MIT offers a broad range of architectural design studios devoted to projects of increasing complexity. Beginning studios provide the basic architectural design background by way of individual exercises, each designed to address distinct disciplinary techniques and strategies, among them canonical debates and modes of research. Option studios offer a range of expanded problems, integrating spatial, programmatic, and material strategies towards integrative thinking. They give students the chance to sharpen their skills and develop their own attitudes as a prologue to constructing a thesis, essentially honing in on the relationship between intellectual platforms and formal projects. In thesis term, graduate students take their own projects from concept to final product.

MArch students enroll in an architectural design studio every term except thesis semester. A student who enters at the beginning of the full three-and-a-half year program will normally complete a studio in each of 6 semesters, and then a thesis in semester 7. The first three studios are taught as core studios, and the final three studios are advanced option studios. The spring semester Year 2 and 3 studios are taught as vertical studios. Students entering at Year 2, with a two-and-a-half year program for the degree, will take four studios and complete a thesis.

SMArchS students who have professional degrees in architecture are automatically eligible to take option studios.

Architecture Design Studio Workspace

Each student registered for architectural design studio is assigned a studio workspace with his or her instructor’s group. This workstation includes a drafting table with a locker and stool. All Department students have use of the computers and peripherals located in the Building 3, 5 and 7 studio areas during the academic year. Access to the studios is gained by use of the student’s MIT ID card in a card swipe lock.

Each person assigned a studio workstation is responsible for leaving the assigned space clean and undamaged by the cleanout date announced by the facilities manager. A $75 penalty will be assessed directly to the student’s MIT account if these standards are not met. The charge is used to cover costs of trash removal or repair in the event a student leaves anything behind or damages his/her workstation.

Use of Studio Space in Summer

Architecture studios and computer classrooms are closed over the summer for computer and facilities maintenance. Summer studio use is usually restricted to those students who are working with faculty members on research projects that require access to equipment and software not available elsewhere. Students working directly with faculty members on research projects should ask the faculty supervisor to contact Cynthia Stewart to request studio access. Once a request is received, it may take up to a week for the user’s MIT card to be activated for studio access. The studios themselves, and the computer equipment within them, will be usable only with certain restrictions.

Other Student Workspace
The Department makes every effort to offer workspace to its students. However, the type, amount, and location of the space varies from year to year. Some of these areas are communal in nature while others may be shared office space.

Students should refer to the following individuals for specific details:

MArch and SMArchS: Cynthia Stewart
SMBT and Building Technology PhD: Stacy Clemons
SMACT: Marion Cunningham
HTC PhD: Kathaleen Brearley
Computation PhD: Inala Locke

Studio Allocation Process

Students who have completed the core studios choose their advanced option studios through a studio allocation process. There are two to three sections of each option studio, taught by different instructors. Each instructor gives a short presentation about his or her studio, and the students submit their choices ranked by preference.

Eligibility

Placement in advanced option studio is determined by a student allocation process. A student's name must appear on the studio eligibility list posted by the MArch degree administrator to ensure participation in the studio allocation process. The process attempts to take into account previous studio allocation outcomes for each student, and, in an adjustment phase following the initial drawing, students may submit written requests for a change in studio assignment. See the studio allocation schedule and instruction memo.

Graduate studios are restricted to MArch and SMArchS students in good standing. A list of eligible students to enter the lottery for option studios posted in the Department's headquarters prior to Registration Day. A student who suspects an error has been made on this list should notify the MArch degree administrator immediately. See the eligibility list.

Studio Previews

At the beginning of each term, every faculty member who will teach a studio makes a 10-minute presentation of his/her program to the assembled department. This is the opportunity for students to learn about studio offerings before making their lottery choices. The sessions are open to the department community, and everyone is encouraged to stop in.

Travel Policy

Extended travel by students (both independent travel and travel under faculty sponsorship) is encouraged during the summer, Independent Activities Period (IAP) and spring break. Spring break travel should not commence before Saturday, and students should be back for their first classes after the break. During term, trips should be scheduled for long weekends in the academic calendar whenever possible. Travel extending from Thursday evening to Sunday evening will also be allowed without special permission (though consideration should be given to Friday subjects). Any travel more extensive will be considered exceptional and must be cleared with the department head.

