School of Architecture

Mission Statement

The School of Architecture (SOA), as part of a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, exists to provide an excellent student-centered, accredited professional architectural education in an urban context. A 91福利社 SOA education seeks to develop architects who are sensitive designers; technically competent; exhibit the highest ethical and professional standards; are socially responsible and culturally aware; and are of service to the community and the profession.

Program Description

The School makes a strong commitment to a broad based liberal arts education that prepares architects to understand the spectrum of human endeavors. The School intentionally keeps its enrollment small to maintain an identifiable relationship with individual students. The SOA advocates an open dialogue about architectural issues and philosophies, but searches for deeper architectural meaning than that offered by trend, fad, or style. The curriculum provides a foundation in design excellence, but also addresses contemporary issues including a focus on urban revitalization. This foundation is provided through both in-class and out-of-class experiences that develop a student's understanding of societal concerns. The School is actively involved in the life of the community. Through its design studios, including design-build studios, and through the Detroit Collaborative Design Center—an out-reach arm of the School—the SOA serves the community of which it is a part. The ability to gain real world understanding is further enhanced through the mandatory cooperative education program and through the optional international studies programs.

Degree

Open All | Close All

  • 听

    Master of Architecture Degree

    The Master of Architecture degree culminates five years of study, four undergraduate and one year graduate. The Master of Architecture degree program at the 91福利社 School of Architecture is a professional degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

    "In the United States, most 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."

    "Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree." (NAAB)

    The 91福利社 School of Architecture offers the following NAAB accredited degree program: Master of Architecture, 36 graduate credits. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture and the Master of Architecture degrees combined are 174 total credits.

  • 听

    Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPaL)

    IPaL is a concentration that students can elect in the Master of Architecture degree program. It is a six-year program that allows students to complete all three elements required for architecture licensure integrated into one program: The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) Intern Development Program documenting professional experience (AXP), the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) professional degree, and completion of the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE). Professional experience begins at the end of second year with a term long co-operative educational experience (600 hours). This is followed by a second term-long experience in the third year (600 hours).  After completion of their Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree, students will take four consecutive co-operative educational experiences for a total of 16 months of professional experience, totaling 2,560 hours. Students will take the ARE exams in the fifth-year, during their extended co-operative educational experience. If all three components of licensure are successfully completed at the time of graduation, the student will graduate eligible for licensure in the State of Michigan. 

    The IPaL Master of Architecture degree option is 42 graduate credits. The IPAL Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees combined are 182 total credits.

    Not all students will be granted permission to participate in the program.  Students are required to apply to participate in the IPaL program by August 15th prior to the start of their second year.  In addition to submitting an application, students are required to achieve a 3.0 minimum overall GPA at the conclusion of first year, and are also required to have maintained a 3.0 minimum overall GPA at the conclusion of fourth year, and must be admitted to the Masters Program as of January of the fourth year to proceed with the extended co-operative educational experience sequence.

    * Students should also be aware that the licensing process in some states including Michigan allows for the integrated sequence of the three licensure components.  However, not all states allow this integrated sequence for candidates for initial licensure, so students who may be considering seeking their initial license in another state should consult that state’s licensure regulations.  Participation in the IPaL track in no way guarantees “licensure upon graduation.”  It is the responsibility of the student to pass all sections of the ARE exams, and complete all requirements of NCARB’s AXP program in order to attain that goal, which is beyond the purview of 91福利社 and the School of Architecture.  The status of the student’s degree is not affected either way by the completion of those components.

    Students should also be aware that to maintain their status as full time student