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Graduate Admissions

Learn more about our programs

View our 2023-2024 MIT Architecture Graduate Student Program guide

Application Overview

Admissions Timeline

September 15: Applications open for all programs

October 29 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST): Fall Open House (virtual)

January 7 (11:59 p.m. EST): Applications due for all programs 

Dec. 23—Jan 3: Staff on break (no email responses during this time)

March 10—April 1: Application results released

April 1, 2025: Admitted Students Open House 
(View a recording of our 2025 Admitted Students Open House)

April 15 (5 p.m. EST): Decisions due from admitted students

There are no rolling admissions. Applications for all degrees are reviewed in January for programs beginning the following September.

Application Links

Applicants to the Department of Architecture can create a user profile with MIT, then create an application in that system for our programs. To create your profile, go to apply.mit.edu/apply. If you are admitted and planning to enroll, you can find information here: New Graduate Student Enrollment.
 

Contact Us

If you have reviewed the admissions information on this site, and find that you have additional questions, we have developed an interactive form to help you better understand our programs: Architecture Admissions Information Portal

We have a team of dedicated students who conduct tours of the Department during the academic year, both in-person and virtual. You can request a tour here: Tour Request Form (We do not currently have a student who can provide tours, so these are suspended until further notice.)

Admissions Information

Applicant Mentorship Program

Thank you for participating in the 2024-2025 Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP)! The program is closed for the remainder of the 2024-2025 academic year. We will reopen the program for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

For additional questions about AMP, please email amp-mitarch@mit.edu.  

For procedural or technical questions about the application process, please email arch@mit.edu.  

Applying to More Than One Program

You may apply to two different programs within the Department of Architecture. If you are considering two programs, it may be useful for you to discuss your plans with our admissions staff.

Before applying to two programs, here are some guidelines for you to consider:

  • The career path of an MArch applicant is to become an architect. The SMArchS degree is for advanced research, usually after the MArch or other advanced degree.
  • If you are unclear which SMArchS program is right for you, contact the discipline group of your choice and discuss your goals. If you wish to apply to two or more SMArchS programs, you will need to submit a separate application for each. If faculty think your work better suits another area than the one to which you applied, they will circulate your application among the different SMArchS admissions committees. You may be admitted to a different area than the one to which you applied.
  • If you wish to apply to a SMArchS and a PhD program in the same area, just apply to the PhD program. The admissions committees may choose to admit some PhD applicants to the SMArchS program, but they will not admit SMArchS applicants to the PhD program.

Dual Degree Options

The only formal dual degree program is between the Department of Architecture, and the Department of Urban Studies and Planning: the dual Master of Architecture and Master of City Planning degrees. Other dual degrees have been crafted by qualified students already in the program by arrangement.

Applicants to the MArch/MCP program have two choices for applying:
• Apply to both programs simultaneously. The applications must be accepted by both programs in order for student to enroll, but one program must be chosen to begin first.
• Apply to either the MArch or the MCP program. Once admitted, at the end of the first year, apply to the second program. Admission to the second program is not guaranteed.
• Students already enrolled in a graduate program at MIT need to have their study plans approved by both Architecture and the dual departments. Applicants will need two letters of recommendation from MIT faculty. Be aware each department or degree program may have different application deadlines. 

STEM Classifications

The majority of our programs are classified as STEM.
This allows international students to extend their Optional Practical Training an additional two years for a total of three.
The only MIT Architecture graduate programs NOT classified as STEM are the following:
• SMACT (Master of Science in Art, Culture, and Technology)
• HTC SMArchS
• HTC PhD
• AKPIA SMArchS

Transferring Into MIT

The graduate program does not allow transfer students to enter the program. Applicants who have begun another program may qualify to waive required courses they have already taken and instead take electives. There is no option to shorten the 3.5-year MArch program.