Studio Culture Policy

The Department of Architecture promotes a learning environment that supports the diverse values of the entire MIT community of students, faculty, administration, staff and guests. Fundamental to the mission of architectural education is the stewardship of this diversity in a positive and respectful learning environment that promotes the highest intellectual integrity and cultural literacy. As architectural design learning is often accomplished through project-based activities during and outside of class times, maintaining this environment at all times is the responsibility of the entire community. Faculty and students should strive to understand and mutually respect the varied commitments of each other and work together to manage expectations of time and effort devoted to assignments, pin-ups, and public reviews.

Workshops

A workshop is a specific design inquiry taught in a case study format. Selected issues of the built world are explored in depth. The problem may be prototypical or a particular aspect of a whole project. Workshops earn no more than 9 units of credit and may be repeated for credit. Students must have completed the Year 2 core studio or have the permission of the instructor to be eligible for workshop. Only one workshop may be taken in a semester during which a student is registered for studio. Workshops do not substitute for studios but are offered to increase the range of design inquiry.

Workstation Cleanup

Students are responsible for cleaning their own studio workstations at the end of each term. A $75 fine is charged to a student's bursar bill if the allocated workstation in the design studio is not left clean and undamaged by the cleanout date announced by the facilities manager.

The thesis comprises an original investigation, including a written report in English, on a subject approved by the Department of Architecture in advance. The Institute requires that each graduate student research and write an individual thesis and submit final copies to the Institute as a permanent record. In order for a degree to be awarded, the department must receive two copies of the thesis in accordance with the Specifications for Thesis Preparation published by the MIT Libraries Institute Archives.

Thesis work in all master's degree programs in the Department of Architecture extends over two to three terms. Thesis work in doctoral programs extends over four to six terms. Registration for thesis and pre-thesis subjects differs by degree program.

The thesis process begins with one or more terms of thesis preparation and ends with one or more terms of thesis. Thesis registration (4.THG) for all programs begins once the thesis supervisor and/or committee have approved the thesis proposal. An integral element to a successful thesis lies in choosing an appropriate thesis committee. The
Thesis Committee Guidelines document addresses the composition of a thesis committee for each degree program.

The objective of registering for thesis preparation is to produce an acceptable thesis proposal. Students in every degree program register for the thesis preparation subject(s) specific to their program.

Thesis Preparation

MArch Program

• 4.189, Preparation for MArch Thesis, graded A-F, 9 units. A class taken the penultimate semester of the program.

SMArchS Program

• 4.288, Preparation for SMArchS Thesis, graded P/D/F, 9 units (6 units for those in Design & Computation) is taken the third semester of the program. Students in Architecture & Urbanism and Design, and Computation, will have separate classes; students in all other areas take 4.288 as an independent study subject graded by the thesis advisor.
• 4.s14, SMArchS Architectural Design Pre-Thesis Preparation, graded P/D/F, 6 units. Taken in the second semester of the program for students in the AD area.
• 4.587, SMArchS Computation Pre-Thesis Preparation, graded P/D/F, 6 units. Taken in the second semester of the program for students in the Design and Computation area.
• 4.686 SMArchS AKPIA Pre-Thesis Preparation, graded P/D/F, 3 units. Taken in the second semester of the program for students in the AKPIA area.
• 4.687 SMArchS HTC Pre-Thesis Preparation, graded P/D/F, 3 units. Taken in the second semester of the program for students in the HTC area.

SMACT Program

• 4.388, Preparation for SMACT Thesis, graded A-F, 9 units. A class taken in the second semester of the program. Thesis Preparation will develop a proposal for the written thesis. A ten-page thesis proposal is the final project of this class.
• 4.389, SMACT Thesis Tutorial, graded A-F, 9 units, taken in the fourth semester to support the writing of the thesis book.
• SMACT students will submit a twenty-page thesis outline, select their thesis committee, and submit a SMACT Thesis Proposal Completion form by the end of their third term. These must be submitted to the ACT administrative offices, for distribution to ACT faculty, by May 1.

SMBT Program

• 4.481, Building Technology Seminar, graded P/D/F, 3 units. All SMBT students are required to register for 4.481 during the first term of the program. The thesis proposal is expected to be a product of this seminar, but the student may register for 4.488 to complete the proposal.
• 4.488, Preparation for SMBT Thesis, graded P/D/F, variable units. 4.488 is an independent study subject graded by the thesis advisor and taken the second term of the program, if necessary to complete the thesis proposal.

