Graduate Programs

The Department of Architectural Studies is a dynamic and personal place engaged in the processes, procedures, observations and techniques essential to the development of environmental designs for human living, work and leisure. It can be placed between the world of physical realities and the imaginary.

Architectural design uses the arts and the sciences: the exact science for its stability and durability, thermal, and acoustic capabilities of buildings; and the social sciences to develop a better understanding of people’s relationship with places and time.
The Department’s mission is to educate future design practitioners, advance research of the built environment, and disseminate knowledge of architectural studies to improve quality of life for people. The philosophy of the Department of Architectural Studies embraces the synergy created between architecture and interior design.

Promoting the meaning and value of physical settings and responding to the human condition, the program investigates the interaction between people and their surroundings to create a more beautiful and sustainable world. The program encourages an interdisciplinary, scholarly climate celebrating aesthetic values and the human sciences.

Graduate Programs offer two emphases: 1) in environment and behavior studies with research leading to the MS and Ph.D. degrees and 2) in environmental design with a creative project leading to an MA degree. The graduate program builds on Architectural Studies course work and a core of courses in design theory, research methods, graduate seminars, research and readings in environment and behavior.

Teaching and/or research assistantships and scholarships are available to graduate students. Inquires regarding the types and availability of assistantships should be directed to the Department Chair: Dr. Ruth Brent Tofle (TofleR@missouri.edu) .

*Admission | *Interdisciplinary Emphasis | *Professional Opportunities

Two emphasis options: MA, MS, & Ph.D.

Design with Digital Media

Design with Digital Media, as an integral part of the design process, focuses on graphic ideation and the application of computer technology for architecture, interior and related disciplines. This program of study has emphasis an on design with digital media leading to MA, MS, and Ph.D. degrees. MA is a project-based program of study, whereas MS is a research-based. Current study areas in the digital media program include: • Digital Design Education for Architecture and Interior • Study, exploration and research of generative digital representation techniques • Digital Design Studio • 3D Modeling & Rendering, Animation • Virtual Reality & Real-time Environment • 3D Analysis of Form, Space & Design Principles in Architecture • Video Game Technology for Architecture & Interior • Artificial Intelligence • Digital and Integrative Audiovisual Media for Design Communication • Theories of filmic and moving images • Theory of Representation The culmination of the degree is a written and/or visual project employing computer applications for design methods. Applicants interested in the Design with Digital Media option should contact the coordinator of Design with Digital Media Dr. So-Yeon Yoon (YoonS@missouri.edu) for course contents and research proposals.

Environment and Behavior Studies

The Environment and Behavior Studies focus is on the multifaceted relationships between people and their physical, social, and cultural environments. Environment-behavior research explores a variety of environments, linking them to a range of behavioral concerns. This program is suitable for persons who seek careers in research, consulting, and/or teaching in architecture, interior design, and other environmental design disciplines. A design project leads to the MA and research leads to the MS or Ph.D. degrees. Current emphasis areas in environment and behavior include: • Design Education • History of the Designed Environment • Design Planning and Analysis • Interior Design Systems • Universal Design/Accessibility • Environment and Aging • Quality of Life and Design • Health Care Design • Housing, Neighborhood Design, and Sustainability • Organizational Systems and Design • Facility Management and Design • Programming, Design and Post-Occupancy Evaluation Contact Dr. Ronn Phillips ( phillipsr@missouri.edu) for more information about the Department's Graduate program or the emphasis in environment and behavior.

Programs of Study: MA, MS, & PH.D.

For both the MA and MS, the student’s program must include a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit beyond the bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent). Fifteen of the 30-hour minimum must be selected from courses numbered at 8000 or 9000 level; no more than 40% of the 30-hour credit requirement can be satisfied by Research, Readings and Problems coursework.

In consultation with one’s graduate advisor, each student is required to enroll in selected “core” courses appropriate to her/his degree program. The academic program should be established in consultation with one’s adviser no later than the end of the first full semester.

Master of Arts

The creative project-based MA program of study — is often undertaken in preparation for careers in the design professions or higher education. The project (instead of a written thesis) is conducted in one of two options: (1) the area of architectural representation using high-end computers — the culmination of this degree option is a professionally reviewed, visual project employing digital media; or (2) the area of environmental design – the culmination of this degree option is a professionally reviewed design project.

Master of Science

The MS is a research-based program of study often undertaken as preparation for the doctoral degree. Research is conducted in one of two emphasis areas--environment and behavior studies or design communications. Within each of these emphasis areas, specific course work is chosen on the basis of subject matter and the type of research method selected--quantitative, qualitative or a combination of both. The culmination of the degree is the written research thesis employing quantitative, qualitative or both research methods. Two MS options are available: (1) a research-based MS, or (2) a design and research-based MS. The research-based MS program of study is often undertaken as preparation for the doctoral degree. Research is conducted in one of two content areas – environment and behavior studies or design with digital media. Within these two content areas, specific course work is chosen based on subject matter and the type of research method selected – quantitative, qualitative or a combination of both. The culmination of this degree option is a written research thesis employing quantitative, qualitative or combination of both research methods. The design and research-based MS differs from the research-based MS in that its culmination is a professionally reviewed design project with a supporting written report.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctoral Program Handbook The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is designed for individuals who are interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills that are needed to conduct substantive, innovative, and original research that contribute to the theoretical and methodological foundation of architecture and interior design, and the dissemination of this research through teaching, publication, and practice. To this end, the curriculum is structured so that students move gradually from overview of architectural research to the identification and pursuit of major and minor areas of specialization and, finally, to highly specialized original dissertation research. This framework promotes stimulating intellectual discourse among individuals with varying research philosophies and interests. Both faculty and students interact within this framework to develop an enhanced understanding of how specialized research contributes to the definition and evolution of an improved theoretical and methodological basis for architectural studies. Doctoral study in Architectural Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences, is research based and expands knowledge in the “major” areas of either environment and behavior or design with digital media. The major area is defined as that area of specialization in the Doctoral Program within which the student is expected to write his/her dissertation. Students commonly choose a “supportive cognate area” which is intended to reinforce the development of an understanding of the discipline. Supporting cognate area courses are selected from a broad spectrum of disciplines providing students with the opportunity to design an individualized program of study that capitalizes on their unique interests and talents. The Ph.D., as a research-based program of study, leads to the written doctoral dissertation. The dissertation is distinctive because it demonstrates the ability to conceive and execute scholarly research, and it makes a contribution of "new knowledge" to the discipline. Research is conducted in one emphasis area--environment and behavioral studies. Specific course work is chosen on the basis of subject matter and the type of research method selected--quantitative, qualitative or a combination of both. The Univeresity of Missouri requires a minimum of 72 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree for the Ph.D. The doctoral program committee provides departmental approval of the student’s plan of study (Form D-2), a list of the courses and the credit to be earned in each of them, which will, when completed: • Prepare the student for research or scholarly investigation in the chosen field of study. • Satisfy the credit-hour and residency requirement of the department. • Satisfy any special requirements (collateral field, doctoral minor, other special research skills) imposed by the department or area program. • Satisfy the Graduate School’s requirement for a minimum of 15 hours of course work at the 8000/9000 level (exclusive of research, problems and independent study experiences). The committee also recommends to the vice provost/dean, as part of the plan of study, any request for transfer of graduate credit. The student must substantially complete the course work outlined in the plan of study to the satisfaction of the doctoral program committee and the Graduate School before being declared ready for the comprehensive examination. See MU Graduate Catalog for further requirements.