Ph.D. in Architecture

Stephen Caffey, Ph.D. 
Associate Department Head for M.S. and Ph.D. Programs
Instructional Assistant Professor

Ginger White
Graduate Academic Advisor

The Department of Architecture recognizes the unique opportunities of the Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture within the structure of the University and College. The Ph.D. program’s mission is to develop, disseminate and create knowledge about architecture. To realize this, the faculty in the department have made a commitment to building on their diverse experiences and backgrounds and to work together to establish a climate in which scholarship and creativity can flourish. The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Architecture has a long and distinguished history that has produced many outstanding graduates having important impacts on the academy and profession.

Program Overview

Working closely with faculty whose research expertise includes a broad array of disciplines, students who pursue the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Architecture at Texas A&M University create and disseminate new knowledge relevant to architecture and its related areas of focus. The Ph.D. in Architecture program combines required coursework with elective courses taught within the Department of Architecture, within the other departments in the College of Architecture, and within other departments and colleges across the university. The Ph.D. in Architecture prepares graduates for careers in academe, industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and research.

 Applicants to the Ph.D. program in Architecture should be persons who, as a result of their academic and professional experiences, seek advanced knowledge in preparation for careers in architectural research, university teaching, or specialized practice and consulting. Successful applicants should expect to enter the program with a specific academic focus.

Purpose of the Program

 The Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture provides an advanced research degree that

History and Focus of the Program

Established in the late 1960s and taking its current form in 1985, the doctoral program in architecture at Texas A&M University has expanded beyond its original focus on technical research. Current dissertation topics include (but are not limited to):

Prospective students whose research interests lie outside these areas should include in the application a detailed research proposal, names of faculty who might serve on the dissertation committee, and potential sources of outside funding to support the project.

Coursework

The Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture degree plan requires a minimum of 64 credit hours beyond the Master's degree or 96 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Course requirements provide entering students a solid foundation in historical knowledge and theoretical discourse, with sufficient flexibility in the elective coursework to support the initiation and pursuit of individual research agendas.

Required Courses for All Students Pursuing the PhD in Architecture:

Additional required courses include one graduate-level history course and one graduate-level theory course with the course prefix ARCH. 

Additional Elective Courses Specific to Chosen Area of Research:

Matriculation

The expected time for completing the Ph.D. in Architecture is five years, though some students may require a longer period to complete the required and elective coursework, conduct research, analyze data, and write the dissertation.

Full Program Requirements

 Application Deadline: December 15

Student Numbers

The program typically has 50 students in residence each year with an additional five-to-ten students who are not in residence. Although student course work is usually taken in residence at Texas A & M University, some course work may be taken at another university when approved. Students have come from all over the United States, as well as countries such as Algeria, Australia, China, Colombia, Egypt, Japan, Jordan, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Israel, Korea, Mexico, Chile, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Nepal, Turkey, South Africa and Uruguay. Approximately 60% of the Doctor of Philosophy program participants are international students. This is an average of a little over five degrees granted per year. Time of matriculation is typically 5 years. There is a broad spectrum of research topics reflecting the varied student-faculty interests in the field of architecture.

Representative Ph.D. in Architecture Dissertation Abstracts

Admissions

International Students

International students with degrees from institutions outside the United States should submit all applications to the Office of Admissions and Records by December 15 for fall admission in the following year.

International students must also submit one of the following: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal score of 146 minimum, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of 80 minimum, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 6.0 minimum, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic of 53 minimum.

University Policy on English Proficiency for Graduate Students

language requirements

Additional Requirements

With the application, all students must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The recommended minimum combined score of 300 must include a minimum of 146 Verbal for international students. Use code 6003 for reporting GRE scores (department code not needed).

Financial Resources for Successful Applicants

Though a number of teaching and research assistantships as well as competitive, merit-based scholarships and fellowships may be available for Ph.D. students, no guaranteed funding is provided. All students entering the Ph.D. program should plan to be fully self-supporting through personal funds and/or student loans. Non-U.S. students must provide verification of financial status.

Spring and Summer Admission

Successful applicants will only be admitted in the fall semester. The Ph.D. in Architecture does not accept admission for spring or summer.

Application

Application for Graduate Admission

Contacts

Inquiries regarding the Ph.D. in Architecture English language certification, application requirements and admission details related to the Ph.D. in Architecture program should be directed to:

     Ginger White
     Program Coordinator I
     Graduate Academic Advisor
     Department of Architecture 
     College of Architecture
     Texas A & M University 
     College Station, Texas 77843-3137
     Phone: +1 (979) 458-3042
     Email: march@arch.tamu.edu

Inquiries regarding coursework, graduate faculty, and research focus for the Ph.D. in Architecture should be directed to:

     Stephen Caffey, Ph.D.
     Associate Department Head for M.S. and Ph.D. Programs
     Instructional Assistant Professor
     College of Architecture
     Texas A & M University
     College Station, TX 77843-3137
     Phone: +1 (979) 845-1015
     Email: stephencaffey@tamu.edu