for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

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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.

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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

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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.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
All students are required to enroll in the PhD colloquium during the fall of their first year of course work.
ARCH 589	PhD Colloquium (twice)	2
Research Methods		4
Elective Coursework in Major Field		26
Language Requirement: Required for all students in the History/Theory option and for some Social and Cultural Factors students
Elective Coursework		32
ARCH 599	Thesis Research	32
Total Hours		96

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

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
All students are required to enroll in the PhD colloquium during the fall of their first year of course work.
ARCH 589	PhD 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 Coursework		26
ARCH 599	Thesis Research	32
Total Hours		64

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

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
All students are required to enroll in the PhD colloquium during the fall of their first year of course work.
ARCH 589	PhD Colloquium (twice)	2
Research Methods		4
Elective Coursework in Major Field		10-26
Language Requirement: Required for all students in the History/Theory option and for some Social and Cultural Factors students
Elective Coursework		32
ARCH 599	Thesis Research	32
Total Hours		80-96

Other Requirements

Grad Other Degree Requirements

Requirement	Description
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.

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

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Theory & Knowledge

• Students will understand the major theoretical approaches in their architectural subdiscipline, and the assumptions inflected on research situated within any one approach.
• Students will develop mastery of the knowledge in a major architectural subdiscipline and substantial comprehension of knowledge in a minor field outside of architecture.
• Students can identify and describe key theories, concepts, and issues associated with the major theoretical approaches in their architectural subdiscipline.
• Students can combine theoretical approaches to explain phenomena they intend to study.
• Students can select the theoretical approach that is most applicable to a phenomenon and explain why they have selected that perspective

Research

• Students will be able to identify, interpret, and synthesize research and describe the gaps in research conducted by other scholars in a particular area of focus.
• Students will comprehend the primary quantitative and qualitative research methods employed in systematic study of the built environment.
• Students will be versed in research ethics pertinent to their architectural subdiscipline.
• Students will be design and carryout a major original research project that contributes new knowledge to the discipline.
• Students will be able to articulate to scholars outside the field the value of including architectural perspectives in interdisciplinary research.

​Dissemination of Scholarship

• Students will understand the value and obligation for scholars to engage in all aspects of the peer-review process.
• Students informally share their work-in-progress with peers.
• Student can engage peer-review conference and journal venues where they disseminate their research.

Professional Development

• Students explore academic and professional post-graduation possibilities for applying their expertise in productive employment.
• Students understand the different types of academic institutions and the expectations of faculty and staff in these different institution settings.
• Students can design and deliver a lecture.
• Students can identify and describe different methods of academic instruction and explain their differential goals.

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

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

College of Fine & Applied Arts
College of Fine & Applied Arts

School of Architecture
​School of Architecture website

Admissions
Graduate College Admissions Requirements