Architecture

College of Architecture, Art, and Design

Prof. James L. West, Dean

Dr. Larry Barrow, Department Head and Graduate Coordinator

Giles Hall

662-325-2202

gradoffice@coa.msstate.edu

Graduate study is offered in the College of Architecture, Art, and Design leading to the degree of Master of Science in Architecture. This program provides an extension and knowledge of skills in the areas of design, planning, visualization, CADCAM, housing, sustainability, and construction/manufacturing processes. This is a post-professional degree and does not lead to licensing in Architecture.

For additional information, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, College of Architecture,

P. O. Box AQ, Mississippi State, MS  39762.

Admission Criteria—Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.00 and demonstrate competence in design, construction,  or related academic work.  This competence may be demonstrated through grades of B or better in design and computer science courses or through the submission of a portfolio.  International students must have a TOEFL score of 600 or above and should submit GRE scores. Each applicant must submit an essay stating intent and aspirations for study.

Program of Study—The M.S. degree may be earned via two optional study tracts:

Plan A - Thesis: Requires 30 credit hours (24 graduate level course hours and six credit hours of research/thesis), and a comprehensive examination.

Plan B - Non-Thesis: Requires 32 graduate level credit hours includes (two credit hours of independent study for production of a professional paper or research project), and a comprehensive examination.

Research assistantships may be available for students in Plan A - Thesis option. 

The Master of Science degree in Architecture offers an interdisciplinary, research-oriented academic experience for students from various fields who wish to use design visualization and information technology as a method of inquiry and problem solving. The degree program is appropriate for the student who has demonstrated a high level of success and potential for further development beyond undergraduate studies.  An applicant should submit a portfolio of design construction, or related experience/work, preferably in digital form (CD, DVD, website, etc.).  The entering class may include students from various design fields including interior design, landscape architecture, product design, construction management, art, etc.  Diversity is preferred in the student composition.  Interviews via email, phone or personal may be required at the discretion of the applicant review committee.The Master of Science Degree in Architecture is not a professional degree; it does not lead to architectural licensing as does the school’s five-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree.  Rather, this program offers the student an opportunity for exploration and research of architecture or a related field and utilizes technology as a problem-solving tool. 

The degree program educates leaders and produces new knowledge in architecture and related fields. The program emphasizes process and product design in an interdisciplinary, intellectual context, and the mastery of emerging hardware and software is expected.  The student will be given the opportunity and means to develop individual research agendas, mutually aligning with the program and faculty research agendas, and to collaborate with faculty and student colleagues on projects undertaken by the college.  All students must purchase computers.  In addition, students will have access to the college’s Digital Research and Imaging Laboratory (DRIL), which includes high-end workstations and a video-editing suite.  Applied research is encouraged with related industries, architectural firms, and other research units in an effort to address pertinent problems in architecture and the built environment.

Provisional Admission—The applicant who has not fully met requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status.  The student must have as his or her initial objective advancement to regular status.

A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University in order to achieve regular status.  Neither transfer credits nor unclassified graduate credits can be used to fulfill this requirement.  If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student may be dismissed from graduate study.  While in provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.

Academic Performance—A student must maintain a 3.00 GPA after admission to the program.  A student with a GPA below 3.00 will continue study on a probationary basis and be given one semester to achieve a GPA of 3.00.  Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

Plan A - Thesis: Requires 30 credit hours (24 graduate-level course hours with one-half at the 8000 level and six credit hours of Research/Thesis), and a thesis defense. 

Plan B - Non-Thesis: Requires 32 graduate-level credit hours with 15 hours at the 8000 level (includes two credit hours of independent study for production of a professional paper or research project), and a comprehensive examination.

The student in Plan A - Thesis must pass a general exam for the thesis by the end of the first year.  Failure to do so will result in a probationary status, and the student will not be allowed to register for second year classes until a pass is received from the committee.  Failure to pass may ultimately result in dismissal from the program.

Completion Requirements:

Plan A - Thesis:  Requires completion of the thesis to the satisfaction of the Thesis Committee and a thesis defense.

Plan B – Non-Thesis:  Requires two credit hours of independent study for production of a professional paper or research project and a comprehensive examination.

Graduate Courses—Course prerequisites are noted in parentheses.

First Year – Fall Semester

ARC 6114     Professional Practice Strategies. 4 hours

ARC 8990     Architecture and Virtual Spaces.  1-9 hours

ARC 8114     Digital Design I.  4 hours          

First Year – Spring Semester

ARC 8224     Research and Writing.  4 hours

ARC 8444     Interactive Media (ARC 8990). 4 hours

ARC 8124     Digital Design II (ARC 8113). 4 hours

ARC 8463     Digital Storytelling.  3 hours.

 Second Year – Fall Semester

ARC 8990     Computer-Aided-Design and Manufacturing (ARC 8113, 8123). 3 hours

Optional Electives

ARC 7000     Directed Individual Studies. (hours of credit vary)

ARC 8000     Research/Thesis.  6 hours

ARC 8990     Special Topics. (hours of credit vary)