North Dakota State University
Dept of Architecture & Landscape Architecture
NDSU offers a 5-year, professionally oriented Master of Architecture program housed in two beautifully renovated state-of-the-art historic buildings in downtown Fargo; Klai Hall and Renaissance Hall. We are part of the exciting, student-oriented urban district of NDSU Downtown. Entry into the first, pre-professional year is open to any student admitted to NDSU. Admission to the professional program begins at the second year with a competitive application process that is based on performance in first-year courses and overall GPA. The program curriculum fosters design leadership and creativity leading to a full master's thesis developed around student interests. The program includes field trips to cities across the country, an optional full semester abroad (as well as shorter foreign study tours, such as Dubai), a professionally- staffed wood shop, cutting edge digital media/rendering labs, and rapid prototyping tools, that include a laser cutter, 3D printing, and CNC tools. We are known as a premier professional program in the region with graduates in many top firms across the US.
http://ala.ndsu.edu/
Setting
NDSU is a Carnegie Research 1 institution placing it in the top 100 universities in the country. NDSU is comprised of 15,000 students set in a supportive, friendly metropolitan area of approximately 170,000 people in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. Within this community, NDSU is one of three colleges comprising a consortium that offers a rich variety of coursework, extensive library holdings, and a wide range of student activities. NDSU offers excellent opportunities to develop a strong foundation for a professional career in architecture through close personal interaction with faculty and an energetic student body. Transfer students can be accepted with advanced standing.
School Philosophy
NDSU prepares students to enter the profession of architecture with strong design and leadership skills, a global perspective, and the understanding that they have the capacity to solve current design problems with imaginative solutions. The program begins by stimulating students' imagination and curiosity while building respect for others, for the environment, and for education. These fundamentals are followed by developing professional skills, self-confidence, and a framework for lifelong learning. NDSU's architecture program offers students the chance to study architecture as members of a small, close-knit group whose members are selected for their academic and professional promise.
Programs
During the first year of the program, students take introductory courses in environmental design, foundation studies, and freehand drawing, in addition to general education requirements of the curriculum with courses in English, math, and behavioral sciences. In recent years, approximately 300 students have enrolled in the department at the beginning of the first year. After a minimum of two semesters on campus, 54 students are selectively admitted from those who apply to advance into the second-year professional program, based on academic merit and professional promise demonstrated in their first year of study. The next three years integrate coursework in technical systems, history, and theory with design work in the studio. Because faculty studio critics also teach courses in history, theory, and technology, the opportunity for integrative learning is stressed. At the end of the third year, students may apply for the accredited Master of Architecture degree program, which requires two additional years of study for a total of five years to degree. Or students may remain in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design program and receive their degree at the end of the fourth year of study. The graduate program emphasizes specific aspects of professional practice, architectural theory, history, design, and research, and culminates in an individual design thesis that integrates all previous learning. The design thesis is exhibited before the public and university community, and is presented to a faculty jury. Upon successfully completing the fifth year, a student earns the Master of Architecture professional degree; completing the academic phase of training for the profession of architecture.
of Focus
1. History | Theory | Criticism
2. Design/Build
3. Materials and Construction
4. Community Design
5. Digital Design & Visualization
Opportunities
Study Abroad
Facilities
24 Hour Workshop
Large-format Printer
Laser Cutter
Woodshop
3D Printing
CNC Milling
Fabrication Lab
Policies
Transfer Policies
Students currently enrolled in the 4-year pre-professional degree at NDSU may apply to the Master of Architecture program. Transfer students with pre-professional or professional degrees in architecture from another school may be considered for admission to years 4 and 5 in the program, based on test scores, GPA, and portfolio review.
Candidates must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to be considered for full graduate standing
