4+2 BFA/Master of Architecture Pathway

Typically, a BFA degree takes four years to complete, and an M.Arch. degree can take an additional three years. In RIT’s 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. pathway, you’ll complete a BFA in industrial design or interior design and then enter the second year of RIT’s NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture degree with advanced standing. This accelerated pathway enables you to earn both your BFA and M.Arch. degree in as little as six years in one consolidated experience, saving both time and money.

At RIT, we are shaping the next generation of architects to lead the future of sustainable architecture, which is a vital component in planning the communities of tomorrow. The M.Arch. program focuses on integrated building systems, urban planning, and industrial ecology, combining skills and creativity to design sustainable buildings and communities of tomorrow.

RIT’s M.Arch. program is NAAB-accredited and fulfills the education requirements needed to pursue a career in architecture. The M.Arch. program page includes in-depth information on curriculum requirements, cooperative education, a global experience, accreditation, and more.

During your time in your Industrial Design or Interior Design BFA program, you’ll work with your BFA academic advisor and M.Arch. faculty advisor to develop a plan of study for the BFA/M.Arch. Select undergraduate coursework that covers content in the graduate program will waive required M. Arch graduate courses later.

Students in this program may begin to take the required courses that are used for the M.Arch. course waivers as early as their first year of study. Students who successfully complete the required courses in the Industrial Design or Interior Design BFA program and earn a B or better in those classes are eligible for advanced standing in the M.Arch. program due to the course waivers, and enter the M.Arch. as a second year graduate student. The 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. pathway offers students the opportunity to complete both degrees in approximately six years, requiring less time and cost to complete your master’s.

BFA in Industrial Design Pathway

Begin your studies in RIT’s highly ranked BFA in industrial design, and develop the aesthetic sensitivity, technical competence, and the analytical thought needed to improve the user’s experience and meet the challenge of designing products for human needs.

Collaborate with award-winning faculty who are creatives, critical thinkers, and innovative problem-solvers, and learn to use technological and theoretical approaches to find solutions to design problems. Visit the Industrial Design BFA program page for more details on course content, curriculum, faculty and more.

The chart below lists graduate-level architecture courses that may be waived for industrial design students who complete the related undergraduate courses with a final course grade of B or above.

* ARCH-522 will also count for ARCH-622.

** The ARCH-562 course is optional. If a student does not take ARCH-562 as an undergraduate student, they may take ARCH-662 as a graduate student instead. Students should be aware that taking ARCH-662 as a graduate student requires taking one 18-credit semester in the M.Arch program.

^ Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024 may also count ENVS-101, ARCH-561, ARCH-661, or ARCH-761 as an optional waiver for ARCH-662.

BFA in Interior Design Pathway

Start your educational journey with a professional interior design BFA program within a design college, in a technical university. RIT’s BFA in Interior Design is accredited through the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and positions you to become an innovative, licensed Interior Design professional through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ)

You’ll engage with professionally certified and experienced faculty who will mentor you through project-based learning to enhance the human experience with consideration for the health, safety, and welfare of people. Visit the Interior Design BFA program page for more details on course content, curriculum, faculty and more.

The chart below lists graduate-level architecture courses that may be waived for interior design students who complete the related undergraduate courses with a final course grade of B or above.

** The ARCH-562 course is optional. If a student does not take ARCH-562 as an undergraduate student, they may take ARCH-662 as a graduate student instead. Students should be aware that taking ARCH-662 as a graduate student requires taking one 18-credit semester in the M.Arch program.

^ Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024 may also count ENVS-101, ARCH-561, ARCH-661, or ARCH-761 as an optional waiver for ARCH-662.

Option A - Conditional Early Acceptance

All incoming first-year applicants to the BFA in industrial design or the BFA in interior design at RIT are considered for conditional early acceptance to the M.Arch. based on a number of criteria including high school GPA, rigor and level of curriculum, academic performance, portfolio, and test scores if provided. Typically, our Accelerated Scholars are highly achieving students involved in community, performing arts, athletics, and other school activities who place within the top quartile of their applicant cohort for their respective RIT major. No additional application or information is required.

If eligible, you will be offered admission to the BFA in industrial design or the BFA in interior design and you will be given conditional early admission into the M.Arch. program.