Taking Classes Outside of a Degree Program

You can take courses within the MIT Architecture Department without being admitted to a degree program.
There are two ways you can do this (both require an application):
- You can apply to be a special student
- Or you can apply to join the MIT Advanced Study Program

Summer and Online Courses

No MIT Architecture programs or courses are offered during the summer; however, you may be interested in Harvard’s Career Discovery program. MIT also provides online course content through MIT OpenCourseWare. Search for Department of Architecture courses by choosing "course 4." These courses are not for credit.

Finances

Financing Your Education
The philosophy of the Department of Architecture is based upon a desire to maintain a diverse student body and encourage those who have the interest and ability to succeed in the profession, regardless of their financial resources. The Department wants to make it possible for all of our students to graduate with a debt no larger than they can reasonably expect to repay while working in their profession. Financial aid from the Department is in the form of direct tuition awards and Departmental employment. Additional resources and information is available from MIT's Student Financial Services Office.

Financial aid awards for incoming students are on a merit basis and are made upon admission. In general, PhD students are funded on financial aid packages that consist of a Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA) salary component, plus a tuition component. TA or RA assignments are made by the faculty Discipline Group Director at the beginning of each term.

Financial aid awards to Master's degree students are in the form of a partial tuition award. Master's degree students are also eligible to compete for work opportunities in the form of Teaching or Research Assistantships, or hourly positions available in the department.

Students are eligible for financial support from the Department, both tuition and/or Departmental employment, for the period of the standard residency requirement of the degree program. For PhD students this is up to a maximum of ten semesters. For MArch, students the maximum number of semesters of eligibility is seven. SMArchS, SMBT, and SMACT students are eligible for a total of four semesters of financial aid.

Students in all degree programs must be registered as a full-time resident graduate student for the period of the award, and be in good academic standing in order to be eligible for continued financial aid.

In all cases, students should refer to the details laid out in their offer of admission.

Tuition
MIT tuition and fees are posted by the MIT Registrar's Office. TA, RA and hourly rates are set by the Institute and the Department.

For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the SFS website:

Students are also assessed a Student Life Fee per year which cannot be paid by MIT funds. The tuition component of a financial aid award is applied directly to the student's account in the Bursar's Office. Academic year awards are divided equally between the Fall and Spring terms.

Payment in full, or a satisfactory arrangement for payment, is due in advance of Registration Day of each term. Students may opt for a Bursary Payment Plan to pay tuition in monthly installments. This plan involves a finance charge.

The office of Student Accounts coordinates the billing and collects payment for the official Institute charges, including on-campus housing, medical insurance, tuition, and the Student Activity Fee. Questions or concerns about student accounts, billing, charges and/or payments should be directed to the Student Financial Services / Student Services Center, 11-120.

Additional Fellowships
To research additional fellowship opportunities, please sign up and check out MIT’s online financial literacy platform iGrad, where you will find a searchable scholarship database. Some other good databases can be found at: https://www.petersons.com/ and http://college.usatoday.com/2016/01/06/best-scholarship-resources/ (some may require registration).

Financial Aid for MArch and SMArchS Programs
Financial Aid Information for Master of Science in Art, Culture, and Technology

Diversity

The Department of Architecture is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We are pursuing actions to increase the diversity of our student population and to create an environment that welcomes and empowers all members of our community. This work includes new initiatives in outreach, admissions, support programs, and increased student participation in department governance. Our current population of students is a balance of half US-based and half international students, representing over forty-five countries. A fifth of our US-based graduate students identify as POC. 57% of graduate students are women, 43% are men. The Department will continue working purposefully to improve these numbers in the belief that broad perspectives and multiple role models are necessary for the future of the architectural profession.

  • Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP) 
    The Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP) pairs prospective applicants with current students who can offer guidance and answer questions throughout the application process. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and those lacking support or facing other challenges in their pursuits of graduate studies to sign up for AMP! 
     

  • GradCatalyst Program

    Part of MIT's GradCatalyst. Student-led workshops to help undergraduates plan their academic trajectories. This interactive webinar covers the unwritten rules to preparing for, applying to, and succeeding in graduate school. Sessions are open to anyone exploring the option of graduate education in architecture and similar fields. (Note: There will not be a fall GradCatalyst in 2024. There will be one in Spring 2025.)

