Master of Architecture II

Post-Professional Degree

Edward Mitchell, Acting Director of Post-Professional Studies

The Master of Architecture II program is for students holding a professional degree in architecture who seek a second, master’s-level degree in this discipline and who are interested in developing a stronger theoretical basis for their understanding of the field. Because the program combines two years of studio-based activities with a variety of opportunities (both course-related and individually conceived) to extend their understanding of architectural design and its meaning within a broader cultural and social context, students in the M.Arch. II program are given considerable freedom and support to develop an increasingly reflexive, critical, and speculative relationship to their work.

With a number of courses available in the area of history and theory, and with access to a wide variety of Yale courses outside the School of Architecture, post-professional students are able to expand their understanding of the broader cultural context of architecture. Post-professional students are also given opportunities to organize symposia, exhibitions, publications, and seminars. Thus, to an exceptional degree, they are able to shape the curriculum to their own specific interests in collaboration with other students and faculty in the School.

Students in the M.Arch. II program take the required post-professional design studio (1061a) in the first term and in the subsequent three terms choose, through a lottery system, from a variety of advanced design studios, many of which are led by the profession’s leading practitioners and theoreticians. These studios are the same ones offered to M.Arch. I students. With faculty approval, students in their final term may undertake an independent design thesis (1199b) in lieu of an advanced studio. Such a studio may combine written and studio material.

Students are encouraged to explore elective course options. Courses—falling into the broad categories of design and visualization, technology and practice, history and theory, and urbanism and landscape—support and augment the pivotal studio offerings. Courses offered by other schools and departments within the University may be taken for credit.

Course of Study

In course titles, a designates fall term, and b designates spring term. The School reserves the right to change the prescribed course of study as necessary.

*Students not on academic warning or probation may substitute independent elective course work. (See the School’s Academic Rules and Regulations for procedures and restrictions.)

Summer Preparation Courses for Incoming M.Arch. II Students

In the week before the beginning of the fall term, the School offers the following three summer preparation courses for incoming M.Arch. II students.

1. Incoming M.Arch. II students are required to take a one-day two-part Summer Digital Media Orientation Course. The first part covers accessing the School’s servers, the use of the School’s equipment, and the School’s digital media policies and procedures. The second part covers the School’s digital fabrication equipment. Access to the School’s digital fabrication equipment will be granted only after completing the latter course.
2. The Summer Shops Techniques Course is required of all incoming students. It is a one-week course that introduces incoming students to the School’s wood and metal shops through an intensive furniture/object building process. The course stresses good and safe shop techniques. Students are not allowed to use the School’s shops unless they have satisfactorily completed this course.
3. The Arts Library Research Methods Session is required of all incoming students. In this hour-and-a-half session, discussion covers various strategies to answer research questions pertaining to course curricula and topics by using tools such as the Yale University online catalog, architecture databases, image resources, print resources, and archival resources.

School Portfolio

In addition to the 72 satisfactorily completed course credits, a student must satisfactorily complete the portfolio requirement as described on page 125 in order to receive an M.Arch. degree. The portfolio requirement is administered and periodically reviewed by the Design Committee.

Academic Rules and Regulations

Procedures and restrictions for the M.Arch. II program can be found in the School’s Academic Rules and Regulations section of the School of Architecture Handbook. This handbook can be found online here.