Division of Architecture | Norman
The Division of Architecture's graduate programs empower students to advance the field through rigorous education, engaged scholarship, and meaningful service. As a space for creative exploration and critical inquiry, they challenge students to address pressing environmental and social issues while shaping the built environment with purpose and vision. Grounded in ethics and sustainability, the curriculum offers multiple avenues for professional preparation and advanced research, equipping graduates to navigate complexity beyond design and emerge as thoughtful leaders, agile problem-solvers, and advocates for resilient, dynamic communities.
At the University of Oklahoma, architecture is a collaborative, place-based discipline rooted in creativity, research, and impact. Our program draws inspiration from Oklahoma’s cultural heritage and natural landscapes to inform design that is locally grounded and globally relevant. We view architecture not only as a technical pursuit, but as a cultural and environmental practice shaped by context, community, and craft.
As the state’s flagship research institution, OU offers graduate students access to interdisciplinary faculty, hands-on learning, and opportunities to shape individually tailored degree paths across six built-environment disciplines. Through studio work, research, and student-led initiatives, our graduates become thoughtful designers and ethical leaders prepared to address complex challenges with imagination and care. Whether exploring sustainable systems, indigenous design traditions, or emerging technologies, students are empowered to make meaningful contributions to the future of the built environment.
Norman, Oklahoma
This NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture program is available to students who hold a bachelor’s degree in architecture or, in some cases, environmental design. Applicants with a degree in Environmental Design may be considered if they have completed at least two structures courses, four architectural design studios, and coursework demonstrating integration of passive and active building systems. The program builds on prior design experience while preparing students for professional licensure and advanced architectural practice.
Telesis, OU’s student-produced architecture journal, has earned national acclaim as a three-time recipient of the Douglas Haskell Award for Student Journals from the Center for Architecture in New York City (2019, 2022, and 2025).
Students actively participate in international service learning, with recent projects in Zambia, Uganda, and Italy that foster cross-cultural understanding and socially responsive design.
Through the U.S. State Department’s Diplomacy Lab, students contribute to real-world policy challenges, gaining experience in research, collaboration, and global problem-solving.
How Long You'll Be Here
On average, 2 years
Studio Size
Average of 12 students per section
Median Salary (Entry Level)
$72,000+
Salary information obtained from: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics,
Architects except Landscape and Naval
Our curriculum is built around a parallel sequence of Design Studios and Methods courses, allowing students to move fluidly between conceptual exploration and technical grounding. Methods courses inform studio work through focused engagement with design fundamentals, materials, environmental technologies, fabrication practices, and the ethical dimensions of architectural work. These core experiences are taught in close collaboration with courses in structures, history, and theory, creating a cohesive and interdisciplinary learning environment.
Students also have opportunities to study architecture through cultural lenses, gain experience in professional settings, and collaborate across disciplines. As a faculty, we are committed to shaping architects who think critically, solve problems with clarity and creativity, and demonstrate a deep understanding of design and material practice. Within the philosophical framework of Creating_Making, we guide students toward ethical leadership—encouraging them to apply their skills in service of the communities and environments they help shape.
All students applying to graduate programs in the College of Architecture must submit their applications through the Graduate College’s online portal. All applicants must meet a 3.25 minimum grade point average. Furthermore, Physics is required for entry into the professional Masters of Architecture degree options.
Graduate students entering our master’s programs (Master of Architecture Two Year and Master of Architecture Accelerated) must have earned an architecture degree from either a U.S. school whose accreditation is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (CHEA) or National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). For international students, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an institution accredited by the home country’s Ministry of Education is required.
The OU Graduate College and Division of Architecture collaborate on the graduate admissions process, with the Graduate College Dean governing admissions to graduate programs. The Graduate Admissions Process entails the following steps:
The Master of Architecture program at the University of Oklahoma integrated collaboration, critical reasoning, and research—all of which are integral to my success in professional practice.
Emily Hayes
Class of 2019
