Program Overview
The Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers two paths of study: a two-year course of study for students with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture and a three to four-year course of study for students whose academic background is outside of architecture. The program emphasizes the opportunities that the University and Southern Nevada settings have to inform and enrich the study of architecture and prepare students for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Centering on critical opportunities for architecture to serve society, the M. Arch. degree program is organized into three distinct courses of study or concentrations: Building Systems and Sustainability, Hospitality and Entertainment Design, and Education Facilities Research & Design.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) The program emphasizes the opportunities that the University and Southern Nevada settings have to inform and enrich the study of architecture and prepare students for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Centering on critical opportunities for architecture to serve society, the M. Arch. degree program is organized into three distinct courses of study or concentrations: Building Systems and Sustainability, Hospitality and Entertainment Design, and Education Facilities Research & Design. Each concentration is composed of an interdisciplinary curriculum involving academic programs across the University of Nevada Las Vegas as well as the participation of internationally significant practitioners and researchers. The M. Arch. degree program is thematically structured to emphasize comprehensive building design during the first year of study and concentration-focused research and design during the second year of study. Concurrent to both years, students enroll in concentration-related electives that inform and give breadth to students’ individual efforts in the final year of the program.
Outline:
4+2 Hospitality & Entertainment Design Track
The 4+2 Hospitality & Entertainment Design Track is a two-year program designed for students with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture or its equivalent. The program provides a comprehensive education in the design of hospitality and entertainment spaces, with a focus on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Las Vegas market.
Course Schedule:
- Year 1: Foundations of Hospitality & Entertainment Design, Architectural Design Studio I, Architectural Design Studio II, Building Systems and Sustainability, Research Methods in Environmental Design
- Year 2: Hospitality & Entertainment Design Studio I, Hospitality & Entertainment Design Studio II, Professional Project Design, Electives
Individual Modules:
- Foundations of Hospitality & Entertainment Design: This module provides an overview of the history, theory, and practice of hospitality and entertainment design. Students will learn about the different types of hospitality and entertainment spaces, the unique challenges and opportunities they present, and the design principles that can be used to create successful spaces.
- Architectural Design Studio I: This module is a studio-based course that allows students to apply the principles of hospitality and entertainment design to the design of a real-world project. Students will work in teams to develop design concepts, produce drawings, and create models.
- Architectural Design Studio II: This module is a continuation of Architectural Design Studio I. Students will continue to work on their design projects, refining their designs and developing construction documents.
- Building Systems and Sustainability: This module provides an overview of the building systems and sustainability principles that are essential for the design of hospitality and entertainment spaces. Students will learn about the different types of building systems, their function, and how they can be used to create sustainable designs.
- Research Methods in Environmental Design: This module provides an overview of the research methods that are used in environmental design. Students will learn how to conduct research, analyze data, and apply their findings to the design of hospitality and entertainment spaces.
- Hospitality & Entertainment Design Studio I: This module is a studio-based course that allows students to focus on the design of a specific type of hospitality or entertainment space. Students will work in teams to develop design concepts, produce drawings, and create models.
- Hospitality & Entertainment Design Studio II: This module is a continuation of Hospitality & Entertainment Design Studio I. Students will continue to work on their design projects, refining their designs and developing construction documents.
- Professional Project Design: This module is a capstone course that allows students to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired throughout the program to the design of a real-world project. Students will work independently to develop a design concept, produce drawings, and create a model.
- Electives: Students will choose from a variety of electives to complement their studies in hospitality and entertainment design. Electives may include courses in such areas as lighting design, acoustics, and sustainable design.
4+2 Education Facilities Research & Design Track
The 4+2 Education Facilities Research & Design Track is a two-year program designed for students with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture or its equivalent. The program provides a comprehensive education in the design of educational facilities, with a focus on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Las Vegas market.
Course Schedule:
- Year 1: Foundations of Education Facilities Research & Design, Architectural Design Studio I, Architectural Design Studio II, Building Systems and Sustainability, Research Methods in Environmental Design
- Year 2: Education Facilities Research & Design Studio I, Education Facilities Research & Design Studio II, Professional Project Design, Electives
Individual Modules:
- Foundations of Education Facilities Research & Design: This module provides an overview of the history, theory, and practice of education facilities research and design. Students will learn about the different types of educational facilities, the unique challenges and opportunities they present, and the design principles that can be used to create successful spaces.
- Architectural Design Studio I: This module is a studio-based course that allows students to apply the principles of education facilities research and design to the design of a real-world project. Students will work in teams to develop design concepts, produce drawings, and create models.
- Architectural Design Studio II: This module is a continuation of Architectural Design Studio I. Students will continue to work on their design projects, refining their designs and developing construction documents.
- Building Systems and Sustainability: This module provides an overview of the building systems and sustainability principles that are essential for the design of education facilities. Students will learn about the different types of building systems, their function, and how they can be used to create sustainable designs.
- Research Methods in Environmental Design: This module provides an overview of the research methods that are used in environmental design. Students will learn how to conduct research, analyze data, and apply their findings to the design of education facilities.
- Education Facilities Research & Design Studio I: This module is a studio-based course that allows students to focus on the design of a specific type of education facility. Students will work in teams to develop design concepts, produce drawings, and create models.
