Online Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) Where Creative Design Meets Technical Excellence
48
Credit Hours
Online* with 1 required intensive
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 18, 2027 | February 15, 2027 | March 22, 2027
Bring Your Designs to Life with an Online Master of Architecture Degree
How can thoughtful design be used to create buildings and spaces that are functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing? Buildings can have an impact on people’s health, safety, and quality of life. Architects must weigh each of those concerns while developing designs that are creative, feasible, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
Liberty University’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) is designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills to pursue professional licensure in architecture.** Our curriculum combines advanced design studios, theoretical inquiry, and technical expertise, allowing you to develop an in-depth understanding of architectural design and its role in shaping the built environment.
As a student in our online master’s degree in architecture, you can strengthen your ability to develop innovative design ideas while considering factors such as structural systems, environmental controls, site conditions, and building performance. With guidance from our expert faculty, you can investigate emerging developments in architecture, refine your approach to solving complex architectural challenges, and gain insight into the collaborative processes that bring projects to life. Earning your Master of Architecture online can help you think more critically about the spaces you design and the impact they have on the people who use them.
For students enrolling today, who are placed on the current academic year’s degree completion plan, the officially conferred degree name will be Master of Architecture (M.Arch.). Degree details, including name, may be subject to change between academic terms.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
**Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America for 2027
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master’s Degree in Architecture?
Most of the courses in Liberty’s Master of Architecture are available online, so you can complete much of your academic work from any location with internet access. Our online learning platform supports research, discussion, and technical study. This flexible format can help you further your education while balancing work, family, and other commitments.
Additionally, you’ll attend 1 residential intensive that provides immersive, hands-on learning on our beautiful campus in Central Virginia. During this intensive, you’ll participate in studio work, site visits, and collaborative projects, helping you build practical skills in a dynamic learning environment. Engaging in person with your professors and classmates can give you a valuable chance to build your network and connect with other professionals in your field.
Academic quality is an important factor to consider when comparing Master of Architecture programs. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), reflecting our commitment to offering a top-notch education that aligns with industry standards.
Architectural practice often involves making critical decisions about safety, resources, and community needs. That’s why Liberty’s master’s program in architecture addresses ethical practice, social responsibility, stewardship, civic duties, and service within the profession. Throughout your coursework, you’ll consider how integrity can shape decisions involving clients, colleagues, communities, and the environment.
What Will You Study in Our Master of Architecture Online?
Liberty’s Master of Architecture combines design studio projects, systems coursework, professional practice courses, and research to help you explore architecture from multiple perspectives. Throughout the program, you can examine how buildings, communities, and the natural environment interact while learning how to address real-world challenges in the field. You’ll also consider how faith and worldview can shape architectural design and influence the spaces people experience every day.
The design studio coursework will give you opportunities to develop increasingly complex architectural projects. As you refine your designs, you’ll integrate site planning, building envelopes, structural systems, environmental control systems, and safety regulations while considering sustainability, resilience, and long-term building performance. Studio projects incorporate independent work, peer critiques, and design reviews to strengthen your ability to evaluate and communicate architectural solutions.
In your systems-focused courses, you’ll study the technologies that make buildings safe, functional, and efficient. Coursework explores structural engineering, fire protection, electrical and plumbing systems, environmental impact, load distribution, high-rise structures, regulatory codes, and much more! You can learn how these systems work together to support building performance, environmental responsibility, and occupant comfort.
Additionally, you’ll engage in courses that are designed to broaden your understanding of the architectural profession. You’ll study architectural ethics, leadership, business practices, project delivery, construction management, contracting, and legal issues. The online master’s degree in architecture culminates in a thesis project, which will challenge you to conduct and apply design research, create comprehensive architectural designs, prepare supporting documentation, and use advanced communication techniques to present your work.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Architectural educator
- Architectural researcher
- Computational design specialist
- Construction manager
- Design architect
- Historic preservation architect
- Interior designer
- Project architect
- Real estate developer
- Sustainability specialist
- Urban designer
- Urban planner
Featured Courses
- ARCH 507 – Faith and Worldview of Architecture
- ARCH 513 – Environmental Control Systems I
- ARCH 616 – Advanced Architectural Systems
- ARCH 620 – Urban and Community Planning
Course guides coming soon
Course Format
We offer both 8-week and full-semester sub-terms each semester. While many online courses can be taken in the 8-week format, some programs require courses that must be taken in the full-semester term. Some courses may require additional approvals or information prior to registration.
In addition to these formats, some courses may be required to be taken in intensive or alternative formats, which may include scheduled meeting times, travel to campus, or required login sessions.
You can view specific sub-term offerings and requirements in the Course Registration Tool.
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Communication and the Arts.
- View the Graduate Communication and the Arts Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan coming soon
State Licensure Requirements
Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Many of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2026 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Graduate Full Time | $600/Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Part Time | $665/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $310/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2026-2027. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Master’s Program in Architecture
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- There is no application fee to apply to Liberty University.
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies or equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Submit contact information for 2 recommenders.
- Submit a portfolio (follow link for more details) that meets the following guidelines:
- PDF 8-1/2″ x 11″ size, identifying cover page and concise résumé, a brief introductory statement of purpose, with up to 25 pages (two-sided as 50 faces) of significant, professionally presented work.
- Department Admission Review approval required – upon all documents being received on the checklist, the application will be sent for admission review by the department. This review can take 1-2 full business days for review (24-48 hours).
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy
Please see the Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $310 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2026-2027. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liberty’s M.Arch. Degree
Is a master’s in architecture worth it?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of architects is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with an average of about 6,900 job openings each year.* If you’re interested in designing buildings and spaces that serve the needs of people and communities, a Master of Architecture can help you deepen your knowledge of design, building systems, research, and professional practice. Liberty’s M.Arch. combines advanced coursework with immersive studio experience to help you build the technical and creative skills needed within the architectural profession.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Architects (viewed online Oct. 16, 2026). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
How many years is a master’s in architecture?
Liberty’s Master of Architecture requires 48 credit hours. Your completion time can vary depending on a number of factors, such as:
- Transfer credit – Eligible transfer credits may reduce the number of courses you’ll need to complete. You can potentially transfer in up to 50% of your total master’s degree!
- Course load – Taking more courses each semester may allow you to finish sooner, while a lighter course load may extend your timeline.
- Continuous enrollment – Staying enrolled from term to term can help you maintain steady progress toward graduation.
- Academic progress – Successfully completing courses as scheduled can help you stay on track with your intended graduation timeline.
Can I get my master’s in architecture online?
You can complete most of Liberty’s Master of Architecture online. The program also includes 1 residential intensive that will reinforce your online coursework by providing hands-on experience that encourages collaboration, design exploration, and practical application.
Is an online architecture degree respected?
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Choosing an accredited school can give you confidence that your education is grounded in recognized standards for quality and professional preparation.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- State Requirements
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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