2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Architecture

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIU) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Architecture totaling 42 credit hours. This full-time program can take 16 months to complete, and it has a cohort-based approach. This means that a group of students are in one unit from the start of classes until graduation.

SIU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via the learning management system (LMS) D2L Brightspace. The program’s online curriculum focuses on regional architecture. Sample courses include Global Traditions, Energy and Systems, and Comprehensive Studio. The program’s students attend two in-person weekend studio sessions each semester, and a thesis is required for graduation. Potential career options include building surveyors, interior designers, and town planners.

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution offering an online Master of Architecture that requires 48 credit hours. This master's program can last between 2-3 years, and it offers two tracks: (1) a two-year track for students with a bachelor’s in architecture and (2) a three-year track for students with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.

ASU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via Canvas, a popular LMS. The graduate program in architecture at ASU aims to develop students’ professional talents and increase their social awareness. The program’s courses explore architectural technology, iterative design processes, and the history of architecture. Graduates may pursue careers like architects, regional planners, and energy modelers.

At the University of Missouri, a public institution, prospective students can pursue an online Master of Arts/Master of Science in Architectural Studies. Requiring 30 credit hours, it can take full-time students one year to complete this program. In addition, this online graduate program offers a concentration in Design Research.

Missouri Online facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via the LMS Canvas. The architectural studies program is designed for students who are interested in working across the various disciplines of architecture, with courses such as Energy-Efficient Building Design, Philosophy of Environmental Design, and Information Visualization and Visual Analytics. Additionally, a completed thesis project is required for graduation. Potential career opportunities include project architects, architectural designers, and engineering technicians.

Chatham University is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Science in Interior Architecture that requires 30 credit hours. Future students can expect to spend at least one year finishing the program. Overall, the curriculum is designed for Chatham students who are also pursuing a Bachelor of Interior Architecture, as part of the university’s integrated degree program.

At Chatham, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. A master’s in architecture from Chatham can help students advance their careers in various architecture specialties. Some of the program’s courses include Issues in Interior Materials, 2D Visual Communications, and Building Codes. Supervised teaching and a thesis are also required to graduate. Graduates may pursue careers like mechanical designers, BIM modelers, and urban planners.

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Architecture - Interior Design, which totals 36 credit hours. Future students can expect to complete the program within a year. The program offers thesis and non-thesis options that students can choose from.

UNL's online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. The architecture graduate program helps students develop the necessary research and problem-solving skills for careers in architecture. Sample courses are The Changing Workplace, Branding, and History of Interiors and Designed Objects. Thesis students must spend 6-10 credit hours working on their projects and research. Prospective careers for alumni include residential architects, architectural drafters, and specification managers.