Masters of Architecture

3 Years On Campus Masters Program

Washington State University Pullman

Program Overview

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) at Washington State University’s School of Design and Construction is a STEM-designated, NAAB-accredited professional program designed to prepare students for practice-based design innovation and leadership in architecture. The three-year track is intended primarily for students entering with a non-architecture undergraduate degree and combines architectural design, building science and technology, research, professional practice, and design innovation.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The first year builds the architectural foundation through courses such as ARCH 201 Architectural Design I, ARCH 210 Digital Analysis & Representation, and CSTM 201 Materials I, developing skills in design, digital representation, materials, and architectural thinking. Students then progress to ARCH 203 Architectural Design II, ARCH 215 Issues in Sustainable Architecture, and SDC 350 Global History of Design II, strengthening their understanding of sustainable design, architectural history, and design development.

Year 2: Students advance into professional architectural design and technical integration through ARCH 501 Graduate Design Studio I, ARCH 531 Advanced Tectonics, and CSTM 333 Building Science II. The curriculum also develops professional and digital capabilities through BIM Tools, SDC 473 Professional Practice, and ARCH 510 Graduate Design Studio III, connecting design thinking with building performance, construction technologies, professional practice, and advanced studio work.

Year 3: The final year focuses on advanced architectural investigation, professional preparation, and independent research through ARCH 511 Graduate Design Studio IV, ARCH 513 Graduate Design Studio V, and ARCH 530 Philosophy/Theory. Students further explore architectural issues through ARCH 527 Site Planning, ARCH 540 Research Methods, and ARCH 701 Master’s Exam, bringing together design, theory, research, site planning, and professional knowledge in the completion of the M.Arch.

Focus areas

Practice-based architectural design, design innovation, design research, social and ecological resilience, building science and technology, digital representation, BIM, advanced tectonics, sustainable architecture, site planning, architectural theory, professional practice, and interdisciplinary design.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to investigate architectural problems, produce innovative design solutions, apply building science and technology, use digital and BIM tools, conduct architectural research, evaluate social and ecological issues, and integrate design, technical, theoretical, and professional knowledge into architectural practice.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The WSU M.Arch. is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), with the three-year track comprising preparatory coursework and 48 graduate semester credits. WSU states that completion of the M.Arch. satisfies the educational requirement in the pathway to architectural licensure in all U.S. jurisdictions, subject to each jurisdiction's remaining licensing requirements.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Washington State University reports that its M.Arch. has an employment placement rate of nearly 100%, with graduates working in architecture firms across the country, public and private sectors, and related areas including urban planning, landscape architecture, restoration and preservation, industrial and material design, education, and innovation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Architecture at Washington State University gives students a strongly hands-on learning environment through design studios, interdisciplinary work, digital modeling, fabrication, and architecture-related practicum experiences. Students work in Carpenter Hall and the School of Design and Construction’s studios and fabrication facilities, while access to BIM, digital fabrication, materials, and emerging AEC technologies allows them to move from design concepts toward physical and digitally modeled outcomes. The program also integrates Architectural Experience Program (AXP) opportunities into the curriculum, helping students begin documenting professional experience toward architectural licensure.

Practical learning opportunities include:

