Architecture, PhD

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

Director of the School: Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Suárez

Director of graduate studies: David J. Isern

Overview of grad college admissions & requirements: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply


School website: http://arch.illinois.edu


College website: http://faa.illinois.edu


School office: 117 Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, 611 Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820

phone: (217) 333-7720

email: arch-grad@illinois.edu

This program offers advanced training for those students whose goal is a career of research and scholarship in academia, industry, or government. Four areas of focus are offered: History and Theory, Environment and Technology, Health and Wellbeing, and Urbanism. The program is administered jointly with the Department of Landscape Architecture.

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.

The application process is highly selective. Potential applicants are encouraged to correspond with the chair of the Ph.D. program and or with prospective advisors.  Applicants are selected for admission on the basis of academic performance and relevant experience. Application material is evaluated by the Ph.D. Committee and members of the faculty as necessary. Recommendations for admission are based upon an appraisal of prior academic work determined from official transcripts, the statement of research 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 required for all 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.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.

Financial Aid

Financial aid for graduate students in architecture is available in the form of fellowships and assistantships (teaching, research, and graduate or resource). Qualified candidates are considered for financial support upon application and in subsequent years of study.

Degree Requirements

The requirements may vary slightly according to students' area of focus. Please consult the PhD Handbook for more explicit details.

Students are required to defend their dissertation; Policies on format of the doctoral examination can be found in the Graduate College Handbook.

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's program page and the Graduate College Handbook. 

96-hour program for students entering with a Baccalaureate degree.

All students are required to enroll in the PhD colloquium during the fall of their first year of course work.
ARCH 589PhD Colloquium (twice)2
Research Methods4
Elective Coursework in Major Field26
Language Requirement: Required for all students in the History/Theory option and for some Social and Cultural Factors students
Elective Coursework32
ARCH 599Thesis Research32
Total Hours96

64 Hour program for students admitted with an approved MS/MA required to complete Stages II, and III.

All students are required to enroll in the PhD colloquium during the fall of their first year of course work.
ARCH 589PhD Colloquium (twice)2
Research Methods (Unless Previously Approved)4
Language Requirement: Required for all students in the History/Theory option and for some Social and Cultural Factors students
Elective Coursework26
ARCH 599Thesis Research32
Total Hours64

80-96 Hour program for students admitted with maximum 16 hours approved from a prior M.ARCH

All students are required to enroll in the PhD colloquium during the fall of their first year of course work.
ARCH 589PhD Colloquium (twice)2
Research Methods4
Elective Coursework in Major Field10-26
Language Requirement: Required for all students in the History/Theory option and for some Social and Cultural Factors students
Elective Coursework32
ARCH 599Thesis Research32
Total Hours80-96

Other Requirements

Other requirements may overlap
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall (not including 599): 24
Professional Degree Required for Admission to PhD? No
Qualifying Exam Required No
Preliminary Exam Required Yes
Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required Yes
Dissertation Deposit Required Yes
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Language and statistics course requirements vary by focus area. To develop proficiency, students may be required to take more than one course. Specific requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Chair of the Ph.D. Committee in consultation with the student’s advisor.