Once Admitted

We send all notifications of admission and waitlist status by email, and many students will also receive telephone calls, beginning in early to mid-March and running until April 1. All admitted applicants will have until April 15 to let us know if they accept our offer. If we do not receive notification that you accept our offer by April 15, the offer is rescinded. Because we may not hear from some admitted applicants until April 15, those admitted from waitlist status may not receive notification of admission before April 15.

We will send admissions letters to admitted and waitlisted applicants along with a link to a response form. Those planning to enroll will need to have official copies of their transcripts sent before enrolling. There is no deposit required to hold your place in the program.

Information for newly admitted students is provided by the Institute.

Requirements

​​​​​​Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants
Acceptance of an offer of financial support (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties.

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution or a link to the URL should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.

When you enroll in the program, the academic administrator will review your final transcripts to see if have already completed required courses in the program. If so, you may not waive the credits, but you may waive the requirement. Instead, you can take an elective of your choice. Additionally, you may qualify to TA for classes you have taken previously. You will be granted access to an online TA application system before the semester begins. Some students will receive TAs as part of their admissions package. They will be assigned to their TA position by the program area.

Application Instructions

  • Letters of recommendation (3-4)
  • Transcripts for all relevant degrees
  • IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge English exam score (if English is not your first language)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Objectives
  • $90 application fee
  • Portfolio (or writing sample as appropriate, such as SMArchS HTC, and PhD programs)
  • The GRE is NOT required for any Architecture program

Letters of Recommendation

Letters from instructors are preferred unless you have been working for several years, in which case supervisors may be included. The application can be submitted on the deadline with fewer than three letters, but be sure to remind your instructors to complete their letters. 

We encourage you to ask for three letters of recommendation, but do not penalize applicants for missing letters; applications with fewer than three letters will be considered without a penalty. Applicants may include up to four recommenders if necessary. Notify your letter writers as early as possible to let them know you will be requesting letters. This will give them time to prepare and submit their letters by the deadline. Letters submitted one year may not be used to apply again in subsequent years unless uploaded by the recommender.

If your recommender has trouble with the online system, be sure to complete their contact information and have them email the letter to arch@mit.edu. In this case make sure that you have completed the form in the system with their information and check whether or not you have waived your right to view the letter. Inform the recommender of your choice. 

You should return to your online application to check the status of your letters, and remind your recommenders. You may submit your application even if all your recommendation letters have not yet been submitted. Review begins about a week after the deadline, so any letters not received by then will not be viewed.

Transcripts

Transcripts for all relevant degrees, official or unofficial, must be uploaded to the application system. PDFs must be clearly readable and oriented correctly on the screen. Only those applicants who are accepted for admission will be required to send a hard copy of an official, sealed transcript (with English translation) from each school attended. Please do not have official copies of transcripts sent to our office unless you are admitted. Certificates, study abroad, and community college transcripts do not need to be sent unless the courses are not also listed on your primary college transcripts. Non-English transcripts must be translated into English, and if necessary, signed by a licensed notary and accompanied by the original version. If you have taken studios, indicate this on the Test Scores/Experience/Electronic Portfolio section.

We expect you to scan your personal, unofficial copies to the online application. Only those applicants who are accepted for admission will be required to send a hard copy of an official, sealed transcript (with English translation) from each school attended. Any discrepancy between the scanned transcripts and official transcripts may result in a rejection or withdrawal of our admission offer. Applicants should NOT send any supplemental material with their application by mail, and only provide those documents required in the application.

You do not have to have completed your degree when you apply, but the final transcripts and certification of the degree will be required before you may enroll, if you are admitted.  Applicants who have begun another program may qualify to waive required courses they have already taken and instead take free electives. There is no option to shorten the 3.5-year MArch program. The graduate program does not allow transfer students to enter the program.

