CHICAGO: Claire Perko, BLA. Michigan State; MS-UD Class of 2011 + Najia Ali, B.ARCH. U.Arkansas; MS-UD Class of 2011

The Dual Degree: M.ARCH. +MCRP – Urban Design Concentration is oriented to students who plan to seek professional registrations in both fields and practice urban design professionally either upon graduation or in future career options in either field. The Dual Degree has been offered since 1969, with past graduates in a variety of careers advancing the design of cities across the U.S. and the world.

The Dual Degree Program is rigorous, requiring students to complete all requirements of both Masters Degrees and to complete a set of urban design courses and studios. Although oriented to future professional practices, the dual degree can have a research focus that can prepare graduates for study and research in PhD Programs in Architecture or Planning. During the past decade, three to five students each year have graduated with the Dual Degrees in Architecture and City and Regional Planning with the urban design concentration.

The program offers a richly interdisciplinary experience. This results from courses in both Architecture and City and Regional Planning, each with their academic and professional traditions. And, additionally, the required and elective urban design courses are shared with students in the MSUD Program, who have backgrounds and experience in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City Planning and Civil Engineering.

Eligibility and Applications

The Dual Degree Program requires a minimum of six semesters, which is a reduction in time from the eight semesters to complete the two degrees separately. Applicants must apply and be accepted independently to both programs and must be specifically admitted to the Dual Degree with the Concentration in Urban Design in order to gain the timesaving benefits of the program.  The total time for the award of the two degrees, however, depends on the advanced standing in coursework and studios granted within the M.ARCH curriculum.

All applicants for the Dual Degree must submit a portfolio with their applications to both the School of Architecture and the School of City and Regional Planning. The portfolio must demonstrate superior ability in architectural design studios and other creative work. It must be submitted in digital format. For application requirements and instructions visit the Master of Architecture and Master of City and Regional Planning information pages, including the M.ARCH. + MCRP Dual Degree eligibility restrictions, application instructions and degree requirements.

Urban Design Concentration Requirements

Three required courses and a minimum of eight credits of approved urban design electives are required for all students in the Urban Design Concentration. These courses are in addition to those required by the M.ARCH and MCRP Programs.

Notes: The required urban design studio is normally co-taught with COA 6011 – Urban Design Laboratory, offered in the fall semester in conjunction with the Master of Science in Urban Design Program.

The minimum of 8 credits of elective hours within the Urban Design Concentration are to be selected from a list of approved urban design electives.  

International Programs

Students in the Urban Design Concentration are encouraged to participate in the College International Programs, both of which focus on urban design, planning and architecture. Modern Architecture and the Modern City: Barcelona, Berlin, The Netherlands examines modern and contemporary urban design, architecture and landscape architecture in three cities in Europe during the summer semester. Students earn 12 credits in this program. The COA International Urban Design Workshop visits various world cities to conduct urban design workshops in cooperation with urban design, architecture and planning schools abroad. Students participating in the Workshop earn 6 credits in the summer semester. The 2009 and 2010 Workshops were located in Shanghai and Tongji University. The 2011 Workshops will again be in Shanghai.