- Education Facilities Research & Design Studio II: This module is a continuation of Education Facilities Research & Design Studio I. Students will continue to work on their design projects, refining their designs and developing construction documents.
- Professional Project Design: This module is a capstone course that allows students to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired throughout the program to the design of a real-world project. Students will work independently to develop a design concept, produce drawings, and create a model.
- Electives: Students will choose from a variety of electives to complement their studies in education facilities research and design. Electives may include courses in such areas as educational psychology, curriculum development, and educational technology.
4+2 Building Systems & Sustainability Track
The 4+2 Building Systems & Sustainability Track is a two-year program designed for students with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture or its equivalent. The program provides a comprehensive education in the design of sustainable buildings, with a focus on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Las Vegas market.
Course Schedule:
- Year 1: Foundations of Building Systems & Sustainability, Architectural Design Studio I, Architectural Design Studio II, Building Systems and Sustainability, Research Methods in Environmental Design
- Year 2: Building Systems & Sustainability Studio I, Building Systems & Sustainability Studio II, Thesis Writing, Electives
Individual Modules:
- Foundations of Building Systems & Sustainability: This module provides an overview of the history, theory, and practice of building systems and sustainability. Students will learn about the different types of building systems, their function, and how they can be used to create sustainable designs.
- Architectural Design Studio I: This module is a studio-based course that allows students to apply the principles of building systems and sustainability to the design of a real-world project. Students will work in teams to develop design concepts, produce drawings, and create models.
- Architectural Design Studio II: This module is a continuation of Architectural Design Studio I. Students will continue to work on their design projects, refining their designs and developing construction documents.
- Building Systems and Sustainability: This module provides an overview of the building systems and sustainability principles that are essential for the design of sustainable buildings. Students will learn about the different types of building systems, their function, and how they can be used to create sustainable designs.
- Research Methods in Environmental Design: This module provides an overview of the research methods that are used in environmental design. Students will learn how to conduct research, analyze data, and apply their findings to the design of sustainable buildings.
- Building Systems & Sustainability Studio I: This module is a studio-based course that allows students to focus on the design of a specific type of sustainable building. Students will work in teams to develop design concepts, produce drawings, and create models.
- Building Systems & Sustainability Studio II: This module is a continuation of Building Systems & Sustainability Studio I. Students will continue to work on their design projects, refining their designs and developing construction documents.
- Thesis Writing: This module is a capstone course that allows students to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired throughout the program to the design of a sustainable building. Students will work independently to develop a design concept, produce drawings, and create a model.
- Electives: Students will choose from a variety of electives to complement their studies in building systems and sustainability. Electives may include courses in such areas as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable materials.
3+ Hospitality & Entertainment Design Track
The 3+ Hospitality & Entertainment Design Track is a three to four-year program designed for students whose academic background is outside of architecture. The program provides a comprehensive education in the design of hospitality and entertainment spaces, with a focus on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Las Vegas market.
Course Schedule:
- Year 1: Preparatory Architecture Courses, Preparatory Building Science Courses, Preparatory Clinical Internship
- Year 2: Foundations of Hospitality & Entertainment Design, Architectural Design Studio I, Architectural Design Studio II, Building Systems and Sustainability, Research Methods in Environmental Design
- Year 3: Hospitality & Entertainment Design Studio I, Hospitality & Entertainment Design Studio II, Professional Project Design, Electives
- Year 4 (optional): Thesis Writing
Individual Modules:
- Preparatory Architecture Courses
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Overview:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public research university located in the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is known for its diverse student body, innovative academic programs, and its unique location in a vibrant and dynamic city.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
UNLV offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience. Students can expect to find a welcoming community with a strong sense of belonging. The university boasts a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, catering to various interests. UNLV also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and provides opportunities for students to connect with the local community.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Diverse and Inclusive Environment:
UNLV prides itself on its diverse student body, with one-third of students being first-generation college attendees. This creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from various backgrounds.Unique Location:
Situated in Las Vegas, UNLV offers students access to a vibrant city with numerous cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities.Innovative Academics:
UNLV offers a wide range of academic programs, including 78 majors, 84 minors, and over 197 graduate degree and certificate programs. The university also boasts its own law, medicine, and dental medicine schools.Strong Community Engagement:
UNLV encourages students to engage with the local community and provides opportunities for service learning and volunteer work.Academic Programs:
UNLV offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:
Arts and Sciences:
Humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.Business:
Accounting, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship.Education:
Teacher education, educational leadership, and special education.Engineering:
Civil, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.Health Sciences:
Nursing, medicine, dentistry, public health, and biomedical sciences.Hospitality:
Hospitality management, tourism management, and culinary arts.Law:
Juris Doctor (JD) degree.Fine Arts:
Music, theatre, dance, and visual arts.Other:
UNLV is a relatively young university, established in 1957. It has grown significantly over the years and is now one of the largest universities in Nevada. The university is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, focusing on areas such as healthcare, technology, and sustainability.
Each Master of Architecture program applicant must: Hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or international equivalent Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher Submit a design portfolio for review Submit a statement of intent Submit two letters of reference Submit a writing sample. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