Dissertation and Doctoral Programs

• 4.481, Building Technology Seminar, graded P/D/F, 3 H-level units. All BT/PhD students must register for 4.481 during the first term of the program. The thesis proposal is expected to be a product of this seminar, but the student may register for 4.489 to complete the proposal.
• 4.489, Preparation for Building Technology PhD Thesis, graded P/D/F, variable units. An independent study subject graded by the thesis advisor and taken the second and third term of the program, if necessary to complete the thesis proposal.
• 4.589, Preparation for Design and Computation PhD Thesis, graded P/D/F, variable units. An optional independent study subject graded by the thesis advisor and generally taken after coursework is completed. 4.589 is taken as preparation for the general examination and/or the dissertation proposal.
• 4.683, Preparation for HTC Qualifying Paper, graded P/D/F, variable units. Required of HTC PhD students as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. The qualifying paper is a scholarly article fit to be published in a peer-reviewed journal that is the result of research in the history, theory and criticism of architecture and art. Topic may not be in the area of the proposed thesis. Work is done in consultation with HTC faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program Guidelines.
• 4.684, Preparation for HTC Major Exam, graded P/D/F, variable units. Required of HTC PhD students as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. The Major Exam covers a historically broad area of interest and includes components of history, historiography, and theory. Preparation for the exam will focus on four or five themes agreed upon in advance by the student and the examiner, and are defined by their area of teaching interest. Work is done in consultation with HTC faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program Guidelines.
• 4.685, Preparation for HTC Minor Exam, graded P/D/F, variable units. Required of HTC PhD students as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. The Minor Exam focuses on a specific area of specialization through which the student might develop their particular zone of expertise. Work is done in consultation with HTC faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program Guidelines.
• 4.689, Preparation for History, Theory and Criticism PhD Thesis, graded P/D/F, variable units. Required of HTC PhD students as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. Prior to candidacy, doctoral students are required to write and orally defend a proposal laying out the scope of their thesis, its significance, a survey of existing research and literature, the methods of research to be adopted, a bibliography and plan of work. Work is done in consultation with HTC faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program Guidelines. Students in this program do not register for thesis (4.THG) until all requirements except thesis have been completed.

Thesis Registration—4.THG

Once the thesis proposal is approved and the degree administrators have been notified, students register for thesis and continue to do so each term until graduation. Students who do not have an approved thesis proposal may not register for thesis. The number of units varies by degree program. (Upon submission of the thesis, 12 units of the grade awarded for 4.THG are entered into the student's cumulative grade point average.)

MArch students Register for 24 units of 4.THG. Except for architectural design studio, other subjects needed to complete the degree requirements may be taken simultaneously. Five reviews of student work lead to the final thesis. The department prepares a detailed MArch Review Schedule prior to the fall term:

•  Content Review—Week 1
•  Schematic Design Review—Week 4
•  Public Mid-Review—Week 8
•  Penultimate Review—Week 11
•  Final Review—Week 15

SMArchS students register for 36 units of 4.THG in their fourth and final term. All subjects needed to complete the degree (except architecture design studio) may be taken simultaneously. Three major reviews of the student's thesis work are held with the advisor(s) and all readers—the first in Week 7 is scheduled by the discipline area, the second is scheduled by the student with the entire thesis committee for a formal thesis defense in Week 11, and the public final review in Week 14. The department degree administrator schedules reviews. SMArchS Thesis Proposal Form.

SMBT students register for 4.THG upon approval of the thesis proposal and continue to do so each term until graduation. Units will vary according to the number of other subjects being taken. A normal course load for a term is not more than 48 credit units. SMBT students are expected to schedule a content review directly with the thesis advisor to take place near the end of the final term. At this point the thesis should be substantially complete; the content review marks the point at which the student may turn to production of the final thesis.

SMACT students register for 24 units of 4.THG in their fourth and final term. Thesis is taken in conjunction with 4.390, Art, Culture and Technology Studio, which is taken each term, and 4.389, SMACT Thesis Tutorial, which is taken the final two terms. Thesis reviews are scheduled within the forum of 4.390, which is restricted to SMACT students.

PhD students register for 48 units of 4.THG for terms in which they are resident and not taking other subjects. Students who have been granted nonresident status register for 36 units of 4THG only (nonresident status is not permitted in the term during which the thesis is submitted.) Regular meetings with members of the dissertation committee to review thesis progress is expected and left to the student to schedule. At the conclusion of the thesis, PhD students are required to hold an oral defense of their dissertation. This defense is scheduled directly with the thesis committee, and the date is reported to the degree administrator.

