Program Description
- STEM designated program
The Master of Science in Architecture and Design Research is a post-professional research-based degree designed to provide students who have already earned an accredited undergraduate degree in architecture or related design or built environment discipline with an opportunity to specialize in an area of study that is critical to the profession today. The program prepares students for specialist and consulting positions in the broad field of the built environment, including Architecture, Engineering and Construction.
The MS in Architecture and Design Research offers students the platform to shape a customized education that furthers their architectural experience by developing advanced knowledge and expertise in areas of personal interest and specialization. Led by CABE faculty advisors, students shape a Master’s research project. This project can be self-directed or students can work directly with faculty in their specific research areas. Students assemble a suite of electives with faculty from across the College and University to build a graduate level research collaborative foundation for the Master’s thesis.
- Customize study by selecting one of four research tracks:
- Material & Design Computation
- Health & Design
- History, Theory & Architectural Pedagogy
- Self-directed Research Area
Students in each track take two required research methods courses and a set of select courses from an approved list of designated electives, and general electives.
Learning Goals/Outcomes
- Critically analyze and synthesize established research theories and methods related to Material & Design Computation, or Health & Design, or Theory, History & Architectural Pedagogy, or other topics related architecture and buildings.
- Collaborate with professionals and academic experts in fields beyond architecture and the built environment.
- Demonstrate expertise in a chosen area of research.
- Demonstrate professional presentation and communication skills.
- Review and critically analyze original research in architecture and related disciplines.
- Conduct cutting-edge, applied research that culminates in a final project that contributes to the fields of architecture and the built environment.
Graduates who are interested in subsequently pursuing further studies in Jefferson’s PhD in Architecture and Design Research program can get advanced placement into the PhD program for up to 18 credits which allows to complete the PhD studies in three academic years instead of the typical four-year timeframe. For advanced placement into the PhD program, graduates have to pass an oral and written Assessment Interview which evaluates the student’s research statement including a general literature review of his/her broad area of inquiry, thesis and coursework papers, and transcripts.
Curriculum: 2 years, 30 credits
- 30 credits for PhD in Architecture & Design Research exit option
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SDN 601 | Principles & Methods of Sustainable Design | 3 |
| ADR 701 | Research Theories & Methods 1 | 3 |
| Elective | General Elective or Designated | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SDN 622 or ARCH 613 |
MS: Living Buildings or Design 3 |
4 |
| ADR 702 | Research Theories & Methods 2 | 3 |
| ARCH 630 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Elective | General Elective or Designated | 3 |
| Elective | General Elective or Designated | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | General Elective or Designated | 3 |
| Elective | General Elective or Designated | 3 |
| Elective | General Elective or Designated | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARCH 902 | Graduate Thesis Project II | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
Note:
- Students are required to take a minimum of 9 credits from an approved list of designated electives
- No more than 6 credits from the total 33 credits may be from independent study courses and no more than 9 credits from non-CABE courses
- The Self-Directed Research Track requires:
Electives will be selected in consultation with advisorCourse List Code Title Credits ADR 701
& ADR 702Research Theories & Methods 1
and Research Theories & Methods 26 SDN 601 Principles & Methods of Sustainable Design 3 ARCH 902 Graduate Thesis Project II 3 - ARCH 622 Visualization 2 recommended for Material & Design Computation, Health & Design tracks students who do not have required skills in computational modeling (Rhino software)
- If student research topic involves studio-based methods, 2 graduate electives can be substituted with a Design Research Studio (i.e., ARCH 507 Design 9 for Architecture or ARCH 508 Design 10 for Architecture) or an independent study format design course (6 credits)