Graduate Degree Programs
Find the Program, Location, and Delivery Method Right for You
The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design offers a variety of graduate degree programs in Blacksburg, Richmond, the greater Washington, D.C., metro area, and online. Many of our programs are designed with working professionals in mind, while our full-residency options offer intensive study and research with our world-renowned faculty.
Master's Degrees
Master of Architecture
This program is structured to allow flexibility and to accommodate diverse student needs. This is accomplished by offering a combination of choices of studies available within the various program options. The M.Arch.2 and M.Arch.3 options result in the conferring of a first professional degree, fully accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board. The two programs are: M.Arch.2, Advanced Professional Studies; and M.Arch.3, Comprehensive Professional Studies.
Master of Science in Architecture
This program offers the opportunity for advanced study and research in specialized areas related to building design, construction, and operations over a broad range of scales, providing the basis for diverse career paths and/or entry into a Ph.D.-level program. Students will develop their own programs of study in cooperation with appropriate faculty and consideration of the courses and facilities available. The available research concentrations are architecture history and theory, building science, interior design, and urban design.
Master of Landscape Architecture
This LAAB accredited degree program offers three tracks toward Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA): a 3-year first-professional track, an accelerated track recognizing students with advanced standing, and a one year plus thesis track for those with significant professional experience in landscape architecture practice.
The degree program prepares students to improve the built environment through integrating community-based design practices, design for resilience, and strong professional skills and knowledge while also honoring people and place. Students addresses contemporary design and planning challenges such as community resilience; climate change; healthy living and empathetic design; urbanization; just and livable cities; water, food, energy, and transportation systems; green infrastructure; remediation of spoiled and disturbed sites; and preservation and conservation of critical natural and cultural resources. MLA graduates are making a difference in the world through their artful problem-solving.
PhD studies focused in landscape architecture are offered through the Architecture Design Research PhD in the School of Architecture.
Master of Fine Art in Creative Technologies
This program is a terminal degree program that prepares students to use digital and new media technologies to create, present, communicate, and shape information and imagery. It addresses emerging trends in science and research arenas, art and design, and industrial/commercial contexts. The program is cross-disciplinary and inter-media, designed to work with individual students on an individual basis. Students have the opportunity to develop original work in 3D animation, video, motion graphics, digital imaging, interactive multi-media design, creative coding, web design, sound and imaging, spatial interactivity, and installation.
Master of Fine Art in Theatre
This degree offers eight different programs. Choose from arts leadership, costume design and technology, directing and public dialogue, lighting design, properties design and management, sceneography, stage management or technical direction. Students have the opportunity to combine coursework with hands-on learning to provide theoretical framework and practical experience for a career in Theatre.
Doctoral Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture and Design Research
There are two major tracks within the Architecture and Design Research degree, each of which has topical areas. The Architecture track includes Architectural Representation and Education; Architectural History, Theory, and Criticism; Historical Preservation and Computing; and Representation. The principal foci of the Design Research track include Building Science and Landscape Architecture.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Programs
In addition to the graduate degrees, our college is involved with many of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Programs offered at Virginia Tech. These programs allow you to further tailor your education in areas of concentration that benefit from bringing together faculty from across the university.
If you are interested in applying for graduate school in the college, your application will actually be submitted online through the Graduate School. The Graduate School provides a wealth of information on the application process. Another useful resource for information is the Graduate Catalog, which provides information on policies, academic programs, and certificate offerings.