Master of Architecture 2 years

Students in the Master of Architecture (2-Year) at The Catholic University of America gain practical experience through intensive architectural studios, integrated building design, advanced structures, and thesis work. The program is supported by the Crough Center, where graduate students can develop physical and digital prototypes using fabrication equipment, digital modeling tools, CNC routing, laser cutting, 3D printing, and professional architecture software. Washington, D.C. also functions as an extended learning environment, giving students direct exposure to architectural and urban projects beyond the studio.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

• Design studios: Students undertake Concentration Studio I, Integrated Building Design Studio, Concentration Studio III, Thesis Studio I, and Thesis Studio II, progressing from concentrated architectural design to integrated building work and independent thesis development.
• Integrated building design: ARPL 602 – Integrated Building Design Studio gives students experience bringing architectural design together with building systems and technical considerations.
• Thesis project: ARPL 696C – Thesis Studio I and ARPL 696D – Thesis Studio II provide an extended opportunity for students to develop and communicate an independent architectural project.
• Professional practice: ARPL 722 – Professional Practice connects the studio-based education with the professional responsibilities and processes of architectural practice.
• Digital design tools: Students have access to an architecture software suite including AutoCAD, Rhino, Revit, SketchUp Pro, VCarve, and ShopBot software through the CNC fabrication facilities.
• 3D modeling and visualization: The 3D Printing Lab provides computers and software including AutoCAD, Rhino, Revit, SketchUp Pro, Enscape, Twinmotion, V-Ray, Adobe Creative Suite, Cura, and MatterControl for architectural modeling and visualization.
• CNC fabrication: The fabrication facilities include a ShopBot desktop CNC router, enabling students to translate digital architectural designs into physical components and models.
• Laser cutting: Three Universal Laser Systems VLS6.60 laser cutters allow students to produce accurate architectural models and prototypes from materials such as wood, acrylic, paper products, metal, and glass.
• 3D printing: The dedicated 3D Printing Lab has twelve 3D printers, including Ultimaker S5, Pulse XE Nylon X, MakeiT Pro M, and Formlabs equipment, supporting architectural model and site development.
• Woodworking and material fabrication: The 1,700-square-foot Woodshop provides woodworking machinery and hand tools, allowing students to develop designs through physical construction and gain practical understanding of materials and building techniques.
• Digital media facilities: The Crough Technology Support Center provides 24/7 access to large-format printers, color laser printers, and large-format scanners for architectural drawings, presentations, and project documentation.
• Technology and Media concentration: Students pursuing the Technology and Media in Architecture and Interiors concentration can use a dedicated studio bay, Digital Media Center, six-computer lab, CNC router, laser cutters, 3D printer, woodshop, and cold metalworking facilities.
• Collaborative projects: The Technology and Media concentration has joined with the Media Studies and Communications Department for collaborative projects and shared classes, creating opportunities to work across disciplines.
• Washington, D.C. as a design laboratory: The university describes Washington, D.C. as an extension of the architecture classroom, providing access to a city with extensive architectural and urban history for design study and observation.
• Design-build experience: The CUA Design Collaborative enables students to provide design and building services for Washington-area communities, connecting architectural education with real community needs.
• Outside reviews: Student work is presented to an outside jury at the end of each semester, giving students experience receiving professional critique and communicating architectural ideas.

The Master of Architecture prepares graduates for professional architectural practice by combining advanced design education with technology, professional practice, and specialized architectural study. Students can build careers in architecture firms, urban practice, technology-focused design, and related built-environment fields, while the program’s Washington, D.C. location provides access to professional networks and internship opportunities.

Typical career roles: Architect, Architectural Designer, Urban Designer, Design/Technology Specialist

Career development and progression opportunities include:

• Career services: The Center for Academic and Career Success supports students with opportunity identification, application materials, networking, resume assistance, and internship searches; the university also hosts networking events and career fairs.
• Architecture career fair: The School of Architecture holds an annual spring career fair attended by around 50 firms, many from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Students can present portfolios, network with firms, and pursue internships and employment opportunities.
• Professional networking: Studio reviews bring practicing architects to campus as guest jurors, giving students opportunities to receive professional feedback and develop connections with practitioners.
• Internships and employment: The School’s IPAL (Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure) activities connect students with architecture firms and support access to internships and employment opportunities.
• Employment outcomes: Catholic University reports that 71% of responding surveyed graduates had completed at least one internship during their time at the university.
• Salary information: The university's published 2018 outcomes reported that 67% of respondents earning salaries were earning $50,000 or more, with reported salary bands ranging from $30,000–$39,999 through $90,000–$99,999. This is university-wide graduate outcomes data rather than M.Arch-specific salary data.
• Industry connections: Catholic University’s architecture alumni network includes professionals associated with organizations such as Leo A. Daly Company and Clark Construction, while the School maintains professional engagement through alumni, practitioners, career fairs, internships, and project reviews.
• Graduation outcomes: University-wide 2018 data reported 92% of identified graduates were employed, attending graduate school, or committed to an internship, long-term service, or religious life; this figure is not specific to the M.Arch program.
• Long-term professional value: The two-year M.Arch is a 60-credit, NAAB-accredited professional degree. Catholic University states that its NAAB-accredited professional architecture degrees provide the educational foundation required for students pursuing architectural licensure, and its licensure disclosure states that the accredited program meets the educational requirements for licensure in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.
• Accreditation status: The next NAAB accreditation visit for the university's two-year and three-year M.Arch programs is scheduled for Spring 2031, supporting the program's continued professional alignment.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.Arch, graduates can continue into advanced architectural research or specialized graduate study. At Catholic University, M.Arch students can pursue an additional Master of Science in Net Zero Design, which requires 18 additional graduate credits, while the School also offers concentrations in Sacred Space/Cultural Studies, Technology and Media in Architecture and Interiors, Urban Practice, and Classical Architecture and Urbanism for deeper specialization.