University of Miami School of Architecture 

Graduate Application and Portfolio Requirement

Application Information

The policies and procedures for application and admission are as follows:

All application materials (application, transcripts, portfolio and letters of recommendation) must be postmarked no later than November 1st (Early Action/Decision) or January 1st (Regular Decision); for more information contact the School of Architecture’s Office of Academic Services & Placement at 305-284-3731. No applications or application materials will be accepted after this time. Enrollment in the School of Architecture is selective and limited by space and other resources; early application is encouraged.

When taking the GMAT, include the university code (5815), for scores to arrive automatically to the School of Architecture.

Graduate Admission

Applications are considered for entrance in the fall semester only. Applications completed by February 15 will be given the highest priority for acceptance and scholarships; late applications will be accepted until April 1. Admission to the graduate program is subject to the rules, regulations and procedures of the Graduate School as stipulated in the University Graduate Bulletin. It is the responsibility of each student to understand these requirements and to ensure that they are met.

The minimum requirements for application to the Master of Architecture Degree program are:

  1. 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
  2. 1000 cumulative Graduate Record Examination score (GRE) on verbal and quantitative sections for all texts taken before September 2011 / New test scores equivalency will be announced in November 2011 after statistical analysis.
  3. 550 TOEFL score for international applicants.

Applications will be reviewed by the admissions committees only after all of the following documents have been received:

  1. Completed application form with the $65.00 application fee. We regret that it is not possible to waive this fee.
  2. A letter or statement expressing your interest in the program and your reasons for applying.
  3. Official transcripts of all college and university courses taken, indicating the date your professional or other undergraduate degree was awarded. All transcripts must be sent directly from the institution’s registrar.
  4. Official Graduate Record Examination scores sent directly from ETS and TOEFL scores where applicable.
  5. Three academic (and professional if applicable) letters of recommendation. If you have waived your right for access to your letters, they may be sent directly from the recommender, or they may be included with your application in a signed and sealed envelope.
  6. Digital portfolio and printed portfolio.

Portfolio Requirements for Graduate Programs

The portfolio offers candidates to the MArch.I / 3-year track an opportunity to present their visual interests and artistic skills. The work may include but is not limited to: reproductions of drawings, paintings, ceramics, sculpture, woodwork; photographs; video work; models. Although drafting (CAD or hand-drawing) courses are not required for admission in the 3-year program, students who want to include such drawings are encouraged to do so.

Students applying for advanced standing (MArch.II / 2-year track) must present a selection of their best architectural works during their pre-professional studies. In order to facilitate the waiving of courses and studios, examples must emphasize comprehensive skills including sketches, plans, sections and elevations, and graphics that exhibit conceptual and diagramming abilities, understanding of structures and of urban context, as well as any other skills (computer modeling, models, photography and film abilities, etc.). Examples of professional work are encouraged but must clearly identify and describe work done independently and that done as part of a team.

Each student is required to provide a digital portfolio in pdf format (maximum size 6MB) as well as a printed copy. Preferred size is 8.5 × 11 inches (11” x 14” maximum-size). Digital portfolio can be sent by mail in CD or DVD format, or by email directly to . Expensive and creative binders are not necessary; ease of review with simple, easy-to-turn pages should be a priority with a preference for Internet-type prints.

Each portfolio must include and in the following order:

  1. Cover with full name and citizenship
  2. First page with name, address and telephone number; and a one-page resume maximum
  3. Personal works as described above with clear indication of the academic year in the program; objectives and site of the project; short description of the project concept.

A self-addressed, postage pre-paid envelope must be included for portfolio return. Portfolios are not retained after the application process.

University of Miami
School of Architecture
Office of Academic Services
Re: Graduate Portfolio
1223 Dickinson Drive, Bldg 48E
Coral Gables, FL 33146-5010

Information for Application to the Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism Program

Applications are for the fall semester only. Applications completed by February 1st will be given the highest priority. Admission to the graduate program is subject to the rules, regulations and procedures of the Graduate School as stipulated in the University Graduate Bulletin. It is the responsibility of each student to understand these requirements and to ensure that they are met.

The minimum requirements for application to the program are:

  1. A bachelor of arts or equivalent degree with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
  2. 1000 cumulative Graduate Record Examination (GRE) on verbal and quantitative sections or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). 550 TOEFL score for international applicants and/or those whose native language is not English.

Applicants will be reviewed by the admission committee after all of the following documents have been received:

  1. Completed application form with the $65.00 application fee.
  2. Completed “Definition of Academic Interest including career goals with respect to real estate development and urbanism”.
  3. Official transcripts of all college and university courses taken, indicating the date your undergraduate or professional degree was awarded. All transcripts must be sent directly from the institution’s registrar.
  4. Official Graduate Examination Record scores sent directly from ETS and TOEFL scores where applicable. (University code is 5815)
  5. Two academic or professional letters of recommendation. If you have waived your right for access to your letters, they can be sent directly from the recommende, or enclosed with your application in a signed sealed envelope.
  6. Current Resume

Scholarships and Assistantships

All students admitted full-time to the Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism program may be eligible for partial tuition scholarships and/or graduate assistantships, based on academic record. Scholarships vary in amount and are intended to assist the recipient’s pursuit of the studies required by the program. Scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis. Graduate Assistantships require service in the form of teaching, research assistance or other appropriate activities as assigned by the director of the program.

University of Miami School of Architecture, 1223 Dickinson Drive, Coral Gables FL 33146, (305) 284 3731 © 2006 The University of Miami. All Rights Reserved.