Master of Architectural History

The Master of Architectural History at UVA is housed within the longest running architectural history program in the U.S. and teaches the craft of the architectural historian.

 

Master of Architectural History students learn how to search, document, understand, and interpret building sites, construction materials, architectural drawings, and texts, as well as intellectual frameworks that construct histories in relation to larger social and political objectives. Our World Heritage Lab combines scientific and intellectual research in historic preservation at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the University of Virginia and Monticello. The curriculum offers several tracks in order to maximize the opportunities for our graduate students to engage in research interests of their choice, and to work closely with our highly dedicated and accomplished faculty. UVA MArH graduates continue to professional careers in a variety of fields ranging from public architectural historians, private preservation consultants, to those in critical and curatorial roles in leading cultural institutions and in academia.


Why Study Architectural History at UVA?

UVA Architectural History Chair Sheila Crane and Professor Louis Nelson share highlights of the program.

Student Perspectives

Learn about the MArH program from our students.


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MArH Tracks

The graduate program in Architectural History offers three different tracks:

1. Master of Architectural History

2. Master of Architectural History with Historic Preservation Certificate

3. Master of Architectural History with Urban Design Certificate

Each track will give students an opportunity to refine the course of study that enables them to gain distinctive knowledge and experience for different career prospects. Our graduates work in a variety of fields ranging from public architectural historians, private preservation consultants, to those in critical and curatorial roles in leading cultural institutions and in academia.

Thesis

The thesis is a major piece of independent work completed under the close supervision of a faculty member who is the director of the three-member thesis committee that oversees the project. This committee may consist entirely of faculty from the Department of Architectural History or it may include one person from outside the Department. It is possible to explore the thesis topic in greater depth through an independent study course taken prior to the thesis semester.

Language Qualification

Candidates are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of one foreign language appropriate to the student’s major field of study. This requirement may be satisfied by earning the grade of B or better in an intermediate-level university course in the language within two years prior to admission to the University of Virginia graduate program. Alternatively, the student can take the ETS Graduate School Foreign Language Test and pass with a score of at least 550, or take University of Virginia language courses at the intermediate level, or pass the language departmental reading test. Architectural History students should fulfill the language requirement before or shortly after entry into the program.

36-48 CREDITS

The Master of Architectural History is a 2-year graduate degree with a minimum of 36 credits at the graduate level. Typically students take credits beyond the 36 required during their four semesters of residency, generally attaining 48 credits by the end of the program. Those interested in historic preservation can complete the requirements for the Certificate in Historic Preservation and the Master in Architectural History within two years, and those interested in urban design can complete the requirements for the Certificate in Urban Design and the Master in Architectural History within two years.


MArH Thesis Guide + Schedule


MArH gif

1. Typical Program of Study for Architectural History

This study track offers a curriculum focused on critical understanding of architectural history as a culturally constructed knowledge. Through examination of histories assembled in different periods and places, and by different interest groups, this curriculum focus on the development of rigorous research and analytical skills to engage with the central task of critically writing and curating histories for the future. 

Course Distribution

Each student must have at least nine credits, or three courses at the 8000 or 9000 level. Fifth year MARH students should consult with the Director of the Graduate Program concerning their requirements.

 

2. Typical Program of Study for Architectural History with Historic Preservation Certificate

This study track prepares students in the expanding field of historic preservation. Architectural heritage plays a central role in defining a civic sense of place, buttressing sustainable communities, conserving urban neighborhoods, protecting rural and scenic areas, and enriching public understanding of social, cultural, and architectural history. Students gain a Historic Preservation Certificate with this program of study.

Course Distribution

Each student must have at least six credits, or two courses at the 8000 or 9000 level. Each student must have at least six credits, or two courses at 7000 level that also fulfill Historic Preservation Requirement. Fifth year MARH students should consult with the Director of the Graduate Program concerning their requirements.

 

3. Typical Program of Study for Architectural History with Urban Design Certificate

This study track aims to provide a greater capacity for students to engage with the process of urban developments that often involves aspects of cultural heritage conservation. Half of the world’s population live in urban areas; balancing the need for development, and the role of architectural history, heritage, and culture in urban developments will remain one of the most important and challenging tasks in the future. Students gain an Urban Design Certificate with this program of study. This track is not open to fifth year MARH students.

Course Distribution

Each student must have at least six credits, or two courses at the 8000 or 9000 level. Students must take nine credits, or three courses of required Urban Design seminars: Introduction to Urban Design History and Theory, Urban Design Methods and Strategies, and Applied GIS. Students without design experience in their undergrad education are further requested to participate in the Summer Design Institute prior enrolling in the Urban Design Certificate program.

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