Architecture
Master of Architecture
Overview
Related Topics
Turn design ideas into places people can inhabit, trust and carry forward
The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) at University of Idaho is a NAAB-accredited professional degree that prepares graduates to pursue architecture licensure. It teaches you to turn human needs, environmental conditions and technical systems into places people can actually inhabit — the doorway someone walks through, the morning light a family lives with, the public building a community recognizes as its own.
Most of your learning happens in design studio, where you and a professor work closely together nine hours a week, testing every idea against structure, materials, climate, accessibility and the people who will use the space. Classmates will see what you missed. A critique may send you back to the beginning — but with a clearer understanding of the problem.
You can start from either direction. The two-year, 45-credit M.Arch. is for students who already hold a B.S. or B.A. in architecture. The three-and-a-half-year, 96-credit M.Arch. (3+M.Arch.) is for students with a bachelor's degree in any other field. Both are offered on the Moscow and Boise campuses.
Program highlights
- NAAB-accredited — the professional degree required to pursue architecture licensure
- Studio-based learning — nine hours a week working directly alongside a professor and classmates
- Two paths in — a two-year M.Arch. for architecture degree-holders, or a three-and-a-half-year M.Arch. for career-changers with a bachelor's in another field
- Two campuses — study in Moscow or Boise
- A bridge for non-architecture grads — the Architecture Bootcamp prepares students without an architecture background for the 3+M.Arch.
This program is a good fit if you:
- Want to design buildings and environments that improve everyday life
- Enjoy moving between creative exploration and technical problem-solving
- Are willing to revise deeply when research, critique or building systems challenge an early idea
- Want to understand how history, culture and environmental conditions shape architecture
- Value close collaboration with classmates, faculty, clients and communities
- Want to build a professional portfolio through intensive studio work
- Plan to pursue architecture licensure or another advanced role in the built environment
Educating the architects of tomorrow
Curriculum
The Master’s in Architecture is a 45-credit program combining coursework and applied learning experiences. Students build technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience in the field.
View the program handbook
3 + M.Arch. curriculum
Seamless B.S. + M.Arch. curriculum
Related clubs and organizations
Organizations and clubs connect students, create community and help shape future leaders.
- American Institute of Architecture Students
- Student Congress of Art and Architecture
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,901 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Architects
$93,333 - Urban and Regional Planners
$97,432 - Postsecondary Architecture Teachers
$87,482
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Costs and funding
University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through assistantships, research opportunities and other forms of academic support.
Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:
- Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and certain institutional funding opportunities.
- Estimate your cost of attendance: Visit U of I’s cost of attendance page to explore estimated tuition, fees and living expenses associated with your graduate program.
- View a breakdown of tuition and fees: Visit the Student Accounts page to explore current tuition rates, fees and detailed cost information based on your program, residency status and enrollment level.
- Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.
- Learn about assistantships: Many graduate programs offer Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which may provide tuition support, stipends and valuable professional experience. Assistantship availability and funding levels vary by program and department.
- Connect with your program: Some graduate funding opportunities are coordinated directly through academic departments or faculty research projects. Prospective students are encouraged to review department funding information and speak with program representatives about available opportunities.
If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.
Art and Architecture graduate program professional fees
This program includes a professional fee to support studio resources, equipment and opportunities, like field trips, that enhance your learning experience:
- All full-time graduate students (10-20 credits) - $725.00 per semester
- Part-time graduate students (1-9 credits) - $81.00 per credit
Recognized STEM Program
This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.
Contact information
Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.
Architecture contact:
Dwaine Carver
dwaine@uidaho.edu
For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:
Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001
Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.
Application information
Sequence details
The M.Arch. two-year sequence accommodates students who have earned B.A. Architecture, B.S. Architecture or Environmental Design degrees. This track requires 45 credit hours.
The 3+ M.Arch. professional degree program is for students with a bachelor degree in any discipline. Students begin with the eight-week Architecture Bootcamp program followed by six semesters of study at the Moscow or Boise campuses. This track requires 96 credit hours.
Program availability
- Concentration: Non-thesis
- Semester intake: Fall and Summer
- Eligible for out-of-state tuition waiver through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) for qualifying applicants
- Open to international applicants, including those requiring F-1 visa status
- University of Idaho undergraduate students pursuing a B.Arch. with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may receive direct entry into the program upon completion of the streamlined online application. Departmental approval is required.
- Deadlines: General application deadlines
- Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates
University requirements
Non-seamless applicants for the architecture master’s program must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or related field from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
- Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.
- GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
- GRE: Not required
- Letters of recommendation: Three
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Other requirements: A portfolio of creative works is required for the application. A PDF, approximately 20 pages, 25 megabytes or less, is appropriate. Include: examples of design works, visual or performing art works, writing samples, entrepreneurial endeavors or any other documentation of activities that reflect creativity.
- Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
- English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).
- Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.
- Application Fee: $50
Application and admission process
Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.
Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.
Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.
International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to cover the cost of attendance. This documentation is required only after admission.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Have questions?
Have questions about the program? Connect with our program director or request more information to learn about curriculum, faculty advisors, research opportunities, graduate funding and career outcomes.