Master of Science in Architectural Studies

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The University of Utah’s Master of Science in Architectural Studies (MSAS) is a 2-year, 36-credit post-professional degree designed for students who want advanced education in a specialty area of architectural research, with the flexibility to shape their studies around individual interests. Students develop research expertise through a combination of research methods, graduate electives, independent research, faculty mentorship, and a master’s thesis, making the program well suited to research-focused careers, advanced architectural inquiry, or preparation for further academic study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their research foundation through an introductory Seminar and build their individual area of specialization through Graduate Electives. The flexible curriculum allows students to select coursework that supports their proposed research interests while developing the analytical and theoretical skills needed for advanced architectural investigation.

Year 2: The second year focuses on Thesis Research, supported by additional Graduate Electives, allowing students to undertake an independent research project under the guidance of a primary advisor and thesis committee. Students complete a final written Master’s Thesis and demonstrate their ability to conduct original, academically rigorous research in architecture.

Focus Areas: Architectural research, architectural and urban design, social theory, qualitative and quantitative research, research design, specialized architectural inquiry, and independent thesis research.

Learning Outcomes: Analyze spatial, qualitative, and quantitative data to address real-world problems; conduct independent and original research using social theory, research design, and qualitative and quantitative analytical approaches; understand architectural and urban design values and communicate them verbally, in writing, and graphically.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The MSAS is a post-professional research degree and is not accredited for architectural licensure. The University of Utah School of Architecture’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch) is the NAAB-accredited professional degree for students pursuing the architectural licensure pathway.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Utah was ranked No. 141 globally in the 2025–26 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings, placing it in the top 7% worldwide among more than 2,250 institutions. The university also reports a strategic goal of 90% of graduates finding employment in a related field, entering post-baccalaureate education, or entering military service within six months of graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Science in Architectural Studies (MSAS) is a 36-credit, research-focused graduate program in which students develop an individual area of architectural research and complete an independent thesis under the guidance of a three-member faculty committee. The program’s flexible structure allows students to combine research methods, specialized electives, and thesis work while making use of the University of Utah’s architecture studios, fabrication facilities, digital tools, research spaces, and library resources.

Research and making: Students have access to the Architecture Building, including dedicated architecture and design studios, interactive classrooms, the CAP Shop, plotter facilities, and exhibition space. The CAP Shop and Digital Fabrication Lab provide opportunities to move architectural ideas from digital concepts to physical prototypes using fabrication technologies and professional-grade tools.

Key experiential resources include:

Research projects: Students complete an independent architectural research project culminating in a Master's thesis, working under a primary advisor and at least two additional faculty committee members.
Architecture studios: The Architecture Building provides dedicated Architecture & Design Studios where students can collaborate, develop projects, and conduct design-related work.
Digital fabrication: The Digital Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab) supports student studios and research with digitally driven fabrication processes, including CNC equipment for producing architectural models, prototypes, and larger-scale physical work.
CAP Shop: Students have access to a hands-on makerspace equipped with traditional hand tools, materials, and advanced digital fabrication equipment, with trained staff supporting project development and fabrication.
Digital tools: University architecture resources have included Autodesk Revit, 3ds Max, Adobe Creative Cloud, ESRI ArcGIS, Rhino3D, SketchUp Pro and RhinoCAM, alongside dedicated computer workstations, rendering resources, scanners, printers and large-format plotters.
Prototyping: ProtoSpace at Marriott Library provides access to 3D printers, scanners, drawing tablets, GIS/data-visualization workstations, media-editing stations and spatial-computing/VR equipment, supporting digital scholarship and prototyping activities.
Research facilities: The Einar Nielsen Field House includes a dedicated CAP Research Center, collaborative studio space, conference facilities, presentation areas and plotter printers that support advanced design and planning research.
Library resources: The Marriott Library supports architectural research and also houses ProtoSpace, connecting students with research collections, digital scholarship resources and hands-on fabrication technologies.
Design-build experience: University architecture students can participate in DesignBuildUTAH, including projects in Salt Lake City and the Navajo Nation that involve real sites, community partners, design development and full-scale construction.
Field-based projects: DesignBuildUTAH@Bluff provides an immersive setting where students work with local communities to design and construct full-scale architectural projects, giving them experience with materials, construction, sustainability and community-responsive design.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The University of Utah’s Master of Science in Architectural Studies (MSAS) is a post-professional, research-focused degree designed to prepare graduates for research or professional practice in a specialized area of architecture. Its flexible 36-credit structure, individualized research direction, and master’s thesis can support careers that value advanced architectural research, critical inquiry, and specialized knowledge.

Typical job roles: Architectural Researcher, Architectural Designer, Architectural/Civil Drafter, Architecture or Design Research Consultant. The University’s own career resources connect Architectural Studies with architecture and related built-environment careers.

Career support and opportunities:

U Career Success: Students can work with career coaches for career exploration, resume development, internship and job searches, interview preparation, networking, and salary negotiation; architecture and planning students have dedicated career-coach support.
Employer connections: The University provides Handshake for job listings and career events, while its career team organizes employer engagement, networking events, career fairs, and industry panels. The University also holds an Architecture, Planning & Design Career Expo specifically connecting students with employers.
Employment and salary: The University of Utah’s career data reports architects earning approximately $92,000 in 2025, with most salaries ranging from $53,000–$201,000; architectural and civil drafters had a $64,000 median with 80% earning $44,000–$99,000. These figures represent the broader occupations rather than MSAS graduates specifically.
Industry engagement: The School of Architecture has an alumni/employer advisory structure that provides input on school governance, strategic planning, and goals, giving the program a connection to professional practice and employer perspectives.
Professional value: The MSAS itself is not a professional degree accredited for architectural licensure. However, the University’s M.Arch is NAAB-accredited, providing an established professional pathway for students who later pursue licensure-oriented study.
Graduation outcomes: The program culminates in an independent research project and master’s thesis supervised by a faculty committee, demonstrating advanced research capability that can support research-oriented professional work or further academic study.

Further Academic Progression: MSAS graduates can continue into doctoral-level architectural research, particularly for careers in university teaching and advanced research. The University specifically describes the MSAS as well suited to students considering doctoral study, and students can also pursue the University of Utah’s NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture through an appropriate pathway; the School also offers a combined MS Architectural Studies + M.Arch option.