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.
Accreditation
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, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational 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)
Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2025
- The NAAB's most recent Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation, including their Statement on NAAB Accredited Degrees (please see Appendix 2, p. 12 of the NAAB’s Conditions for Accreditation document) can be found on their website. Should any person viewing this web page require an accessible version of any of the NAAAB’s documents, please contact them directly via the linked website.
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 Services 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
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. Get an overview of college costs and more specific architecture costs by selecting Advanced Search on the Tuition Estimator.