Master in Architecture (Master's)

Judson’s campus sits on the banks of the Fox River in Elgin, a suburban town a short drive from Chicago. Students can explore a riverside setting while staying close to the museums, galleries, design studios, and other opportunities of the Chicago area. Campus life includes residence halls, 22 intercollegiate sports teams competing in the NAIA, chapel, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and university-sponsored events. Individual visits and a virtual tour provide ways to explore the campus, facilities, and dorms.

Academic life follows a liberal arts tradition within Judson’s evangelical Christian mission and Baptist heritage. More than 60 programs span architecture and interior design, art, biblical and Christian ministries, business, communication, computer science, criminal justice, education, exercise and sport science, mathematics and science, music, psychology, and social services. Architecture includes a one-year preceptorship, while programs in art, photography, chemistry, biology, accounting, and computer science combine professional preparation with small classes and faculty attention. Study options include undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, certificate, main-campus, Rockford-campus, and online formats.

International students join a community that includes learners from 28 countries and is predominantly, though not exclusively, Christian. Judson’s mission places faith, personal relationships, work, citizenship, and lifelong learning at the center of the educational experience. A 10:1 student-faculty ratio and 76% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students support close academic contact. Financial aid is available through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study positions, and more than 99% of students receive assistance.

The programme is grounded in architectural theory and practice, with a focus on applied design and professional development. Students complete a year-long preceptorship that counts toward licensure requirements. The curriculum integrates a Biblical foundation with diverse architectural approaches, allowing students to develop their personal design philosophy. Instruction takes place in a LEED Gold Certified academic building designed by an international architect.

Focus areas include Sustainable design, Biblical foundations in architecture, Professional internship (Preceptorship), Design theory and practice, Urban and community design, Environmental stewardship.

The programme requires 52 total credit hours, including a year-long preceptorship and 42 credit hours of graduate coursework delivered in a Summer-Fall-Spring format over one calendar year.

Graduates enter professional architectural practice, often working in firms focused on sustainable and community-oriented design.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, preferably in Architectural Studies from Judson University. A minimum GPA and submission of official transcripts, a portfolio, and a personal statement are required.

The programme totals about 52 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, one calendar year (Summer-Fall-Spring). For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 63% of applicants.