Policy on Incompletes and Thesis Semester

MArch, SMArchS and SMACT students entering thesis term may have no more than one incomplete in a subject required for the degree, and that incomplete can be no older than the term previous to thesis. Students with several incompletes and/or incompletes from terms further back will be denied registration until those subjects are completed and graded. This policy applies to subjects required by curriculum or needed for units toward the degree.

Policy on Credit and Thesis

MArch students must have their curriculum credits in order by the end of the thesis prep. No substitutions or petitions for advanced standing or credit will be accepted or processed during the thesis term.

Thesis for Dual Degrees

Thesis research for dual degrees must be done under the supervision of an approved member of one of the two participating departments, with the other department providing a co-advisor or thesis reader. Students expecting to receive two advanced degrees must submit all thesis materials to the department in which they register during their final semester and are bound by the thesis specifications and deadlines of that department.

Thesis Guidelines and Deadlines

The Thesis Committee Guidelines document addresses the composition of a thesis committee for each degree program. The thesis committee is established and approved before thesis registration is permitted.

• Specifications for Thesis Preparation is published by the MIT Libraries Institute Archives to assist students in the preparation of the thesis document. The Institute is committed to the preservation of the student’s thesis because it is both a requirement of the MIT degree and a record of original research. The library also publishes a guide for following copyright law, which students should review carefully to make certain they remain in compliance and the thesis is acceptable by the MIT Archives. https://libraries.mit.edu/scholarly/publishing/using-copyrighted-content/.
• The department upholds the requirements of the Institute specifications. In addition, the Department of Architecture requires that each thesis contain a page listing the names and titles of each member of the thesis committee. This page is to be inserted between the title page and the abstract. Students should review the thesis checklist before submitting the thesis to the department degree administrator.
• At the beginning of the final thesis term, all students must file an online Application for Advanced Degree at MIT WebSIS. The deadline is the end of the first week of term.
• Graduate Policies and Procedures can be found on a website provided by the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education (ODGE). This document offers additional information on the thesis process, including joint theses, restrictions on thesis publication, patent protection, privacy and security, intellectual property policy and thesis holds.
• The deadline for submitting the approved, archival copies of the thesis is set by the Institute and can be found on the MIT Academic Calendar. Theses for the M.Arch. that require a final public review will have a later submissions date. Consult the department Degree Administrator. Only minor errors in formatting and proofing will be subject to change after this date and only at the discretion of the department administrators.

All theses are submitted to the department degree administrators:

• Master's programs: Cynthia Stewart
• Doctoral programs: Renée Caso

Thesis research is ordinarily done in residence at the Institute. However, on occasion, work away from the Institute may be essential for such tasks as gathering data. Students with compelling educational reasons to do so may therefore apply to take one or two semesters in absentia.

A proposal for thesis research to be done in absentia must be approved by both the faculty of the specific PhD degree program, the Department's graduate officer and the dean of the graduate school.

Criteria for thesis in absentia include, but are not limited to:

• Evidence that this opportunity will provide continuing intellectual growth
• Evidence of completion of required coursework and all degree requirements except the thesis.
• The thesis must continue to be supervised by an Institute faculty member or by a senior academic staff member approved by the department
• The student must be registered as a regular student during the final term
• The student must devote full time to thesis research while absent from MIT

Students approved for thesis in absentia will continue to be registered as full-time students and receive tuition plus their normal fellowship stipends.

Proposal

The proposal needs to include the following and submitted to the PhD degree administrator in the Department:

• Name
• MIT ID
• Current address
• Current phone
• Current e-mail
• Degree program
• Completion date of general exams
• Completion date of thesis proposal and working title for thesis
• Proposed terms in absentia
• Expected degree date
• Reasons for requesting thesis research in absentia—the opportunity for continued intellectual growth must be evident
• Thesis advisor’s name and title
• Thesis advisor’s signature of approval
• Degree program director’s signature of approval
• Graduate officer’s signature of approval
• A copy of the signed thesis proposal

The approved and signed thesis proposal must be attached to the research-in-absentia proposal before the latter is submitted to the Department and subsequently, the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education (ODGE).

A central component of our financial aid plan for continuing MArch, SMArchS, and SMBT students is the ability to apply for additional tuition support through Merit Fellowships.
(ACT will determine the policy and procedures for second-year SMACT students separately).

Each spring we convene one application process for two types of tuition fellowships:

• Master’s degree students admitted without a guaranteed tuition fellowship will be able to apply for a limited number of merit-based, half-tuition fellowships, for the remainder of the degree program. 
• All continuing master's degree students will be eligible to apply for a limited number of one-year merit-based, full-tuition, fellowships. 

