Joint-Degree Programs and Undergraduate Studies
Joint-Degree Programs
School of Architecture/School of Management
The Yale School of Architecture and the Yale School of Management offer a joint-degree program in Architecture and Management. This program is especially oriented to individuals who wish to integrate the design, urban development, and management professions in pursuing careers in government or the private sector.
Joint-degree students in the three-year first professional M.Arch. program must complete all requirements for the degree, including six terms of design studio, with the first four terms taken consecutively. This is an accredited, professional degree and specific requirements may not be bypassed, except when waivers are granted for course work previously completed at other institutions. Students in this program will have their overall number of course credits required for the M.Arch. degree reduced from the normal 108 credits to 90 credits. This means they will take 18 fewer elective credits (six elective courses) and may be waived from the History and Theory and/or Urbanism and Landscape elective requirements. Normally this adjustment will allow the student to divide the final (fourth) year schedule between the two required advanced studios at the School of Architecture and courses at the School of Management.
Joint-degree students in the two-year post-professional M.Arch. program must complete 54 credits in the School of Architecture, including four advanced studios. They will complete the joint-degree program in three years, normally consisting of one full year in each school and a final year divided between the two schools.
At the conclusion of the required studies, the joint-degree program awards both a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and a Master of Architecture (M.Arch.). Withdrawal or dismissal from the School of Management will automatically obligate a student to complete all normal requirements for the M.Arch. degree (108 credits for first professional degree; 72 credits for post-professional degree option). The M.Arch. degree will not be awarded to joint-degree candidates until they have completed all requirements for both degrees.
Admissions are determined independently by the two schools. Students may apply to both schools at the same time and, if accepted, will begin their studies at the School of Architecture, since admission to the School cannot be deferred; or they may apply to the School of Management prior to their final year at the School of Architecture. Students enrolled at the School of Management may apply to the School of Architecture during their first year. Those who apply simultaneously should so indicate on both applications. Applications to the School of Architecture must be approved by the committee of the joint-degree program. Inquiries may be directed to the registrar at the School of Architecture and to the director of student services at the School of Management.
School of Architecture/School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
Alexander Felson, Coordinator
The Yale School of Architecture and the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies offer a joint-degree program in Architecture and Environmental Management. This program is directed to individuals who wish to become leaders in sustainable architecture and ecological design, with a focus on the integration of ecological science, energy systems, and global urbanization patterns with architecture and urbanism. Capitalizing on the breadth and depth of expertise at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies in ecosystem ecology, land change science, environmental economics, industrial ecology, and ecological anthropology, this program fosters students who can innovatively merge ecological science with architecture at the site, city, and regional scales. The joint-degree program offers a focused and restricted curriculum that enables a student to obtain both a Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree and a Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.) degree one year earlier than would be required if each degree were pursued independently; that is, in four years if admitted to the first professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch. I) program, or in three years if admitted to the second professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch. II) program.
Individuals seeking admission to this joint-degree program must apply and be admitted to one of the two School of Architecture Master of Architecture programs (M.Arch. I or M.Arch. II) and also apply and be admitted separately to the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Master of Environmental Management program. Consequently, applicants must submit all required admissions materials and prerequisites for application to each of these programs, indicating their desire to be, in addition, considered for the joint program.
Students may apply to both schools at the same time and, if accepted, will begin their studies at the School of Architecture, since admission to the School cannot be deferred. Those who apply simultaneously should indicate their desire to be considered for the joint program on both applications. Students at the School of Architecture may apply to the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies prior to their final year. Students enrolled at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies may apply to the School of Architecture during their first year. Inquiries may be directed to the registrar at either the School of Architecture or the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Withdrawal or dismissal from the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies will automatically oblige a student to complete all normal requirements for the School of Architecture M.Arch. degree (108 credits for first professional degree; 72 credits for post-professional degree option). Furthermore, the M.Arch. degree will not be awarded to joint-degree candidates until they have completed all requirements for both degrees.
Master of Architecture I—Master of Environmental Management
Joint-degree students admitted to the first professional Master of Architecture (M. Arch. I) program must complete all requirements for this degree as specified in the Course of Study listed below. The Master of Architecture degree for this program is an accredited, professional degree and specific requirements may not be bypassed, except when waivers are granted for course work previously completed at other institutions. Students in this program will have their overall number of course credits required for the Master of Architecture degree reduced from the normal 108 credits to 90 credits and for the Master of Environmental Management degree reduced from the normal 48 credits to 36 credits by, in effect, satisfying what would have been elective requirements in one program with required courses of the other. Students in the joint-degree program may be waived from the History and Theory and/or Urbanism and Landscape elective requirements.
