The School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) at UWM offers the only professional program in architecture in Wisconsin that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board; one of the two graduate planning programs in the state accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) of the American Planning Association; and one of very few doctoral programs in architecture in the United States. SARUP offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) undergraduate pre-professional degree that prepares students for professional, masters-level training in architecture and other design fields. As the urban center of the state with strong ethnic communities, Milwaukee makes an appropriate setting for the study of architecture and urban planning.
In addition to the degrees listed above, SARUP offers a Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Planning, a coordinated professional degree program designed for persons seeking integrated study in both areas. A non-professional Master of Science in Architecture is available for students who want to develop a personalized and specialized program of architectural studies centered on scholarly studies and research. A PhD in Architecture is offered for persons who seek careers in research and teaching in architecture and allied fields, in consulting, or in roles in government and professional practice requiring advanced skills and research experience.
Most states require that an individual intending to become an architect hold an accredited degree. There are two types of degrees that are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board:
- the Bachelor of Architecture, which requires a minimum of five years of study, and
- the Master of Architecture, which requires a minimum of three years of study following an unrelated bachelor's degree or two years following a related pre-professional bachelor’s degree.
These professional degrees are structured to educate those who aspire to registration/licensure as architects.
The four-year, pre-professional degree, where offered, is not accredited by NAAB. The pre-professional degree is useful for those wishing a foundation in the field of architecture, as preparation for either continued education in a professional degree program or for employment options in architecturally related areas.
Departments and Programs
- Architecture
- Architectural Studies, BS
- Architectural Studies, Minor
- Architecture, BArch
- Architecture, MArch
- Architecture, MArch/Urban Planning, MUP
- Architecture, MArch: Ecological Design
- Architecture, MArch: Preservation Studies
- Architecture, MArch: Real Estate Development
- Architecture, MS
- Architecture, PhD
- Urban Design, MUD (Department of Architecture)
- Urban Planning
- Geographic Information Systems, Graduate Certificate (School of Architecture and Urban Planning)
- Urban Design, MUD (Department of Urban Planning)
- Urban Planning, MUP
- Urban Planning, MUP/Architecture, MArch
- Urban Planning, MUP/Engineering, MS
- Urban Planning, MUP/Public Administration, MPA
- Urban Planning, MUP: Geographic Information Systems
- Urban Planning, MUP: Real Estate Development
- Urban Planning, Undergraduate Certificate
Requirements for Employment, Licensing, or Professional Organizations
Students should be aware that some professions, occupations, and employers are subject to licensing and/or bonding requirements. When a course of study includes clinical or field training, practice teaching, internships, or the like, students may be subjected to a check of criminal conviction records, prior to acceptance of a student by the placement site. Students are responsible for obtaining the information necessary for them to become knowledgeable about these requirements and plan their studies accordingly. Please contact the appropriate department or program office for further information.
Department of Architecture Computer Requirement
Effective Fall 2019, all students entering the Bachelor of Science in Architecture Studies (BSAS) program and the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program are required to purchase a design-capable laptop computer and software. The laptop must be equipped to enable students to effectively perform all required coursework until the completion of the BSAS or M.Arch degree. For additional information, please see requirements posted on the Department of Architecture Laptop Requirement webpage.