Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Design Criticism at UIC is a two-year program that equips students with critical thinking and writing skills for careers in design criticism, education, research, and curating. The curriculum includes core courses in architectural theory, history, and criticism, as well as elective courses tailored to individual interests. Students are assessed through written assignments, presentations, critiques, and a final project. Graduates have gone on to successful careers in various fields, including design criticism, education, and research.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Arts in Design Criticism (MA in DC) is a two-year, 56-credit hour graduate program offered by the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The program aims to equip students with the critical thinking skills and writing expertise necessary to engage in meaningful discourse about the built environment. Graduates of the MA in DC program will be prepared for careers as design critics, educators, researchers, curators, and other roles that require a deep understanding of design and its impact on society.
Outline:
The MA in DC curriculum is structured around a core set of required courses that provide a foundation in architectural theory, history, and criticism. Students then have the opportunity to tailor their coursework to their individual interests through a selection of elective courses. The program culminates in a final project, which can take the form of a thesis, a curatorial project, or a critical essay.
Assessment:
Students in the MA in DC program are assessed through a variety of methods, including written assignments, presentations, and critiques. The final project is also a significant component of the assessment process. The program uses a holistic approach to assessment, taking into account the student's overall performance throughout the program.
Teaching:
The MA in DC program is taught by a faculty of distinguished scholars and practitioners in the field of design criticism. The faculty members are committed to providing students with a rigorous and intellectually stimulating learning environment. The program also features guest lectures and workshops by leading figures in the field.
Careers:
Graduates of the MA in DC program have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including design criticism, education, research, and curating. Some graduates have also pursued careers in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning. The program prepares students for a wide range of opportunities in the design and cultural fields.
Other:
The MA in DC program is a unique and intellectually rigorous program that provides students with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and writing skills. The program is also committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
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Entry Requirements:
For all applicants (including EU home students and international overseas students outside the EU):
- Baccalaureate Field of Study: No restrictions. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in any field may apply.
- Grade Point Average: 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study.
- Tests Required:
- None
- GRE General Test (optional): Submit if you feel it represents your readiness for graduate study.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Minimum English Competency Test Score: (required unless English competency is exhibited by prior work or education in the U.S.):
- TOEFL: 80 (iBT Test), 60 (revised Paper-Delivered Test) with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21
- IELTS: 6.5 with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores
- PTE-Academic: 54 with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
Additional Requirements:
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s recent academic, professional, or creative work. Letters from professors who can assess the applicant’s academic abilities and potential for graduate school are the most useful. Letters from employers are also acceptable.
- A personal statement addressing the reasons for applying to a graduate program in design criticism, particularly at the UIC School of Architecture. See the School of Architecture website for the complete personal statement prompt.
- A short essay responding to one of several questions and a written portfolio are required as a part of the application process. Portfolio content is not restricted to any particular subject area, but the material should be representative of the applicant’s previous experience and creative ability.
Degree Requirements:
- Minimum of 56 semester hours required.
- At least 44 hours must be at the 500 level in architecture, including:
- Required courses:
- ARCH 566 Research Seminar
- ARCH 585 Architectural Theory and History III
- ARCH 587 Pro-seminar I: Design Criticism
- ARCH 588 Pro-seminar II: Publication and Graphic Argumentation
- ARCH 589 Writing Tutorial I
- ARCH 590 Writing Tutorial II
- 32 hours of electives chosen from the following:
- ARCH 520 Topics in Architectural Theory and History
- ARCH 531 Architectural Theory and History I
- ARCH 532 Architectural Theory and History II
- ARCH 586 Architectural Theory and History IV
- Art History (AH) 400- or 500-level course
- Elective approved by advisor
- Portfolio Submission: Satisfactory portfolio reviews must be submitted in each year of the program as a degree requirement.
- Comprehensive Examination: None
- Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options: Coursework only
