The university assesses tuition and fees for each academic term. 

A significant aspect of your MS-ARP degree planning is to review and understand your tuition package.  The university has many general resources to help with this process, and the MS-ARP program director can help you more specifically map out the financial implications of earning the MS-ARP degree. 

International students will want to consult especially with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to understand the implications of tuition, financing and firm compensation per their particular visa requirements or individual circumstances.  

Standard graduate assistantships and fellowships, which are assigned based on need and merit, are possible for all graduate students at the university.

Additionally, MS-ARP students benefit financially from the unique structure of the MS-ARP degree and its requirements, including: research practice internship earnings, defrayed professional exam costs and a stipend for research expenses.  Beyond this, MS-ARP students have access to research-travel grants and a limited number of significant scholarships as part of the program. 

Financial support, including internship placement, is contingent on satisfactory progress in the degree program as determined by the program director and includes maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.

This section of the handbook gives an overview of information related to financing the MS-ARP degree.  

Learn more about tuition and financing HERE (Tuition and Financing // UMN Onestop). 

University Fellowships and Assistantships

Graduate Fellowships vary in the amounts awarded, the criteria for evaluating candidates and the stipulations of the fellowship (such as maintaining a minimum credit load).

Graduate Assistantships are work positions where you earn compensation and benefits, including a significant tuition reduction and healthcare, during the assistantship semester.  Some graduate assistantships are program-related (e.g., supporting faculty research or program needs), and some are teaching assistant (TA) positions where you support the teaching and learning of undergraduate students; TAs are typically assigned to one course from a broad range of course types and topics.  

Learn more about fellowships and assistantships HERE (Tuition and Financing).

MS-ARP Scholarships and Grants

Each year, the Meyer Scholarship is awarded to an individual MS-ARP student who demonstrates merit during the program. 

The MS-ARP program may fund a limited number of travel grants each term to support built environment research, whether part of your individual passion project or your firm-based research. Travel grants are awarded based on merit as demonstrated in the grant application (such as travel to present a publication in a peer-reviewed conference).  

Learn more about scholarships and grants HERE (Tuition and Financing).

MS-ARP Research Practices Internship Compensation

With few exceptions, MS-ARP students complete a minimum number of Research Practices Internship (RPI) hours in a Consortium for Research Practices firm. There are limits to how many hours you may work at the RPI each week during the academic semester, although some firms have extended an MS-ARP student’s internship to include working hours between academic semesters.  International students should consult with ISSS prior to any agreement to work in the United States. 

Learn more about the RP Internship HERE (Policies and Expectations // Research Practices Internship). 

MS-ARP Professional Credential Funding 

A key component of the MS-ARP degree is to support your professional development, which includes making progress toward professional credentials such as licensure or certification. As part of your degree planning, you will identify professional credential goals specific to your interests with the help of the MS-ARP program director.  Each MS-ARP student receives a modest stipend of ±$500 to support this endeavor; typically funding covers two architecture licensure exams or its equivalent and this amount may be adjusted based on annual availability.

Learn more about professional credentials HERE (Policies and Expectations // Professional Credentials) 

MS-ARP Research Expense Account 

During their time in the program, MS-ARP students draw from a $500 research expense account for costs not otherwise covered by school, college or university sources. Be sure to discuss any expenses that may not be typical for research with the program director. 

Request reimbursement for a research expense HERE (Tuition and Financing).