Architectural Studies

Majors & Minors
Architectural Studies

Architectural Studies

“The School of Architecture and Design at �鶹��ý Lafayette is really committed to exposing us to as much as they can about the study and practice of architecture in our short time as students.”

Adam Ortego plans to make a difference with his architecture major

You should major in architectural studies if:

You have a creative passion but also want a professional and technical career.
You see ways of making functional things beautiful.
You love building things and working with your hands.
You enjoy working as part of a team.

Architecture majors at �鶹��ý Lafayette learn to communicate complex ideas by using visual, graphic, written, and verbal means. You will develop a core understanding of design principles, bring your designs to life, and learn to work collaboratively with others while negotiating conflicting demands of function, structure, technology regulations, and time.

The �鶹��ý Lafayette Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies is a pre-professional program leading to the Master of Architecture program. On completing the Master of Architecture program, you will have a degree and you will be on your way to .

Related Programs

Architecture at �鶹��ý Lafayette

What's Architectural Studies Like?

Design studio work
Hands-on learning
Creative problem solving
Presentations
Visual communication
Professional engagement

Learn to work within an interdisciplinary team to protect our coastline, capitalize on economic stability, or preserve history.

Architecture Program Features

An architecture student working on a building for her local community in �鶹��ý.

Using Creativity to Make an Impact

�鶹��ý Lafayette students build homes in the community every year with the and Habitat for Humanity. Architecture majors earn academic credit for each course during the project while making tangible contributions to the local community. Engage in creative problem-solving with real-world impacts.

Travel Opportunities

Students travel across the U.S. each year for second-, third-, and fourth-year studio classes. Every summer, students from the School of Architecture & Design travel to Italy and France to study design, history, and culture through Study Abroad.

Internships

Work in a professional architecture setting during your third and fourth years in the architecture program. Talk to your advisor about potential internship opportunities in architecture firms or offices.

Organizations and Associations

Get involved on campus with an organization or association specifically for students of the School of Architecture and Design. Join the , the , or Tao Sigma Delta to make connections that will last a lifetime.

Architecture majors gain a diverse education that is perfect for opportunities within the industry and beyond.

Make an impact in your own community.

Design real-world projects alongside your mentors, peers, and stakeholders in class and through community outreach programs in the Department of Architecture and Design.

Prototype and test ideas in your individual, on-site work area with easy access to wood, metal, and digital fabrication shops.

Architecture Courses According to Students

First Year Second Year Third Year Fourth Year

DSGN 114: Design Communication

I love the connection of pencil to paper. This class gave me the ability to hone that skill of communication through design.”

Glenn Lancon, Architecture Alum

ARCH 202: Architectural Design II

The class gives you a holistic view of the topics and professors trust in the students when they bring ideas to the table. The class wasn’t about just making a building — it was about learning the systems and institutions at a variety of levels at and around the site, and constructing a tectonic that responds and engages with them.”

Kyle Barras, Architecture Major

ARCH 321: History of Architecture

We went through the time periods of architecture from the Mesopotamians to the Japanese style to the Gothic. The professor had a way of explaining the architecture to us in a way that made us challenge our original ways of thinking. The lectures were inspiring and thought-provoking.”

Alicia Coto, Architecture Major

Careers in Architecture

William Netter

“This studio motivated me to think about buildings and the environment holistically. Everything I learned in this program gave me the skills to go out into the world, after graduating from �鶹��ý Lafayette, with a sense of confidence and pride that helped me navigate the profession.”

Architecture, '08

Architect at EskewDumezRipple

Meet William Netter

Jobs in Architecture

Architectural Designer
Principal Architect
Firm Owner
Urban Planner
Real Estate Developer
Architectural Historian

Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

To major in architectural studies, you must meet the University's admissions requirements.
See the full admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

To complete a degree in architectural studies, you will be required to maintain a grade of “C” or better in all courses required for the architectural studies degree and a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or better to graduate.

All second-year students in architectural studies are required to have your own personal computer to run design software. .

To complete a minor in architecture, you will need to complete 18 credits hours of architectural studies courses, with a minimum of 6 credit hours at the 300 or 400 levels.

Individuals and firms shall not perform or offer to perform architectural services, either directly or indirectly, unless they have secured a license to practice architecture from the �鶹��ý State Board of Architectural Examiners. Additionally, no person shall use the title "architect" or any derivation of that word unless they have secured a license to practice.

Resources

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