Nick Harm, Director |
Professors Bozorgi, Caldwell, Fillpot, J. Patterson, T. Patterson, Wahl; Associate Professors Butzer, Chang, Dietrich, Erdener, Harm, Kudrna, Weinel; Assistant Professors Callahan, Fithian.
The architecture program at the University of Oklahoma was founded in 1926 as part of the College of Engineering. In 1968 the program became a separate college and the first component of what is now a multi-disciplinary college including programs in interior design, construction science, planning, and landscape architecture. The architecture program benefits strongly from this multi-disciplinary context.
A licensed architect is responsible for creating buildings where people live, work, learn, and play. Projects may range from high-rise buildings containing multiple functions such as office, retail, and residential, to small rural convenience stores; from large, regional hospitals to single family homes; and from large university campuses to small day care centers. The challenge to the architect is to produce projects that are functional, efficient, attractive, and safe.
All professional courses not taken at the University of Oklahoma are subject to evaluation through equivalency examinations or other means as approved by the Director of the Architecture Division.
The policies of the College of Architecture apply to the granting of transfer credit or advanced standing credit. The amount of advanced standing credit that may be applied toward a degree may be limited by the Director of the Division of Architecture or the Dean.
Any student enrolling for the first time at the University of Oklahoma in a design or graphics course offered by the Division of Architecture must enroll in the first course in the sequence, unless specifically approved for higher placement by the director of the division.
A student may not enroll in more than one required studio course per semester. Students must have completed “Incompletes” in all prerequisite courses prior to the first day of class in any subsequent architecture course unless otherwise granted permission by the Director of Architecture.
In the United States, most state 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 U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes two types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture and the Master of Architecture. A program may be granted a five-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on its degree of conformance with established educational standards.
Masters degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, which, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as a professionally accredited degree.
The pre-professional degree is useful to those wishing a foundation in the field of architecture, as preparation for either continued education in a professional degree program or for employment options in fields related to architecture.
All professional degree programs of the Division of Architecture are organized around a sequence of courses in which the student develops and demonstrates a capability for analyzing problems and synthesizing solutions, using techniques and skills unique to the field of architecture. Advancement in a major course sequence may be denied if a student earns less than a C in the prerequisite course. Further progress in the studio sequence in such cases may be permitted if the course average is raised by retaking the course, or by special permission.
Each student enrolled in a professional or pre- professional program in architecture is required to maintain an up-to-date record of design and graphics work for use in program advisement and the evaluation of overall progress toward the professional degree.
This program, normally five years in length, is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and fulfills the educational prerequisites for professional registration required by most state boards. Admission to the program beyond the first year is competitive.
This program is a pre-professional degree program normally requiring four years of undergraduate study. It is useful to those wishing a foundation study in the field of architecture, as preparation for continued education in a professional degree program or for employment options in fields related to architecture. In itself, it is not an NAAB-accredited degree and does not, by itself, fulfill the educational prerequisites for professional registration required by most state boards. Because this degree pattern requires completion of professional courses, admission to this program beyond first year is competitive.
Class size in studios and other architectural coursework is influenced by national guidelines. Limitations of university resources (e.g. facilities, faculty, operating funds, etc.) also impose restrictions on class sizes. Therefore, an Enrollment Management Program within the Division of Architecture governs admission to both the professional and pre-professional undergraduate degree programs (0202A and 0207A). Students compete for a limited number of admissions into the second and third year of these programs. Admission decisions are based on assessment of a student’s previous academic record and a dossier of design work and other accomplishments. For further information, contact the director of the Division of Architecture.
Approval for graduation with either the Bachelor of Architecture degree (0202A) or the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (Pre-Architecture, 0207A) requires completion of all degree requirements with a minimum program grade point average of 2.50 in all coursework used to fulfill degree requirements.
The Division offers a minor in Architectural Studies to non-major students who complete 15 hours of ARCH prefix courses. Specific information on courses applicable to a minor is available from the College’s Administrative Student Services Office.
The Division of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma operates within the administrative framework and shares the multi-disciplinary philosophy of the College of Architecture. These degree programs follow a structured core curriculum aimed at developing the specialized skills and abilities demanded of the professional architect. Simultaneously, however, these programs are highly individualized and encourage the exploration and development of specialties in areas closely related to architecture. These graduate programs are intended to produce broadly educated graduates who will demonstrate unique capabilities for leadership in the profession.
The one-year Master of Architecture degree is also available through the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. This program, which requires two years, allows students to have full-time office practice opportunities in professional offices. The Master of Science in Architectural Urban Studies degree is also offered at the Schusterman Center in Tulsa.
In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate College, the following materials must be submitted directly to the Graduate Liaison of the Division of Architecture for evaluation.
