The School of Architecture offers four graduate programs to students who hold an approved baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university:

• Master of Architectural History 
• Master of Architecture 
• Master of Landscape Architecture 
• Master of Urban and Environmental Planning 
• Dual Degrees

Students enrolled in one of our graduate programs are also eligible to pursue the Historic Preservation certificate.

Please note that admissions procedures for the Graduate (Ph.D.) Program in the History of Art and Architecture are handled by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, not the School of Architecture.

If you are a degree candidate in one of the four graduate curricula offered in the School of Architecture, you must hold an approved baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and interests which help shape their graduate studies.  More information on our students and student work can be found in the Profiles and Projects sections. For general information on our Fall 2011 entering class, please see the 2011 Entering Class Profile.

Request Information

If you would like to receive information from the School of Architecture, please complete our online request form.  You will receive an e-mail from us once your request has been processed.

Graduate Open Houses

If you were unable to attend the 2012 Fall Open House, we would be happy to schedule an individual visit for you at another time when school is in session. Please contact Kristine Nelson at arch-admissions@virginia.edu at least one week prior to your planned visitation date.

The School of Architecture will host a Spring Open House for accepted students on Monday, April 1, 2013. To view our tentative schedule, click HERE.

Admissions Process

For admission to the Fall 2013 entering class

Important Dates

• Sep 3, 2012: Online application available
• November 12, 2012: Fall Graduate Open House
• Jan 4, 2013 (11:59 EST): Application deadline for Master of Architectural History, Architecture, and Urban and Environmental Planning programs.
• Jan 11, 2013 (11:59 EST): Application deadline for Master of Landscape Architecture program.
• Feb 15, 2013: Deadline to submit financial aid applications (FAFSA and U. Va.’s graduate financial aid application) in order to receive financial aid estimate before April 15 decision deadline.
• Mar 11, 2013: Applicants notified of admissions decision.
• March 31, 2013:FAFSA and U. Va.’s financial aid application priority deadline.
• April 1, 2013: Spring Graduate Open House for accepted students.
• April 15, 2013: Admitted students’ acceptance deadline. 

Application Information

Step 1: Create a personalized web account—if you have already created a My Grad Page account, please go to Step #2. If you have not, do so now.
Note: If you are applying to more than one degree program within the School of Architecture, you must submit one application and appropriate supplemental materials for each program to which you are applying. You must create an individual My Grad Page account per application and each account must have a different user name. If you have questions regarding this requirement, please contact the School of Architecture Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 434.924.6442.  

Step 2: Login to My Grad Page. A link to the application will be under the “Fall 2013 Admissions Process.”
Note: Admissions for the Graduate (Ph.D.) Program in the History of Art and Architecture are handled by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, not the School of Architecture.  

Application Deadline

The online application and all supplemental application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the dates listed below. Please note, any transcripts being mailed to the School of Architecture must be postmarked by the deadlines listed below.  

• Friday, January 4, 2013: Master of Architectural History, Master of Architecture, and Master of Urban and Environmental Planning 
• Friday, January 11, 2013: Master of Landscape Architecture 

Application Requirements

Items to Submit Through the Online Application

The following items will be collected through the online application. If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit the following for each program to which you are applying (one per online application). 

• Unofficial Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts will be reviewed by the Admissions Committees, however offers of admissions are not binding until official transcripts have been received and verified by the School of Architecture Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. For the initial application review, we ask that you upload your unofficial transcripts to the application. If you cannot upload unofficial transcripts to the application, you may also mail the transcripts to the addresses listed at the bottom of this page.  Note: due to the computer system, until the official transcript is received your application will continue to say it is incomplete even when all materials are uploaded and/or received.
• Resume / CV (Curriculum Vitae) 
• Statement of Intent:

Applicants to any degree program except Master of Architecture Path 1: A concise statement of intent is required by the Admissions Committee in order to determine how well conceived are your plans for graduate study. The statement should be specific, well written, and should describe your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the University of Virginia, your preparation reflect your understanding of the discipline and your interest in this graduate program, and provide some indication of your professional goals or intentions.
Master of Architecture Path 1 applicants: Submit a concise statement of intent (500 word max) describing your educational, professional, academic, research and/or creative experiences and the influence of these experiences on the development of your design and research interests. 

• Essay:

Architectural History applicants: Submit a 250 word essay on a book in Architectural History that you have found important for your interests.
Architecture Paths 3, 2.5, or 2 applicants only: Submit a 250 word essay on a work of architecture or an urban condition that you have seen and found significant.
Architecture Path 1 applicants: Submit a 250 word essay that addresses the following prompts: (a) What design issues and research topics do you want to explore in graduate school? (b) List School of Architecture family member(s) with whom you would like to study and describe how each would help you further your research interests.
Landscape Architecture Path A and Path A Advanced Standing applicants: Submit a 250 word essay on one designed or vernacular landscape that you have seen and found significant. 
Landscape Architecture (Path B) applicants: Submit a 250 word essay that should answer the following questions: (a) What design issues and research topics do you want to explore in graduate school? (b) Which faculty member would you particularly like to study with at the University of Virginia and why? 

