Option 1

Although the primary prerequisite for admission to the Option 1 program is a Bachelor of Architecture degree from an accredited institution (with a B grade-point average), we prefer students who have had some professional work experience. The Option 1 program is intensive, and admission decisions are influenced by an applicant’s ability to clearly articulate a focused topic or area of study.

In general, the admissions committee looks for evidence that you have a plan for how you will spend your year at Berkeley. For example, office experience with a particular building type may lead to a desire to research design or technical alternatives. Then again, you may want to return to school to pursue a topic of interest that grew from your undergraduate experience. It is important to discuss your thesis topic in the statement of purpose in the application.

If your interests lean toward research, we advise you to review the Master of Science (M.S.) program before submitting an application. Note that the requirements and application materials for the M.S. program are different than those for the M.Arch. program.

Option 2

For placement in the Option 2 program, holders of non-professional undergraduate architecture degrees must have completed a minimum of three one-semester upper-division courses in architectural design problems (studios).

Typical applicants often have one-to-three years of work experience. A four-year undergraduate degree in architecture does not automatically guarantee admission to the Option 2 program. Applicants whose portfolios do not demonstrate adequate understanding of architectural design and building assembly may be referred to the three-year (Option 3) M.Arch. program.

In general, the admissions committee looks for a combination of creative and technical skills. This includes the ability to communicate design ideas and concepts and the ability to represent conceptual ideas in built form.

Option 3

Students admitted to the Option 3 program are required to have taken one semester of college-level calculus and one semester of college-level physics that includes the principles of mechanics. We will accept a physics course taken without a lab. These prerequisites must be completed by the time you enter, not apply to, the graduate program. At the very latest, you must take the courses in the summer preceding fall semester entry. We will accept a calculus or physics course from any community college or university. Students must pass these courses with a grade of at least a C minus. Online courses are not acceptable.

For those who took Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus or Physics in high school, the following scores will satisfy the prerequisites: 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam or at least a 3 on the AP Calculus BC exam; at least a 3 on the AP Physics B exam.

The core of the M.Arch. curriculum is the design studio, and students admitted to the program plunge right into the studio regimen their first semester. The ability to draw and sketch is essential. Although no prerequisite coursework in this area is required, applicants are strongly encouraged to take studio art and/or a beginning design course in preparation for applying.

The admissions committee looks for evidence that you have an aptitude for architecture and that Berkeley's program would be a good place for you to develop that aptitude. The ability to "conceptualize," think three-dimensionally, and communicate effectively both verbally and visually, plus some understanding of the architecture profession, is essential. Since your academic preparation is in another field, it is important to incorporate into your statement why you have decided to move from your present field to architecture. What connections do you see bridging your past experiences with architecture?

The exhibit of creative work provides you the opportunity to show your creative ability. It need not necessarily be all architecture-related. In fact, if you have no experience in this area you would be wise to confine the examples to your best work, regardless of the media. The best results will emerge if you think of your exhibit in its entirety as a design project. The reviewers hope to see your projects displayed in a well-thought-out format, carefully executed. Most importantly, leave yourself plenty of time to think about and develop your creative work.