At the Tulane University School of Architecture and Built Environment, we understand that each student's path to pursuing a Master of Architecture professional degree (M.Arch) is unique. We therefore offer an Advanced Standing Portfolio Assessment option for applicants who have had previous education or experience in architecture. The Advanced Standing portfolio Assessment will constitute an opportunity to accelerate a student’s progress toward the M.Arch degree. Applicants with pre-professional degrees, prior learning experiences, and demonstrable architecture skills, can be evaluated and potentially reduce required courses in M.Arch degree path at Tulane.  

Upon application to the M.Arch program, students may request an advanced standing evaluation of their portfolio, academic records, and previous course syllabi for admission with Advanced Standing. Qualified previous learning experiences may satisfy corresponding degree requirements in the M.Arch program. Such evaluations are conducted by a qualified faculty admissions committee, who carefully assess each instance of previous experience and correlate their findings to our degree requirements. If the committee determines that a student has indeed met these requirements, they will be granted advanced standing toward specific courses. 

Advanced standing credit is recorded in each student’s degree audit from their very first day in the program. This means that students can effectively shorten their required course load, allowing them to focus more deeply on areas where they seek further development, and/or shortening the total time needed to achieve the degree. 

It is important to note that a minimum of 50% of the required degree credits must be taken in residence at Tulane to comply with the university’s residency requirement policy. This equates to completing 56 credits of the M.Arch’s 111 required credit hours in residence, ensuring that while students can benefit from their prior experiences, they still engage meaningfully with the curriculum of the M.Arch program. 

The possible courses for which advanced standing may be granted include, but are not limited to: 

• ARCH 6011 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6012 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.) 

• ARCH 6021 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6022 Architecture Studio (6 c.h.) 

• ARCH 6110 Intro to Architecture (3 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6111 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.) 

• ARCH 6112 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6113 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6114 Topics in Architecture History/Theory (1.5 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6211 Site Strategies (3 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6212 Materials and Methods (3 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6213 Building, Climate, Comfort (4 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6214 Structural Systems (4 c.h.)  

• ARCH 6311 Design Media I (3 c.h.) 

• ARCH 6512 Design Media III (3 c.h.)  

• ARCH electives in M.Arch program