Columbia University

 

Columbia University is a world-renowned private research university located in Manhattan, New York City. It was established in 1754 under the Royal Charter issued by King George II of England and is one of the eight Ivy League schools. ​

Columbia's architecture program is the most prestigious on the East Coast, situated in the prime location of Manhattan, New York. The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) was founded in 1881 and offers three degrees: Master of Architecture, Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design, and Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture.​

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Alumni and Faculty Insights​

​Columbia University, located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, is one of the Ivy League schools with the most favorable geographical conditions. For architecture design students, Manhattan is a treasure trove of design inspiration. Not only does it boast endless art museums and exhibitions (such as The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art), but it also features works from global masters (such as Bjarke Ingels' VIA, Santiago Calatrava's Oculus, Thomas Heatherwick's Vessel, etc.). When inspiration runs dry, a stroll down Manhattan's streets can spark a wealth of new ideas. In addition, New York hosts a large number of world-class architecture firms and design companies (such as KPF, SOM, Gensler, MOS, etc.), and for Columbia graduates, the proximity to these firms offers ample opportunities.​

​Columbia University's School of Architecture is called the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP). The school offers four main areas of study: architecture design, urban planning, historic preservation, and real estate. The architecture design track has two graduate programs: one is the three-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch), which accepts students with a four-year undergraduate architecture background as well as those from non-architecture undergraduate programs.​

• All applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time they start the M. ARCH program.​
• All applicants must have fulfilled a minimum of 45 credit hours of general studies in the arts, humanities and/or science at their undergraduate institution.​
• History/Theory Course Sequence: All applicants must have completed a 3-point survey course in architectural history at an accredited college or university dealing with any of the following periods: classical to Renaissance, Renaissance to modern, or modern.
• Building Technologies Course Sequence: All applicants must have completed a 3-point course in general physics or two 3-point calculus courses at an accredited college or university.
• Applicants who have no prior background in architecture must complete a course in architectural graphic presentation (this could be one term of architectural studio or a studio in the visual arts such as drawing, painting, or sculpture) as a prerequisite for the Core Studio Sequence, before registering in the M. ARCH Program.

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• The M.S. AAD program is a second/post-professional degree in Architecture. All applicants must have a first professional degree, B. Arch, M. Arch or equivalent degree (5yrs, eligible for licensure) by the time they start the M.S. AAD program.

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• The M.S. AUD program is a second/post-professional degree program for students interested in exploring urban design. All applicants must have a first professional degree, B. Arch, M. Arch, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, or Master of Landscape Architecture degree (5 yrs, eligible for licensure) by the time they start the M.S. AUD program.

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• The M.S. CCCP program applicants must have a minimum of a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university by the time they start the M.S. CCCP, including no less than 4 classes in architecture, architectural history, or a related form of aesthetic or cultural practice.​
• Applicants who do not hold a B. Arch or M. Arch degree or the equivalent should demonstrate a substantive interest in architecture and/or urbanism through providing evidence of work in history, theory, criticism, research, design, editing, events-coordination, visualization, exhibition work or curatorial practice.​
• Visual acuity and interest in undertaking independent research and original projects are crucial for all applicants and the submission of a portfolio of writing or visual material is intended to provide the admissions committee with evidence of an applicant’s areas of interest and/or skills as well as preparation in the field he or she intends to pursue. It is not, however, necessary to have extensive experience in order to be admitted, but in the absence of such a background, it is very important that the character and strengths of a prospective student’s work and interests are documented and conveyed.

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• The M.S. HP program is multidisciplinary in nature and expects all students to engage in preservation in depth from many perspectives. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to historic preservation as a profession and students should have a basic knowledge of the history of architecture.​
• All applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time they start the M.S. HP program.

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• All applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time they start the M.S. RED program.​
• M.S. RED applicants may hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of fields. While graduate and professional academic preparation in development-related disciplines, such as architecture, finance, law, urban design, historic preservation, civil engineering, or urban planning is highly desirable, it is not essential for admission to the program.​
• It is recommended that applicants have 2 years of professional experience prior to entering the M.S. RED program.

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• The M.S. UP program prepares students from diverse academic backgrounds for careers as professional planners. Applicants typically, but not exclusively, have majored in architecture, engineering, sociology, political science, geography, economics, or urban studies; many also come from backgrounds in the humanities and pure sciences. The admissions committee reviews all applicants comprehensively, considering their undergraduate academic achievements, personal statement, and related experiences.​
• All applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time they start the M.S. UP program.​

• Applicants to the M. ARCH, M.S. HP, M.S. UP, M.S. CCCP, and M.S. RED* programs must take the GRE.​
• Applicants should contact ETS to have official test scores sent to the GSAPP Admissions Office via Institution Code 2164. GRE scores are valid for five years after the test date. At this time there is no minimum required GRE score for admission.​
• The average GRE scores for admitted applicants are 161 for the verbal section and 165 for the quantitative.​

• All applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores (with the exception of Introduction to Architecture applicants). At this time there is no minimum TOEFL score required for admission.​
• International students who have successfully completed two years of study in an English-speaking institution may waive the TOEFL exam requirement provided they can submit relevant transcripts.​
• Applicants should contact ETS to have official test scores sent to the GSAPP Admissions Office via Institution Code 2164, Dept. Code 12. TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date.​
• We do not accept the TOEFL ITP. We do not accept the IELTS in lieu of the TOEFL.​
• International students who have successfully completed two years of study in an English-speaking institution may waive the TOEFL exam requirement. We do not publish a minimum score requirement. The average admitted applicant has a TOEFL score of 104.​