Doctor of Architecture

The School of Architecture at the University of Hawaii at Mnoa is proud to offer the only Doctor of Architecture degree that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
The DArch program focuses on guiding students through critical interrogations of architectural approaches, concepts, application, and practicum. This includes asking students to: frame architectural inquiries within social, cultural, and interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on Asia and the Pacific,
investigate local/global relations evidenced in theory and practice with an emphasis on the quality of the built and natural environment,
critically test and expand the definitions of and relationships between the academy and the profession,
use research as a basis for the grounding of design and as a primary means of expanding knowledge in the discipline, and
participate with local and international partners in applied design research and community outreach projects.
The program integrates coursework with professional office practice (Practicum), culminating with a capstone project based on research and design (DArch Project). A specific Asia-Pacific requirement is built into the curriculum that is reflected in the studio, architectural history, and elective courses. This effectively prepares the future professionals that emerge from this program to address architectural issues specific to the Asia-Pacific region.
The NAAB-accredited DArch degree integrates professional education with advanced research (DArch projects) and onsite practical experience (Practicum). The DArch degree prepares students for active and critical engagement to advance the quality of the built environment, including design and professional practice, teaching, research, and civic leadership.

This graduate professional architecture program integrates clear comprehension of advanced queries and emphasizes high quality student research presented in the final year as a singled authored DArch project. Students demonstrate expertise in a recognized body of knowledge, through innovative design, research and advance inquiry addressing global challenges in the world today.
To accommodate candidates varying levels of preparedness through their undergraduate education, the DArch program includes two closely intertwined tracks.
Students entering the track who hold a four-year pre-professional baccalaureate degree (e.g., BS architecture studies, BA architecture studies, BA environmental design) enter the 3-year, 90-credit professional DArch track. (Fall semester start date is recommended).

All applicants to the professional Doctor of Architecture (DArch) program must hold a baccalaureate degree or higher in order to be considered for acceptance. Based on their degree, the students will enter one of two programs.
Track I: Pre-Professional degree in Architecture
(126/120 credits + 90 graduate credits)
Students entering the program who hold a (4) four-year pre-professional baccalaureate degree (e.g. BS architecture studies, BA architecture studies, BA environmental design) enter the (3) three-year, 90-credit professional DArch program (Fall semester start date is recommended).
To be eligible, an applicant must hold or expect to hold prior to matriculation a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent degree from a recognized non-U.S. institution of higher education. At minimum, the applicant needs to demonstrate above average academic performance (B average, usually a 3.0 on a 1.0-4.0 scale) for undergraduate course work and for any post-baccalaureate or graduate course work
A minimum TOEFL score of 500/61 (paper/internet) or IELTS overall band test result of 6.00 is required.