Best Architecture Degrees

Overview

A public institution founded in 1819, the University of Virginia is a large university with a total undergraduate enrollment of nearly 17,000 students. This suburban school is located in Charlottesville, VA and offers a vibrant campus culture along with dozens of exceptional majors. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is just one of the innovative and investigative degrees offered at this award-winning institution.

Program Features

This degree prepares students to address and incorporate the methodologies necessary to understand and transform the environment they build. Students will learn how to use design as a way to inquire and to explore new visions for all kinds of settings, from cities to buildings even the clothing that we wear. During the first year of study, all tuners will share a Common First Year curriculum, taking courses in three School of Architecture departments. These include Architectural History, Urban Environmental Planning, and Architecture.

Notables

In addition to the core courses outlined above, students may also pursue one of two concentrations within their undergraduate studies. These include the Pre-Professional program and the Design Thinking/ Design Practices concentration. This 124-credit program takes most students just four years to complete, allowing them to move on to permanent employment as qualified and licensed architects shortly thereafter. Ranked as one of the best colleges for veterans as well as one of the top national universities by=U.S. News World Report, this school is perhaps one of the best for students seeking a flexible and affordable option.

Overview

The Rhode Island School of Design is a small school located in the heart of Providence, RI. However, what its lacking in population it more than makes up for in the quality of its programs. This close-knit university is home to just 2,014 undergraduate students, and most class sizes contain fewer than 16 students. This university offers one of the most attentive programs in architecture, offering a dynamic five-year professional Bachelor of Architecture program.

Program Features

This degree has a strong emphasis in the design studio, allowing students to develop their skills in technology and artistic design, while at the same time working with their peers to advance their understanding of architecture. Students will examine all of the technical aspects of architectural development, but will also learn how to think critically and to express their ideas through visual and written methods. Required courses include:

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This program is one of the most hands-on of its kind, allowing students to integrate liberal arts courses with architectural and structural analysis in an up-close-and-personal way. Students will begin advanced studio work in their third year of study. Seniors may focus on environmental design, while fifth-year students pursue methods of integrated building systems and principles of professional practice. All students will also complete intensive work on a degree project of their own choosing, allowing them to demonstrate their skills in a real-world setting.

Overview

The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by the Congregation of Holy Cross. This national, independent Catholic University is located in Notre Dame, IN, and allows any student admitted to the university to declare an architecture major. This challenging degree in architecture exposes students to elements of classical and urban architecture. An intensive five-year program, this degree produces engaged and qualified students who are able to pursue permanent licensure.

Program Features

Coursework at the University of Notre Dame is one-of-a-kind and committed to exposing students to the fundamentals of architecture before moving on to computer-based modeling. In fact, computer technologies arent introduced until the fourth year of the degree program. Students learn how to design new buildings that are environmentally and economically sustainable and have remarkable longevity through pursuing individualized concentrations in areas such as:

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This program is unique in that all students must participate in a year-long study abroad program in Rome. This experience requires students to integrate their understanding of classical architecture with real-world examples. Before leaving, students will also engage in Expo Roma, a weekend to celebrate their experiences in Rome. Fourth-year students may also participate in the universitys annual career and internship fair, while fifth-year students will take coursework in professional practice to prepare them for licensure.

Overview

Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private school that was founded in 1900. With a relatively small undergraduate enrolment of fewer than 700 students, this urban school offers students access to one of the most architecturally significant cities in the country, with a vibrant and diverse campus. Although Carnegie Mellon is best known for its programs in the sciences and technologies, the university also has remarkable programs in the arts and design fields, too. Among them is the NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree program.

Program Features

This program of study enables students to pursue the professional practice, either in the broad industry or with a particular specialty in mind. All students begin their studies with a specific three-year sequence of foundational courses. After the fourth year, students may also pursue a path of their own choosing, selecting an Advanced Synthesis Option Studio and different electives each semester. Students may choose to specialize or to hybridize, taking studios such as:

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In addition to the opportunities available for hybridizing or customizing degrees in architecture, students may also choose to diversify their degrees by combining their studies with a non-professional degree in another department. For example, the BXA Intercollege Degree Program prepares students to graduate with a Bachelor of Humanities and Arts, a Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts, or a Bachelor of Science and Arts. This enables candidates to pursue unique careers of their own design and choosing. Faculty of all of these courses are award-winning architects and sustainability experts.

