Graduate Field
Architecture
Program Description
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in architecture, archaeology, history, history of art, or anthropology or appropriate experience in the field. Applicants with previous graduate work can be considered for advanced standing.
The HAUD program at Cornell offers a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and represents a sophisticated blend of interdisciplinary research and new scholarship. The program prepares students for a scholarly career in global architectural history conceived as a distinct and evolving discipline with a diverse range of topics and methodologies. HAUD students are able to engage in original research that advances and changes the discipline and impart that knowledge to undergraduate and graduate students. The structure and degree requirements of the program prepare students as erudite and independent scholars who can critically assess and contribute to the state of global and inclusive architectural history.
Before applying, prospective students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the program, attend the virtual open house, and contact the field faculty members that they envision to work with.
Concentrations
- History of architecture
- History of urban development
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 14
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second Year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam): Spring of third year
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): Spring of fifth year
Field Specific Milestones
- Qualifying Examination (Q Exam): Spring of second year
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Year 1 (Fall)
Year 1 (Spring)
Year 3 (Spring)
- ARCH 7809 Graduate Independent Study in the History of Architecture and Urbanism
Before A Exam
- ARCH 9901 Ph.D. Dissertation in the History of Architecture and Urbanism
Graduate School Enrollment Requirements
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students each semester through graduation. These courses include:
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Learning Outcomes
HAUD students engage in original research that advances and challenges the discipline. At Cornell they learn to identify and frame questions for the field. Students also develop research strategies for libraries, archives, and museums as well as fieldwork on site and through oral histories. Through advising, seminars, and independent studies, our students learn to:
- Situate a research topic within the existing literature.
- Demonstrate facility with primary and secondary literature.
- Identify potential contributions to our discipline and others.
- Through teaching assistantships in architectural history, learn to impart this knowledge to students in a variety of undergraduate courses primarily in the department of architecture, but also, most recently, in the Knight Writing Center teaching First-Year writing seminars, as well as teaching assistantships in other fields at Cornell.
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall, January 4
Requirements Summary
- All Graduate School requirements, including the English language proficiency requirement for all applicants
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended
- Academic statement of purpose (a two-page statement outlining your research interests and intents for graduate study at Cornell. Please relate these intents to your previous design and academic experience and to your future goals.)
- Writing sample (15-20 pages in total)
Admissions Contact Information
Email: aap-grad-admissions@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-4376
Campus Address: Sibley Hall
Website: https://aap.cornell.edu/academics/architecture/graduate/haud/requirements
