The Master of Advanced Architectural Studies course at the University of Southern California (USC) requires students to research and examine contemporary urban issues.

The Master of Advanced Architectural Research Studies (M.AARS) is a nine-month, two-semester post-professional graduate programme that offers concentrations in City Design and Housing (CDH) or Performative Design and Technology (PDT).

Designed for students not seeking licensure and pursuing careers in architecture and other allied creative fields, the programme challenges participants to engage with design as a form of focused, specialised design research.

Addressing some of the most urgent societal challenges shaped by the built environment, M.AARS equips post-graduates to become design specialists with deep expertise in urban equity and advanced design technologies.

The City Design and Housing (CDH) concentration focuses on inclusive and equitable city design and housing production. Operating under the premise that housing and access to the city is a right, the CDH programme proactively engages the current crises in urban development and housing provision with research and design solutions, both locally and globally.

The Performative Design and Technology (PDT) concentration focuses on the integration of technology within the digital design process. The PDT programme seeks to explore the role of data and technology in the built environment.

The programme merges architectural and computational design to focus on design research and professional development in relevant areas that are affecting the built environment now and in the future.

School: University of Southern California School of Architecture
Course: Master of Advanced Architectural Studies
Type: Postgraduate
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Course dates: September 2026 and May 2027
Application deadline: 5 January 2026

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Study, analyse and design within complex urban systems
– Methodological tools for critically analysing contemporary challenges of urban systems and housing
– Advanced computational tools and parametric modelling

What are the requirements?

– Qualified students have completed a related degree in architecture (BArch, MArch, BS/BA Architecture, Env. Design, etc)
– Digital literacy in design software, particularly Rhinoceros is required. Both degree emphases are two-semester advanced design degree programmes

What facilities and resources are available?

– Over 50,000 square feet of space dedicated to design studios, classrooms, galleries, fabrication workshops and research labs
– Each space is equipped with cutting-edge tools and technology to support every stage of the creative process
– With 24/7 studio access and a personal workstation for each student, the environment is designed to foster continuous exploration, collaboration and innovation – a hallmark of the USC School of Architecture

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Graduates pursue careers in urban design, urban planning, and community development, as well as adequate and affordable housing design.

Graduates also go into roles in architectural design, structural design, parametric design, design optimisation, environmental design and performative architecture.

Who teaches this course?

– Alvin Huang, director of graduate architecture programmes

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