Combined Bachelor of Architecture / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

The College of Architecture and Urban Studies is pleased to inform undergraduate Architecture students of the option to earn a professionally accredited Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree along with the professionally accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree. The general requirements are as follows:

Fourth-year architecture students may apply to the Graduate School for Combined Student Status provided they:

    1. are within 24 semester hours of graduation;
    2. have elected to pursue a Master Urban and Regional Planning degree combined with B.Arch studies; and
    3. have a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last two years (60 credit hours) of undergraduate studies.

Combined students are permitted to take graduate courses leading to the professional B.Arch and MURP degrees. The B.Arch degree is awarded at the end of the first year of graduate studies on acceptance of 24 semester hours of work done instead of the regular fifth year in architecture. A total of 156 semester hours is required for it. Usually, 12 to 18 credits taken during the first year of graduate study may be transferred to the MURP upon completion of the B.Arch but the actual number may be higher (not exceeding 24) or lower depending on the approved plan of study. During their second year of graduate study, combined students take remaining courses needed to complete the 48-credit Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree. The combined student option is available in both Blacksburg and Alexandria.

Please contact Jesse Richardson <jessej@vt.edu>, Director of Urban Affairs and Planning, for details.

5th Year Courses Required for Bachelor of Architecture

Arch 4044: Professional Practice (5th year) 3
Arch 4515: Architecture III (5th year studio) 9
Arch 4516: Architecture III (5th year studio) 6
Arch 4524: Thesis Documentation 3
Arch 5064: Computer Applications in Design 3

Plus other courses required for the B.Arch not taken before entering the 5th year.

5th Year Architecture Courses Eligible for Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Arch 5615: Theory of Urban Form 3
Arch 5624: Urban Design Seminar 1-12
Arch 5634: Urban Design Studio 1-12
Arch 5705: Architecture and Urbanism Seminar 3
Arch 5706: Architecture and Urbanism Seminar 3
Arch 5715: Architecture and Urbanism Laboratory 6
Arch 5716: Architecture and Urbanism Laboratory 6
   
Maximum eligible for transfer to MURP 24

 

6th Year Courses for Master of Urban and Regional Planning

UAP 5114: Computer Applications: GIS 3
UAP 5124: Urban and Regional Planning Studio 3
        Second planning studio 3
UAP 5174: Theory and Practice of Planning 3
UAP 5224: Research Methods in Planning & Policy 4
UAP 5234: Urban Economy & Public Policy 3
UAP 5554: Land Use Law 3
UAP 5804: Practicum Problem 2
or  
UAP 5904: Project & Report 3
Core course hours 24-25

MURP Specialization

B.Arch students in the MURP program are considered to have elected the urban form, design, and preservation planning specialization requiring a minimum of 12 hours from among the following:

UAP 5194: Urban Growth Management 3
UAP 5304: Land Use Planning 3
UAP 5434: Urban Development Project Review Studio (when offered and not for second required studio credit) 3
UAP 5624: Urban Design Seminar 1-12
UAP 5634: Urban Design Studio 1-12
5th year Architecture courses noted above that are eligible for the MURP degree  
Other courses as approved on the plan of study  
   
Minimum hours in urban form, design, and preservation planning 12

The MURP degree will be awarded to students who earn a 3.0 or better GPA for courses applied to it from among the core (24-25 hours), specialization (minimum 12 hours including qualifying Architecture courses taken during the 5th year), and electives as needed to accumulate 48 hours.

For additional information please email UAPAlexandria@vt.edu.

Programs