Architecture studios: Students work in dedicated studio spaces in Carpenter Hall, the long-standing home of WSU’s architecture program, providing an environment for design development, critique, collaboration, and project work.
Fabrication Labs: WSU’s Fab Labs provide approximately 3,500 square feet of maker space and support architectural prototyping and design/build activities.
Full-scale prototyping: Fab Lab I supports full-scale architectural design/build and prototyping with a CNC router, thermal vacuum-forming machine, vacuum lamination machine, industrial woodworking equipment, and hand tools.
Physical modeling: Fab Lab II is designed for smaller-scale prototypes and physical models and includes laser cutters, desktop 3D printers, model-scale woodworking equipment, and hand tools.
BIM Lab: The BIM Lab gives students access to equipment and software for creating and navigating 3D, 4D, and 5D project models, including applications for preconstruction, site logistics, scheduling, and estimating.
Trimble Technology Lab: Students can gain hands-on experience with Trimble technologies covering surveying and GIS, model- and cost-based estimating, construction sequencing, site logistics, building-energy analysis, and constructible BIM.
Digital and emerging technologies: The School’s Virtual Design and Construction Club provides industry-led seminars and software demonstrations focused on BIM/VDC, while also exploring drones, VR, AR, LiDAR scanners, and robotics.
Materials Resource Library: Daggy Hall houses the School’s Materials Resource Library, giving design students access to material-focused resources alongside studio and laboratory spaces.
Interdisciplinary learning: Architecture is part of WSU’s School of Design and Construction alongside Construction Management, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture, supporting collaboration across related built-environment disciplines.
Professional experience: Architecture students can use practicum options connected to the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), which helps them document architecture practice-related experience required by most U.S. licensing boards.
Research and community engagement: The School emphasizes research, community engagement, industry partnerships, and practical knowledge, with students able to travel to different locations for technical development, research, and community-service activities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Architecture at Washington State University prepares graduates for practice-based architectural design, innovation, and leadership, with opportunities to develop expertise in design research, building science, technology, and social and ecological resilience. The program reports an employment placement rate of nearly 100%, with graduates entering architecture firms, public and private-sector organizations, and related areas such as urban planning, landscape architecture, preservation, and design.

Typical career roles: Architect, Architectural Designer, Project Manager, Design Specialist

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Career services: WSU’s Academic Success and Career Center provides career coaching, resume and cover-letter assistance, career fairs, student employment support, and access to Handshake for jobs and internships. Architecture students also receive career mentoring and preparation through the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture’s Internships and Career Services office.
Industry engagement: Architecture students can connect directly with employers through career fairs and professional events. For example, Williams Partners Architects held a WSU session specifically offering architecture students information about job and internship opportunities and portfolio/resume reviews.
Professional experience: The M.Arch includes internships and professional architecture firm immersion studios, while ARC 580 – M.Arch Practicum allows students to work under an architect in a professional office or with faculty in a research lab. The practicum can contribute experience toward the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP).
Employment outcomes: WSU reports a nearly 100% employment placement rate for M.Arch graduates. Graduates work across the country in private and public sectors and in architecture-related fields including landscape architecture, urban planning, restoration and preservation, industrial and furniture design, lighting and material design, graphic design, photography, production design, education, and innovation.
Salary figures: Not stated on the official WSU M.Arch program or School of Design and Construction career pages; therefore, no salary figure is provided.
Professional network: The program brings students into contact with leading scholars and architects at regional, national, and international levels, alongside professional lectures, workshops, exhibitions, symposia, competitions, and firm immersion experiences.
Long-term accreditation value: The M.Arch is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). WSU states that completing the M.Arch satisfies the educational requirement in the pathway to architectural licensure in all U.S. jurisdictions, providing strong long-term professional value for students pursuing licensure.
Accreditation continuity: The M.Arch received an eight-year term of continuing NAAB accreditation, effective January 1, 2023, with the next continuing-accreditation visit scheduled for 2031.
Graduation outcomes: WSU reports that graduates progress into architecture practice as Entry-Level Interns, Designers, Project Managers, and Partners, while others apply their architectural training to construction, engineering, landscape architecture, planning, sustainability, digital fabrication, building systems, materials science, government, and nonprofit work.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.Arch, graduates can continue developing their expertise through advanced study and research in architecture and related disciplines. WSU’s School of Design and Construction provides opportunities for continued engagement with design research, faculty-led research and teaching labs, building science and technology, digital fabrication, sustainability, and interdisciplinary work, while graduates interested in professional licensure can continue accumulating experience through the NCARB AXP pathway toward architectural registration.