Applications must be submitted in digital format. The application deadline for AY21-20 is May 24, 2021.

Merit Fellowship Application Instructions
Application Process and Guidelines Merit-Based Tuition Fellowships for Continuing Master’s Degree Candidates (MArch, SMArchS, SMBT)

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
• be enrolled as a full-time student, and have remaining semesters of financial aid eligibility, in one or both terms of the academic year.
• be enrolled in Architecture as their home department.
• have completed two semesters of the master’s degree prior to Fall 2021.
• hold a minimum of a 4.0 cumulative grade point average (or Pass grade).
• have completed any English as a Second Language requirement.
• made satisfactory progress through the design studio sequence (MArch candidates only).

Application materials: 
Application Form.

Submission instructions:
Step 1: Prepare your work and update your Departmental website profile.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form.
Step 3: For any questions, email Gina Halabi at ghalabi@mit.edu and Andreea O'Connell at andreeao@mit.edu.

Submissions are final. Submission deadline: Completed applications must be uploaded by 5:00 pm, Monday, May 24, 2021. Recipients will be notified by early June, 2021.

MIT has a limit on the total amount of financial support a student may receive from/through MIT. All graduate students are limited to full tuition in any combination of external tuition awards, department tuition awards, or those associated with a Research Assistantship. In the case when obtaining a Research Assistantship or external Fellowship results in exceeding this limit, it will supplant any tuition award offered under the program described above. The student will not forfeit eligibility for tuition support in other terms for which aid has been promised.

Teaching Assistants (TA)

The duties of a TA include assisting faculty members in grading homework, quizzes, classroom and laboratory instruction, preparing apparatus or material for demonstrations, and conducting tutorials and discussion sections. They may also include tasks such as ordering supplies for design studio projects, preparation of class readers, contacting outside reviewers, reserving special lecture and jury spaces, securing audio visual equipment, etc. There is a mandatory TA training for all TAs at the beginning of every term.

A full-time (100%) TA pays $13,495 per semester and requires approximately 20 hours of work per week at the master's level. Half-time TAs (10 hours per week) are also available, with a corresponding rate of pay of $6,747 per semester and 8-10 hours of work per week. Note that these positions are salaried and not hourly jobs, so the number of hours quoted may vary from week to week.

TA salaries are set by the Department in conjunction with Institute guidelines and are paid at the middle and the end of each month. The Institute is obliged to withhold Federal and Massachusetts State income taxes, and the appropriate forms must be filed before payment can be made.

Instructors have the opportunity to pre-select their TAs before the start of the term. A list of filled and open TA positions is available in the Handbook column of the main menu under "Student Employment," (https://architecture.mit.edu/department-student-employment). You must be using a computer that is either on campus or on the MIT Virtual Private Network (https://ist.mit.edu/vpn) to log in and view this page. Students interested in any open position can apply using the "Apply" button. An email will be sent to the job supervisor automatically. When the supervisor selects an applicant, the job will be listed as "Hire Pending" until Headquarters processes the appointment. When the appointment is finalized, the hired student will appear on the job listing.

First preference is given to students enrolled in graduate programs in the Department of Architecture. If no Architecture graduate student is available or qualified for the position, next preference will be given to undergraduate students enrolled as majors in the Department.

Note: some graduate students are admitted on a TA/tuition package, which carries a TA salary plus a tuition component. These TA assignments are made by the discipline group directors and communicated directly to Architecture Headquarters, therefore, these students do not need to apply through the online TA application system. These students' names will appear attached to their jobs on the Student Employment page alongside the open positions. All other guidelines, such as the 20 hour per week work requirement, taxability of salary, completion of forms, maximum funding guidelines, etc., are applicable.

TA Policies and Procedures

Research Assistants (RA)

The principal duty of an RA is to contribute, under supervision, to a program of departmental or interdepartmental research. RAs are compensated on the basis of the time devoted to the research activities. RAs offer students the chance to participate as junior colleagues of the faculty in ongoing research; this experience frequently influences the choice of thesis topic.

RAs are compensated on the basis of the time devoted to research; the appointment typically carries a tuition component in addition to the salary. A 100% graduate RA appointment includes payment of full tuition and a salary of $13,495/term for master's degree candidates, and $14,773/term for Ph.D. candidates. A 100% RA appointment carries an expectation of 20 hours of work per week. Partial RAs are also possible with a corresponding reduction in workload and financial remuneration. Note that these positions are salaried and not hourly jobs, so the number of hours required may vary slightly from week to week.

