Master of Science in Integrated architecture and design

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Idaho

Program Overview

The M.S. in Integrated Architecture and Design at the University of Idaho is a research-oriented, interdisciplinary degree that combines architecture, interior architecture, landscape design, art, and emerging digital technologies. The 30-credit program is suitable for graduates interested in sustainable design, environmental research, urban planning, digital visualization, and innovative design solutions, with opportunities to pursue either a thesis or applied project pathway.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Research Foundations: Students develop interdisciplinary design and research skills through CAA 5010 – Integrated Multidisciplinary Process Seminar and an advisor-approved graduate-level research methods course. They select electives across architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, art and design, and virtual technology to develop their specialization.

Year 2 – Advanced Research and Project Development: Students undertake independent research through Master's Research and Thesis (5000-level) or Master's Non-thesis Research (5990). They complete an original research thesis or applied design project addressing areas such as sustainable environments, urban development, digital modelling, or human-centred design.

Note: The program requires 30 credits and offers thesis and non-thesis options. Coursework is individually designed with a faculty advisor rather than following a fixed year-wise sequence.

Focus Areas

Interior architecture, sustainable design, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental design, urban planning, virtual technology, digital visualization, interdisciplinary research.

Learning Outcomes

Interdisciplinary design integration, advanced research methodology, sustainable design development, human-centred environmental analysis, digital modelling, creative problem-solving, collaborative research, design communication, independent project development.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is STEM-designated and recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is a non-professional degree and does not independently qualify graduates for architectural licensure. No separate professional accreditation is listed.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition)

The University of Idaho offers interdisciplinary research opportunities through its College of Art and Architecture and the Integrated Design Lab. Students benefit from faculty mentorship, industry connections, research collaborations, and internship opportunities with architecture, interior design, landscape design, public agencies, museums, and private firms. The university identifies potential career pathways in urban planning, landscape architecture, architectural management, and postsecondary education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Idaho provides students with opportunities to apply design research to real-world architectural, environmental and urban challenges. Through faculty mentorship, interdisciplinary seminars and applied research, students develop practical solutions involving sustainable buildings, digital modelling, visualization and human-centred environments. Students can also gain industry exposure through internships, research collaboration with the university's Integrated Design Lab and international study opportunities.

Program-specific practical opportunities:

Integrated Design Lab: Collaborate with researchers at the university's Integrated Design Lab on applied design and research activities.
Applied Design Projects: Develop projects addressing real-world challenges, including urban environments, sustainable design and digital modelling.
Digital Modelling Experiments: Explore digital modelling, visualization systems and virtual or immersive environments as part of independent research.
High-Performance Building Research: Investigate building performance, energy efficiency and sustainable design strategies.
Faculty-Led Research: Work closely with a faculty mentor to develop research questions, select methodologies and complete a thesis or applied project.
Internships: Explore internship opportunities through industry connections with museums, galleries, libraries, public agencies, community centres, art nonprofits and private architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and graphic design firms.
Study Abroad: Participate in international study opportunities to broaden design perspectives and gain exposure to global practices.
Professional Organizations: Engage with student groups such as the American Institute of Architecture Students, American Society of Interior Designers, Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Virtual Design Society.
Exhibitions and Portfolios: Develop research papers, prototypes, design guidelines, presentations, exhibitions and graduate portfolios as part of the final research output.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the University of Idaho's M.S. in Integrated Architecture and Design can pursue opportunities in architectural research, sustainable design, urban planning, digital visualization and environmental design. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree helps students develop expertise for research-oriented, consulting and advanced design roles across architecture, landscape, interior design and creative technology industries.

Career Opportunities:

Architectural Design Researcher
Sustainable Design Consultant
Urban and Regional Planner
Digital Visualization Specialist

University Career Services:

Career Coaching: University of Idaho Career Services provides career assessments, individual coaching, resume development, interview preparation and salary negotiation guidance.
Job Market: The university lists 1,949 current job openings across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Hawaii. These are broader career-market openings, not program-specific vacancies.

University–Industry Connections:

Integrated Design Lab: Connects university research with industry partners through sustainable building research, energy-efficiency projects and real-world design activities.
Private Design Firms: Internship opportunities are available through connections with architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and graphic design firms.
Public Agencies and Community Organizations: Students can explore professional experiences involving public agencies, community centres, museums, galleries and nonprofit organizations.

Long-term Accreditation Value: The degree is STEM-designated and recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Eligible international graduates may qualify for the additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, subject to immigration requirements. However, this is a non-professional architecture degree and does not independently qualify graduates for architectural licensure.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can develop careers in design research, sustainable building development, urban analysis, digital modelling, virtual environment design, environmental research, consulting and academic research. The thesis pathway is particularly relevant for students considering research and doctoral study, while the non-thesis pathway supports applied professional design development.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates interested in advanced research and academic careers can pursue Ph.D. programs in architecture, environmental design, urban planning, landscape architecture or related interdisciplinary research fields, depending on the institution's admission requirements and research specializations. Students completing the thesis pathway may be particularly well prepared for doctoral-level research. The University of Idaho also offers doctoral study in related areas, although a direct progression or guaranteed admission pathway from this M.S. is not specified.