FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for applicants to the M.S. in Architecture at KSU
For all applicants:
Is this a professional degree?
Do I have to choose one of the areas of emphasis?
Do I have to write a thesis?
How long does it take to complete my degree? How long do I have to be on campus?
How important is my portfolio?
When is the application deadline?
Why do I hear from both the Department of Architecture and the Graduate School?
Do I have to apply for a GTA position?
What are my chances of getting a GTA position?
If I don’t get a GTA my first year, can I get one my second year?
Are there GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) positions available?
Additional FAQs for International Applicants
What is needed on the Affidavit of Financial Support and why is this required?
What score do I need on the TOEFL exam?
What test scores do I need to be a GTA?
Is this a professional degree?
No, the M.S. is a post-professional degree intended for students who already have a professional degree in architecture or a related field and wish to specialize in one of our areas of emphasis. The department also offers a professional M. Arch degree in a 5-year program. In that program students enter directly from high school and after 5 years receive the M. Arch degree without getting an undergraduate degree. Very few transfer students are admitted into this program.
Do I have to choose one of the areas of emphasis?
Yes. The more specific you can be about your interests the better. We prefer to admit students with a clear idea of what they would like to learn. The program is intended to take no more than two years, and will take longer for students who do not have a clear direction or change their mind after a semester or two. The areas of emphasis offered are based on the expertise and interests of our faculty. The admissions committee looks for a good match between student and faculty interests. You must complete the Statement of Educational and Career Objectives form at http://capd.ksu.edu/media/pdfs/arch/career-education-objectives-ms-arch.pdf and indicate your choice of Design Theory, Ecological and Sustainable Design, or Environment Behavior and Place Studies.
Do I have to write a thesis?
No, there are two options, thesis and non-thesis. Currently most students write a thesis but beginning in fall 2007 we will be encouraging the non-thesis option as well. It depends on the wishes of your advisory committee and the nature of your interests. If you do not write a thesis you will take additional courses, as both options require 30 credit hours.
How long does it take to complete my degree? How long do I have to be on campus?
Most students finish in 2 years. Some are able to finish in as little as one year, by taking heavy loads (if not a GTA) or if they transfer graduate credit (up to 10 semester credit hours) from another school.
Some take longer, usually because they need more time to complete a thesis. You do not have to be on campus if you are completing a thesis, although you do have to come for the final defense of the thesis. Many students in this situation end up never receiving the degree, because if they are working full time, they never get around to finishing. It is best to stay on campus until finished.
How important is my portfolio?
Although most students do not do design work in the M.S. program, the admissions committee looks at your portfolio to get an idea of how well you did in your professional undergraduate program, or in your work experience.
When is the application deadline?
Applications are due by February 1 for admission the following fall semester (mid-August). Only a limited number of students are admitted beginning in the spring semester. The deadline for applications for spring is August of the previous year. The spring semester begins in January. Because required courses taken by entering M.S. students are only taught in the fall semester, students beginning in the spring usually take longer to finish their degree. They are usually not eligible for GTA positions.
Why do I hear from both the Department of Architecture and the Graduate School?
The department collects your application materials and when they are complete, and after the application deadline, the graduate committee of the department reviews all applications. This committee is made up of the Graduate Program Director and several faculty members. The committee looks closely at your statement of intent, transcripts, portfolio, letters of recommendation (and TOEFL score, in the case of international applicants). If the committee decides to recommend admission, it forwards your application to the staff at the Graduate School. They look closely at your transcript (and Affidavit of Financial Support in the case of international applicants) before deciding if you can be admitted. You will hear from the department at the time that the committee decides to forward, or not forward, your application. If your application is forwarded, you will hear from the Graduate School once they have approved your application. Usually applicants approved by the department are approved by the Graduate School, unless there is a problem with your transcript or financial information.
Do I have to apply for a GTA position?
Yes, there is a separate form to fill out to apply for a GTA. The form is available at http://capd.ksu.edu/media/pdfs/gta-application-form.pdf
What are my chances of getting a GTA position?
The number of GTA positions varies a little each year, but is generally in the range of 3 to 5 given to incoming students. GTA offers are made first to those considered to be the strongest overall applicants. If you are on the wait list for a GTA, you may receive an offer at a later time. This may occur if new positions become available within the college or if someone turns down our offer in order to go to another school. Sometimes positions become open just before the fall semester begins because of difficulties that prevent the student from coming to campus. So if you are on the wait list there is a pretty good chance of getting a GTA, but it is not guaranteed.
If I don’t get a GTA my first year, can I get one my second year?
No. Our policy is to give GTA positions for two years (assuming satisfactory performance academically and in the GTA work), and to use approximately half the total available positions for newly entering students each year. So if you do not receive a GTA your first year, it is highly unlikely that you will receive one the next year.
Are there GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) positions available?
At the moment there are no GRA positions in the department.
Additional FAQs for International Applicants
What is needed on the Affidavit of Financial Support and why is this required?
This is required because of United States government regulations. The University must certify that you have enough money in order for you to get a visa to come to this country. It is very important that you fill out Section 3 of the form and have it signed by a bank official. The form is available at http://www.k-state.edu/grad/application/forms/old/gsa7-1-new.pdf Separate statements from a bank are often not sufficient. If your bank will not sign the form, contact us for an alternate form that may be acceptable. Your application cannot be processed by the Graduate School of Kansas State University until this form, properly filled out, has been received.
What score do I need on the TOEFL exam?
The university requires a minimum score of 600 (paper exam), 250 (computer exam) or 100 (internet exam) for regular admission. Students scoring below this but above 550 (paper exam), 213 (computer exam) or 79 (internet) may be admitted but must take an English exam upon arrival to determine if they need further English study before taking graduate courses in their field of study.
The Department of Architecture will provisionally admit some students with scores slightly below the score required for regular admission. If you have to take English classes your first semester, it may take longer for you to finish your degree.
What test scores do I need to be a GTA?
GTA’s are required by law to pass a test of spoken English. You can either send your scores for the Test of Spoken English (50 or over required) or take the SPEAK test when you arrive on campus.
GTA positions are usually only offered to applicants who we feel have an adequate understanding of English so passing the TSE or SPEAK test should not be a problem. You must have a TOEFL score of above 600 to be considered for a GTA by the department.