Building rendering

Master of Architecture

The Master of Architecture program, focused on critical opportunities for architecture to serve society, is organized into distinct courses of study, or concentrations. These theme-based concentrations follow the expertise and interests of our talented faculty.

Each concentration is composed of an interdisciplinary curriculum involving academic programs across UNLV as well as the participation of internationally significant practitioners and researchers. The program is thematically structured to emphasize comprehensive building design during the first year of study and concentration-focused research and design during the second year of study. Concurrent to both years, students may enroll in concentration-related electives that inform and give breadth to students' individual efforts in the final year of the program.

 

Statement on NAAB Accredited Degrees

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a preprofessional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Architecture, offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:

  • M. Arch. (preprofessional degree + 48 graduate credits)
  • M. Arch. (non-preprofessional degree + 48-96 credits)

The next accreditation visit for the Master of Architecture program is 2026.

NAAB Conditions and Procedures

Public Access to Accreditation Reports and Related Documents

Career Opportunities

The UNLV School of Architecture offers an NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree, emphasizing the development of students' skills in designing and representing an environmentally sustainable and aesthetically fitting built environment, while also understanding its impact on society and the environment.

Graduates of our Master of Architecture Program can pursue careers as:

  • Architects
  • Architectural Designers
  • Sustainability Consultants
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM) Specialists
  • Digital Fabrication Specialists
  • Exhibition Designers
  • Construction Consultants
  • Architectural Educators
  • Civic Advocates
  • and more.

Career Development Information

 

Passing Rates for The Architectural Registration Examination® (ARE®)

ARE® 5.0 is a multi-part exam designed to test your knowledge and skills regarding the practice of architecture. ARE® 5.0 features six divisions organized around the progression of a typical architecture project and current practice. Source: NCARB.org

Please find the pass rates for the UNLV School of Architecture.

Tuition & Fees

UNLV offers a Tuition and Fee Estimator which allows for estimation of tuition costs and mandatory university fees, accounting for residency status, credit load, and other relevant factors. 

The Board of Regents of the State of Nevada approved a proposal in December 2010 for the School of Architecture at UNLV to implement differential tuition to the Upper Division Courses of the School’s four degree granting programs effective Spring 2012. Please refer to the Board of Regents Manual, Section 7, on Differential Fees for a breakdown of the additional costs associated with these programs.  Differential fees can be accounted for using the above Tuition Estimator by selecting the “Differential Fees” button.

Other Costs:

For an estimate of other costs (e.g. housing, food, transportation) associated with attending graduate school at UNLV, see Tuition and College Costs,

Students in the Master of Architecture program are also required to provide a variety of discipline-specific supplies, including a laptop computer, software, printing costs, and model-making materials. Specifications for current laptop requirements can be found in the link section of our Student Resources page. Typical per-semester costs for other materials include:

  • Model-making Materials/Resources ($0 to $500 per semester)
  • Physical printing costs ($0 to $500 per semester)
  • Software Recurring Subscriptions (e.g. $40/month for Adobe Creative Cloud)
  • Software purchase costs (e.g. $195 for Rhino 8)

These costs are estimates.  Individual student costs will vary based on courses selected, course instructors, course modalities, and a variety of other factors.  Students should consult course syllabi for information on supply requirements.

Financial Aid

General information on Financial Aid and scholarships can be found from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Graduate-specific information is available from the Graduate College.

Degree Information