The Online Master of Architecture Program Experience

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Online Learning

In-Person Experiences

Community

Support and Benefits

How do you complete an
architecture degree online?

To develop one of the first master of architecture programs to be offered online, we carefully considered what it takes to prepare great architects and how we can reimagine those aspects into an online degree program. The result combines online classes and course work, in-person hands-on learning, and the support you need to graduate ready for the next step in your architecture career.

Now, with the online M.Arch. program track, you can earn an RIT degree and make a difference where it matters most: your community.

Online Learning

Attend class
from any device,
anywhere.

Your classes and course work are completed entirely online and complement vigorous studio sessions and other in-person experiences.

Our flipped classroom model allows you to learn new concepts through course work on your own time prior to weekly live classes held in our online classroom. Here, you will discuss weekly topics face-to-face with your classmates and professors as an entire class or in smaller breakout groups. This time can also be used to collaborate on group projects.

Your online Zoom classroom and all the tools you need for success can be easily accessed through one click on the virtual campus hub, which features:

Recordings of your live class sessions
Course work organized by week
Focus mode and dark mode to remove screen distractions and reduce eye strain

Social groups with your classmates
Access to faculty office hours
Mobile and tablet app capability
24/7 tech support

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Online Learning

In-Person Experiences

Community

Support and Benefits

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Gain real experience,
make real connections.

In-Person Experiences

The online M.Arch. program’s variety of in-person opportunities will prepare you with a breadth of experience needed to work in industries ranging from interior design to renewable resources.

Studio and Design Time

This is where your ideas come to life. During in-home studio time, you will design and create structures that align with the concepts you learn in your courses. Each concept gradually builds on one another, so you will graduate with the full set of skills needed to create innovative buildings of the future.

You will utilize primary design elements to create projects such as:

2D and 3D design compositions
Building design proposals
Schematic design concepts that accurately communicate architectural solutions
Adaptive reuse schemes to repurpose existing buildings
Design explorations that focus on site physiognomy
Urban context investigations

Studio course work will include live video sessions, asynchronous course content, recorded video instructions, and interactive discussions and critiques. You will be required to purchase a document camera and additional supplies for your studio courses.

Professional Cooperative Educational Experiences

After the first year in the program, you will complete a professional co-op in your community. During the co-op, you will work with local architectural and design firms, apply your newly learned skills, and gain a minimum of 350 hours of valuable experience that you can add to your resume.

You may be eligible to complete your co-op at your current place of employment, or you can complete it at a site in your community that fits your career goals and RIT’s high standards of excellence.

Global Experience

While improvement in your local community is imperative, we want our students to strive to create innovative work that makes a global impact. You will be required to spend up to 10 days performing architecture-related work or studying the local culture, history, and built environment in a global destination.

Global experiences can be an independent travel experience for no credit, or you can earn up to three elective credits by attending a global experience led by an RIT instructor or at an abroad academic institution. Additional options for completing the requirement may be available per RITs Global Experience Policy.

On-Campus Immersions

The RIT campus’s backdrop of Rochester, N.Y. provides an urban environment for immersive in-person learning experiences. Here, you will collaborate with your classmates on projects and competitions, participate in live critiques, and experience the RIT culture firsthand. You will also have the chance to explore and use our state-of-the-art facilities, including a sustainable building materials lab and a 3D design shop.

Standard Admission students will be required to attend two immersions, with an optional third. Advanced Standing students will be required to attend two immersions.

Explore the full Standard M.Arch. and Advanced Standing M.Arch. curriculums.

Gain Hands-On Architecture Experience from Anywhere

Request information to learn more about the online M.Arch. program track.

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Jump to:

Online Learning

In-Person Experiences

Community

Support and Benefits

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You bring you.

RIT Community

Our program is STEM-designated and built intentionally for the online student, with tools available at your fingertips that allow you to fully immerse yourself in RIT’s community—a kaleidoscope of intellectually curious students, faculty, and alumni. Here, we bring together diverse perspectives to collaborate, innovate, and thrive. RIT also offers an on-campus M.Arch. pathway. Find more information about this option here.

Faculty

RIT faculty are dedicated, highly credentialed professionals who consistently prioritize advancement in architecture. They are dedicated to nurturing your passions and curating a supportive and engaging environment. You will be able to connect with your instructors face-to-face during class discussions, office hours, and in-person immersions.

Alumni

With over one-third of our graduates being international students, RIT now has more than 135,000 alumni all around the globe. Throughout their careers, our alumni continue to live by RIT community values and are committed to helping you thrive. They can be used as a resource as you continue your journey of preparing to become a sustainable architect.

Student Support and Benefits

Graduates of RIT’s on-campus M.Arch. program have a 100% employment rate.¹

High Licensing Exam Pass Rates — 100% of RIT Master of Architecture on-campus graduates in 2021 scored above the national average for the Project Management division of the ARE 5.0 exam.²

Here’s how we help our students achieve proven success:

A dedicated admissions counselor will help you throughout the application process and is available to answer any questions. Request information to get connected.
A student success advisor will be available throughout your time in the program to help with anything ranging from tech to course work to balancing school with your other responsibilities.
The career services team will help you identify additional work experience and plan for life after graduation.

It’s Time We Connect

An admissions counselor is waiting to meet you.
Request information to get connected.

¹RIT Master of Architecture. Accessed January 2022.
²NCARB, ARE 5.0 Pass Rates by School. (Retrieved March 2022)Return to footnote reference