations, along with a separate 24-hour computer lab and studio breakout areas for design development, collaboration, and critiques.
Digital hardware and software: Ongoing grant activity provides access to state-of-the-art digital hardware and software, alongside digital fabrication technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and digital routers.
Research experience: ARC 636 Design & Research Methods develops students' research and communication skills; students formulate a preliminary thesis question, conduct independent research, and begin developing their written thesis with guidance from faculty and a thesis committee.
Collaborative thesis development: In ARC 701 Pre-Thesis Design Studio, students develop site and building agendas, investigate precedents and case studies, explore conceptual and schematic design options, and address structure, building systems, materials, zoning, and life-safety considerations.
Final design project: ARC 702 Thesis Design Studio culminates the program's design experience, with students expected to develop a substantial architectural thesis project supported by technical documentation.
Professional preparation: ARC 541 Professional Practice introduces the professional dimension of architecture, complementing students' studio and technical preparation.
Library resources: The Wertz Art and Architecture Library provides architecture-focused resources, while the Miami University Library system's membership in OhioLINK provides access to millions of book and journal titles.
Collaborative learning: The department highlights small class sizes, independent student research, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and off-campus study as important components of its architecture education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Miami University’s Master of Architecture are prepared for professional architectural practice as well as related design, technology, research, and development roles. The NAAB-accredited degree, combined with the required professional internship period, provides a pathway toward the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) and architectural licensure.

Career roles: Project Architect, Project Manager, Design Strategist, Design Technologist

Career support and progression opportunities include:

Career services: Miami University’s Department of Architecture + Interior Design hosts an annual Architecture + Design Career and Internship Fair, followed by a virtual event on Handshake, the university’s job and internship database.
Internship opportunities: Recent architecture students have secured internships with organizations including ACE Mentor Program, Acock Associate Architects, BHDM Design, BSA LifeStructures, EYP Architecture and Engineering, Freytag and Associates, Garmann Miller Architects and Engineers, and Group 70 International.
Industry engagement: Miami’s Career Center has featured Vocon as an employer partner; the firm recruits architecture and construction-management students and identifies experience with Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office as useful preparation for internships.
Employment outcomes: Miami University reported that 98% of graduate-degree recipients in its 2015–16 university-wide outcomes data were employed or continuing their education. This is a university-wide graduate outcome and is not specific to the M.Arch program.
Salary information: Miami’s published university-wide data reported that the majority of working Oxford-campus alumni earned $40,000–$69,999 in their first year, with a median annual salary range of $50,000–$59,999; these figures are not M.Arch-specific.
Professional accreditation: The M.Arch is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Miami states that the current accreditation covers both M.Arch II and M.Arch III, with the next accreditation visit scheduled for 2031.
Licensure pathway: The NAAB-accredited M.Arch, together with a period of professional internship, qualifies graduates to pursue the ARE and architectural licensure, providing long-term professional value beyond graduation.
Graduation outcomes: Miami’s architecture department lists progression into roles such as Project Architect, Designer/Design Consultant, Project Manager, Design Strategist, Design Technologist, Design Researcher, Developer, Contractor, and Project Engineer.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.Arch, graduates can progress toward architectural licensure through the ARE and required professional experience, or pursue further specialized study and research in architecture and related disciplines. Miami also provides a written research thesis and design thesis within the M.Arch III pathway, creating a strong foundation for students interested in advanced academic or research-oriented work.