Master of Science in Architectural Studies in Structures Concentration

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Architectural Studies – Structures Concentration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a specialized graduate program for students seeking advanced knowledge of structural design, analysis, and planning within architectural studies. The 32-credit, non-thesis program combines advanced structural coursework with an elective component, preparing students to address complex structural challenges through analytical, technical, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build advanced structural expertise through courses such as ARCH 550 Design of Steel and Reinforced Concrete Structures II, ARCH 551 Structural Analysis, and ARCH 552 Soil Mechanics and Foundations. The curriculum then progresses into specialized areas including advanced reinforced concrete design and advanced steel design, giving students a strong foundation in structural systems, materials, foundations, and analytical methods.

Final Semester: Students deepen their technical capabilities through ARCH 556 Advanced Structural Planning, ARCH 557 Seismic Analysis and Design, and ARCH 560 Advanced Structural Analysis. Alongside these courses, students complete approved electives to bring the degree to 32 graduate credit hours, allowing some customization of their studies around structural design interests.

Focus areas: Structural analysis, steel structures, reinforced concrete, soil mechanics and foundations, advanced structural planning, seismic analysis and design, and advanced structural analysis.

Learning outcomes: Students develop the ability to apply advanced design and research techniques, solve complex built-environment problems, communicate complex ideas through graphic, verbal, physical, and digital methods, collaborate across disciplines, and use analytical and conceptual thinking in contemporary design challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The MS in Architectural Studies – Structures Concentration is a specialized academic degree rather than a professional architecture degree, and the official Illinois catalog does not state that this specific MS concentration is NAAB-accredited. The School of Architecture's separate Master of Architecture is identified as the professional architecture degree.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Illinois School of Architecture reports that its architecture program is consistently ranked among the top 20 programs nationally, while its official ranking archive records a #39 worldwide and #6 among U.S. public universities position in the 2018 QS Architecture/Built Environment rankings. These figures refer to the School/architecture discipline rather than a separate ranking specifically for the Structures MS concentration.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the MS in Architectural Studies – Structures Concentration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign develop advanced structural design and analysis skills through specialized coursework focused on steel, reinforced concrete, soil mechanics, seismic design, and structural analysis. The program also gives students access to dedicated architecture studios, fabrication facilities, computing resources, digital fabrication equipment, and research environments, allowing them to connect structural theory with computational, technical, and design-oriented work. The degree can also be completed through an internship or fieldwork pathway, where approved practical experience can contribute to degree completion.

Structural Analysis & Design: Students work through specialized courses including ARCH 551 Structural Analysis, ARCH 553 Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design, ARCH 554 Advanced Steel Design, ARCH 557 Seismic Analysis and Design, and ARCH 560 Advanced Structural Analysis, developing progressively advanced capabilities in structural engineering for architecture.
Advanced Structural Planning: ARCH 556 Advanced Structural Planning provides further study of structural systems and their integration into architectural design, complementing the program's emphasis on building structures and performance.
Internship & Fieldwork: Students may choose an internship or fieldwork experience as a degree-completion pathway. The experience must support the student's area of study, be reviewed and approved by the School of Architecture, and be completed as an unpaid internship when taken for academic credit.
Digital Fabrication: The DigiFab Shop provides access to advanced fabrication technologies, including Universal Laser Systems laser cutters, Bambu Labs P1S multi-filament 3D printers, an Onsrud CNC router, and a large industrial robotic arm. These resources support physical prototyping and fabrication work within the School of Architecture.
Computing Facilities: The School maintains three computer labs with more than 50 computers, equipped with industry-standard software for 3D modeling, rendering, photo editing, and document layout. Students also have access to large-format plotters, scanners, printers, and Wacom tablets for digital design and presentation work.
Research Environment: The School's Digital Technologies in Architecture (DiTA) Research Lab engages graduate and undergraduate students in research using computational tools and fabrication techniques, providing a relevant environment for students interested in technology-driven architectural and structural research.
Dedicated Studios: Graduate students have studio space in Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, with dedicated workspace and typically 24-hour building access, supporting sustained design, research, and project development.
Fabrication & Prototyping: The School's fabrication facilities include the Woodshop, DigiFab Shop, and Print/3D Print Labs, giving students opportunities to move from digital concepts toward physical models and prototypes.
Ricker Library: Students can use the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art, whose collections include more than 120,000 volumes and 33,000 serials, covering architecture, architectural history, art, design, and related fields that support advanced research.
Print & Plotter Resources: The Temple Buell Hall Print & Plotter Lab provides large-format plotters, photo plotters, color printers, and other presentation equipment for Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Architectural Studies with a Structures concentration prepares graduates for careers that combine architectural design, structural systems, building technology, and research. The University of Illinois specifically describes the MSAS as a research-based degree for students pursuing professional or academic careers, while the Structures pathway can strengthen career options and support students working toward professional licensure milestones.

Typical career roles: Structural Design Specialist, Architectural Structures Consultant, Building Performance Specialist, Architectural Researcher.

Career support and employment opportunities:

Career services: Illinois School of Architecture career advisors provide support with internship opportunities, course selection, graduate-school planning, resume editing, interviewing, portfolio preparation, and business etiquette. The school also organizes the annual Career XPO, where students can meet and interview prospective employers.
Employer connections: Career XPO brings practicing professionals and prospective employers to campus, while the School's employer network provides opportunities to connect with firms during recruitment activities and professional events.
Professional development: The 2026 Structures information session featured Structures alumni discussing their career paths, projects, the value of the Structures degree, and milestones toward professional licensure, giving current students insight into professional progression.
Employment and salary data: Illinois publishes employment and salary information through its Illini Success reports. The university's published 2021–22 data for Architecture reported an average salary of $58,310, with a median of $55,000, although this figure is for the broader Architecture major and is not specific to MSAS Structures graduates.
Graduation outcomes: The School of Architecture identifies professional practice, research, consultancy, and academia as progression areas for its graduate programs; the MSAS specifically provides a pathway for students interested in professional or academic careers.
Long-term professional value: The Structures concentration can complement professional architectural education and provide specialized structural expertise. Students pursuing architectural licensure should note that MSAS Structures itself is a research-focused degree rather than the School's NAAB-accredited professional M.Arch; the School also offers a joint M.Arch + MSAS Structures pathway for students seeking both degrees.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into doctoral-level research in architecture or related fields, subject to admission requirements; the MSAS is specifically positioned as a pathway for students who want to begin pre-doctoral research. Students interested in professional architectural education can also consider Illinois's M.Arch pathways, including the joint M.Arch + M.S. in Architectural Studies (Structures) option, which awards two degrees upon successful completion.