English Test Scores

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score (Academic test), a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the Cambridge English Exams upon admission. Starting for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, the Institute will accept official scores from two Cambridge English exams: the C1 Advanced assessment and the C2 Proficiency assessment.

The admissions committee regards English proficiency as crucial for success in all degree programs. In order to meet the admissions deadline, it is recommended that candidates take their test on the earliest possible date. We do accept the Home Version of both IELTS and TOEFL. NOTE: Official scores do not need to be sent unless you are admitted, and intend to enroll. Scores are not necessary for acceptance of admission, but are required before registration for classes.

You must take an English test if:

-       You did your undergraduate studies in the US but are from a non-English speaking country you DO need to take a test.
-       You are from the US but were raised speaking another language, you DO need to take a test.

You do not need to take it if you were raised in a non-English speaking country but have spoken and been educated in English all your life, or if you are a graduate of MIT.

Only admitted applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to MIT by IELTS International or Educational Testing Service. Scores must be no older than two years as of the date of application. To avoid delays, please use the following codes when having your scores sent to MIT: 

  • Institutional Code: 3514
  • Department Code: 12

The minimum score required for the IELTS is 7 and the minimum TOEFL score is 600 for the Paper-based test,  (250 for computer-based test, 100 for Internet-based test. HTC PhD requires a TOEFL score of 110 or  IELTS score of 8.) While either test score is accepted, the IELTS score is preferred. If your scores do not meet the minimum required for admission we are not able to admit you. Applications with scores lower than 100 on the TOEFL or 7 on the IELTS, or missing test scores, will not be reviewed. We will NOT have access to your "My Best Scores" from ETS. We will see all your test scores you have sent to us.

All students whose first language is not English are required to take the English Evaluation Test (EET) prior to registration at MIT. Even students who satisfy the IELTS/TOEFL requirement for admission may be required to take specialized subjects in English as a Second Language (ESL), depending on their EET results. These subjects do not count toward the required degree credits.

If you do not believe you need to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score, you may use the language test waiver choice in the application, and explain your situation to the faculty in the space provided. No official waiver will be granted unless you are admitted, so the application will not show whether or not the waiver was approved.

Curriculum Vitae

Some MIT fellowships are available to MIT Departments. The CV is used by our administrative staff to learn additional information about you in order to apply for MIT scholarships on your behalf. 

Statement of Objectives

The Statement requested by the Department will vary depending on the program to which you are applying. MArch applicants will answer these two questions: 

Statement For MArch Applicants
Architecture, and this department, encompasses design, technology, history and the arts; their social, technical and aesthetic aspects are engaged by all our faculty and students. What aspects of architecture interest you most and why? How have your personal and professional experiences shaped your interests? In what ways do you feel your education at MIT will support your own contribution to architecture and those it serves? (1200 words)

Statement for ACT Applicants
Our program encompasses art, architecture, design, history, and technology; all have a social and cultural meaning and purpose. How does your background and life experience inform your understanding of that purpose? Can you also tell us a little bit about how your interests relate to what is being researched and produced by the ACT program and its faculty. Tell us about your hopes and aspirations regarding your professional development and learning at ACT. (500 word limit)

Statement Research Programs (Doctoral, SMBT, and SMArchS Applicants)
Please share a research statement, considering the following: What are your research motivations, objectives, and aspirations? How have your personal and professional experiences shaped your interests? Are there faculty members in the Department of Architecture with whom your research objectives align? (1200 words)

Financial Support

Aside from fully funded programs, such as the PhD and SMBT programs, the majority of students receive Departmental support. Be sure to check off whether or not you wish to be considered for financial support. No preference is given to either answer. If you need money to attend grad school, be sure to say "yes." Department aid is distributed on a combined basis of merit and need. The Department will review admitted applicants to see if any additional MIT scholarships may apply. If an admitted applicant to an Architecture program is eligible for an MIT scholarship, the Department will apply on your behalf and detail this in the admission letter.

