±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø

Graduate Program

The architecture program offers an accredited Master of Architecture as its professional degree in architecture. A professional degree is a requirement for licensure with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. The National Architectural Accreditation Board accredits professional programs in architecture.

South Dakota State University and the architecture program must receive all items by the deadline for an application to be considered complete. Sending all items only to the architecture program is not considered a complete application. The university graduate application, including fee payment, is critical to completeness of the application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The review process takes approximately six to eight weeks. Applicants receive notification of their application status by the end of March.

Accelerated Master of Architecture

In the spring of their third year, architecture undergraduate students at SDSU are eligible to apply to the accelerated program. Before applying, students interested in the program should contact the architecture program coordinator.

Two-year Master of Architecture

Students with an undergraduate degree in architecture from SDSU or from other institutions (national and international) are eligible to apply.

Three-year Master of Architecture

Students with an undergraduate degree in disciplines outside of architecture from national or international institutions are eligible to apply.

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships

The only financial support offered through the architecture program is the graduate assistantship program. These positions are meant to help reduce costs for highly qualified students who can assist faculty with teaching or research.

These positions are awarded for one semester only. Students are responsible for covering their own expenses for the rest of the year through personal funds, outside scholarships or employment (if eligible).

Applications for graduate assistantship positions are accepted during the spring semester prior to the academic year in which the assistantship will begin.

Application Deadlines

• Jan. 31: Applicants who are not currently enrolled at SDSU
• Feb. 28: Current SDSU students

Applications must be emailed to the architecture program coordinator with the subject line "Graduate Assistantship Application."

Your application must include:

1. A portfolio of your work.
2. A personal statement explaining how you can contribute to the success of the student group. This letter should describe your strengths in design, graphics and documentation, as well as your ability to communicate clearly and work well with others.

A committee will interview students who are shortlisted. Both international and domestic students may be selected. According to program policy, each selected student receives a graduate assistantship contract for one semester per year. Students must cover their own costs for the other semester or find other financial support.

The graduate assistantship position requires 20 hours of work per week for 18 weeks. Duties may include teaching support and research support for the architecture program. The position provides a full tuition waiver for that semester plus a monthly stipend to help with living expenses.

Please apply only if you are prepared for a demanding workload and a high level of responsibility.

Transfer Evaluation

Candidates admitted to the M.Arch. degree program are reviewed in part using a Transfer Evaluation Advising form to verify that professional program prerequisites have been met. Evaluation is made by the program coordinator and academic advisor. Equivalency in nonarchitecture courses are evaluated by the department administering the course. Students may challenge for transfer credit by portfolio or petition for equivalency for architecture coursework. For professional-level courses, both the academic objectives and requisite National Architectural Accreditation Board student performance requirements have to be evident in the record supplied by the student for approval of equivalency.

1. Complete South Dakota State University .

   • The university requires filling out a form, paying the fee, submitting transcripts and showing proof of immunization, as well as Test of English as a Foreign Language results for international students.

   Applicants to the Master of Architecture program must submit additional application materials via email to Cynthia Runia. To receive priority consideration, all materials must be submitted by Dec. 15 of the year preceding the intended fall enrollment. The final deadline for submission is Jan. 31 of the year of intended fall enrollment.

   Required email subject line: "Architecture M.Arch. Application (Year)."

   2. One personal statement
      1. Provide a brief, 500- to 800-word statement specifying the program you are applying to (two-year or three-year M.Arch.), describing the specific reasons why you want to study architecture at SDSU and sharing the ambitions you have for your potential graduate studies.
   3. Digital portfolio
      1. Submit a portfolio (10-15 pages/slides) via email (15 MB max). A digital portfolio of an applicant's creative work is required for all applications. The file name must list the program, degree option, last name, first name and portfolio with each field separated by an underscore.
         1. File naming example: M.Arch._2-yr_Smith_Jane_Portfolio.pdf
   4. Two letters of recommendation
      1. Students with an undergraduate architecture degree from SDSU do not need to submit letters of recommendation. All other applicants must submit two letters from faculty or other professionals that are familiar with your academic work. Seek out people who can comment on the ambitions described in your personal statement and the quality of your portfolio. Recommenders should send letters directly to Cynthia Runia, program assistant.
   5. Graduate Record Examination
      1. Test scores for the Graduate Record Examination are not required.
   6. Unofficial transcript
      1. Submit an unofficial transcript as a PDF. A minimum 3.0 GPA is highly preferred for admission.