Hammons School of Architecture

Drury University's Hammons School of Architecture has been approved to offer a Master of Architecture. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) approved the new degree at its July meeting.

"We are pleased that the NAAB approved this accreditation change," says Michael Buono, director of Drury's Hammons School of Architecture. "In the 25 years since its inception, the Hammons School of Architecture has continually sought to improve the quality of its course offerings and the quality of students it produces. This is the latest step in that process."

Drury currently offers a five-year Bachelor of Architecture program. The new Master of Architecture will require an extra summer of coursework. The new program will allow students to focus on one of three specialty areas: urban studies, architectural history and theory, or sustainable technologies. Students will conclude their coursework with a master's level thesis project of their own choosing.

"The master's program allows students, while they're still in school, to start focusing their work and hone in on what's important to them," says Bruce Moore, associate director of the Hammons School of Architecture. "It's very good preparation for entering into the profession."

The NAAB made the accreditation retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009 meaning that last year's freshman class of architecture students are now enrolled in the master's program. The first master's class is scheduled to graduate in 2013. The Master of Architecture at Drury is a first professional degree, and it replaces the Bachelor of Architecture degree, which will be phased out by 2012.

Drury and Washington University in St. Louis are the only two accredited architecture programs in the state of Missouri; both schools offer a Master of Architecture.