Joint students within the Master of Architecture program may waive specific course requirements if they have taken equivalent courses at other institutions, although total credit requirements will not be altered.
The joint-degree curriculum is composed of core courses and electives in both Schools, plus two short summer courses in visualization and technical skills training, two summer internships, and the School of Architecture’s first-year building project.
Course of Study*
90 credits from School of Architecture and 36 credits from School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.
First Year
- At School of Architecture: all required courses of the first-year M.Arch. I program
Second Year
- At School of Architecture: all required courses, except only one elective, of the second-year M.Arch. I program
- At School of Forestry & Environmental Studies: two electives, summer technical skills training (MODS), summer internship
Third Year
- At School of Architecture: one advanced studio†
- At School of Forestry & Environmental Studies: core courses (Foundational and Integrative Frameworks courses), electives, summer internship
Fourth Year
- At School of Architecture: one advanced studio†; 2031a, Architectural Practice and Management
- At School of Forestry & Environmental Studies: core course (Capstone course), electives, Integrative Project
Master of Architecture II—Master of Environmental Management
Joint-degree students admitted to the second professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch. II) program must complete all requirements for this degree as specified in the Course of Study listed below. The Master of Architecture degree for this program is a non-accredited degree. Students in this program will have their overall number of course credits required for the Master of Architecture degree reduced from the normal 72 credits to 54 credits, including three advanced studios plus the advanced sustainable design studio, and for the Master of Environmental Management degree reduced from the normal 48 credits to 36 credits by, in effect, satisfying what would have been elective requirements in one program with required courses of the other.
The joint-degree curriculum is composed of core courses and electives in both Schools, plus one short summer course in technical skills training and one summer internship.
Course of Study*
54 credits from School of Architecture and 36 credits from School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
First Year
- At School of Architecture: all required courses of the first-year M.Arch. II program†
- At School of Forestry & Environmental Studies: summer technical skills training (MODS)
Second Year
- At School of Architecture: all required courses of the second-year M.Arch. II program,† although one advanced studio may be postponed until the third year
- At School of Forestry & Environmental Studies: electives, summer internship
Third Year
- At School of Forestry & Environmental Studies: core courses (Foundational, Integrative Frameworks, and Capstone courses), electives, Integrative Project
M.Arch./M.E.D.
Yale School of Architecture students who are enrolled in the M.Arch. program and who are interested in continued advanced study in an area of specialization in architecture, environmental design, or planning/development, may apply for admission to the M.E.D. program. Students may take courses supporting areas of advanced study during the M.Arch. curriculum and, after receipt of the M.Arch. degree, may qualify for up to one term’s advanced standing in the M.E.D. degree program.
Undergraduate Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Bimal Mendis, Director of Undergraduate Studies
The School offers an undergraduate major in architecture exclusively to students enrolled in Yale College. Students who desire this major must apply directly to Yale College.
Preliminary Registration for Prospective Majors
Students who intend to declare architecture as their major must register with the director of undergraduate studies during the spring term of their sophomore year. The standard major, which is limited, provides a nonprofessional introduction to the visual, spatial, and intellectual basis of architecture.
Application to the Architecture Major
Yale College students must apply to enter the major during the spring term of their sophomore year. Following the application and review process, admitted students enter the major during the fall term of their junior year.
Introduction to Architecture
The introductory courses to the study of architecture are open to all Yale College sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and are required prior to applying for the architecture major. With permission of the director of undergraduate studies, the prerequisite may be waived for students with sufficient experience in architecture or in relevant subjects.
The Standard Major
The purpose of the undergraduate standard major is to include the study of architecture within a comprehensive liberal arts education, drawing from the broader academic and professional environment of the Yale School of Architecture. The curriculum includes work in design; in history, theory, and criticism of architecture; and in urban studies. As a liberal arts major in Yale College, it leads to a bachelor of arts degree with a major in Architecture, a nonprofessional degree, and it does not fulfill the prerequisites for architectural licensure. For accredited professional degree programs, refer to the requirements of the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) at www.naab.org.
Requirements of the Major
To graduate as a Yale College major in architecture, a student must complete a core of seven courses (including three prerequisites). Six to seven additional courses are required for majors, depending on their area of concentration. The three areas of concentration are:
- 1. Architecture and Design, which investigates the ways in which cultural ideas, information, actions, and locations may be visually communicated in the material fabric of architecture. Exercises in this concentration are predominantly studio-based.
- 2. History, Theory, and Criticism, which examines written texts about architecture from classical antiquity to current debates. The students are expected to analyze rigorously and write theoretical and critical papers about the past, present, and future potential of architecture.
- 3. Architecture and Urban Studies, which encourages a broad, interdisciplinary investigation of the complex forces that shape the urban and physical environment.
For full course descriptions, see Yale College Programs of Study.
