The 15-month curriculum in architectural studies offers the professional level of education for those who intend to pursue a career in the profession.

The Master of Architecture Program is a combined undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and graduate professional program leading to the accredited Master of Architecture degree.  Accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is presently being sought.

The Master of Architecture program is a professional degree program. 

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 three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a 6-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Master’s degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education.  However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The NAAB grants candidacy status to new programs that have developed viable plans for achieving initial accreditation.  Candidacy status indicates that a program should be accredited within 6 years of achieving candidacy, if its plan is properly implemented.

Accreditation is retroactive for the two years preceding the accreditation date. The scheduled goal is to achieve accreditation effective January 1, 2010. Thus, any class graduating after January 1, 2008 will have earned an accredited degree.

Southern Illinois University has served the greater southern Illinois region since 1869.  It provides a blending of old wisdom, research, scholarship and creativity in the enviable location of the Heartland of America to offer a unique and rewarding educational experience.  Multi-disciplinary efforts are encouraged in a diverse and intellectually stimulating environment.

The Master of Architecture degree is designed to provide the student the skills and insights necessary to achieve National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) registration.  It is a broadly-based program focused on the study and research of the architecture of the Heartland River Delta Region, Non-Western architecture, the development of the technical tools that will achieve excellence in architecture and the design-build process, and the design and study of ecologically responsive architecture. influenced by the legacy of R. Buckminster Fuller, long-time SIUC faculty member and resident of Carbondale.  Students are required to develop their individual research theses and/or design projects augmented by elected seminars and interdisciplinary courses.

While attending SIUC, students also have the opportunity to be members of profession-related student organizations.

Currently the student organizations include the American Institute of Architecture Students, Illuminating Engineers Society, Precast Concrete Institute, and the Construction Specifications Institute.  These organizations provide students the opportunity to pursue leadership roles, develop contacts with the profession and take advantage of various activities which include field trips, guest speakers and workshops.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of additional support services and activities which enhance the overall quality of education.

Additional support services include career services, disability support services, tutoring services for first-year students and mentoring programs.  Additional activities include the University Honors Program, travel study programs, workshops, guest lectures, co-op and extern opportunities.