Master of Regional Planning and Master of Architecture in Boston United States | University of Massachusetts Amherst

The Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning's Master of Regional Planning and the Department of Art, Architecture, and Art History's Master of Architecture Program provide a combined degree opportunity, allowing students to obtain both a Master of Regional Planning and Master of Architecture in just three years of full-time enrollment.

Architecture and planning professions are deeply interconnected. Numerous roles in both government and private organizations benefit from professionals who understand both planning principles and design evaluation. Although architecture and planning maintain close ties globally, this relationship has traditionally been weaker in U.S. academic institutions. This joint degree stands among only a few such programs nationwide.

Participants will complete two full-time semesters in each discipline, balancing their remaining studies between both programs. The architecture curriculum builds technical expertise through intensive studio work and skill development, preparing students for diverse design challenges. The planning program integrates theoretical, historical, and practical aspects of urban planning with hands-on community engagement. This three-year dual program delivers comprehensive training across multiple design and planning specialties, covering sustainable development, site planning, community-focused design, and emerging technologies like GIS and LEED certification.

Graduates of this combined program will gain thorough preparation for careers spanning policy, planning, design, and development across public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Applicants must secure admission to both programs separately and maintain satisfactory progress in each. Prospective students are advised to complete foundational design coursework before beginning the architecture curriculum.