Candidates for admission to the Master of Science in Architecture program must apply to both the MS in Architecture program and the Graduate School of the University of Washington.

Admission to the MS in Architecture Program is a competitive process. The Department of Architecture's MS Program Admissions Committee gives priority to applicants whose apparent abilities will enable them to complete the program expeditiously and with a high level of achievement. In evaluating applicants, the committee considers the following materials:

Online

Note: New application features, including provision for submission of an online portfolio, will become available in early December.  

The first step in the application process is to apply online to the Office of Graduate Admissions. This application will request the following documents:

• On-line Application for Admission to the Graduate School: submit together with the $75 application fee.
• Three letters of recommendation (applicants will be prompted to list three recommenders on the Graduate School Application).
• GRE test scores. Report Scores to the UW Institution Code: 4854; Department Code 4401.
• TOEFL test scores (for international students). Minimum test scores for admission to the Master of Science in Architecture: 580 TOEFL, 237 TOEFLC, or 92 TOEFLiBT.

Hardcopy

In addition to the on-line application, the process requires that the following items are sent directly to the Department of Architecture (note: all other documents are submitted as part of the on-line process):

• A hardcopy of the on-line Application for Admission to the Graduate School.
• The Master of Science in Architecture application form. This form must clearly indicate the degree program for which the applicant wishes to be considered.
• The applicant's statement of purpose. This statement should clearly articulate the candidate's goals and the extent to which the MS in Architecture program can be expected to prepare him/her for those objectives. The statement should also describe the applicant's background and experience in architecture or an allied discipline (or related experience appropriate to the program), as well as preparation for advanced work in design computing or history and theory of Architecture. This statement must also include a proposed research focus.
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
• Copy of official GRE test scores
• Copy of official TOEFL test scores (international students)
• A portfolio of work in design and/or research in architecture or an allied discipline (or similar work appropriate to the program).
  • For Design Computing candidates the portfolio should include evidence of the applicant's preparation for study in design computing. In addition to drawings, models, and/or other examples of design work, it may include research papers, software authored, and other similar projects.
  • For History and Theory candidates the portfolio should include evidence of the applicant's preparation for study in the history and theory of architecture. In addition to drawings, models, and/or other examples of design work, and other similar projects, all applicants to the history and theory stream must submit a 10-15 page writing sample (usually a research paper).

The application deadline is February 15th for the following autumn quarter. The application form and all supporting materials must be received at the following address:

University of Washington
MS Graduate Admissions Committee
Department of Architecture
Box 355720
208 Gould Hall
Seattle, WA 98195-5720

Additional Information

General questions about either MS stream should be addressed to graduate advisor Claudine Manio. Detailed questions about the Design Computing program may be addressed to professor Brian Johnson, while questions about the History and Theory program may be addressed to professor Brian McLaren

Applicants to the MS Program in Design Computing have the option of submitting an electronic portfolio on CD or DVD disk. While the MS.dc faculty have made a commitment to accepting material in this format, please keep in mind that reviewer energies are limited.  The "design" of the disk-based presentation will be considered in evaluating your application.  So, use the available disk space carefully. Do not simply drop a copy every file you ever made on the disk. Make sure the disk can be read on both PC and Macintosh computers.

Applicant files are retained for one year. Reapplication for the following year requires the submission of a new application to the Graduate School, along with the application fee. When reapplying, candidates should also consider updating the portfolio as well as transcripts or other application materials to reflect current activity or coursework.