for the Master of Architecture in Architecture, Urbanism Concentration

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The Urbanism Concentration in the Master of Architecture Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign provides students with the opportunity to develop an in depth understanding of the issues facing cities and urban residents in the 21st century. With complex environmental, political, technological and economic factors and accelerating urbanization, architects will increasingly be called on to understand and solve urban problems at a variety of scales, from the building to the region. These solutions require understanding across a breadth of issues as well as competency in the appropriate tactics and strategies that can lead to such solutions. The Urbanism Concentration provides students with the opportunity to develop these skills across a range of scales.

Students declaring the Urbanism Concentration are required to submit, at the end of their first semester of study and not later that the first day of classes of the second semester, a plan schedule that outlines their coursework for the next three semesters. This plan must be signed by the student and the Advisor and submitted to the Chair of the Program Area and the Director of Graduate Programs and Studies not later than the second week of classes of the student’s second semester of study.

This Concentration can be completed within the normal timeframe of the M.Arch degree. Successful completion of the Concentration will be noted on the student’s official transcript.

Admission
The admission grade point average for full standing in the Graduate College and the school must be at least 3.0 (A = 4.0). For applicants who meet the other requirements but have an admission GPA under 3.0, admission with limited standing may be permitted if evidence of exceptional qualification is presented.

Applicants are selected for admission on the basis of undergraduate academic performance and profession-related experience. Application material is evaluated by faculty members. The faculty's recommendations are based upon an appraisal of the admission grade point average determined from official transcripts, a portfolio or brochure of applicant's past work in architecture, a statement of objectives, three letters of recommendation, and relevant professional work experience.

Application forms for graduate admission and financial aid may be obtained from the Web site above. Application may be made on-line. Completed applications for the Masters or Doctoral programs must reach the Graduate Programs Office by January 15; students are admitted in the fall semester only. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for School of Architecture Masters Degree applicants; the GRE is required for all Doctor of Philosophy applicants.

All applicants whose native language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. A minimum score of 590 on the paper-based test or 243 on the computer-based test or 96 on the internet-based test is required. The University of Illinois also accepts IELTS (academic exam) score in lieu of TOEFL, with a minimum score of 6.5 and 6.5 in all sub-sections required.

for the Master of Architecture in Architecture, Urbanism Concentration

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 Students who declare the Concentration must complete a minimum of 21 hours of coursework with a focus on urbanism.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Architecture Studios		12
To be taken from a faculty member whose primary Program Area affiliation is Urbanism or as approved by the chair of the Urbanism Program Area
ARCH 574	Design: Architecture and Urban Design	6
ARCH 574	Design: Architecture and Urban Design	6
If a 574 studio is cross-listed as ARCH 575, then it will also satisfy the M.ARCH core requirement for one semester of 575.
Students are strongly encouraged to consider participation in the Chicago Studio in the first semester of the second year.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Architecture Graduate Courses		6
These courses may also fulfill elective requirements for the M.Arch. degree. Students will complete two, 3 credit hour courses to earn the 6 hours for this section.
400-level and 500-level ARCH coursework
Coursework taken for completion of the Urbanism Concentration must focus on issues of urbanism. Faculty in the Urbanism Program area offer a wide variety of graduate courses. In any given semester, these may have an appropriate focus for the Urbanism Concentration in other semesters they may not. Each semester Urbanism Faculty determine collectively which courses will be accepted for the Urbanism Concentration.
Other Graduate Courses
In addition, Faculty in other Program Areas may on occasion offer 400 or 500-level courses that are appropriate for the Urbanism Concentration. In such cases the Chair of Urbanism in consultation with the student’s advisor and after reviewing a formal request from the student may approve seminars taught by Architecture Faculty not in the Urbanism Program Area.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Additional Elective Coursework		3
Students must complete a minimum of 3 additional elective hours in course work related to urbanism. These hours must be acquired outside the School of Architecture. These hours may also fulfill elective requirements for the M.Arch. degree. Students may tailor this course to their own interests within the concentration. Students are encouraged to seek out special topics courses that vary by semester in other units and that are applicable to the urbanism concentration and the interest of the student. Courses must be approved by the advisor.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Total Hours to earn the Concentration in Urbanism for the M.Arch.		21

for the Master of Architecture in Architecture, Urbanism Concentration

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School of Architecture
Director of the School: Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Suárez
Director of Graduate Studies: David J. Isern
School website
117 Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, 611 Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-7720
School email

College of Fine & Applied Arts
College website

Admissions
Overview of Grad College Admissions & Requirements