Application Fee

A non-refundable Application Fee of $90 USD is required to submit your application. You will need to submit a credit card number on the Architecture Graduate Application to process this fee. If submitting an application fee provides any challenge in submitting an application, prospective students are asked to submit a fee waiver application through the Office of Graduate Education. A fee waiver request is entirely independent of the admissions process itself and is not seen by the admissions committee. Note that those applying to the PhD programs will automatically be considered for the SMArchS program in that area. SMArchS applicants may choose to be reviewed by more than one SMArchS program. 

Portfolio

A portfolio is required for the following programs:

-       MArch
-       All SMArchS programs
-       Encouraged but not required for Computation PhD
-       Optional for SMBT (writing sample instead)
-       Optional for BT/PhD (writing sample instead)

The portfolio should include evidence of recent creative work, whether personal, academic or professional. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and the applicant's role in the project defined. Your name, and program to which you are applying should also be included. We expect the portfolio to be the applicant's own work. Applicants whose programs require portfolios will upload a 30-page maximum (10 pages for ACT) including cover pages and contents), PDF file to the online application system. The dimensions should be exported for screen viewing. Two page "spreads" are counted as one page.

Program-Specific Requirements

MArch

The MArch is the first professional degree preparing students for a career as an architect. The program takes 3.5 years, comprising six studios, followed by a semester working on thesis. Courses are drawn from each of our discipline groups, as well as electives from the Department and throughout MIT.

Degree Prerequisites

The MArch program requires the following academic preparation:
• A Bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.
• One semester of satisfactory study in college-level mathematics (such as, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus).
• One semester of satisfactory study in college-level natural sciences (such as, physics, biology, chemistry).
• Two semesters of satisfactory study in college-level humanities and/or social sciences.

Students may be admitted with limited deficiencies in 2, 3, or 4 above, but this deficiency must be removed prior to entry into the first year of graduate study in the department. Pre-requisites may be taken at any accredited institution of higher learning, including on-line courses. Natural science classes with a lab are not required. Upon completion, provide an official transcript showing the final passing grade to the Department of Architecture. AP credit will be accepted if the undergraduate transcript includes institutional credit for each subject taken.

The Advanced Placement track has been discontinued, so all applicants apply to the full 3.5-year program. If you have taken any courses in another school, you may petition to waive the required courses and instead take free electives.

Interviews are NOT required for MArch applicants. If you would like to arrange for a student-led virtual tour of the Department, please complete this form Tour Request.

Portfolio

A digital portfolio is required of all MArch applicants, including those who do not have a previous architecture degree or background. The portfolio file should be exported as PDF for screen viewing. The file should contain no more than 30 pages. Two-page spreads are allowed, but each spread counts as one of the 30 pages.

Our goal is to constitute a diverse community that includes a wide range of interests and talents. We do this for many reasons, including our understanding that, particularly in a community like ours, we all learn from each other. To better understand your creative voice and background, please share a PDF portfolio that best reflects who you are. We review portfolios from a variety of backgrounds; we are seeking the potential to explore and engage architectural questions, but not necessarily previous experience with architecture. We want to understand your potential to think and operate visually and in three dimensions, at any scale. Please share with us any work that best illuminates how you perceive and structure the world that surrounds you. If some of your work cannot easily be understood in a static pdf, please include a link to a sample for review. This field is intended to augment the portfolio submission with audio files from composers and musicians, or video files from performance art, interviews from journalists, etc. If time-based media is not central to your work, there is no problem with leaving this field blank.

If some of your work cannot easily be understood in a static pdf, please include a link to a sample for review. This field is intended to augment the portfolio submission with audio files from composers and musicians, or video files from performance art, interviews from journalists, etc. If time-based media is not central to your work, there is no problem with leaving this field blank.

