Program Overview

The Master of Architecture degree program at Fairmont State places an emphasis on the cultural, geographic, and historical conditions that distinguish the character of the Appalachian Region. The program’s studio projects typically provide an opportunity to explore the revitalization of the region’s smaller cities and towns through the design of innovative architectural interventions. The curriculum further offers opportunities for research and project applications in sustainable design issues ranging from energy efficiency to adaptive reuse to food systems.

The M.Arch. Program consists of 42 semester hours of coursework. In addition to the required classes, electives can range from student-selected special topics, to study abroad travel opportunities, to project management courses offered through the MBA program.  The full M. Arch program is typically completed in three semesters of full-time study. The full professional degree at Fairmont State is made up of the prerequisite four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture plus this one and one-half year M. Arch degree. Applicants to the M. Arch degree from other institutions may or may not require additional time to complete their degree pending an evaluation of the content of their degree.  See Admission Requirements for additional information

The M.Arch. Program is currently in Continuing Candidacy status for accreditation by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and anticipates Initial Accreditation in 2022. Once accredited, graduates of the combined professional degree program would be eligible to pursue licensure as an Architect in the State of West Virginia. Most state architectural jurisdictions, along with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) recognize degrees from institutions that have been awarded within two years of accreditation.

NAAB Statement

Statement on NAAB Accredited Degrees

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a 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 term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The NAAB grants candidacy status to new programs that have developed viable plans for achieving initial accreditation. Candidacy status indicates that a program expects to achieve initial accreditation within six years of achieving candidacy, if its plan is properly implemented.

In order to meet the education requirement, set forth by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, an applicant for an NCARB Certificate must hold a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the NAAB; the degree must have been awarded not more than two years prior to initial accreditation. However, meeting the education requirement for the NCARB Certificate may not be equivalent to meeting the education requirement for registration in a specific jurisdiction. Please contact NCARB for more information.

Fairmont State University, Department of Architecture, Art & Design, was granted candidacy status for the following professional degree program in architecture:

• M.Arch. (preprofessional degree + 42 graduate credits)

• Year candidacy awarded: 2018

• Next visit: Continuation of Candidacy or Initial accreditation: 2022

• Projected year to achieve initial accreditation: 2022

• Earliest graduation date projected to meet NCARB education requirement: 2020
   

Program Outcomes

The Master of Architecture Program will:

• Prepare students to apply critical thinking skills to creatively solve a variety of design problems with respect to culture, context, systems, materials, sustainable principles, and contribute to the development of new knowledge.

• Demonstrate how architectural history, theory, and practice may inform design decisions in our contemporary global society.

• Prepare students to make informed, ethical, and responsible contributions to the built environment in a diverse and global society in order to serve the public good.

• Provide students with the skills and knowledge to engage in the Architectural Experience Program (AXP); work toward professional licensure; and seek employment in architectural offices and in other design and construction related fields.

• Enable students to assume the role of an architect as a collaborator, communicator, and leader while observing the wide-ranging needs of clients, populations, and communities in a global society.

Admission and Program Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Master of Architecture Program must begin by meeting the general standards established by the Office of Graduate Studies at Fairmont State University.

Applicants to the Master of Architecture degree must also meet the additional criteria and submit the documents as noted below:

• Completion of a four-year Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (pre-professional degree).

• For applicants from institutions other than Fairmont State, an evaluation of the applicant’s pre-professional education will be conducted for compliance with the National Architectural Accrediting Board, Program, and Student Criteria that may not otherwise be met in the Fairmont State Master of Architecture degree program. Further details regarding the evaluation may be found on the Evaluation of Pre-professional Degrees Statement and Forms.

• A portfolio of architectural and creative work that demonstrates the applicant’s skills and abilities.

• Three (3) letters of recommendation, with a minimum of two from undergraduate architectural instructors. The third may be from a professional acquaintance. Applicants who hold a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Fairmont State will only be required to submit one (1) letter and it should be from an outside source.

• A Letter of Intent that states the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a Master of Architecture degree in general, and more specifically at Fairmont State.

A personal interview may also be required as part of the admissions process if deemed necessary. This interview would be conducted by the Director of the Graduate Program in Architecture along with faculty in the Architecture Program and may be conducted in-person or electronically.

The documents noted above should be sent to: Fairmont State University Office of Admissions Admissions@fairmontstate.edu and copied to the Director of the Graduate Program in Architecture robert.kelly@fairmontstate.edu after the general Fairmont State application has been submitted.