Curriculum in Architecture

The Department offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs:

A 135-credit undergraduate professional program, preceded by a 29.5-credit preprofessional program, leading to the bachelor of architecture degree.

A three-part 100-credit program leading to the master of architecture. Applicants holding B.S. or B.A. degrees in architecture or environmental design are given advanced standing in this program. For applicants holding professional degrees in architecture (B.Arch. or M.Arch.), a 30-credit post-professional course of study is available.

A 30-credit graduate program leading to the degree master of science in architectural studies, a research oriented degree.

For more complete graduate program descriptions see Graduate Study under Architecture in the Courses and Programs section.

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a rerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a 6-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Master’s degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.