• Invitations to join RIT as an Accelerated Scholar are sent by email and postal mail a few weeks after admission to RIT.
• To accept the offer and declare your intent to enroll in the 4+2 BFA/M.Arch., students must log in to their admissions portal to confirm their intent to enroll in the Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree, and pay the enrollment deposit by the deadline date.

Option B - Enrolled Student Pathway

If you were not selected to join as a Conditional Early Accept Accelerated Scholar, or you have decided later that you’d like to enroll in the pathway, you may still apply to do so. After you’ve joined RIT, talk with your BFA academic advisor about your interest in the M.Arch. program and connect with an M.Arch. academic advisor to discuss your goals and review your portfolio. It is encouraged that you explore entry to the 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. as early as possible in your studies to be sure the required course waiver classes can fit into your schedule.

If approved to continue to the M.Arch., you will work in collaboration with your BFA academic advisor and an M.Arch. faculty advisor to develop a plan of study. No formal application process for the M. Arch program is required.

Starting in your Industrial Design/Interior Design BFA

Students will continue to work with their BFA advisor and an M.Arch. faculty advisor to develop a plan of study and select the required courses for your degree program as well as the undergraduate courses required to obtain advanced standing (second-year admission) in the M.Arch. program.

Students must meet the following criteria throughout the undergraduate program in order to gain full acceptance to the master of architecture program:

• Collaborate with your BFA advisor and M.Arch. academic advisor to develop a plan of study that includes courses required for up to 30 credits of graduate course waivers.
• Complete classes that are used for course waivers in the M.Arch. with a final course grade of B or above.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in your bachelor’s degree program.
• Other factors that may impact student eligibility for continuance include incidents of academic misconduct or excessive course withdrawals. Programs may also consider performance in key courses necessary for success in graduate coursework.
• Meet with an M.Arch. academic advisor in March of your second year of study (60+ credits) in the BFA program to review your transcripts and study plan, and to make sure you are on track for all course waivers.
• Submit a design portfolio and current transcript to the Department of Architecture following the completion of the third year of study (90+ credits) in the BFA program (due by August 1st prior to starting your 4th year in the BFA).
• Complete requirements for bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling in M.Arch. program.

Continuing to the Master of Architecture Program

Following the successful completion of your BFA degree in industrial design or interior design (including the required courses necessary to obtain advanced standing/second-year admission in the M.Arch. program), you will enter the second year of the Master of Architecture program, with up to 30 credits waived of required graduate courses.

• Continue to complete your required graduate-level architecture courses, your required cooperative education experience, and your global experience.
• Some RIT policies differ for undergraduate and graduate students. Here are two important policies for graduate students:
  • GPA requirements are different for graduate students (see Master’s Degree Graduation Requirements)
  • Repeating courses differs for graduate students (see Repeating Courses to Raise Low Grades)
• Graduate with your Master of Architecture degree.

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Every undergraduate student at RIT is assigned an academic advisor who is a great resource for questions about your undergraduate plan of study, student support resources, RIT policies, co-curricular opportunities, undergraduate research, study abroad, and more: Directory of College of Art and Design Academic Advisors

M.Arch. Advising

Seth H. Holmes, R.A., LEED AP BD+C
Associate Professor
Department of Architecture
Golisano Institute for Sustainability, RIT
e: shharch@rit.edu
p: 585-475-7535

Combined Accelerated Program Team (accelerated@rit.edu)

Karen Palmer
Associate Director Combined Accelerated Programs
585-475-5656
kbpges@rit.edu

Lauren Cannon
Assistant Director, Combined Accelerated Programs
585-475-2576
ltcpgd@rit.edu

Clubs and Student Organizations: Getting involved in activities outside the classroom allows you to connect with other RIT students who share your interests and hone the skills necessary to succeed as a professional in the worlds of art, design, and architecture. We encourage you to explore RIT’s many clubs and organizations, but several that may be of particular interest to you as an art, design, or architecture student include:

• Industrial Designers Society of America
• ACM Siggraph
• Society of Environmental Graphic Designers
• American Society of Interior Designers
• American Institute of Architects
• American Institute of Architecture Students
• ICOGRADA (International Council of Design)
• American Institute of Graphic Arts
• International Interior Design Association
• Net Impact RIT