Master of Architecture (Synthesis & Integrated Studio Track)

Program Overview

The M.Arch 2-Year Track at UB is a 60-credit hour program, typically completed over two years of full-time study. This accelerated professional degree is structured for students who have a strong foundation in architectural design and history from their undergraduate studies. The program emphasizes advanced studio work, combining design synthesis with integrated technical knowledge. Students engage in rigorous design problems, explore emerging technologies and materials, and delve into critical theoretical discourse. The curriculum culminates in a research studio or a thesis project, demonstrating advanced design capabilities and critical thinking, preparing graduates for professional licensure and innovative practice.

STEM Designated: Yes, the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program at the University at Buffalo is STEM-designated. This designation is highly beneficial for international students, as it allows them to apply for a 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension beyond their initial 12-month post-completion OPT. This provides international graduates with a total of up to 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. in a field directly related to their degree, offering significant career development opportunities.

NAAB Accredited: Yes, the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program at the University at Buffalo is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NAAB is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture in the United States. UB's M.Arch program recently earned the maximum, eight-year continuing accreditation by NAAB through 2032, a significant achievement that places it among a select group of programs nationally. This accreditation is crucial for graduates seeking professional licensure to practice architecture in the U.S., as it ensures the program meets rigorous national standards for architectural education. The NAAB review board specifically cited UB's "robust team of dedicated staff and clinical faculty who support students" and the program's "plurality of thinking [which] fosters a culture of open communication."

Curriculum: The 60-credit curriculum for the 2-Year M.Arch program is intensive and studio-centric. It includes core design studios (Synthesis and Integrated Studio tracks), which are central to the pedagogical approach, where students apply theoretical knowledge and technical skills to complex architectural problems. Required courses typically cover "Architectural Theory," "Architectural Media," "Structures," and "Environmental Systems." Students also engage in advanced seminars and electives that align with the school's research groups, such as Ecological Practices, Inclusive Design, Material Culture, Situated Technologies, and Urban Design. The program culminates with either a Research Studio or a Thesis, allowing students to pursue a specific area of inquiry and demonstrate their advanced design and research capabilities.

Research Focus: The M.Arch program at UB has a strong and distinctive research focus, recognized by NAAB for its excellence in this area. The School of Architecture and Planning is built on five Graduate Research Groups: Inclusive Design, Ecological Practices, Material Culture, Situated Technologies, and Urban Design. Faculty and students engage in cutting-edge research that addresses pressing issues facing the built environment. This includes rethinking building design for a changing climate, developing innovative materials and construction techniques, exploring the intersection of design and public health (e.g., refugee health), and advancing technologies like AI, robotics, and computational analysis in architectural practice. Students are encouraged to integrate research into their design studios and culminating projects, fostering an evidence-based approach to architectural practice.

Industry Engagement: The M.Arch program at UB actively fosters strong connections with the architectural profession and related industries. The "learn-by-doing" approach, integrated into design studios and applied research, prepares students for real-world challenges. Faculty often include accomplished practitioners who bring real-world expertise and interdisciplinary insights into the classroom. The School leverages its location in Buffalo, a city with a rich architectural heritage and ongoing urban revitalization, as a living laboratory for design and research. While specific company recruitment events may vary, the program's strong alumni network, coupled with career services support, helps connect graduates with leading firms and diverse career opportunities in architectural design, technology, sustainability, and urban planning.

Global Perspective: The M.Arch program at UB inherently embraces a global perspective, recognizing that architecture and urban planning address universal challenges and opportunities. The curriculum encourages students to consider global trends impacting climate change, housing, social justice, and urban development. Faculty research and studio projects often delve into international contexts, exploring diverse architectural responses to global issues. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to architectural design and problem-solving from around the world. This exposure prepares graduates to contribute to international projects and practices, and to understand architecture's role in a globally interconnected world.