A list of filled and open RA positions is available in the Handbook column of the main menu under "Student Employment," (https://architecture.mit.edu/department-student-employment). You must be using a computer that is either on campus or on the MIT Virtual Private Network (https://ist.mit.edu/vpn) to log in and view this page. Students interested in any open position can apply using the "Apply" button. An email will be sent to the job supervisor automatically. When the supervisor selects an applicant, the job will be listed as "Hire Pending" until Headquarters processes the appointment. When the appointment is finalized, the hired student will appear on the job listing.

RAs are paid directly through a sponsored research project and, in general, are scarce in Architecture; however, they can materialize at any time during the year. Occasionally, faculty members will advertise the availability of these positions by posting on the online job application system, but will generally contact students directly whose interests and skills are appropriate to the particular research project.

RA salaries are set by the Department in conjunction with Institute guidelines and are paid at the end of each month. The Institute is obliged to withhold Federal and Massachusetts State income taxes, and the appropriate forms must be filed before payment can be made.

Hourly Positions

The Department also offers employment in a number of hourly positions which pay $18/hr. These positions can be short-term or a full semester in length and include such positions as audio visual assistants, shop monitors, Registration Day and Orientation aides, tour guides, lecture series support, etc.

Students with hourly positions are paid on a weekly basis, upon the submission of electronic time cards. Students are required to print out copies of their time sheets, have their supervisor sign, and turn them in to Architecture Headquarters (7-337).

A list of filled and open Hourly positions is available in the Handbook column of the main menu under "Student Employment," (https://architecture.mit.edu/department-student-employment). You must be using a computer that is either on campus or on the MIT Virtual Private Network (https://ist.mit.edu/vpn) to log in and view this page. Students interested in any open position can apply using the "Apply" button. An email will be sent to the job supervisor automatically. When the supervisor selects an applicant, the job will be listed as "Hire Pending" until Headquarters processes the appointment. When the appointment is finalized, the hired student will appear on the job listing.

Maximum Funding Guidelines

MIT limits the total amount of financial support a student may receive from/through MIT. All graduate students are limited to a maximum of a full stipend and full tuition per term. When the receipt of a Research Assistantship or an internal or external fellowship would push a student over the funding limit, the Research Assistantship or fellowship supplants the departmental award for that term. The student does not forfeit eligibility for financial support in other terms for which aid has been promised.

All master's degree students are limited to a maximum of 20 hours of work per week, a stipend of $13,495 in any combination of TA/RA salaries/fellowship stipends, and full tuition, per semester. (These guidelines apply to Ph.D. candidates but the stipend limit is $14,773/term.)

It is possible to carry more than one type of appointment (for instance a partial RA and partial TA), or combine two partial appointments of the same type (for instance, two half-time TAs), or even combine a partial TA or RA with an hourly position, providing the combination does not exceed the guidelines stated above.

One exception to the 20 hour work week limitation can be made for students who are United States citizens, and then only with the permission of the faculty TA/RA supervisor and the department's Administrative Officer. Such students may be eligible to work on campus up to 10 additional hours per week on the hourly payroll on an occasional basis throughout the term. Under no circumstances, however, will the Payroll Office issue payment for additional work beyond this ten hour per week limit.

Regulations for international students are stricter due to US immigration laws. International students are not authorized to work more than 20 hours per week in any combination of types of employment during the academic year. Summer (June 1 through August 31) and Independent Activities Period (IAP) (January 1 - 31) are not considered a period of regular enrollment for immigration purposes; thus, during these times international students may work on campus in addition to their full-time RA or TA (up to 40 hours total per week), and then only with the permission of the RA/TA faculty supervisor.

Students are advised to confirm eligibility requirements before accepting more than one position. International students should also contact MIT's International Students Office (web.mit.edu/iso) 
for more information on determining how/if visa status and the Department of Homeland Security regulations affect employment eligibility.

Maximum Employment Guidelines

Graduate students may hold a maximum of one full-time appointment during term. A full-time appointment is defined as the equivalent of 20 hours per week. Normally this takes the form of one full-time TA or RA appointment. Students may combine partial appointments provided the combined hours do not exceed 20 per week. Students are advised to check with the Department of Architecture to confirm eligibility requirements before accepting more than one position.

