Urban Architecture

Overview

The Urban Architecture program teaches students to utilize design as a tool for creating sustainable urban environments. Through research-based collaboration with partners across various fields such as environmental studies and agriculture, students within the program are constantly exploring new solutions for sustainability in urban settings. As the program is housed within the only urban land-grant institution in the nation, a major focus of the program is the relationship between architecture and urban agriculture.

Mission

The Urban Architecture program seeks to educate the next generation of architects with an emphasis on developing the sustainable infrastructure and urban sustainability initiatives of the District of Columbia and urban areas around the world.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.Sc.Arch.)

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree program is a four-year program that requires the completion of 120 credit hours. Students may opt for a concentration in urban sustainability, which includes 12 credits of environmental science courses (see curriculum).

Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)

The M.Arch. (Track I) program is for students with a pre-professional degree in architecture. The program has a duration of three years and requires 49 credit hours (see curriculum).

The M.Arch. (Track II) is for students with a non-architecture, undergraduate degree. This is an accelerated program of study that requires 85 credit hours to complete (see curriculum).

Career Options

Architect (upon completion of licensure process)
Designer
Building plans examiner/code official
Planner (upon completion of the certification process)
Facility Manager
Contact Career Services

Cost & Financial Aid

For information on tuition and fees, please visit here. Financial aid information is available here.

Please note that tuition and fees cover the costs for general supplies and specialized materials needed during the full course of study for completing the NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture (Track I and Track II) program. Books and/or digital books are available at no cost in the library and may be purchased or rented by students.

For program specific questions, please contact Dr. Anna Franz, Chair, Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability, at anna.franz@udc.edu.

For information regarding admissions, please contact Mr. Timothy Harrison at tharrison@udc.edu.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive campus culture that intentionally values all students’ personal, intellectual, and academic growth. Diversity enriches our university community and is instrumental to our institutional success and fulfilling the university’s mission. We will continually strive to work together to address future challenges in a way that removes barriers to success and promotes a culture of inclusivity, compassion, and mutual respect.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action institution. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment against any person on the basis of the actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, credit information or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. This policy covers all programs, services policies, and procedures of the University, including admission to educational programs and employment. The University emphasizes the recruitment of minorities, women, disabled individuals, disabled veterans, Vietnam era veterans, and other eligible veterans. In accordance with our Discrimination and Harassment Policy, the University will strive to provide an educational and working environment for all faculty, staff and students that is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. We are committed to providing an environment that treasures diversity and emphasizes the dignity and worth of every individual and an environment in which every individual is treated with respect. The University will examine impartially all complaints of sexual harassment and attempt to resolve them as promptly as possible.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, no otherwise qualified student with a disability shall, solely because of the student’s disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the University, including facilities and employment.

Faculty Contact

Anna Franz, PhD, FAIA, NAC, LEED AP
Chair, Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability
Program Director, Architecture
(202) 657-3794
anna.franz@udc.edu

Resources

Master of Architecture Thesis Guide

Upcoming Events

TBA

Accreditation Requirements

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The University of the District of Columbia, Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:

M. Arch. (pre-professional degree + 49 graduate credits)
M. Arch. (non-professional degree + 85 graduate credits)

Next accreditation visit; 2028

For more information, reference the NAAB website.

Architecture Program Documents

2022 NAAB Annual Statistical Report

2020 NAAB Decision Letter

2020 NAAB Visiting Team Report

2020 Architecture Program Report

For more information, reference the NAAB website.

2020 Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation

2017 APR Report

2017 NAAB Decision Letter

2017 NAAB Visiting Team Report

NAAB 2015 Procedures for Accreditation

NAAB 2014 Conditions for Accreditation

NAAB Annual Reports

ARE 5.0 Pass Rates

ARE 4.0 Pass Rates

Additional Resources

Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
Tau Sigma Delta, Gamma Pi (TSD-GP)
Arch Daily
Toward an Evolution of Studio Culture
The Emerging Professional’s Companion