Financials

1. How much does it cost to be a resident student at MU?

• Because costs change, the most accurate information for resident graduate students can be found at the Registrar's website at http://registrar.missouri.edu/Registration_and_Student_Services/index.htm and select “Fees”.
• Distance learners see the specific Architectural Studies course pages in the course catalog on the MU Direct web site 's at http://mudirect.missouri.edu/

2. Is a Graduate Teaching Assistantship possible as a resident graduate student?

• The department matches available teaching appointments to graduate students based on qualifications of graduate student and department need.
• International Graduate students applying for a GTA should review the University requirements on the Program for Excellence in Teaching homepage http://pet.missouri.edu/about/about.htm .
• Graduate Teaching Assistantship appointments are made for each semester.

3. Are tuition waivers possible as a resident graduate student?

• Tuition waivers are given to students on a 25% graduate teaching assistantship, or graduate research assistantship.

Application Process

4. How do I begin my application process?

• This is described on the MU Graduate School homepage http://gradschool.missouri.edu/apply/index.html

5. What should I say in the statement of goals and objectives?

• The statement of educational goals and objectives should reflect why you want a graduate degree from our program and how this relates to your ongoing line of inquiry for professional development.

6. Can I submit my application online?

• Yes, this is the preferred way. Please apply online with the Graduate School at http://gradschool.missouri.edu/apply/index.html .

7. What is the deadline date for applying to your Masters and Ph.D. programs?

• Fall term – April 1, before the beginning of the fall semester.
• Winter term – October 1, before the beginning of the winter semester.

8. Can I submit my application early, before the deadline date?

• Yes, we encourage this. It is necessary to apply early as it may take several weeks to receive recommendation letters and transcripts. Please inform those persons responsible to submit your recommendation letters of the due date.

9. What happens if I am missing a part of my application, will the committee still review it?

• This will delay review. If all required information is not received by deadline, review may be delayed until next term.

10. Is there an application fee for your program? If so, how much is it?

• The University Graduate School guidelines on application fees are described at http://www.missouri.edu/~gradschl/catalog/fees.html

Common Questions

11. How do I select an advisor?

• We encourage you to match your interests with that of faculty as described in the faculty profiles on our Architectural Studies website at http://www.missouri.edu/~arch/people/people.htm .

12. Can I get a Masters or Ph.D. in your program even if I didn't have a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture?

• Yes…although a graduate degree in our program is not the professional degree that qualifies one for licensing.

13. What is offered online?

• We do have an online graduate program ongoing.
• Because a limited number of distance students can be accepted, new admission to the online degree is frozen at this time.

14. How many hours in a Masters degree, over and above those needed for the degree, may be transferred to a Ph.D. program with approval?

• Six credits are allowed. Please see “Transfer of Credit” in the MU Graduate Handbook http://gradschool.missouri.edu/catalog/doctoral.html .

15. Can I take a tour of campus?

• Yes! To make your visit most meaningful, we recommend a tour of the campus and appointments with faculty with whom you wish to work during your program of study.
• The MU Admissions office runs tours of campus daily: 11:15; 12:15 & 2:15. Contact Admissions at (573) 882-2456 to schedule a time. Or visit the Campus Tour web site at: http://prospectivestudents.missouri.edu/ .

16. Where is the Department of Architectural Studies located?

• The link to the Campus Map is given on our department homepage at http://www.missouri.edu/~arch/ .

17. Is your Masters degree FIDER accredited?

• The Bachelor of Science degree is the FIDER accredited program at the University of Missouri , none of the graduate degrees is.

18. What shall I do if I am having a difficult time finding a committee member outside our department?

• You and your advisor may discuss your focused area of interest to determine who are the appropriate faculty members in your supporting area outside the department.
• The best way to find committee members is to take a class from them so they get to know you.

19. Once admitted, how soon should I be talking to my advisor about course enrollment?

• Talk to your advisor as soon as possible after acceptance so you can plan and begin reading.

20. Do MUDirect distance learners need to be on-site for an oral defense?

• Clearly this is preferred, but not required.
• Exceptions have been made and a teleconference is conducted.

21. How many questions are on the doctoral comprehensive exam?

• Each committee member represents a content area and submits question(s) accordingly.

22. What is a Problems course?

• The student comes to the Professor with a “problem” he/she wants to explore—it is independent work and generally involves experiential learning in addition to readings .
• The nature of Problems courses is built on an attempt to develop students' research interest as they approach their thesis or dissertation.
• Typically, it is the student who generates these topics not the Professor—optimizing the maximum benefit in thesis/dissertation work.
• Sometimes a Problems course is taken independently with a Professor and sometimes it is offered to several students at the same time.
• See University guidelines on the number of independent courses that can be taken in one's Plan of Study.

23. What is a Readings course?

• Readings courses are independent courses taken when scheduled coursework is not available on the topic.
• The student comes to the Professor with a “ Readings ” topic relevant to their line of inquiry and the Professor must agree to lead the Readings course.
• Readings courses are generally taken later in one's graduate program after more basic coursework is completed.
• Sometimes a Readings course is taken independently with a Professor and sometimes it is offered to several students at the same time.
• See University guidelines on the number of independent courses that can be taken in one's Plan of Study.

Roles

24. What role does my advisor play?

• Your advisor advises regarding course work, plan of study, committee member selection, problems and readings course enrollment, and overall matters relating to your academic progress.

25. What role does the Director of the Architectural Studies Graduate Program play?

• Dr. Phillips is the point person regarding admission procedures.
• The Director interprets department graduate program policies and serves as the department liaison to graduate school.
• He works with all faculty in the annual graduate student review and the Department Chair in the annual graduate assessment report.
• He oversees the environment and behavior emphasis area.

26. What role does the Coordinator of Design with Digital Media play?

• Dr. Uddin recruits prospective graduate students in the Design with Digital Media area and is the point person regarding all students in this emphasis area.
• He is directs the admissions evaluation for Design with Digital Media and the Design with Digital Media program offerings.
• He coordinates curriculum and resources in this area, working with the IATS, the College IT Specialist, and the Department Chair.

27. What is the role of the Department Chair?

• Dr. Tofle leads department policy development, she works with all faculty in the annual graduate student review and the Director of Graduate Studies in the annual graduate assessment report.
• With fiscal and personnel responsibilities, she supervises undergraduate and graduate curriculum offerings.

28. What is the role of the College of Human Environmental Sciences Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies?

• Dr. Sable is the Director of the Ph. D. graduate program in the College of Human Environmental Sciences , and is helpful with the Institutional Review Board that monitors research involving human subjects.

29. If after acceptance you are having problems, what is the chain of command in seeking help?

• advisor
• (if in Digital Media) Coordinator of Design with Digital Media
• Architectural Studies Director of Graduate Studies
• Department Chair
• Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies

During this process, the graduate school may be consulted.