Graduate students who hold full-time Research or Teaching Assistantships or who receive full support on a fellowship are not usually eligible for additional employment. A US citizen or permanent resident who applies for work in addition to his or her full-time RA or TA appointment may be permitted additional compensated employment at MIT up to a maximum of 10 hours per week. But, this is a rare occurrence and requires prior permission from the faculty TA/RA supervisor and the departmentís administrative officer.

Regulations for international students are stricter due to US immigration laws. International students must be full-time registered students; their work cannot exceed 20 hours per week when school is in session; and those who hold full-time Research or Teaching Assistantships are not allowed to take any other employment on or off campus.

Note that the summer term and IAP are not considered a period of regular enrollment for immigration purposes; thus, from June through August and in January only, international students may work on campus in addition to their full-time RA or TA positions. However, they may do so only if they are registered for the summer and have the permission of the RA/TA faculty supervisor.

International students should contact MIT's International Students Office (ISO) for more information on determining how/if visa status and US Department of Homeland Security regulations affect employment eligibility.

Employment Outside the Department

On-campus and some off-campus job listings are posted at the Student Services Center, Room 11-120, or online at the Student Financial Services Office. On-campus jobs are available in technical and non-technical fields within academic departments, laboratories and administrative offices.

Educational Loans

MIT offers a number of student loan programs, and also participates in alternative loan programs. The Office of Student and Parent Loan Services, assists students in financing their education and with repayment. Loans are generally limited to graduate students who are United States or Canadian citizens or permanent residents; however, continuing international students may apply for a loan providing certain criteria are met.

MIT will authorize only loan amounts that, when combined with family resources, financial aid and other assistance, do not exceed the cost of attendance. Standard student budgets reflecting these costs have been developed by Student Financial Services and are used to determine financial need.

Application forms and specific information may be obtained from Student Financial Services, Room 11-320, 617-258-8600, or http://http://sfs.mit.edu/graduate-financial-aid.html.

All of the following graduate degree programs within the Department of Architecture are expected to comply with the stated policy: PhD, SMArchS, SMACT, SMBT, MArch.

Minimum Academic Standards and Ratings

Graduate students in the Department of Architecture are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress towards their degrees if they maintain a grade point average of 4.0 or higher and meet their degree requirements and the Department English as a Second Language requirement. In addition, MArch candidates must make satisfactory progress through the studio sequence, and PhD students must progress satisfactorily through their additional requirements (qualifying paper, language exams, major and minor exams, thesis proposal, etc.) on a timeline determined by each of the PhD programs. Continuing registration and financial aid is based on satisfactory academic performance.

End of Term Academic Reviews

It is the responsibility of the academic advisors, degree program heads, academic administrators and the Graduate Officer to monitor the academic progress of the graduate students and to make recommendations at the end of the term if any action is necessary.

• The academic administrators will send a reminder to all advisors to review their advisee’s academic record on WebSIS after the final grade deadline for the term (last week in December for fall term and last week of May for spring term).
• The academic administrators upon request will distribute copies of the term grade summary report generated by the Registrar to discipline groups (fall term summary reports are published the first week of January; spring term reports the last week of May) .
• Discipline areas will meet to discuss student academic progress as needed. If there is a need for action it is brought to the attention of the academic administrator in charge.
• Design studio faculty will have a regularly scheduled meeting the last week of the term to discuss the academic progress of the MArch students. All MArch registration officers, graduate studio instructors, and all faculty teaching non-studio required subjects are required to attend this meeting.
• The academic administrators and the Graduate Officer meet to decide on recommended action for the Institute Committee on Graduate Programs (CGP) grade meeting. The CGP meeting, chaired by the Dean of Graduate Education, takes place the second week of IAP for fall grades and the week of Commencement for spring grades. The Dean pays particular attention to students with term GPA ratings below 3.5 and students who are taking an unusually long time to complete their degrees.
• The end-of-term pre-grades design faculty meeting reviews studio progress based on available studio grades and faculty discussion. Faculty as a whole will decide upon appropriate action. Because this meeting is held prior to the posting of all final grades, adjustments can be made subsequently by the student’s advisor and the administrator.

