Master of Science in Architecture

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Pennsylvania

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania is a one-year, research-focused graduate program designed for students who want to develop advanced knowledge in architectural scholarship rather than pursue a professional architecture degree. Students combine lecture and seminar courses with independent research, culminating in a qualifying examination and a substantial Research Report that demonstrates their research and writing abilities.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: The first year develops advanced architectural scholarship through ARCH 8110: Architectural Theory and Techniques, which examines contemporary architectural scholarship through theory, history, and technology, alongside three electives that allow students to develop their chosen research interests. In the spring, ARCH 8120: Architectural Research Methods develops research approaches across historical, technological, and design discourse, supported by three further electives.

Summer: Students complete ARCH 8150: Research Report, a two-course-unit independent study in which they develop and write a detailed research project under faculty supervision. The program requires 10 course units overall and also includes a Qualifying Examination.

Focus Areas: Architectural theory and history, architectural technology, digital media, urbanism, landscape studies.

Learning Outcomes: Advanced architectural scholarship, architectural research methods, critical analysis, research writing, independent research, and the ability to develop and communicate an original research project.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): STEM-designated program; Penn identifies the Master of Science in Architecture among its STEM-designated programs. The MS in Architecture is an academic research degree, distinct from Penn's professional Master of Architecture, so the official program page does not state professional NAAB accreditation for this degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Penn Architecture was ranked #5 among architecture programs most hired from and #9 among most admired graduate programs in the 2019 DesignIntelligence rankings. Penn was also ranked #28 worldwide and #8 in the U.S. for Architecture in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Science in Architecture is a research-focused program where students develop practical research and analytical skills through seminars, independent study, research methods, and a supervised research report. Students work with faculty to investigate advanced architectural questions across historical, technological, and design discourse, giving the program a strong emphasis on independent research rather than conventional professional design-studio training.

Research Methods: Students take ARCH 8120: Architectural Research Methods, which develops research methods across historical, technological, and design discourse and applies them to advanced architectural projects.
Independent Research: ARCH 8150: Research Report provides a two-course-unit independent study in which students develop and write a detailed research project under the supervision of a Graduate Group or approved Weitzman faculty member.
Architectural Scholarship: ARCH 8110: Architectural Theory and Techniques engages students with current architectural scholarship and primary materials in architectural theory, history, and technology.
Research Facilities: Students benefit from Weitzman Architecture’s research environment, including the Advanced Research and Innovation Lab (ARI), which supports work connecting digital design, scripting, robotics, building construction, and performance.
Digital Tools: The ARI environment provides opportunities to engage with digital design, scripting, and robotics as part of architectural research and innovation.
Research Areas: The MS/PhD Architecture Graduate Group supports research in areas including Theory and History of Architecture, Building Technology, Structures and Computation, Environmental Design, Thermal Architecture, and Bio-Materials.
Faculty Supervision: Students develop their research report under the supervision of a Graduate Group member or other approved Weitzman faculty member, providing direct academic guidance throughout the independent research process.
Research Output: The program culminates in a Research Report and a Qualifying Examination, allowing students to demonstrate their research, analytical, and academic writing capabilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Science in Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania is designed as an academic, research-focused degree that develops advanced skills in architectural theory, research methods, independent study, and scholarly writing. Graduates can build careers that combine architecture with research, teaching, design inquiry, and interdisciplinary investigation, with the program also providing a strong foundation for doctoral study.

Typical career roles: Architectural Researcher, Architecture Educator, Design Researcher, Architectural Scholar

Career Support: Students can use Penn Career Services, Weitzman’s Professional Development & Leadership office, Handshake, externship opportunities, portfolio reviews, résumé advising, networking events, and the annual Design Career Fair to develop professional connections and pursue employment opportunities.
Employment Statistics & Salary: Penn does not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the MS in Architecture on the official program page. Career Services provides Labor Market Insights covering employment trends, annual earnings, employers, job titles, and related career data.
University–Industry Connections: Weitzman’s research environment connects architecture students and faculty with researchers and industry partners through research labs and interdisciplinary projects. The 2026 Research at Weitzman exhibition highlighted more than 30 projects supported by public funders and industry partners, including work involving the Center for Environmental Building Design, DumoLab Research, Environmental Modeling Lab, Polyhedral Structures Lab, and Thermal Architectural Lab.
Professional Networking: The Weitzman Alumni Association provides an international professional network, while alumni chapters, LinkedIn communities, career events, and alumni career programs create opportunities to connect with architects, researchers, firms, agencies, and other design professionals.
Accreditation Value: The MS in Architecture is an academic research degree rather than Penn’s professional Master of Architecture; therefore, it should not be presented as a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree. Penn specifically identifies the Master of Architecture as the professional degree accredited by NAAB.
Graduation Outcomes: The program’s research orientation supports progression into teaching, scholarship, architectural research, and further academic work. Penn’s official materials identify teaching and scholarship as established outcomes, while current MS alumni profiles demonstrate how graduates can use the degree to deepen research and connect architectural inquiry with professional practice.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can progress into the University of Pennsylvania’s PhD in Architecture, which provides a direct pathway for deeper doctoral research and scholarship in architecture. Weitzman administers both the MS in Architecture and PhD in Architecture through its Graduate Group in Architecture, making doctoral study a natural option for students who want to continue toward advanced research or academic careers.