MS Architecture

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Program Overview

The M.S. in Architecture at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a 30-credit, post-professional STEM-designated program designed for architecture graduates and practicing architects who want to deepen their expertise in Sustainability, Urbanism, or Computation. Students work with a graduate advisor and faculty specialist to shape an individualized program around their chosen area, with the option of adding a six-credit thesis for students considering doctoral study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: NJIT officially states that the M.S. in Architecture consists of 30 credits and may be completed full- or part-time, rather than prescribing a fixed year-by-year sequence; therefore, the university does not state a mandatory one-year curriculum structure. Within the program, students can build advanced study around courses such as ARCH 621 – Net Zero Building Design, which explores high-performance buildings, system integration and renewable technologies, and ARCH 623 – Building Energy Modeling for Sustainable Design, which develops competency in whole-building energy simulation using EnergyPlus.

Students interested in urban and computational directions can also select subjects such as ARCH 684 – Topics of Sustainable Urbanism, examining sustainable urban strategies and challenges, and ARCH 688 – The Augmented City, which investigates how information and communication technologies can transform urban environments and social interactions. Students considering doctoral research can add a 6-credit thesis to the degree.

Focus areas

Sustainability, Urbanism, Computation, sustainable building design, net-zero architecture, building energy performance, life-cycle assessment, adaptive architecture, sustainable urbanism, digital technologies, and architectural research.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to synthesize multiple architectural variables into integrated design solutions, apply technical knowledge of design systems and materials, evaluate environmental impacts, and understand the social, cultural, technological, and economic contexts influencing architecture.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The M.S. in Architecture is officially designated as a STEM program and is post-professional, meaning it is intended for students who already have an architectural education or professional background. NAAB accreditation: NJIT's NAAB accreditation applies to its professional M.Arch. program; the university identifies the M.S. Architecture separately as a post-professional degree, so the M.S. itself is not stated as a NAAB-accredited professional degree.

Reputation (employability rankings)

NJIT's official architecture information lists Gensler, Perkins Eastman, AECOM, Perkins+Will, and Turner Construction among employers associated with architecture graduates, while common roles include Architect, Architectural Designer, Designer I, Project Manager, and Assistant Project Manager. NJIT also reports a $63,300 NJIT-average starting salary and $79,000 national-average mid-career salary for its architecture area of study; these figures are not stated as M.S.-specific salary statistics.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. Architecture at New Jersey Institute of Technology is strongly research- and technology-oriented, giving students opportunities to work at the intersection of architecture, computation, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, and digital fabrication. The program can be customized around individual research interests, with students working in a multidisciplinary research environment and using digital design and fabrication facilities to develop architectural prototypes and new approaches to manufacturing. The program’s practical learning is supported by NJIT’s extensive computing, fabrication, visualization, and materials resources:

Computational design: Students explore computational processes for architectural production, with opportunities to study machine learning, programming, physical computing, simulation, motion capture, and digital fabrication.
Digital fabrication: Students can develop new manufacturing approaches and create large-scale prototypes using robotic fabrication facilities and 3D printing.
Architecture software: HCAD provides access to professional software including Autodesk Revit, Maya, 3ds Max, AutoCAD and Fusion 360; McNeel Rhinoceros and Grasshopper; and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Laser Lab: The facility provides laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and resin 3D printers, supporting digital-to-physical prototyping.
DigiFab Lab: Students can work with three CNC mills, vacuum forming equipment, a spot welder, machining shear, box-and-pan brake, chop saws, bench grinders, and bandsaws.
Woodshop: The Woodshop includes a table saw, compound miter saw, drill press, band saws, routers, and handheld power tools for physical model and prototype production.
Materials research: HCAD has a Materials Library containing materials intended to support materials research and their application in studio and related courses.
Imaging Laboratory: The Imaging Laboratory supports digital design across HCAD, including specialized architecture and design teaching labs, 3D printing, laser cutting, and access to emerging software through the College’s relationship with the computer industry.
Research environment: Students can collaborate with faculty working in areas including embedded systems, computation, human factors, and digital fabrication, while the research environment connects architecture with broader NJIT technological disciplines.
Interactive and physical computing: HCAD facilities include an Electronics Lab, 3D Printing Lab, Physical Computing Lab, Animation Lab, and Game Lab, with equipment such as 3D scanners, sensors, motion-capture equipment, and film/video technology.
Architecture library: Students have access to the Littman Architecture and Design Library, listed among HCAD’s dedicated student resources.
Digital documentation: The Kepler Review System provides a digital record of student work, supporting the documentation and sharing of architectural projects through digital and print media.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MS Architecture at New Jersey Institute of Technology is designed to prepare graduates for advanced work in architectural design, research, technology, and related built-environment fields. Its interdisciplinary environment and location in Newark, within the New York metropolitan region, can help students develop connections across architecture, design, engineering, and technology.

Typical career roles: Architectural Designer, Architectural Researcher, Building Technology Specialist, Design Consultant

Career development and professional opportunities include:

Career services: NJIT’s Career Development Services provides career advising, resume and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career fairs, employer events, networking opportunities, and access to job and internship opportunities through Handshake.
Industry engagement: The Hillier College of Architecture and Design connects students with practicing architects and design professionals through studio reviews, lectures, exhibitions, and professional events, creating opportunities to build industry networks.
Employment and salary figures: Program-specific employment and salary statistics are not stated on the official MS Architecture program information reviewed, so no unsupported figures are provided.
University–industry connections: NJIT’s architecture programs benefit from the university’s interdisciplinary links with engineering, computing, and technology disciplines, allowing architecture students to engage with professionals and research activities across the built-environment and technology sectors.
Professional accreditation value: The MS Architecture is not a professional NAAB-accredited degree. It is intended as an advanced, post-professional architecture degree rather than the professional M.Arch pathway required for initial architectural licensure.
Graduation outcomes: Program-specific graduation employment outcomes are not stated on the official MS Architecture program page; therefore, a specific employment rate is not provided.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into doctoral-level study and architecture-related research, particularly where their interests intersect with design technology, sustainability, urbanism, computation, or other interdisciplinary areas. Students seeking professional architectural licensure should also review NJIT’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) pathway, as the MS Architecture is not the NAAB-accredited professional degree.