SMArchS

The Master of Science in Architecture Studies (SMArchS) is a two-year post-masters program of advanced study founded on research and inquiry in architecture as a discipline and as a practice. The program is intended both for students who already have a professional degree in architecture and those interested in advanced non-professional graduate study. We offer this degree in each of our discipline groups, with some overlap between groups.

Our goal across the SMArchs programs at MIT is to bring together a diverse set of voices and research interests where students conduct their research through discipline-specific skills, abilities, tools, and media.  We do this for many reasons, and it enables us to create a community at MIT and construct a larger dialogue across disciplines in which we learn from each other. So that we may better understand your creative voice and background, please present a PDF portfolio that reflects your experience and preparation for the specific SMArchs program you are applying to.

Interviews are NOT required for SMArchS applicants. All prospective students are welcome to visit the Department. If you would like to visit the campus for a student tour of the Department, please contact in advance of your trip.

Writing samples are required for the MIT SMArchs programs that engage history and theory as research in these programs is presented primarily through the vehicle of writing. Writing samples may be submitted optionally in other SMArchs Programs. If you chose to provide an optional writing sample one for the admissions committee to consider, please share a document that shows how you structure and articulate your views on a subject that matters to you. 

For admission to the SMArchs AKPIA program, a writing sample of a research paper length (15-20 pages) is required of all non-architectural applicants and is an important component of the application. Publications are welcome, but they are not expected. For students of design background, an explanation of how designs presented in the portfolio have prepared the applicant for the intended research project can be submitted in the place of a writing sample. 

Note: The GRE is NOT required or reviewed for any program in the Department of Architecture.

SMArchS Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture 

This program is focused on the history of Islamic art and architecture, Islamic urban and landscape history, and critical history and theory of urban heritage and conservation, especially in conflict- and post-disaster contexts. AKPIA SMArchS students come from diverse backgrounds – from the humanities, architectural, art historical, historical, or curatorial practice or individuals with professional architectural degrees from outside the US who want to continue research in topics related to Islamic architecture. We welcome portfolios so that applicants with design training can communicate their design intelligence and show their capacity for research within a design context. Applicants without design training are not required to submit a portfolio. 

Degree Prerequisites

The SMArchS AKPIA program requires the following academic preparation:
BArch or BA in architecture or any related field (Art history, planning, landscape, archeology, etc.)
Areas of study: architectural and art history, urban history, urban studies, design inquiry, with a special focus on the Islamic world.

SMArchS Architectural Design

This program advances research on a broad range of concerns through the vehicle of design—through fabrication, model making, drawing and representation, prototyping, exhibition design, mapping, digital analysis, and more. A portfolio is a required component of the SMArchs Architecture Design application: it should reflect who you are, include distinctions between individual work and work done in groups, and contain examples of academic projects and/or professional work and community projects that demonstrate your experience in architectural design. 

Degree Prerequisites

The SMArchS AD program requires the following academic preparation:
• A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.

SMArchS Building Technology

This program is focused on technical and scientific research to improve the sustainability of the built environment and the health of its inhabitants.  A portfolio is required for the SMArchs BT program, with projects that speak to the applicants’ design experiences and sensibilities. We welcome portfolios that demonstrate applicants’ knowledge of environmental performance analysis workflows and their application to design.

Degree Prerequisites

The SMArchS BT program requires the following academic preparation:
• A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.

SMArchS Computation

Degree Prerequisites

The SMArchS Computation program requires the following academic preparation:
• An undergraduate or higher degree in architecture or related field with high academic standing from a recognized institution. 

SMArchS Urbanism

This program is focused on the exploration of a broad range of concerns that advance design and research at the larger scales of city, community, and territory. For this reason, the portfolio is a required component of your application: it should reflect who you are, include distinctions between individual work and work done in groups, and contain examples that demonstrate urban thinking: through a design component on the urban scale and a research/ analytical part applied to the urban scale.

Degree Prerequisites

The SMArchS Urbanism program requires the following academic preparation:
• A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.

