Master of Architecture

3 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Maryland College Park

Program Overview

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch) at the University of Maryland, College Park is a STEM-designated, NAAB-accredited professional degree that combines design studios, architectural history and theory, urbanism, sustainable building technologies, and professional practice. It is suited to students progressing from either an architecture or non-architecture undergraduate background, with the seven-semester Path B providing a comprehensive route to professional architecture and the four-semester Path A offering advanced standing for eligible students.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Path B students establish their architectural foundations through ARCH 404 Graduate Architectural Design Studio I, ARCH 462 Building Methods and Materials, and ARCH 443 Visual Communication, developing design thinking, material understanding, and visual representation skills. In the second semester, ARCH 405 Graduate Architectural Design Studio II, ARCH 463 Sustainable Systems, and ARCH 445 Visual Analysis deepen their understanding of design, environmental performance, and architectural communication.

Year 2: Students move into more technically and contextually demanding work through ARCH 406 Graduate Architectural Design Studio III, ARCH 464 Structures I, ARCH 466 Building Systems, and ARCH 460 Site Analysis and Design. The following semester advances this work through ARCH 407 Graduate Architectural Design Studio IV, ARCH 465 Structures II, and ARCH 654 Urban Development and Design Theory, connecting architectural design with structural, building-system, urban, and theoretical considerations.

Year 3: The curriculum shifts toward integrated and advanced architectural practice through ARCH 600 Integrated Design Studio and ARCH 611 Advanced Technology, supported by architecture and history/theory electives. Students then undertake ARCH 601 Topical Design Studio alongside ARCH 797 Thesis Proseminar, developing a focused area of architectural inquiry and preparing for the final research phase.

Year 3.5: The final semester is centered on independent research and professional preparation through ARCH 799 Thesis Research, ARCH 798 Thesis, and ARCH 770 Professional Practice. Students bring together their design, research, technical, and professional knowledge in a substantial thesis while developing an understanding of architectural practice.

Focus areas: Architectural design, design research, sustainable building technologies, building systems, structures, site and urban design, architectural history and theory, visual communication, professional practice, and interdisciplinary built-environment studies.

Learning outcomes: Graduates develop the ability to undertake collaborative architectural design, critically investigate architectural and urban challenges, integrate building technologies and sustainable systems into design, conduct architectural research, communicate design ideas effectively, and prepare for professional architectural practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation) : The M.Arch is NAAB-accredited and is a professional degree intended as the educational foundation for pursuing architectural licensure in North America. UMD offers NAAB-accredited M.Arch pathways for both pre-professional architecture graduates and students entering from non-pre-professional backgrounds.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation describes its architecture education as nationally recognized, with a strong emphasis on experiential education, professional mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research. UMD also reports that its architecture students and alumni received seven of the eight student-category awards at the 2024 AIA Maryland Design Excellence Awards, demonstrating strong recognition of student design work by the professional architecture community.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Architecture at the University of Maryland combines intensive design-studio work with collaborative learning, digital design, physical prototyping, and professional exposure. Graduate students work in a dedicated studio environment alongside peers, faculty, and industry mentors, developing skills in building design, site analysis, urban design, and sustainable materials and methods. The program also connects students with fabrication facilities, international study opportunities, internships, competitions, and professional mentorship, giving them multiple ways to apply architectural ideas beyond the classroom.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