• Letters of Recommendation: You are required to submit three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from former teachers if you received your undergraduate degree within the last five years. Letters from former employers are also encouraged. Your recommenders must submit their letters of recommendation via the online application module. If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit three letters of recommendation for each program to which you are applying. Current UVa graduate students who are applying for a dual degree to the Master of Urban and Environmental Planning program will need two letters, one from a planning course the second from your current department. 
• Portfolio: All Master of Architecture and/or Master of Landscape Architecture applicants must submit an electronic portfolio with the online application to each program. (Applicants to the Master of Architectural History and Master of Urban and Environmental Planning programs are not expected to submit portfolios.)  Your portfolio should show evidence of interest in design. The portfolio should be carefully conceived, well designed, neatly prepared, and easily readable digitally. We encourage you to design your portfolio for digital review rather than submitting an electronic version of your printed portfolio.
  
  Additionally, the portfolio should provide an indication of your aptitude for thinking critically and creatively through design. This can come in many forms. Such items as photographs of executed artwork, pottery, sculpture, photographic essays, and weaving have been submitted in the past. In addition, we have received prose, poetry, published writings, and illustrated reports as evidence of an applicant’s interest and experience in dealing with design or aesthetic matters. With the new digital requirement, you can also embed links to online YouTube videos in your portfolio. All of these can be meaningful, and we encourage you to think freely about the manner in which they may meet this application requirement. Applicants to the Master of Architecture Path 1 program must submit a portfolio which illustrates the design and/or research issues they wish to pursue if admitted to program.

     For successful submission, the portfolio:

      View sample portfolios of current MLA students.

• $60 non–refundable application fee: You may submit your application fee via credit card via the online application. Your application cannot be submitted until we receive your non–refundable application fee. If you cannot pay by credit card, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid at 434–924–6442.
  
  You may be exempt from paying the $60 non–refundable application fee if:
  
  - You are a current graduate student in the School of Architecture applying for a second degree.
  - You are a member of AmeriCorps, National College Advising Corps, Peace Corps, Project 1000, McNair Scholars, or Teach for America.
  
  Students who meet any of the criteria listed above should contact the Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid at 434–924–6442 prior to submitting the application. 

Items to Submit Via Alternate Agency 

• Official GRE scores. You are required to take the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test scores should be forwarded directly from Educational Testing Services to the School of Architecture. The School of Architecture institution code number on the GRE form is 5820. You must retake the exam if your scores are more than 5 years old. Please note: Due to a system change at U.Va., if ETS sent your GRE scores to U. Va. prior to August 2008, we will not be able to retrieve your scores. Please ask ETS to resend your scores. Scores must be submitted by the appropriate application deadline listed above. 
• Official TOEFL scores. If you are an international applicant whose first or native language is not English, and did not graduate from an English-speaking university, you are also required to take the TOFL examination. Test scores should be forwarded directly from Educational Testing Services to the School of Architecture. The School of Architecture institution code number on the TOEFL form is 5820. You must retake your exam if the scores are more than 2 years old. IELTS scores will also be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL. Please note: Due to a system change at U. Va., if ETS sent your TOEFL scores to U.Va. prior to April 2008, we will not be able to retrieve your scores. Please ask ETS to resend your scores. Scores must be submitted by the appropriate application deadline listed above. 

Mailing Addresses

As a reminder, all applications items should be submitted electronically. If you cannot upload your unofficial transcripts to the application, or if you would like to mail official transcripts, please use the address below. All other materials received via mail will not be reviewed. 

Postal Mail should go to: 

Graduate Admissions
School of Architecture
Campbell Hall
P.O. Box 400122
Charlottesville VA 22904–4122
Telephone: (434) 924–6442

Physical Address (for overnight mail, FEDEx, UPS, and DHL):

Graduate Admissions
School of Architecture
Campbell Hall
Rugby Road
Charlottesville VA 22903
Telephone: (434) 924–6442 

Financial Aid, Tuition, and Fees

The University of Virginia and School of Architecture offers a variety of financial aid options for students interested in pursuing graduate work at the School including fellowships, student loans, and work-study funding.  For more information about financial aid please visit our Financial Aid web page.

Student Financial Services provides a Cost of Attendance estimate online, which includes an estimate of the cost for one-year at U.Va. including tuition, fees, room, board, personal expenses, and travel.  You can also view the tuition and fees schedule online.

All students in the School of Architecture are required to provide their own personal laptop computer. See Computer Requirements for Students.

Admissions Questions and Contact

Previous applicants and current School of Architecture graduate students: please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about your application requirements. 

If you still have questions about our admissions process, please contact Kristine Nelson, Interim Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, at 434.924.6442 or arch-admissions@virginia.edu.