SMArchS History Theory + Criticism of Architecture and Art

This group is focused on the history of architecture, art and design, as well as the theoretical and political presuppositions informing that history. We place a strong emphasis on historiography and on interdisciplinary analytical methodologies as means to explore the philosophical, social, and material contexts for works of art, architecture, and design. While not a requirement, we welcome portfolios so that applicants with design training can communicate their particular design intelligence and show their capacity for research and thought within a design context. Applicants without design training are not required to submit a portfolio.

Degree Prerequisites

The SMArchS HTC program requires the following academic preparation:
• A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or BA in architecture or any related field (Art history, planning, landscape, archeology, etc.).
For admission to the SMArchs HTC program, a writing sample of at least 15 pages is required of all applicants and is an important component of the application. For those who have them, publications are welcome, but they are not expected. 

SMACT

The Program in Art, Culture and Technology (ACT) facilitates artist-thinkers’ exploration of art’s broad, complex, global history and conjunction with culture, science, technology, and design via rigorous critical artistic practice and practice driven theory. ACT emphasizes experimentation and transdisciplinary approaches to studio production in both traditional and new media. Students are encouraged to consider both the physical and the cultural context of their artworks/projects as central to their interpretation. Presentations on contemporary art as well as discussions in theory and criticism, and an understanding of research-based artistic practice complement studio production and the development of projects.

Zoom interviews are only arranged with candidates after the faculty have made an initial assessment of the applicant pool.

Degree Prerequisites

The SMACT program requires the following academic preparation:
• A bachelor's degree.

What should I put in my portfolio?
The portfolio should include evidence of your recent creative work, whether personal, academic, or professional. Collaborative projects should be identified accordingly, and your role must be clearly defined.

What are the portfolio specifications?

  • Images and Documentation
    - Submit one PDF document, maximum of ten 8.5x11 pages, including documentation and/or images of your projects.
    - Include captions/descriptions for each image: title, artist, year, material, and/or project description.
  • Time-based media
    - Submit no more than seven minutes of material
    - This means seven minutes if you add the runtime of all your files together, not seven minutes for each file.
    Video: High quality QuickTime .mov files only
    Audio: high quality .mp3 or .aiff files only
  • Technical notes
    - Portfolios will be reviewed digitally using computer monitors and digital projectors. Do NOT send slides or printouts.
    - Make sure that all files are able to open on a Mac.
    - Double-check your files to make sure they open before submitting

May my portfolio include other items as well?
The portfolio may also include the following optional items, which are considered secondary material, and will be reviewed only if time permits: Writing sample – five page PDF maximum.

Webpage URLs: I prefer to submit weblinks instead of a portfolio. Is that OK?
Yes. If you submit a link or website, you can enter it in Section 3 of the application, under Personal Information: Web page URL (optional).

Can I get advice on the content of my portfolio?
No. Your portfolio should reflect the range and depth of your artistic practice. As you prepare it, you may wish to view the profile pages of ACT faculty members to see how your projects may intersect with their research.

How are portfolios submitted?
Applicants are encouraged to provide a web link to their online portfolios. Web links can be provided in Section 3 of the application, under Personal Information: Web page URL (optional). Portfolios that are CD or DVDs can also be accepted as an alternative to links. Portfolios are not returned to you.

The disk should be labeled “Attention: Admissions ACT” and include your name and address.

Please do not mail any materials directly to ACT.

Send your portfolio to the Department of Architecture at this address:
MIT Department of Architecture
77 Massachusetts Ave., Room 7-337
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Attn: Admissions ACT

SMBT

The Master of Science in Building Technology (SMBT) provides a focus for graduate students interested in the development and application of advanced technology for buildings. Students in this program take relevant subjects in basic engineering disciplines along with subjects which apply these topics to buildings. The program accepts students with undergraduate degrees in a variety of engineering disciplines, in the physical sciences, or in architecture with a suitable background in technology. Students also come to the program with diverse job experiences, from the design of space-conditioning equipment for buildings to the Peace Corps. All share both a keen interest in buildings and a thorough education in mathematics, physics and other technical subjects.