Collaborative design studios: Graduate students have assigned studio workspace with flexible areas for group work, where they develop projects through sketching, physical modeling, and digital design while working alongside peers, faculty, and industry mentors.
Fabrication Lab: The MAPP Fab Lab supports architectural model and prototype production through a Machine Shop and Laser/3D Print Lab, including a 3-axis CNC router, woodworking equipment, laser engravers, and 3D printers.
Digital fabrication: Students can prepare AutoCAD or Rhino3D files for laser cutting and use .stl files for 3D printing, allowing digital designs to be translated into physical architectural models and prototypes.
Architecture software: The School’s technology requirements specifically include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Rhinoceros, and SketchUp Pro for architecture students.
Field trips and site-based learning: The MAPP student handbook identifies field/class trips as part of the architecture learning experience, providing direct experience that complements classroom instruction.
Education abroad: M.Arch students can take part in a semester in Florence, Italy, as well as shorter global programs in locations including Cuba, India, Italy, Scandinavia, and Japan, giving students opportunities to study architecture in different cultural and geographic contexts.
Professional internship experience: MAPP offers an ARCH386 experiential-learning course designed to immerse students in professional realities, including meeting deadlines, developing workplace skills, and working across departments.
Competitions: Students can apply their architectural skills through competitions, working individually or as part of interdisciplinary teams.
Professional mentorship: The M.Arch program provides access to a network of practitioners who help students gain exposure to the design industry and develop professional connections.
Architecture Library: The Architecture Library is located within the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and provides books, periodicals, Special Collections, study rooms, computer workstations, scanners, and research assistance.
Research resources: MAPP provides dedicated research tools and resources, including the Architecture Library, Visual Resources Collection, and DRUM digital repository, supporting architectural research and visual study.
Great Space: This two-story atrium serves as a major venue for lectures, critiques, thesis reviews, exhibitions, and school events, while its flexible walls provide space for displaying and reviewing student work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Architecture at the University of Maryland, College Park is designed to prepare graduates for professional architecture practice, with a STEM designation and NAAB accreditation supporting the pathway toward architectural licensure in North America. Graduates can build careers across architectural design, building technology, urban design, and related built-environment fields, supported by professional mentorship, internships, employer networking, and UMD’s location near Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis.

Career opportunities: Architectural Designer, Architect, Project Coordinator, Design Technology Specialist

Career services: MAPP provides portfolio critiques, resume workshops, networking events, architecture-specific drawing workshops, professional “office hours,” internship opportunities, and access to practicing designers. Students can also use the University Career Center for career advising, internships, job-search resources, employer events, and Handshake.
Internships & employer connections: MAPP runs an annual Architecture, Planning, Preservation & Real Estate Development Career & Internship Fair connecting students with employers for internships and full-time positions. The school also provides internship and shadow opportunities with professionals in design, development, housing, transportation, and related fields.
Industry network: MAPP’s alumni network has more than 7,000 members working in design firms, government, nonprofit organizations, and development firms. The school also maintains strong professional connections through alumni events, professional panels, conferences, site tours, and interactions with practicing designers.
Professional exposure: Students benefit from faculty and visiting practitioners with substantial industry experience, including professionals connected with firms such as Gensler, HOK, Ballinger, Ayers Saint/Gross, Torti Gallas and Partners, and Design Collective through MAPP’s alumni and professional network.
Employment & salary: UMD’s 2025 University-wide Graduation Survey reports a 91% positive career outcome rate—employment or continuing education within six months—and a $77,000 median salary for the Class of 2025. These figures are university-wide and are not stated specifically for M.Arch graduates.
Graduation outcomes: The University’s broader 2025 survey reported 59.4% employed full-time, 6.6% employed part-time, and 23.3% continuing education among graduates for whom outcomes were identified. The university notes that these figures cover the overall graduating cohort rather than the M.Arch program specifically.
Professional accreditation: The M.Arch is NAAB-accredited, an important long-term professional credential because most U.S. registration boards require graduation from an accredited professional architecture program as a prerequisite for licensure. This accreditation strengthens the degree’s value for students planning a long-term career as a licensed architect.
Professional recognition: UMD architecture students and alumni have received recognition through AIA Maryland Design Excellence Awards, including graduate M.Arch projects and alumni work at firms such as Quinn Evans, Gensler, Design Collective, GWWO Architects, and McInturff Architects.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.Arch, students can pursue architectural licensure through the professional experience and examination requirements applicable to their jurisdiction, or continue into advanced study and research in architecture and related built-environment disciplines. UMD also offers graduate programs in areas such as community planning, historic preservation, and real estate development, providing opportunities to broaden expertise beyond professional architecture.