Washington University in St. Louis.
Washington University in St. Louis (Washington University, St. Louis), abbreviated as Washington University (Wash U, WU), is named after George Washington, the founding father of the United States. It was established on February 22, 1853, and is located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious comprehensive private universities in American history and one of the nine "New Ivy League" universities, belonging to the world-class universities. Throughout its history, 25 Nobel Prize winners have studied or conducted teaching and research here.
The architecture program of Washington University in St. Louis is part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. This school is composed of three parts: the College of Art, the College of Architecture, and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. The College of Art was established in 1879 as the first professional university-affiliated art school in the United States and the only art school associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The College of Architecture was founded in 1910 and is a unique founding member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum (formerly Washington University Art Museum) was established in 1881 and was the first art museum west of the Mississippi River. This school combines the world-class art museum with the unmatched resources provided by the school to offer students rigorous training in architecture, art, and design, enabling interdisciplinary learning and practice. The school places great emphasis on innovation and collaboration.
Alumni and Faculty Insights
The graduate programs in architecture-related fields at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis (Washington University in St. Louis) offer three main tracks: Master of Architecture (MArch), Master of Urban Design (MUD), and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA). In addition to these architecture-related degrees, the school also offers other master's programs in art and design, such as the MFA in Visual Art and the MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture.
The Master of Architecture program is divided into four tracks: MArch 2, MArch 2.5, and MArch 3.5, requiring 2 years, 2.5 years, and 3.5 years to complete, respectively. MArch 2.5 students join the same studio courses as MArch 2 students starting in their second semester, and MArch 3.5 students join the same studio courses as MArch 2 students starting in their fourth semester. Taking the MArch 3.5 program as an example, it requires completing seven studios in total. The first three semesters consist of core studios, where all students work on the same projects—one project per semester—and are regrouped with different instructors. Core studios focus on foundational skills, emphasizing basic building types such as structures, residential buildings, and libraries.
The final four semesters consist of option studios, where project topics vary significantly and are determined by individual instructors based on their research focus. Option studio instructors include faculty members and visiting professors from the industry, resulting in a diverse range of research directions and styles. These studios may cover topics such as urban design, form generation, typology, parametric design, architectural construction, humanities and social sciences, architectural history, and scientific experimentation.
The capstone studio is called the **Degree Project (DP)**. Before starting the DP, students are required to complete a course called *Design Thinking*, which serves as the theoretical foundation for their independent thesis projects. These two courses together provide a critical and systematic process to deepen and synthesize the architectural knowledge gained during the master’s program.
Washington University in St. Louis is known for its practical approach. In addition to its robust studio curriculum, it offers a comprehensive range of supporting courses that lay a solid foundation for students aspiring to work in the field of architectural design. As a multidisciplinary design school, Sam Fox also offers opportunities for students interested in exploring other related design disciplines, providing a broader platform for creative development.
Related Programs List
Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) offers various architecture-related programs at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, including architecture design, landscape, and urban design.
Commonly Applied Programs by Architecture-Related Students:
- Master of Architecture 3 - Duration: 3.5 years (7 semesters)
- Master of Architecture 2+ - Duration: 2.5 years (5 semesters)
- Master of Architecture 2 - Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
- MS in Advanced Architectural Design - Duration: 3 semesters (estimated 1 year, fall-spring-summer)
- MS in Architectural Studies - Duration: Estimated 1 year
- Master of Landscape Architecture - Duration: 3 years / 2 years
- Master of Urban Design - Duration: 1 year (3 semesters: fall-spring-summer)
Admission Requirements
1. Degree Requirements
MArch 3
This full seven-semester professional curriculum is designed for students who hold baccalaureate degrees, either in architecture or other majors.
MArch 2+
This five-semester, advanced placement program begins in the fall semester. Students are considered for placement based on their design portfolio and the extent of their undergraduate architectural studies. Admission to this curriculum is highly selective.
MArch 2
This four-semester program is for strong architectural design students who hold a baccalaureate degree in architecture (typically a BS in Architecture or a professional degree from outside the U.S.) and begin their studies in either the fall or spring semester.
MSAAD (Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design)
This 36-credit, three-semester program is for individuals who already hold NAAB-accredited professional architecture degrees and wish to pursue advanced design studies, research, and teaching preparation.
MSAS (Master of Science in Architectural Studies)
The MSAS program is open to students with an undergraduate degree in architecture or those already enrolled in another graduate program in the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design.
MLA 3 (Master of Landscape Architecture, 3 years)
Applicants who hold a four-year bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) or its equivalent in a non-design major are eligible for admission to the three-year MLA program.
MLA 2 (Master of Landscape Architecture, 2 years)
Applicants with an accredited degree in landscape architecture or architecture may be admitted directly to the second year of the MLA program (advanced placement). Applicants with a non-accredited degree in architecture, landscape architecture, or environmental design may be considered for advanced placement of one or two semesters, subject to review by the admissions committee.
MUD (Master of Urban Design)
This 42-credit program leads to a post-professional Master of Urban Design degree for individuals holding professional degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning, with a focus on the physical design of the built environment and metropolitan landscape issues.
2. English Language Proficiency Requirements
IELTS: 7.0
TOEFL: 90 (institution code: 6929, department code: 12)
GRE: Optional (institution code: 6929, department code: 4401)
Note: Hard-Copy Application Materials
Applicants submitting IELTS scores must arrange for the testing service to send a hard copy of the score report to the admissions office.
Application Materials
- Official Transcripts (with certified translations)
- Degree Certificate/Proof of Enrollment
- Language Proficiency Scores
- Personal Statement (PS)
- No specific requirements
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Formatting/Technical Requirements:
Submit the portfolio as a single PDF document, with a maximum file size of 20 MB and a resolution of 150 dpi. All work should be presented in high-resolution digital images.
Prepare the file for computer monitor viewing (horizontal orientation), with text at least 8 points in size for legibility in full-screen view.
The portfolio should contain a maximum of 25 pages (note: two-page spreads count as one page). Front and back cover pages are allowed and will increase the maximum page limit to 27 pages.
Ensure the layout is clear, with brief descriptions accompanying each piece or project.
Note: Due to page limit restrictions, only the size and technical requirements are included here. For more detailed information on the content and other requirements, please visit the official website.
Official website links: