Global Track Dual Degree

This unique program allows students to complete coursework in Hawaii and Shanghai, China. Students receive a NBAA accredited Master of Architecture degree or Master of Engineering in Architectural Design and Theory from Tongji University and a NAAB accredited Doctor of Architecture degree from the University of Hawaii.

The School of Architecture at the University of  Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University are partnered to offer a unique dual degree opportunity that will result in a Master’s Degree (MArch) in China and an accredited Doctor of Architecture (DArch) in the United States. The Global Track China Focus is a 3-year option within the University of Hawai‘i’s Doctor of Architecture program and includes coursework in both China and the United States.

Tongji University, located in Shanghai, China, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China. With a total of 70,000 students and 4,200 academic staff, the university offers a broad range of opportunities for students who are enrolled within the Global Track.  The architecture program within the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) at Tongji University is considered the top choice for students wishing to pursue a professional degree in Architecture within China. The College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University offers an opportunity for students enrolled in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Global Track to simultaneously earn a Master of Architecture degree accredited by the National Board of Architectural Accreditation of China (NBAA) or a Master of Engineering in Architectural Design and Theory. The NBAA is the authority in charge of the organization and implementation of architectural accreditation at the university level within the mainland of China.

Students accepted into the Global Track China Focus will spend the first year at their home institutions. During the summer following completion of the first year of coursework, students will enroll in an 8-week professional studio course which takes place in a participating Global Practice architectural firm located in China.  For the second year of the Track, all students from both institutions will continue coursework at Tongji University under the auspices of the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa. After successful completion of the second year, students will be eligible for the Master of Architecture or Master of Engineering in Architectural Design and Theory from Tongji University. Students are not required to obtain the Master’s Degree from Tongji University in order to continue in the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa DArch program.

Before entering the third and final year of the track, all students will enroll in another 8-week summer professional studio within a Global Practice firm.  Following the professional studio, all students will enroll and physically be located at the School of Architecture at the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawai’i. After the successful completion of the third year, students will receive the Doctor of Architecture from the University of Hawai’i. Students will register for all coursework through University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa even when attending classes in China. This institutional partnership offers the unique opportunity for students to receive accredited professional architectural degrees in the world’s two largest construction economies, China and the United States.

For a deeper understanding and more information on the Global Track program, please click below to visit the Global Track Dual Degree Program site.

STEM Designation

The DArch is a STEM-designated 04.0902 Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology degree. This STEM-designation allows international student graduates to apply for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for international students holding F-1 visas. It allows the extension of the OPT period from the regular one year to three years, gives eligibility for STEM specific scholarships, and offers expanded GI Bill benefits for U.S. veterans.

Admission Requirements

Graduate Students seeking admission to the school must complete an online application by the stated deadlines. The school and UH Mānoa do not grant deferred admission. Applicants wishing to defer admission must reapply.

Contact

For additional Global Track Dual Degree program, please contact:

Clark E. Llewellyn, FAIA
Professor and Director of Global Track
clarklle@hawaii.edu
Office Phone: 808-956-0675
Mobile phone:  808-222-9308

Professional Fee

In addition to UHM graduate tuition and fees, all UHM School of Architecture students, including MLA students, are assessed a professional fee in the amount of $500 per semester at the time tuition is paid. These fees help pay for the operational costs of the school’s IT Lab and Fabrication Lab. Students pay additionally for materials which are provided at cost.

Student Work