Master of Architecture Track IV
(M.Arch Track IV)

The M.Arch Track IV is intended for students who hold an undergraduate degree in Interior Architecture, Interior Design, and Environmental Design. Track IV is ideal for prospective architects who wish to continue their architectural studies and earn a master’s degree while continuing to work. This track has two options: a 79 credit-hour curriculum for students whose undergraduate design degrees are from schools other than LTU, and a 60 credit-hour curriculum for students who hold a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from LTU. Students can complete nearly all of M. Arch Track IV online; there is one 4-credit summer course, the Critical Practice Studio, that requires students to work on campus for one week.

If you already hold a Bachelor of Science in Architecture or a Bachelor of Architecture from LTU or another accredited institution, you may qualify for our M.Arch Track II program.

If you do not have a Bachelor of Science in Architecture or a Bachelor of Architecture from an accredited institution, you may still qualify for our M.Arch Track III program.

Program Curriculum for Master of Architecture
Track IV (minimum 79 cr. | LTU BSID Graduate: minimum 60 cr.)

  • ARC 5014 – Arch Foundational Studio 1 (4 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5024 – Arch Foundational Studio 2 (4 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5034 – Arch Foundational Studio 3* (4 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5126 – Comprehensive Design Studio (6 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5804 – Critical Practice Studio (4 credit hrs)*
  • ARC 5814 or ARC 6514 – Adv. Design Studio 1 or Thesis 1** (4 credit hrs)

* Denotes a course not required for students who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at LTU.
** Note: If ARC 6514 is taken, the student must take ARC 6524 – Thesis 2 in lieu of 4 architecture elective credits.

  • ARC 5513 – Basic Structures* (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5523 – Intermediate Structures* (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5543 – Advanced Structures* (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5313 – Construction Systems 1 (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5323 – Construction Systems 2 (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5543 – Acoustics, Elec & Illum (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5413 – HVAC and Water Systems* (3 credit hrs)

* Course requires content of College Physics and Pre-Calculus 

  • ARC 5613 – History of the Designed Environment 1* (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5612 – History of the Designed Environment 2* (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5643 – Design Theory* (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5423 – Ecological Issues (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5063 – 20th Century Architecture (3 credit hrs)

* Denotes a course not required for students who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at LTU.

  • ARC 5823 – Simulation and Prototyping (3 credits hrs)
  • ARC 5013 – Research Methods (3 credit hrs)
  • ARC 5913 – Professional Practice (3 credit hrs)
  • DES 5112 – Design Leadership* (2 credit hrs)

* Denotes a course not required for students who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at LTU.

  • 5xx2/5xx3/6xx2/6xx3 – CoAD Electives (6 total credit hrs)

Critical Practice Studio

Critical Practice Studio is a low-residency academic course, part of the required Master of Architecture curriculum at the College of Architecture and Design, Lawrence Technological University. The Critical Practice Studio course is offered during the summer semester at LTU’s Southfield campus over one week. For Summer Schedules, please visit the Critical Practice Studio website.

*Critical Practice Studio courses are not offered online.

Thesis

The Thesis is a two-semester sequence of courses that offers students an opportunity to formulate and investigate a hypothesis related to architecture, its practice, tectonics, history, ideas, and design. It demands an independent pursuit and generation of knowledge through the creative process with an emphasis on research. Students interested in preparing a thesis should contact the Department of Architecture for guidelines that outline the qualification procedure for thesis candidacy.

For more information, please visit Master of Architecture Thesis.

Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL)

The National Council of Architectural Registration (NCARB) offers M.Arch students an expedited path to licensure through the IPAL program, which LTU has participated in since 2016. This initiative provides selected students the opportunity to complete the requirements for licensure while earning their degree. To learn more about NCARB and IPAL visit www.ncarb.org/IPAL or contact the CoAD iPAL Coordinator Eric Ward at [email protected].