Master of Arts in Architectural Studies

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Houston

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Architectural Studies (MAAS) at the University of Houston is an advanced, research-focused degree for students who want to investigate the built environment without pursuing a professional architecture degree or licensure. Students develop an individualized course of study through advanced design, research, and electives, with the official degree plan requiring 30 credit hours, including prescribed advanced courses and approved electives.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with advanced architectural research and design through Topical Design Studio (ARCH 7600) and Master Project Prep (ARCH 6393), while building an individualized research direction through electives or independent research. In the second semester, Advanced Master Project Studio (ARCH 7602) develops the culminating project, supported by additional Elective / Independent Research courses, bringing the program to 30 total credit hours.

Year 2: Not applicable — the current official University of Houston degree plan does not include a second year. The MAAS is currently structured as a one-year advanced-study program.

Focus Areas

Focus areas: Urban Design, Media + Fabrication, Sustainable Design, and Sustainable Urban Systems are identified by the University of Houston as areas associated with its advanced architectural studies offerings; students can develop their individual study around approved electives and research interests.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes: The program develops advanced research into the built environment, independent inquiry, design investigation, critical thinking, and the ability to develop a substantial architectural research/project direction through advanced studio and independent research work. The College emphasizes creative and critical inquiry into the material and cultural contexts of architecture and design.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Professional alignment: The MAAS is a non-professional advanced degree and is not accredited by NAAB; the University specifically states that NAAB accreditation applies to its Master of Architecture Level I and II professional programs, while its advanced-study programs are not accredited. Therefore, this degree should not be presented as a professional architecture/licensure pathway.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Reputation: The University of Houston provides a strong design-school environment through the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design, with graduate students having access to advanced digital fabrication facilities, the Burdette Keeland, Jr. Design Exploration Lab, Materials Research Collaborative, Architecture and Art Library, computing resources, and Design/Build opportunities. The University’s official sources do not publish a program-specific QS/Guardian employability ranking for the MAAS, so a specific ranking is not stated rather than assigning an unrelated ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Master of Arts in Architectural Studies at the University of Houston gain practical experience through the Hines College’s studio-centric, project-based learning environment, where coursework is connected with material investigations, applied research, and making. Graduate students have access to advanced digital fabrication equipment, computing resources, the in-house Architecture and Art Library, and the Materials Research Collaborative, giving them opportunities to develop architectural ideas through both digital and physical experimentation. The College’s Design/Build program also allows students to follow projects from initial concepts through completed construction, while collaborative research through designLAB connects students and faculty with real architectural, planning, and urban-design challenges.

Digital design and modeling tools: The Architecture and Design Computer Lab provides more than 40 computers and software including Adobe Creative Suite, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD Building Design Suite, KeyShot, Rhino with Grasshopper and V-Ray, SolidWorks, and Vectorworks for drawings, BIM, parametric modeling, visualization, and solid modeling.
Digital fabrication: The Burdette Keeland, Jr. Design Exploration Lab provides access to more than 50 machines for woodworking, metalworking, and digital fabrication, supporting prototyping, fabrication, and architectural model building.
Design/build projects: The College’s Design/Build program gives graduate students hands-on opportunities to develop ideas from initial conception through completed construction, providing direct experience with architectural making and fabrication.
Collaborative research: designLAB-Houston brings faculty, students, alumni, and professional partners together in teams to undertake preliminary design studies, research, and development projects across architecture, planning, and industrial design.
Research facilities: The Materials Research Collaborative (MRC) supports material-focused investigation, while the College’s graduate facilities also include advanced digital fabrication resources and computing facilities.
Emerging technologies: The C.R.A.F.T. Lab focuses on emerging architectural and construction technologies including machine learning, robotics, augmented reality, additive manufacturing, LiDAR, photogrammetry, mobile robotics, and real-time visualization using AR/VR environments.
Architecture library: Graduate students have access to the College’s in-house Architecture and Art Library, providing a dedicated academic resource for architectural study and research.
Project-based learning: Open studios integrate coursework with project-based learning, material investigations, and applied research, allowing students to test ideas through both conceptual and physical processes.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Arts in Architectural Studies (MAAS) at the University of Houston is designed as an advanced, research-focused degree in the built environment, giving graduates a strong foundation for research, critical inquiry, and design-related professional roles. The Hines College emphasizes preparation for leadership in architectural and design fields, while the MAAS itself is a non-professional advanced degree rather than a pathway to architectural licensure.

Career Roles: Architectural Researcher, Urban Design Researcher, Design Researcher, Architectural/Design Consultant.

Career Services: Students receive access to the College of Architecture and Design Career Services Liaison for career and major exploration, mock interviews, on-campus interviews, resume and cover-letter support, workshops, and career fairs. University Career Services also provides Cougar Pathway for employment opportunities, while alumni can access Alumni Career Services.
Employment Opportunities: The Hines College and University Career Services connect students with employers through career fairs, networking events, scheduled interviews, and Cougar Pathway postings. The 2026 Hines College career fair specifically included master’s students and on-site scheduled interviews with participating employers.
Employment Statistics: University of Houston publishes graduation-survey and college employment information covering graduate outcomes, but the official source does not state a separate employment rate or salary figure specifically for MAAS graduates. Therefore, a program-specific salary or employment percentage is not stated.
Industry Connections: The Hines College aims to strengthen professional connections through mentorship, networking, professional practitioners, and partnerships with external industry and community stakeholders. The College also highlights Houston’s concentration of professional and industrial resources as an important environment for architectural and design education.
Accreditation Value: MAAS should not be presented as a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree. The University of Houston states that its Master of Architecture Level I and II programs are NAAB-accredited, while its three advanced-study programs, including the MAAS, are not accredited; therefore, MAAS does not itself provide the professional-degree accreditation pathway associated with architectural licensure.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can leverage the degree’s emphasis on deep research into the built environment, critical inquiry, and advanced study to pursue research-oriented architectural and design careers or continue into further graduate-level study. The University also provides research support through Hines College research hubs and assistance with identifying funding opportunities and developing research proposals.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MAAS, students can build on their research expertise through another advanced architecture/design qualification or pursue doctoral-level study where their research interests and the receiving institution’s requirements align. At the University of Houston, the Hines College currently lists MAAS alongside its other graduate offerings, while the University Graduate School provides a broader range of doctoral programs across disciplines.