About Master’s Program,
As design professions respond to new challenges and opportunities presented by a range of social, environmental, technological and economic catalysts, designers are increasingly asked to work across scales and disciplines, to possess specialized expertise while maintaining a broad contextual grasp, and to emerge as leaders at the hub of collaborative endeavors.
Within this context, the Master of Science in Architecture program offers the opportunity for advanced study and research in specialized areas related to design, construction, operations, and human-material interaction at a range of scales, providing the basis for diverse career paths and/or entry into a Ph.D.-level program. The Master of Science program allows a student to conduct a research-based program of study which is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge in the design and building professions and may lead to future study in the doctoral program, where advanced standing may be awarded for acceptable graduate credits earned at the master’s level.
Candidates for the Master of Science in Architecture are encouraged to diversify their plan of study with courses from schools across the university and engage in collaborative research opportunities. Students will develop their own programs of study in cooperation with appropriate faculty and in consideration of the courses and facilities available. The Master of Science degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of an approved plan of study of at least 36 credit hours, normally including a thesis representing up to 10 hours of the total hours required. (The MS degree is completed on the Blacksburg campus in 4 semesters, and on the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center campus in 3 semesters,).
While an undergraduate degree in architecture or a related field is not required, applicants must demonstrate relevant background and experience, as well as capabilities for undertaking advanced academic study. Applicants must have a clearly articulated statement of research intent and are encouraged to contact program specific faculty prior to the application process with any questions regarding concentration areas.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Students are admitted to the Graduate Architecture Program on a competitive basis. Applicants are reviewed by an admissions group comprised of faculty members from the Architecture program and are evaluated on the basis of their previous background, including academic performance and relevant work experience. It is essential that applicants demonstrate qualities necessary for successful study at the graduate level through their previous academic work, and that they have shown responsibility, judgment, motivation, imagination and receptivity to new ideas.
Although submission of a paper application is possible, applicants are strongly encouraged to use the on-line application to the Virginia Tech Graduate School. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the completed application and required supporting materials are received by the University Graduate School and the Graduate Architecture Program, including the portfolio (required for M.Arch.2 candidates), no later than January 15th for admission for the following fall semester to the M.Arch., MS.Arch., or Ph.D. ADR programs. (NOTE: The application deadline for the MLA program is also January 15th.) If all materials are not received by the deadline, the application may not be considered for admission.
Every effort will be made to notify applicants by email of the admission decision by the first week of April. However, some applications will be held for further review pending available space.
Applicants who are accepted and cannot attend the Fall Semester, may request that their admission date be deferred; however, this deferral is not automatic and requires the approval of the Graduate Architecture Program Chair and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Several forms of financial assistance are available to graduate students, including grants by federal agencies, fellowships, and scholarships awarded by corporations, foundations, and professional organizations, as well as low and moderate-interest, federally-insured loans, including subsidized loan programs. Interested students can obtain detailed and updated information directly from the University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and The Graduate School. The Graduate Architecture Program awards a limited number of graduate assistantships each year. Assistantships are service positions and normally involve providing support to faculty for research or teaching; typical duties include providing tutorial assistance in the various workshops, providing teaching assistance in design studios or for required courses, research project assistance, and photographic assistance in project documentation and presentation. Stipends depend on the student’s academic achievement and experience. Students seeking a Master’s degree are usually not awarded an assistantship position for more than two academic years; assistantships are not normally available to first year students in the M.Arch.3 program.
Application Requirement,
A completed graduate application (on-line strongly recommended), including payment of a nonrefundable application fee.
Up-to-date official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate records. Copies of your official transcripts should be uploaded into the on-line application. Please do not mail your official transcripts to us until you have received an offer of admission from Virginia Tech. Please note that non-legible scans will not be accepted. Make sure your scanned documents are legible before uploading, as non-legible documents will result in processing delays. Make sure your scanned copy is of your official transcript. A grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale) for the last 60 semester credit hours, or equivalent, is required. An applicant whose previous academic performance is deemed slightly deficient (grade point average of 2.75 to 2.99) or whose transcripts are not current may be admitted as a “Provisional” student, as described in the University Graduate Catalog.
Three letters of recommendation from teachers, professionals or other people knowledgeable about the applicant’s work. Letters of recommendation that are not submitted on-line should be sent directly to the Graduate Architecture Program office.
A Résumé and a Statement of Intent briefly describing the applicant’s background, personal interests, motivation for the study of architecture, and, if applicable, proposed area of research focus. In lieu of the brief Statement of Intent, PhD applicants must submit a 2,500-word statement of research focus.
The Graduate School requires official test scores from the TOEFL for all International applicants. The minimum TOEFL score for the Graduate Architecture Program is 233 computer based, 577 paper based and 93 for Internet based. We will also accept the IELTS score of 7.0.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2026
Application Fee,
$75 application fee.
