FAQs

The School is very proud of its placement rate in the discipline.

The School of Architecture hosts a Career Fair on campus each spring which draws participating firms from all over the U.S. and other parts of the world seeking to hire students both for summer positions and full-time work. It is common for 50 to 80 firms to be in attendance. A series of preparatory workshops are held each year for students on topics such as portfolios, interview skills, and business etiquette. View the last three years of architecture graduate student outcomes in the reports below.

Architecture Graduate Student Outcomes AY 2025- 2026

Architecture Graduate Student Outcomes AY 2024-2025

Architecture Graduate Student Outcomes AY 2023- 2024 

Check out our interactive map showing where some of our recent graduates found their first jobs after graduation.

View the Grad Map

Graduates of these programs have consistently performed well in the job market. Over the past two decades, 92–97% have secured employment in the field at or shortly after graduation. While we cannot speak to broader industry-wide trends, our graduates are well-prepared and highly regarded by employers.

According to data from The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP), Notre Dame’s graduate architecture programs are ranked #1 in the country for return on investment after 10 years, and graduates from the program are #2 nationally for earnings after the first year post-graduation.

It’s worth noting that salaries in architecture typically increase significantly once individuals gain the experience required for licensure. While first-year earnings may vary, our graduates have consistently exceeded national income averages in the profession.

Each applicant’s credentials are reviewed in detail by the admissions committee. If an applicant is determined to be ineligible for the program they selected, their application will be transferred to the appropriate category and the applicant will be notified.

Acceptance rates vary but typically hover around 20% annually. The School welcomes students from a diverse range of backgrounds and international locations.

 Yes, you may apply to both programs. However, you cannot pursue both simultaneously. You would need to select one and may reapply to the other at a later date if desired.

Each year’s applicant pool is different; there is no guarantee of improved chances simply by reapplying. Admissions decisions should align with your long-term academic and professional goals rather than perceived ease of entry.

Accepted applicants may not defer to a later academic year except in the case of visa issues. If an incoming student is delayed due to visa issues too long to begin the program on time, they may defer one year.

No, there is no admissions advantage to submitting early. The admissions committee does not begin reviewing applications until January. Early submission is only helpful to ensure your materials are received and complete.

Yes, recommendation letters are required. Ideally, they should speak to both your academic background and professional experience.

Statements of intent should typically be between 1200-1800 words. This range is sufficient to thoroughly explain your interests and goals while remaining concise. No specific format is required.

Portfolios should be submitted via the application portal on the Notre Dame Graduate School application.

Portfolios from applicants with professional experience should include a combination of academic and professional work.

You are also encouraged to include personal projects and exploratory work. A mix of rough and finished drawings is welcome; both types are valuable. Work may cover architectural subjects or other areas of interest. Hand drawings are strongly encouraged.

Financial aid for graduate students operates differently from undergraduate aid. Parent income is not a consideration for graduate students. Graduate aid is typically merit-based rather than need-based.

• MADU (Path A) and MSHP students typically receive full scholarships.

• M.Arch (Path B & C) students (those without a prior degree in architecture) are not eligible for a full scholarship but may receive merit-based partial scholarships depending on factors such as academic record and the availability of funds in a given year.

• Scholarships are awarded at the time of admission offers.

  MADU (Path A)	Typically recieve full scholarships	Assistance with health insurance and $12,500 annual stipend* to help offset living expenses, teacher assistant job required
  M.Arch (Path B & C)	May receive merit-based partial scholarships depending on factors such as academic record and the availability of funds in a given year
  MSHP	Up to full tuition scholarship	Assistance with health insurance and $12,500 annual stipend* to help offset living expenses, research assistant job required

  *Please note: This stipend helps but does not fully cover the cost of living.

No, graduate financial aid is managed separately from undergraduate aid and follows very different guidelines. Graduate scholarships are offered by the department. Students do not complete a FAFSA for departmental scholarships.

External scholarships are not maintained in a single database, but students often explore opportunities through: 

• Scholarships.com
• State AIA chapters
• Private firms (e.g., Gensler)
• Manufacturers (e.g., Pella)
• Scholarships related to personal circumstances (e.g., health conditions)
• Check out our spreadsheet of external scholarship opportunities

While formal M.Arch TA or MSHP RA positions are not guaranteed as part of the admissions process, there are occasionally opportunities for students to assist with teaching, research, or administrative projects once enrolled. These opportunities are typically offered on a case-by-case basis, depending on faculty needs and student qualifications.

No. There is only varying eligibility for each program or path based on an applicant’s previous degree and coursework.

Yes, the summer session is required for all incoming students, regardless of background or prior experience. It is a three-week intensive course, typically beginning around August 1st, and is 8 hours per day.

Students work on design projects suited to their backgrounds and produce plans, sections, elevations, 3D drawings, and watercolors. The session helps students acclimate to the campus, studio culture, and South Bend.

No, neither the MSHP nor the MADU are accredited professional degrees. While they are offered through an accredited institution, these programs do not fulfill the educational requirements for licensure as an architect in the United States.

If your ultimate goal is licensure in the U.S., you would need to either:

• Pursue an NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) professional degree.

• Or have your existing education reviewed by NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards).
  More information on the NCARB foreign architect certification process is available here:
  👉 NCARB Foreign Architects Application Process

The Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies serves as the academic advisor for all graduate students in the program. Individual meetings are held at least once each semester to address academic progress, career interests, personal concerns, etc. Support for a variety of individual concerns is available through the Center for Student Support and Care (care consultants and accommodations), University Health Services, Grad Life, etc.

If your long-term goal is to practice as a licensed architect or urban designer with a strong foundation in architectural design, an undergraduate degree in Architecture may offer a more direct path. However, if your primary interest lies in planning, policy, and transportation, a degree in Urban Planning is a great choice.

Transferring or reapplying to Architecture school is an option if you seek licensure and a design-focused career. However, you should weigh the potential impact on tuition costs and residency requirements for future graduate studies.

Yes, students may take elective courses of interest in other departments on campus as their schedule allows. In order for an elective course to count toward the minimum credits for the completion of the degree, it must have a course number of 40000 or above.

Tuition costs can be found on the Notre Dame Graduate Programs Tuition page. However, this does not include daily living expenses such as housing, meals, transportation, or materials.

Anticipated debt varies significantly depending on the scholarship package offered and your personal budgeting choices.