Informing the Student of Inadequate Progress

Depending upon the degree of a student's academic problems or issues, one or more of the following actions will be taken:

1. Advisor meeting (advisor + student) The advisor will call a meeting to discuss difficulties in academic progress, the perceived causes, and identify steps needed to be taken towards improvement. Some degree programs provide mid-term evaluations and/or final evaluations, which will be taken into account.
2. Department warning letter (advisor + student) This letter is used to let a student know there is an academic deficiency or lack of progress through the degree program and outlines what the student needs to do to improve. Students are given an opportunity to respond in writing and the advisor will schedule a meeting prior to the start of the next term to discuss steps needed towards improvement. The letter is crafted by the degree administrator and the advisor and signed by the Department Head.
3. Vice Chancellor’s warning letter (advisor + student + program director) This letter is used to let a student know there is a more serious academic deficiency and outlines what the student needs to do in order to improve his or her academic performance. Students are given an opportunity to respond in writing and the advisor will schedule a meeting that includes the student and the program director either before or after the Vice Chancellor’s warning is issued but prior to the start of the next term. The degree administrator customizes the letter, with input from the advisor and the program director. The Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education signs it.
   If the student does not make satisfactory progress the next term, the department may request a required withdrawal.
4. Vice Chancellor’s required withdrawal letter (advisor + student + program director + department head) This action is taken when a student experiences serious academic difficulties over a period of two or more terms. Generally a student has previously received both a Departmental and a Vice Chancellor’s warning letter. For every student who is required to withdraw, the advisor will schedule a meeting prior to issuing the withdrawal letter that includes the student, the director of the degree program and/or the department head. In addition to the letter from the Vice Chancellor, the Department will issue a letter documenting the reason(s) for required withdrawal and the terms (if any) under which the student may apply for readmission to the same program.

Students can access their most current grade report on WebSIS. Most subjects in the Department of Architecture are graded with letter grades—A through D are considered passing grades, but students may need to repeat subjects in which they earned the grade of C or below. Graduate and undergraduate grading systems are slightly different and students should familiarize themselves accordingly.

Some classes, by prearrangement with the Institute, are graded pass/fail. In addition, graduate students may elect to register for one subject per term in which they receive pass/fail grading rather than regular grades. The subject cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements, including the required subject units for any degree program. During their junior and senior years, undergraduate students may register for up to a total of two elective subjects in which they choose to receive a P/D/F rather than regular grades. Unit credit is given for subjects graded P/F, however, these classes are not included in the grade point average (GPA).

Graduate students registered for undergraduate subjects will not receive credit units for the class regardless of the grade received. The subject may still satisfy a degree requirement when approved by the advisor and degree administrator. For more information, consult the degree administrator.

Incompletes

A student may request an "I" grade in a class where only a minor part of the requirement is incomplete and a passing grade is expected. The instructor ultimately decides whether to allow an "I" grade and sets the deadline for completion of work. The instructor will also provide a default grade to be submitted if the work is not completed by the deadline.

Experience indicates that it is infinitely preferable to take a class load that can be completed during the semester than to extend the previous term's work into the current term. Therefore, the deadline will be set no later than Add Date of the subsequent term, and it is highly recommended that the work be completed prior to the start of the new fall or spring term.

When the student submits the final work, the instructor will send a confirmation to the student that it has been received and submit the final grade to the Registrar. If the student does not submit the final work by the deadline, the instructor will send the default grade to the Registrar.

MArch, SMArchS and SMACT students entering thesis semester may have no more than one incomplete in a subject required for the degree, and that incomplete can be no older than the semester previous to thesis.

Students with several incompletes and/or incompletes from semesters further back will be denied registration until those incompletes are finished and graded. This policy applies to incompletes in subjects required by curriculum or needed for units toward the degree.

Policy on Incomplete Grades for Graduate Students

If a student requests an incomplete and the instructor agrees, the instructor is requested to set a specific deadline for work to be submitted and provide a default grade at the time that all term grades are due. That deadline is likely to be set prior to the start of the subsequent regular term in order to prevent hidden workload in the new term. The deadline will be set no later than the 5th week of the subsequent regular term (coinciding with ADD DATE) in accordance with Institute policy.

• A Course 4 graduate student who requests and receives an incomplete grade is expected to complete the work by the deadline date set by the instructor, which will be no later than the Institute deadline (fifth week of the following regular term). An incomplete grade should not be given unless the student requests the extension.

• At the time that the Course 4 instructor assigns an incomplete grade to a Course 4 graduate student, the instructor will also submit a default grade to be used if the work is not completed by the instructorʼs deadline.

• The instructor will inform the student of this deadline and the default grade stating that the default grade will be submitted to the Registrar in the absence of final work by the Institute deadline (Add Date of the subsequent regular term).

• When the student submits final work, the instructor will send a confirmation to the student that it has been received.

• If the student has not submitted final work by the set deadline, the instructor will submit the default grade to the Registrar.