Program Description
- STEM designated program
The PhD in Architecture and Design Research supports interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research to create new avenues of investigation, expand knowledge bases, solve time-sensitive, contemporary issues across architectural disciplines and yield new insights into the past, present, and future of the field. The focus is on anticipating and shaping the future of practice acknowledging that the architectural discipline is in constant flux that demands the understanding and development of new modes of design research. The PhD involves phases of coursework, qualifying exam, preliminary examination, dissertation proposal, and dissertation. The curriculum requires students to choose a focus area and conduct original research on timely, discipline-specific topics. Students shape a research question and pursue transdisciplinary inquiry, drawing upon the broad array of professional expertise available throughout the University. The final dissertation phase is an individualized, student-driven process, through which each student makes a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in the selected focus area.
This program is offered through three different online/hybrid tracks:
- Architecture and Design Research, PhD – on campus/hybrid: Candidates seek doctoral level research which adopts well-defined models of scholarly inquiry, using research methods accepted by the academic communities in architecture and design research. First two years typically require residency on campus
- Architecture and Design Research, Practice-Based PhD – online/hybrid: Mid- or later career practitioners conduct doctoral level research on their practice or projects that are built or in progress, to develop new knowledge and understanding to support sustained development of the future of practice. The majority of research and coursework is conducted off campus in independent study format, primarily at the candidate’s workplace while coursework can be taken in hybrid or online mode based on the student’s preference
- Architecture and Design Research, SMARTlab Practice-Based PhD – online/hybrid, Concentration in Inclusive Design and Creative Technology Innovation with SMARTlab: This concentration is offered in collaboration with SMARTlab, University College Dublin, Ireland, and its global network partners. Students work together live and online, with contributors from around the world, to co-create and debate the nature of ‘practice-based research’. Students in this track take 9 credits of coursework at SMARTlab’s main center which requires in-person participation three times during the first or second year (in February, July and October) for intensive seminars. These seminars focus on research methods and transdisciplinary critical practices, group critique, feedback, and the relationship between practice and theory. Candidates are encouraged to work together on joint experiments, to meet regularly with experts or join debates online, to share work-in-progress, and to take an active role in contributing and receiving feedback within the group and in sub-groups, known as research clusters
Learning Goals/Outcomes
- Conduct original research to advance, change, or challenge the normative body of scholastic work that defines a given field of study in architecture and the related disciplines
- Design research and apply research methods that address the interdisciplinary challenges of an applied profession which comprises practical applications and scholarly inquiries
- Master knowledge in selected fields of study, from a wide array of topics, supported by the diverse expertise and research agenda of faculty, including, but not limited to, design technology, sustainable architecture, high performance buildings, urban design, smart cities, geospatial technologies, historic preservation, public interest design, design for health, sustainable development, real estate development, and innovative construction among others.
- Acquire and develop competency in teaching or research for academic or practice career paths through assistantship, fellowship opportunities.
Curriculum: 4 years, 48 credits
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ADR 701 | Research Theories & Methods 1 | 3 |
| ADR 895 | Doctoral Colloquium | 1 |
| Graduate Elective | (*SMARTLab Research Training 1) | 3 |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ADR 702 | Research Theories & Methods 2 | 3 |
| ADR 895 | Doctoral Colloquium | 1 |
| Graduate Elective | (*SMARTLab Research Training 2) | 3 |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ADR 898 | Directed Research Seminar | 3 |
| ADR 895 | Doctoral Colloquium | 1 |
| Graduate Elective | (SMARTLab Research Training 3) | 3 |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ADR 900 | Dissertation Proposal | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ADR 901 | Dissertation Research/Writing | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| ADR 901 | Dissertation Research/Writing | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ADR 901 | Dissertation Research/Writing | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| ADR 901 | Dissertation Research & Wrting | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Note: Graduate Elective*: Students in Track 3 SMARTlab Practice-Based PhD: Concentration in Inclusive Design and Creative Technology Innovation with SMARTlab, are required to take SMARTlab Research Training courses for this elective, a total of 9 credits. Track 1 and Track 2 students take regular graduate elective courses offered through Thomas Jefferson University coursework.