How to Apply

Undergraduate Admissions

To join the Bachelor of Arts or Science in Architecture major, your first step is to apply to Portland State University through the usual process, select Architecture as your major, and begin taking the required Architecture classes.

For more information, please visit the university's Undergraduate Program Admissions page.

When you finish the second year of the program, following the completion of Architecture 281 (Design Fundamentals Studio 2), if you want to progress to the Professional Track (300-level Architecture classes and above) you'll be required to submit a portfolio, which is reviewed alongside your academic grades in Architecture courses. If you are admitted to the Professional Track, you will then begin the required upper-division (300- and 400-level Architecture classes) and continue to fulfill the major requirements.

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Interested in learning more about our two and three-year Master of Architecture programs? Please attend one of our virtual Information sessions.

Application Process:
Two-Year Master of Architecture and Three-Year Master of Architecture

The application process, as outlined in the online application, requires the submission of the following items:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Scanned official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (See Graduate Admission Transcript Requirements for more information about acceptable transcript formats. If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts in hard-copy form.)
• Proof of English-language proficiency (See English Language Proficiency Requirement  for more information.)
• Statement of intent
• Résumé listing work experience, educational background, and travel experiences
• Three letters of recommendation
• A representative sample of your academic writing on any subject
• Portfolio of creative work (see below; digital PDF is required)
• The GRE is not required to apply.

PORTFOLIO SPECIFICATIONS

The Admissions Committee is especially interested in each applicant's creative capacities, use of imagination in architectural design and other creative pursuits, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to communicate ideas through an exploration of diverse media and representational formats. These qualities are best presented in a well-composed portfolio. Please adhere to the following format in putting together the portfolio.

• The portfolio must be no larger than 9" x 12" and can be in either portrait or landscape format.
• Use no more than 20 pages (or spreads) organized in one PDF. The PDF must be less than 10MB file size.
• Include your name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address on the first page.
• Use supporting text and annotation informatively and with strong editorial control.
• Illustrate your work that enables a reviewer to perceive the creative journey you experienced in pursuing design propositions, including a sense of your process and the final resolution.
• Be prepared to upload a digital portfolio file (PDF) as instructed in the online application.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Two-year Master of Architecture (Fall 2025):  January 17, 2025
Three-year Master of Architecture (Summer 2025):  January 17, 2025

Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact the School of Architecture if you wish to apply after the deadline.

Notices of acceptance or regret will be sent out in early spring 2025.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC INTEREST DESIGN

For applicants who are not currently enrolled in a PSU graduate degree program, the application process, as outlined in the online application, requires submission of the following items:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Scanned official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (See Graduate Admission Transcript Requirements for more information about acceptable transcript formats. If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts in hard-copy form.)
• Proof of English-language proficiency (See English Language Proficiency Requirement for more information about English-language proficiency requirements.)
• Statement of interest in public interest design and intent to study at the graduate level (approximately 500 words; not part of portfolio)
• Résumé listing work experience, educational background and travel experiences
• Three references, including name, title, firm or institution, email, and phone number
• Portfolio of creative work (see below; digital PDF is required)

PORTFOLIO SPECIFICATIONS

The Admissions Committee is especially interested in each applicant's creative capacities, use of imagination in architectural design and other creative pursuits, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to communicate ideas through an exploration of diverse media and representational formats. These qualities are best presented in a well-composed portfolio. Please adhere to the following format in putting together the portfolio.

• The portfolio can be either portrait or landscape format.
• Include your name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address on the first page.
• Use supporting text and annotation informatively and with strong editorial control.
• Illustrate your work in a manner that enables a reviewer to perceive the creative journey you experienced in pursuit of design propositions, including a sense of process as well as final resolution.
• Portfolio may contain academic research, creative work (of any kind), volunteer work, travel experience, and other evidence of your work.
• Be prepared to upload a digital portfolio file (PDF) as instructed in the online application.

Please note that current PSU graduate students should apply by completing the Application for Current PSU Graduate Students form and submitting the required materials as instructed on the form. Please contact the School of Architecture office to obtain a copy of this form.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Spring 2024 admission term: January 16, 2024
Fall 2024 admission term: July 15, 2024

Application Process: 
Graduate Certificate In Urban Design

Admission is limited to the following: (1) PSU graduate students currently enrolled in either the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) or the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program; (2) PSU graduate students in other programs who have completed an undergraduate or graduate design degree; (3) non-PSU students who have completed an undergraduate or graduate design degree; or (4) those who have completed a graduate planning degree from an accredited planning degree program.

Admission requires a minimum of an accredited baccalaureate degree and a GPA which meets university graduate admission standards. Typically, students admitted to graduate study at Portland State have an undergraduate or graduate (minimum of 12 credit hours) GPA of at least 3.0. 

To Gain Admission To The Program:

First, schedule a meeting with Anna Goodman (for students in the M.Arch program—contact architecture@pdx.edu to make an appointment) or Ellen Shoshkes (for students in the MURP program—email shoshkes@pdx.edu). You may meet with either faculty adviser if you are not an M.Arch or MURP student.

Second, once you have discussed the program requirements and expectations, submit either a GO-19 form or an electronic application (see below).

If you are currently admitted to the MURP or M.Arch at PSU, or if you are a PSU graduate student in another program, are in good academic standing, and are currently registered for classes, you can use the GO-19 form (Request for Change of Program) to request addition of the Graduate Certificate to your graduate programs. The GO-19 form is to be completed and signed during or following your meeting with the Graduate Certificate in Urban Design adviser.

If you meet all of the above requirements and are not currently a PSU student (category 3 or 4 above), you can apply to the program via the university’s electronic application system. Your application will be reviewed, and you will be notified via email of the decision regarding admission within approximately 4 weeks.

For more information, please contact:
Anna Goodman, Ph.D., School of Architecture (good7@pdx.edu) or
Ellen Shoshkes, Ph.D., Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (shoshkes@pdx.edu)

Application Deadlines

Two-year Master of Architecture (Fall 2025): January 17, 2025
Three-year Master of Architecture (Summer 2025): January 17, 2025

Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact the School of Architecture if you wish to apply after the deadline.

Notices of acceptance or regret will be sent out in early spring 2025.