Overview

Located in Atlanta, GA, the Georgia Institute of Technology is a public university that was founded in 1885. This school has a large urban campus of over 400 acres and a massive student population of nearly 16,000s students. Ranked as one of the best National Universities by=U.S. News World Report,=Georgia Institute of Technology offers a wide range of student activities, support services, and majors. One of the most popular? The Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Program Features

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Georgia Institute of Technology prepares students with a rigorous, highly respected education in architecture. It centers around all areas of the discipline including technology, design, theory, history, and communication. Courses consist of studio classes, history, theory, and technological training. Incubator workshops are offered to all students, allowing them to hone their skills and pursue their passions. Required courses include:

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In addition to the rational architecture major at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the school also offers an International Plan. This program is designed for students who seek to develop a basic level of global competence within their studies. It allows students to engage in opportunities like international internships and study abroad, and consists of foreign language coursework, cultural and global training, and international experience, and a capstone course. This degree is a hallmark of the architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and part of the reason why this program is ranked as one of the best in the country.

Overview

A private university located in New Orleans, LA, Tulane was founded in 1834 and has a centuries-old tradition of educating students in architecture as well as in a number of other prominent degree programs. With a total enrolment of fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students, Tulane is ranked as one of the best National Universities by=U.S. News World Report. The school has exceptional opportunities for student life and has a reputation for academic rigor, operating a well-regarded law school, a specialty school in Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and, of course, the renowned Tulane School of Architecture.

Program Features

This five-year program includes a range of required courses and electives that are designed to prepare students with extensive professional training and residential experiences. Students will engage in significant studio work, while also enjoying the flexibility to study abroad or to minor or major in another division. In the fourth year of study, all students will spend a semester at the Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design, studying in programs like urban design, design/build, and housing. Other required classes include:

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Tulane offers multiple study abroad programs, allowing students to engage in studies in locations such as Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Courses range from one week to a full semester and can be pursued as early as the fourth semester of study. Students may also pursue other interests in any of the other Tulane InterDisciplinary Experience courses, allowing them to engage with other students in an immersive, interactive environment.

Overview

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institution that was founded in 1824 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of fewer than 7,000 students. With a small campus of fewer than 300 acres, this suburban university offers a quaint, receptive program in which students can learn from dedicated faculty and staff. The school is home to a nationally-recognized engineering program but also includes other technologically-minded and well-respected degree programs such as the award-winning Bachelor of Architecture professional degree.

Program Features

This degree is perfect for students who are curious about the creative, scientific, and technological aspects of designing. Students receive access to a comprehensive curriculum that centers around the principles of architectural design, the history and theory of the discipline, and the core technology competencies necessary for future career success. Required courses include:

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This degree is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board and provides students with multiple opportunities for unique extracurricular experiences. For example, the school offers a semester-long program in New York City for students to study at the Center for Architecture Science and Ecology. Students may also participate in experiences at the renowned architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. They can pursue research on next-generation sustainability initiatives, or even engage in study abroad in Italy, China, or India.

Overview

The University of California-Los Angeles, often known as UCLA, was founded in 1919. A public university with a large enrolment of over 31,000 students, this urban university is just five miles from the Pacific Ocean and offers over 1000 different student organizations and 240 undergraduate and graduate majors. The Department of Architecture and Urban Design at UCLA offers a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies that consists of a two-year major beginning in the junior year of residence.

Program Features

This degree is typically completed beginning in the third year of university study, with the first two years consisting of general education and liberal arts requirements. The basic curriculum of this program places students in close-knit seminar and studio settings, allowing them to interact closely with fellow designers, professionals, and faculty scholars. Required courses include studies in topics such as:

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Students have plenty of opportunities to succeed at The University of California. In addition to the many student groups operated on campus, each student may also participate in volunteer work through the Volunteer Center. This center houses over 220 student groups and is committed to serving the local community. This university is ranked as one of the Best Colleges for Veteran as well as a Best Value School by=U.S. News World Report,=which serves as=a testament to the exceptional student services, affordability, and academic quality provided at this university.

