department Information
The Department of Architecture
Architecture was one of the four original departments at MIT, and it was the first signal that MIT would not be narrowly defined in science and technology. Through recognition of architecture as a liberal discipline, the Department has long contributed to learning in the arts and humanities at MIT.
The Department conceives of architecture as a discipline as well as a profession. It is structured in five semi-autonomous discipline groups: Architectural Design; Building Technology; Computation; History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Art; and Art, Culture, and Technology. Each provides an architectural education that is as complex as the field itself, and all five contribute to a mutual enterprise. The department also has specialized graduate programs such as the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture and the SMArchS Program Architecture and Urbanism.
The several disciplines of the Department house a substantial body of research activity. Moreover, the Department's setting within MIT permits greater depth in such technical areas as computation, new modes of design and production, materials, structure, and energy, as well as in the arts and humanities. The Department is committed to a concern for human values and for finding appropriate roles for architecture in society. It is a place where individual creativity is cultivated and nurtured in a framework of values that are humanistically, socially, and environmentally responsible.
Related Departments
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School of Architecture + Planning
One of MIT's five schools. The Department of Architecture is one of five divisions within the School of Architecture + Planning.
Department of Urban Studies + Planning
Making a difference in the world by improving the design of cities.
The Media Lab
Exploring the profound effects of new technology on how humans interact with the world.
Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
A recognized leader in the study of architecture and urbanism in the Islamic world.
Center for Real Estate
The focal point for real estate education and research at MIT.
The Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement
SIGUS zeroes in on issues related to affordable and equitable housing, focusing on service, participation and nontraditional client groups.
Student Organizations
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ASC, The Architecture Student Council, is the student organization of the Department of Architecture at MIT. They relay student concerns and input to the faculty and administration of this department. To accomplish this, ASC members are represented on various departmental committees in addition to conducting regular meetings with students to discuss issues of concern. Contact the ASC at [email protected].
The American Institute of Architecture Students, or AIAS, is a national organization with local chapters at universities throughout the US. The AIAS is an organization dedicated to helping architecture students at MIT, in particular, the undergraduate community. The AIAS works to address issues affecting students, including studio culture, internships, the accreditation process, and the advancement of architecture itself.
MIT NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architects Students) is a student chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). MIT NOMAS seeks to promote diversity and inclusion by, exposing architecture students to the history, culture, and practice of underrepresented minority architects, providing a place where issues of diversity are discussed, and addressing the concerns for minority architecture students. An annual NOMA conference is held each year giving students an opportunity to attend workshops, learn more about the impact of current issues in architecture and diversity, and meet and network with other students and professionals from across the country. A major conference event is the Barbara G. Laurie Annual Student Design Competition which provides architecture students, with an opportunity to showcase their talents to design industry professionals from across the nation.
If you want to get involved or want more information on the MIT NOMAS, contact ElDante’ C Winston
QuBE, Queers in the Built Environment, aims to highlight and create dialogue around the intersection of queer identity and the built environment though a variety of media including speakers, conferences, partnerships, publications, and social events. QuBE also serves to support and increase the visibility of queer students, faculty, and staff in the School of Architecture + Planning and the MIT community at large. More information can be found at http://qube.mit.edu or you can contact QuBE directly at [email protected].
Giving to the Department
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Graduate Student Aid
Graduate student aid is the highest fund-raising priority of the Department of Architecture. Aid is crucial to attracting the best graduate students because few outside grant opportunities exist for master's and doctoral students in this field.
Department of Architecture Unrestricted
This fund allows the Department of Architecture the flexibility to invest as needed to create an optimal academic experience for students and faculty.
Lawrence B. Anderson '30 Fellowship Fund
This fund honors our beloved former dean who himself contributed immeasurably both to architecture and education.
Make a gift on-line
MIT Nondiscrimination Policy
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The Department of Architecture adheres to MIT’s Nondiscrimination Policy. Please refer to the full text on the MIT Reference Publications website.
National Architectural Accrediting Board Statement
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From the NAAB 2014 Conditions for Accreditation, effective 1 April 2015:
"In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree."
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Architecture offers one NAAB-accredited degree program: MArch (non-preprofessional degree + 312 units and an acceptable 24-unit thesis; the pre-professional degree + 207 units and an acceptable 24-unit thesis). The most recent accreditation visit was in March 2015, governed by the 2009 Conditions for Accreditation. The next accreditation visit will be in 2023.
The four-year preprofessional degree offered by MIT, the Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSA), is not accredited by NAAB. The BSA degree is useful for those pursuing a foundation in the field of architecture as preparation for either continued education in a professional degree program or for employment options in architecture-related areas.
The NAAB publishes these documents governing accreditation: the NAAB Procedures for Accreditation (current edition), the 2009 Conditions for Accreditation, and the 2014 Conditions for Accreditation, effective 1 April 2015. . These documents may be found at: www.naab.org/accreditation/home
The following additional resources may be helpful to those seeking to develop an understanding of the larger context for architecture education and the career pathways available to graduates of accredited degree programs:
National Council of Architectural Registration Board
www.ncarb.org
- Offers online information about becoming an architect: licensure, Intern Development Program (IDP), Architect Registration Examination (ARE), pass rates, (http://www.ncarb.org/en/ARE/ARE-Pass-Rates.aspx) and more.
- Architectural Experience Program (AXP) can be downloaded at: http://www.ncarb.org/Experience-Through-Internships.aspx
The NCARB Handbook for Interns and Architects (replaced by the new publication Certification Guidelines):
See http://www.ncarb.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Special-Paper/handbook.pdf
The Emerging Professional's Companion
www.epcompanion.org
- Online resource for interns and others to create or enhance new learning opportunities
American Instiute of Architects
www.aia.org
- The AIA is the professional membership association for practicing architects.
American Institute of Architects Students
www.aias.org
- AIAS is a membership organization for architecture students.
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
www.acsa-arch.org
- Conferences, competitions, awards, job listings, archive of faculty and student projects, ACSA news.