Graduate Admissions: Architecture

Program Information

• Individuals must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field. Some students may have previous backgrounds in a design discipline or may hold pre-professional undergraduate degrees in a design discipline. Admission may also be offered to individuals with no previous experience in design but who exhibit talent and promise in a design-related activity or interest.
• The M.Arch. degree is NAAB accredited. Learn more about AAP’s NAAB-accredited programs.

The deadline for receiving all application materials for the M.Arch. program is January 3. Submit your online application with the following materials here.

• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from each college or university previously attended
• All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
• Academic Statement of Purpose
  • A one- or two-page statement outlining interests and intents for graduate study in the M.Arch. program. Please relate these intents to previous design and academic experience, and to future goals.
• Portfolio of creative work. The portfolio should consist of high-quality visual material showcasing several projects (max. 20 pages/spreads and no larger than 20MB). The selection of projects and the represented media is at the applicant’s discretion and may include drawing, drafting, digital media, painting, photography, print media, models, sculptures, installations and more. Applicants should choose those media that best reflect their highest level of conceptual and technical development. If any project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers, or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application (deadline January 3). 
• Resume/CV optional, but strongly encouraged

Program Information

• Students must hold a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree (B.Arch.) or a professional Master of Architecture Degree (M.Arch.) to be admitted into the post-professional M.S. AAD program. International students must submit an official certification that the degree held is a professional degree entitling them to practice architecture in their country.
• The M.S. AAD program has a summer start term; there is no Fall or Spring semester admission. Applicants still enrolled in a B.Arch. or M.Arch. at the time of application must have a conferral date no later than May 31 in order to be eligible for admission.

The deadline for receiving all application materials for the M.S. AAD program is January 3. Submit your online application with the following materials here.

• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from each college or university previously attended
• All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
• Academic Statement of Purpose
  • A one- or two-page academic statement of purpose or statement of research intents for graduate study in the M.S. AAD program. This statement should describe a critical topic you wish to investigate at Cornell, including any past work in this area.
• Portfolio of creative work. The portfolio should consist of high-quality visual material showcasing several projects (max 20 pages/spreads and no larger than 20MB). The selection of projects and the represented media is at the applicant’s discretion and may include drawing, drafting, digital media, painting, photography, print media, models, sculptures, installations and more. Applicants should choose those media that best reflect their highest level of conceptual and technical development. If any project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers, or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application (deadline January 3). 
• Resume/CV optional, but strongly encouraged

Program Information

• Students must hold either a professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), a professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch.), or a professional degree from a closely related field to be admitted into the post-professional M.S. AUD program. International students must submit an official certification that the degree held is a professional degree entitling them to practice architecture in their country.

The deadline for receiving all application materials for the M.S. AUD program is January 3. Submit your online application with the following materials here.

• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from each college or university previously attended
• All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
• Academic Statement of Purpose
  • A one- or two-page academic statement of purpose or statement of research intents for graduate study in the M.S. AUD program. This statement should describe a critical topic you wish to investigate at Cornell, including any past work in this area.
• Portfolio of creative work. The portfolio should consist of high-quality visual material showcasing several projects (max 20 pages/spreads and no larger than 20MB). The selection of projects and the represented media is at the applicant’s discretion and may include drawing, drafting, digital media, painting, photography, print media, models, sculptures, installations and more. Applicants should choose those media that best reflect their highest level of conceptual and technical development. If any project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers, or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application (deadline January 3). 
• Resume/CV optional, but strongly encouraged

Cornell’s Ph.D. program in the History of Architecture and Urban Development will not be accepting applications for fall 2026 admissions. We anticipate resuming admissions for fall 2027.

Program Information

• Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in architecture, archaeology, history, history of art, anthropology, or an undergraduate degree in any area and appropriate experience in the field. Degree candidates must have proficiency in two languages other than English before beginning the second year of study.
• Students are encouraged to participate in or watch the virtual open house before submitting their applications to learn more about the program and to improve their applications. Please check the Department of Architecture website for dates and details.

The deadline for receiving all application materials for the Ph.D. HAUD program is January 3. Submit your online application with the following materials here.

• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from each college or university previously attended
• All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
• Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe (within 1000 words) the substantive research questions you are interested in pursuing during your graduate studies and explain how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals. Additionally, detail your academic background, intellectual interests, and any training or research experience you have received that you believe has prepared you for our program. Within your statement, please also identify specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own interests.
• Writing Sample: approximately 20 pages
• Resume/CV