Overview

Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA and is one of the most impressive universities in the entire country. Founded in 1898, and fostering a large undergraduate enrolment of nearly 14,000 students, this urban school provides students with substantial real-world work experience before they ever leave campus. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Northeastern University combines the professional training necessary for a high-caliber career in architecture as well as the creative problem-solving skills necessary to deal with the challenges of the twenty-first-century world.

Program Features

The curriculum of this program combines intensive studio courses that require students to tackle problems of the modern city head-on. Most instruction occurs in studio, with one-on-one consultations between faculty, classmates, and visiting critics existing on a nearly daily basis. Students will also participate in two six-month cooperative learning experiences. These are designed to provide students with real-world experiences in architecture. Other required classes include:

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Students may learn in a variety of hands-on settings while studying at Northeastern University. In addition to the aforementioned cooperative learning experiences, the school also offers optional study abroad programs in Segovia, Spain. The school also offers an accredited one-year graduate program to students who have already completed the undergraduate program. This allows students who are seeking further credentials or pathways to licensure to finish their studies quickly and seamlessly without having to leave campus.

Overview

Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public university founded in 1817. This school has a large campus of over 3,000 acres and is ranked as one of=U.S News World Reports=Top National Universities. The architecture degree at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is offered through the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. This degree prepares students for employment in a variety of areas, including landscape architecture, work in architectural firms, or other creative work. It also enables candidates to pursue graduate study in topics like historic preservation, engineering, construction, or even art.

Program Features

The curriculum of this program emphasizes analytical and conceptual problem-solving skills by immersing students in lectures, seminars, and interactive studios from day one of study. This degree requires 125 credit hours of study which is made up of a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts and architecture curriculum. It culminates in a pre-professional Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. Required courses for the major include:

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Taubman College is one of the 19 different colleges within the University of Michigan. The school houses many impressive features, including a cutting-edge digital fabrication laboratory and a 32,000 square foot design studio. Students may explore multiple study-abroad opportunities and engage in a stimulating series of conferences and guest lectures. Courses are small and taught by a committed and award-winning faculty with a wide breadth and depth of design and research interests. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 12:1, and a diverse student body, each student is uniquely supported in his or her academic plan.

Overview

The Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture (IIT) is home to some of the innovators of the countrys most substantial architectural contributions. This department was directed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the mid-20th century. This individual later became known as the father of modern architecture, giving the architecture program at IIT extensive notoriety and respect. A degree from IIT is respected by architectural firms all around the country.

Program Features

The curriculum of this program enables students to engage in a range of specializations and interactions, including those in digital design, planning, design/building, landscape architecture, and architectural history/theory. Students may also pursue optional minors in topics like business or urban affairs. Multiple dual-degree programs are available as well. Core required course include topics such as:

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The faculty at the Illinois Institute of Technology consists of architects and landscape architects who are highly respected, recipients of awards and recognition, and are seriously dedicated to student success. Each year, the university operates a visiting faculty program that draws top-notch practitioners from all around the world. The curriculum of this program is rooted in studio practice and traditional principles, training students to emphasize detail and connect the art of building to that of construction. Students graduate from this program with the ability to lead and succeed in a variety of settings.

Overview

The Bachelor of Design in Architecture at the University of Minnesota prepares students to pursue careers as qualified design professionals. This pre-professional degree program includes studio-based education along with a rigorous training program in building technology, history, and theory. Students receive a foundation in architectural principles while also being allowed to choose an area of focus. An additional graduate program is available, which only takes two additional years of study and is a requirement for students to pursue licensure in the state of Minnesota.

Program Features

This degree combines exceptional hands-on experiences and educational training with collaborative off-campus opportunities. Students will engage with research centers, practice communities, and other organizations to gain experience in community outreach, preservation, and sustainability efforts. Each student also has the option of pursuing a dual major or an alternative minor. Required courses for the undergraduate degree in architecture include:

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This school not only affords students with multiple opportunities to enhance their studies and potential careers through hands-on service and learning opportunities, but it also is incredibly budget friendly. Each year, the school offers continuing students scholarship in excess of $165,000, as well as multiple assistantships and other opportunities. Students may also pursue concurrent degrees in topics like Heritage Conservation and Preservation, Sustainable Design, and Research Practices.