Program Overview

Introduction to the MSAUD Program

The MSAUD program is a one-year, post-professional degree program that leads to a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design degree. This elastic, genre-defiant program offers students with a professional degree in architecture the opportunity to specialize their skills, and to apply architectural and design thinking to today’s and tomorrow’s design provocations and real-world challenges.

Program Overview

The MSAUD program is primarily based at Perloff Hall, on UCLA's Main Campus. The program kicks off each year in early August with the Summer Studio, a six-week preparatory course that leads into the Fall Quarter. The program is full-time and does not accept part-time students.

Program Structure

The program comprises a Summer Studio, followed by Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The three-quarter studio includes a first quarter of research, a second quarter of hypothesis definition and development, and a final quarter of design resolution. Alongside their main studio, students also complete Technology Seminars and Critical Studies courses that explore complementary topics and broaden student horizons.

Admissions

The MSAUD program requires an advanced background in architectural studies and is open to students with a NAAB-accredited five-year Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree, a graduate degree in architecture, or the foreign equivalent. All new students must enter in the summer session.

Application Requirements

• Statement of Purpose: a critical part of the application, introducing the applicant and outlining their specific academic background, research interests, achievements, and goals.
• Personal Statement: providing additional information to help the selection committee evaluate the applicant's aptitude for study.
• Curriculum Vitae: a résumé of academic and professional experience, recommended but not required.
• Academic Records: official transcripts from each college or university attended.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): not required as of the Spring 2024 cycle.
• TOEFL / IELTS Scores: required for international applicants, with minimum scores of 87 on the TOEFL and 7 on the IELTS exam.
• Letters of Recommendation: three letters from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic and professional experiences.
• Portfolio of Creative Work: a digital portfolio of original creative work, formatted at 8-1/2" x 11", and saved as a single PDF file no greater than 15 MB.
• Department Supplement Form: confirming the intention to apply to the MSAUD program and ranked preference of research topics.

Tuition and Fees

The most up-to-date information on tuition and fees for the MSAUD program can be found on the UCLA Registrar’s Office website.

Financial Aid

UCLA Architecture and Urban Design offers graduate students a number of financial opportunities in the form of scholarships and employment opportunities. Recruitment fellowships are offered to the most outstanding students, and employment opportunities are available in areas such as social media, marketing, and fabrication shop assistance.

Financial Aid Options

• Recruitment Fellowships: offered to the most outstanding students.
• Employment Opportunities: available in various areas, prioritized for Work-Study eligible students.
• Graduate Work-Study Program: for “need-based eligible” graduate students, completing part-time paid internships or other endeavors closely related to their academic degree program.
• UCLA Graduate Division Support: U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply for Federal Stafford Student Loans.
• Extramural Funding Opportunities: available to graduate students, including academic fellowships, research grants, competition awards, conference support, and exhibition funding.