Degrees and Programs

Master of Architecture (5-year)

STEM-designated degree

This 5-year, highly-ranked, professional degree program in Architecture places students on the path to become a conscientious, well-rounded, licensed architect. The architectural design studio is the core of our program. With low student numbers and extensive contact hours, you will work closely with a variety of expert faculty dedicated to instilling creativity, thoughtfulness, and professionalism in every student. Starting with basic design principles, students move through the complexity of building and building system design. The degree culminates in a year-long, graduate-level project that combines research, design, and critical reflection – all important aspects of a vibrant career in architecture. Graduates of our accredited, practice-based approach are well on their way to professional licensure and are in high demand by firms across the country. Alumni have gone on to found and lead major firms nationwide, contributing significantly to the built environment that we all inhabit.

Master of Architecture (2 to 3-year)

STEM-designated degree

The Post-Baccalaureate Master of Architecture degree track is an accelerated, three-year pathway to architect status, designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in any field. The Post-Baccalaureate program requires a minimum of three years of study, including a required summer studio.* A unique program option is the Kansas City Design Center, which offers a year-long interdisciplinary design studio that tackles real-world issues in a growing, thriving metropolitan area.

*Advanced Standing Option for Pre-Professional Degree Holders: If you have or will graduate from a 4-year pre-professional architecture degree program offered by a NAAB-Accredited school, you may be eligible for advanced standing. Advanced standing students are usually able to waive the first and second semesters of the Post-Baccalaureate Program.

Architecture Master of Science Graduate Program

STEM-designated degree

The Master of Science in Architecture degree program at Kansas State University is a post-professional program of study requiring a minimum of 30 semester credit hours for completion of the degree. The program usually requires two years in residence and is designed to enable students to pursue specialized study in specific architectural topics. This degree is for those already holding a first professional degree in architecture. Specializations are available in Design Theory and Ecological and Sustainable Design.

Master of Interior Architecture (5 year)

This top-ranked, 5-year professional degree program in Interior Architecture prepares students for careers designing the entire experience of interior environments. By designing across scales, our students are empowered to explore how design matters in making our world a better place and to understand how the making of architectural space delves into real issues facing our world. Sustainability, aging in place, wellness, connection, affordance, ergonomics, aesthetic delight — these are meaningful and powerful words that form the heart of our degree. The department’s five-year program of study is one of the first curricula in this profession to be recognized and accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in the United States.

The post-baccalaureate professional graduate degree track in Interior Architecture is a three-year-plus summer program and results in the Master of Interior Architecture (MIARC). This track is designed for students entering with a previously completed bachelor's degree in a program other than interior design, architecture or industrial design and for students who have previously completed a four-year degree in interior architecture, architecture, interior design or industrial design*.

*Applicants with previous degrees in design will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for advanced standing. Years needed to complete the MIAPD may be reduced from the 3-year track plan for these students.

Master of Industrial Design (5-year)

This 5-year professional degree program in Industrial Design gives students the knowledge and skills to create products that have a lasting effect on people. We believe that designers should be makers, that it is not enough to just have an idea; through prototyping and proof of concept, the vision can become reality. With our commitment to making, connection with industry partners, and creative start-up studio, students become opportunity-seeking designers ready to add to the broader profession of Industrial Design. Our award-winning faculty members prepare students to transform society and are knowledgeable in many areas of design including industrial design, sustainable design, interior design, exhibition design, design theory, user experience, and graphic design. The department’s five-year program is approved by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in the United States.

Master of Industrial Design (2 to 3-year)

The post-baccalaureate professional graduate degree track in Industrial Design is a three-year-plus summer program and results in the Master of Industrial Design (MINDD). This track is designed for students entering with a previously completed bachelor's degree in a program other than interior design, architecture or industrial design and for students who have previously completed a four-year degree in interior architecture, architecture, interior design or industrial design*.

*Applicants with previous degrees in design will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for advanced standing. Years needed to complete the MINDD may be reduced from the 3-year track plan for these students.

Minor in Industrial Design

The 15-credit-hour minor enables students majoring in fields other than Industrial Design to gain the fundamental competencies of Industrial Design to complement their disciplines.

Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

This 4-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design provides students the opportunity to explore the rich intersections between human ecological theory, design theory and interior design practice. Students are admitted through a selective admissions process and are taught to become professionals who design interior spaces that are sustainable, founded on evidence-based strategies, and enhance user satisfaction, health, well-being, productivity and safety for all and at all stages in life. Accredited by CIDA and approved by NASAD, our degree provides students with the educational requirements to be eligible for the NCIDQ Exam.

Master of Landscape Architecture (5-year)

STEM-designated degree

This highly-ranked, five-year program leads to an LAAB-accredited Master of Landscape Architecture degree. Landscape architects design places that connect people to the natural world, creating landscapes for people’s everyday lives and their most memorable moments. We prepare graduates to be landscape architects by integrating student learning with faculty research, creative pursuits, and community-based service learning. Landscape architects blend understanding of ecological and societal needs to design, plan and manage the interface between humans and nature. Our graduates shape environments through critical thinking, creative design processes and thorough understanding of design implementation. Focused on preparation for professional practice, this degree positions graduates to be leaders in landscape architecture.

Master of Landscape Architecture (2 to 3-year)

STEM-designated degree

The three-year plus a summer, post-baccalaureate degree track in Landscape Architecture is for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. This is a rapid path into the profession. A two-year option is available to student who already hold an accredited BLA degree.

Master of Regional & Community Planning (5-year)

STEM-designated degree

This highly-ranked, comprehensive five-year degree program leads to a PAB-accredited Master of Regional & Community Planning degree. Regional and community planners remake cities into dynamic places to live, work and play. Their work makes a difference in the lives of people, ensuring that communities and regions are prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities they face. We prepare graduates to be effective advocates of resilient cities and responsible for community growth and redevelopment. We engage in the exchange of ideas that develop strategic visioning to enhance quality of life in ways that are sustainable, equitable, and accessible to all our citizens. Students and faculty engage in exploration, analysis, synthesis, and resolution of planning, design and management issues. Our aim is to help communities effectively address challenges related to resource conservation, growing of diverse populations, and continually changing technologies and value systems.

Master of Regional & Community Planning (2-year)

STEM-designated degree

The two-year, post-baccalaureate degree track in Regional & Community Planning is for the student who already holds a bachelor's degree in another field. This is a rapid path into the planning profession.

Minor in Community Planning

The 15-credit-hour minor is for students who wish to expand their knowledge of the processes of community planning and development.

Master of Science in Community Development

(36 credit hours, online)

This online master's degree program is for the student who already holds a bachelor’s degree. Community development is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, equality, economic opportunity and social justice, through the organization, education and empowerment of people within their communities, whether these be of locality, identity or interest, in urban and rural settings. The online community development master’s degree prepares graduates for a variety of careers within this profession.

Graduate Certificate in Community Development

(12 credit hours, online)

A 12-credit hour online graduate certificate is for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Community development is recognized by leading industry organizations as a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, equality, economic opportunity and social justice, through the organization, education and empowerment of people within their communities, whether these be of locality, identity or interest, in urban and rural settings.