1. A transcript from all previous institutions.
2. A portfolio of work, 8 1/2 ” x 11” format preferred.
3. A statement, limited to 500 words, of the intent for pursuing graduate studies in architecture at the University of Oklahoma.
4. Three letters of recommendation.
A student enrolled in the final semester of undergraduate studies may apply for admission to the graduate program in architecture for the next regular semester following completion of his/her undergraduate degree. Admission to the program will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of undergraduate studies, subject to final review by the Division Director.
No application for the graduate program in Architecture will be considered until all supporting documents have been received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the Division Director prior to the application deadline. Late applicants will be considered on a space-available basis only.
1. Application deadline for fall semester — June 1.
2. Application deadline for spring semester — October 15.
3. Application deadline for summer term or session admission — April 1.
Graduate students may enroll in nine to 16 credit hours of work per semester. Enrollment in more than 16 or less than nine credit hours is permitted only with the approval and signature of the graduate liaison and the graduate dean.
Each graduate student must establish a graduate advisory committee, consisting of at least three members of the graduate faculty, the majority of whom must be professors in architecture. The advisory committee will assist the student in structuring a program, and periodically evaluate progress toward the professional degree.
Approval for graduation with the degree of Master of Architecture requires satisfaction of all requirements of the Graduate College and certification by the graduate liaison of completion of all requirements of the graduate professional degree program in architecture, with a minimum grade point average of B (3.00) in all work for which graduate credit is awarded.
In addition to the policies of the Graduate College for the transfer of credit hours for master’s degrees, the College of Architecture graduate liaison must approve any work transferred to a Master of Architecture degree program.
The Master of Architecture (0202N) at the University of Oklahoma is offered on the Norman campus only. It follows an intensive and structured program of studio design and coursework intended to develop the specialized abilities and expertise demanded of the professional architect. The (0202N) program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and fulfills the educational prerequisite for professional registration required by most state boards.
Program emphasis is on sustainability and regional response in architectural design, study and research. Based on availability of faculty interest and expertise, issues such as environmental responsibility, energy conservation, appropriate technologies, resource and facilities management, theories of sustainability, critical regionalism, and sense of place may be investigated.
This program is primarily intended for those who hold a pre-professional degree in Architecture or closely related discipline or a professional degree in Architecture from a non-NAAB program. Students who complete the pre-professional degree at the University of Oklahoma normally require two years in residence to complete the Master of Architecture degree.
Interested students with any other undergraduate preparation are encouraged to apply, but should anticipate additional time in residence to complete all prerequisite and graduate degree requirements, or their approved equivalents. Total prerequisite requirements for study in this program are established by the content of the pre-professional degree at OU.
This degree program , offered primarily at OU-Tulsa, is designed for candidates already holding a professionally accredited degree in architecture and is primarily for those already holding an NAAB accredited professional degree. It is not a viable track for candidates wishing to establish NAAB accredited degree credentials as a prerequisite to architectural licensing as required in most of the U.S. (This track is not available to any candidate already holding a Master of Architecture degree from any institution.)
Required Architecture Courses – ARCH 6680, Adv. Arch. Design III.
Option Electives – 9 hours.
Professional Project Research – 3 hours.
Professional Project – 6 hours.
Electives – 8 hours.
Required Architecture Courses – ARCH 6680, Adv. Arch. Design III.
Option Electives – 9 hours.
Professional Project Research – 3 hours.
Research for Master’s Thesis – 4 hours.
Electives – 10 hours.
GPA Requirement: A minimum 3.0 GPA is required on all graduate and undergraduate work used to fulfill the requirements of this degree.
Graduate Hours Required: 32
Option Electives: All students must focus their graduate architecture program in one of two elective options:
1. Architectural design and technology;
2. Urban design and preservation.
All master’s programs are subject to approval by the student’s graduate advisory committee.
This degree program is designed for candidates from architectural or related disciplines seeking a career in the dynamics of the urban environment but not desiring to enter one of the licensed professions. The curriculum prepares students for careers in urban research, management, civic administration, public works, and other related areas. The program is also a sound base for those in community service and community design advocacy.
Both thesis and professional project options are available. The curriculum is structured to fit into the College’s Tulsa “Urban Laboratory” academic environment, with evening and weekend courses delivered in three credit segments.
Required Courses – 15 hours: ARCH 6680, Adv. Arch. Studio A & B (6 hours), ARCH 6590, Professional Project Research (3 hours), and either ARCH 6690, Professional Project (non-thesis, 6 hours), or ARCH 5980, Master’s Thesis (6 hours).
Elective Options – Three options are available from which elective courses are selected:
a. Option in Human Relations
b. Option in Environmental Science
c. Option in General Urban Studies
A minimum of 32 credit hours plus satisfactory defense of the thesis or professional project is required to complete the program.
All master’s programs are subject to approval by the student’s graduate advisory committee.