Because of the small size of the program, interviews with faculty are recommended, but not required. It is advantageous for applicants to meet with the Building Technology faculty member doing research most closely aligned with the research interests of the applicant. Faculty schedules vary, so it is best to contact the Building Technology office several weeks prior to an intended visit.

Arrangements can also be made to sit in on final reviews (mid-May) or attend an Open House (mid-November).

Degree Prerequisites

The SMBT program requires the following academic preparation:
• A bachelor's degree.
Research papers or a portfolio of the applicant's work (maximum of 30 pages) may be uploaded to the Architecture Graduate Application to aid the admissions committee but are not required.

PhD

The Department of Architecture offers the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture (PhD), which may be pursued in any of these disciplines:

  • Building Technology
  • Computation
  • History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Art
  • Concentration in Advanced Urbanism

Each student admitted into the doctoral program will work closely with one faculty advisor in their area to develop a plan of study. The minimum residence required by the Institute for the doctorate is two full academic years. Completion of all of the requirements for the doctorate, including the dissertation, is usually accomplished in five or six years. Progress toward the PhD follows required coursework, minor and major declaration, qualifying paper, general examination, and dissertation research, writing, and defense. Students are encouraged to take relevant courses in other departments at MIT and at Harvard University.

Degree Prerequisites

The PhD programs require the following academic preparation:
• A master's degree is required for a PhD application in Building Technology and Computation, but is not required for a PhD application in HTC.

PhD BT

Research papers or a portfolio of the applicant's work (maximum of 30 pages) may be uploaded to the Architecture Graduate Application to aid the admissions committee but are not required.

Interviews with faculty are recommended but not required. It is advantageous for an applicant to meet with the Building Technology faculty member whose research is most closely aligned with the applicant's interests. Faculty schedules vary, so students should contact faculty members directly at least two weeks prior to an intended visit.

PhD Computation

A portfolio is strongly suggested for PhD applicants. Research papers or a portfolio of the applicant's work (maximum of 30 pages) may be uploaded to the Architecture Graduate Application to aid the admissions committee but are not required.

The portfolio should include evidence of recent creative work, whether personal, academic or professional. Choose what you care about, what you think is representative of your best work, and what is expressive of you. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and the applicant's role in the project defined. Your name, and program to which you are applying should also be included. We expect the portfolio to be the applicant's own work. Applicants whose programs require portfolios will upload a 30-page maximum) PDF file to the online application system. The dimensions should be exported for screen viewing. Two page "spreads" are counted as one page.
Because of the small size of the program, interviews with faculty are highly recommended, but not required. It is advantageous for applicants to meet with the Computation faculty member doing research most closely aligned with the research interests of the applicant. Faculty members have varying schedules, and travel when school is not in session. Thus it is best to contact the faculty member directly at least two weeks prior to an intended visit.

PhD HTC

All applicants should submit evidence of recent work: scholarly and/or professional. A 15 to 30 page writing sample is required of all HTC/AKPIA PhD applicants. In addition to the writing sample, a portfolio can be submitted if it demonstrates intellectual direction, scholarly interests, or design capability. Writing sample(s) should illustrate research interests and capacities.

If you choose to submit a portfolio, it should include evidence of recent creative work, whether personal, academic or professional. Select what you care about, what you think is representative of your best work, and what is expressive of you. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and the applicant's role in the project defined. Your name, and program to which you are applying should also be included. We expect the portfolio to be the applicant's own work. Applicants whose programs require portfolios will upload a 30-page maximum PDF file to the online application system. The dimensions should be exported for screen viewing. Two page "spreads" are counted as one page.

We encourage you to meet with an HTC faculty member by phone or Zoom in the Spring or Fall prior to applying. Applicants are also open to sit in on a class if an in-person visit is possible. Contact htc@mit.edu to discuss the HTC faculty you are interested in meeting. Interviews with faculty are not required and should take place well before the application deadline.