PURPOSE

The architecture program at ASU offers an integrated curriculum of professional courses and focuses on the design laboratory. The program reflects an awareness of the complex factors affecting the quality of the built environment. The program seeks through scholarship, teaching, research, design, and community service to develop the discipline and the knowledge necessary to address the important environmental and design issues faced by society.

In addition to developing knowledge and skills in architectural design, building technology, and professional practice, students are encouraged to select electives from a broad range of approved courses both within the college and across the university. These electives may be selected to devise a minor, to further professional study, or in some other fashion to enrich the student’s academic experience.

ORGANIZATION

The School of Architecture’s program is organized by the faculty under the direction and administration of the director and standing committees of the faculty.

DEGREES

The faculty in the School of Architecture offer the Bachelor of Science in Design degree with a major in Architectural Studies.

The program in architecture culminates with the professional degree Master of Architecture, which is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Completion of the program is intended to take six years.

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

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

Admission to the professional program in architecture is competitive and begins after completion of lower-division requirements, as described in “Admission” below and “Degree Requirements.” The professional program includes two years of upper-division study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Design (B.S.D.) and two years of graduate study leading to the Master of Architecture, as described in “Upper-Division Professional Program.”

In cooperation with the Craig and Barbara Barrett Honors College, the school offers a special honors curriculum for students with Barrett Honors College standing. Consult the advising officers in the school for information.

ADMISSION

Lower-Division Program. New and transfer students who have been admitted to the university and who have selected Architectural Studies are admitted to the lower-division architecture program without separate application to the School of Architecture. Completion of lower-division requirements does not ensure acceptance to the upper-division professional program.

Transfer credits for the lower-division program are reviewed by the college faculty. To be admissible to this curriculum, transfer courses must be equivalent in both content and level of offering. A review of samples of work is required for studio classes. Consult a college academic advisor for an appointment.

Entering lower-division students who are not prepared to enroll in some of the required courses are required to complete additional university course work. These additional prerequisite courses do not apply to the Bachelor of Science in Design degree requirements.

Upper-Division Professional Program. Admission to the upper-division professional program is competitive and limited by available resources. Admission is awarded to those applicants demonstrating the highest promise for professional success, including evidence of ability and the prospect for significant public service.

Transfer students who have completed the equivalent required lower-division course work may apply to the upper-division program. Prior attendance at ASU is not required for application to the upper-division program. Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field should apply to the 3+ year Master of Architecture degree program. See the Graduate Catalog for more information.

To be eligible for admission to the upper-division program, the following requirements must be met:

1. admission to ASU (note that application and admission to ASU are separate from application and admission to the upper-division program);
2. completion of lower-division requirements or equivalents as approved by a college academic advisor and the faculty of the school;
3. a minimum university cumulative GPA of 3.00 as well as a 3.00 GPA based only on the required lower-division courses or equivalents; and
4. submission of a portfolio (for detailed information about this requirement, see “Portfolio Format Requirements.”).

In an unusual circumstance, when the admission standard deficiency is slight, written evidence of extenuating circumstances is convincing, and promise for success is evident, a student may be granted admission to the upper division on a provisional basis.

Students not admitted to the upper-division program are not dismissed from the school and may reapply or may transfer to other programs. Students who intend to reapply should meet with a college academic advisor.

Applications for transfer into the upper-division professional program are considered only if vacancies occur. Transfer applicants must demonstrate that equivalent course work has been completed, and applicants must be academically competitive with continuing students.

Students who successfully complete the upper-division requirements receive the Bachelor of Science in Design degree in Architectural Studies. This is not a professional degree. To complete the professional architecture program, students must attain the NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture degree. Students who receive the B.S.D. are eligible to apply for the graduate program and should see the Graduate Catalog for proper application procedures. This application process is competitive and based on a thorough review of a student’s undergraduate preparation and performance.

Students with the four-year Bachelor of Science in Design degree (with a major in Architectural Studies or an equivalent degree from another school that offers an accredited professional degree in architecture) should apply directly to the graduate program.

APPLICATION TO UPPER-DIVISION PROGRAMS

Upper-Division Application Procedures. Students should write to a college academic advisor for the application form well in advance of the application deadline. For more information on portfolios, ask for a copy of the Portfolio Seminar brochure from a college academic advisor. The following dates and procedures are for students applying to 2001–2002 upper-division programs.

Upper-Division Application Deadlines. April 16, 2001. Portfolio and application documents are due in the school office by 5:00 p.m.

June 1, 2001. If the spring 2001 semester includes transfer course work (i.e., course work taken at an institution other than ASU), a student must submit his or her transcripts to the school no later than June 1. These transcripts may be unofficial copies. A second set of official transcripts must be sent to the university Undergraduate Admissions office. Application is not complete until the university receives official transcripts for transfer course work. For those transfer students whose academic term ends in June rather than May, this deadline may be extended upon the written request of the applicant.

July 2, 2001. Acceptance notices are mailed no later than July 2.

Return of Letter of Acceptance. A signed receipt of acceptance of admission must be received by the school by the date indicated on the Notice of Acceptance. Alternates may be accepted at a later date if space becomes available.

Matriculation. An accepted student is expected to begin his or her upper-division professional program at the beginning of the immediate fall term. There is no spring admission to the upper division.

Portfolio Format Requirements. Each applicant is responsible for obtaining the following documents and including them in the portfolio. Application materials are submitted at one time in a presentation binder (portfolio) with plastic sleeves (8.5" x 11" format only). Items must appear in the following order:

Page 1. The application form should be completely filled out with the first page visible. Application forms are available from the college Academic Advising Office.

Page 2. The second page of the application should be visible.

Page 3. Application Essay. The student’s name should be written in the upper right-hand corner.

Page 4. All college transcripts for both ASU and transfer work should be included through the fall 2000 semester. Copies are acceptable. An academic advisor forwards 2001 ASU transcripts. (Applicants wishing to transfer spring semester 2001 work are responsible for submitting these transcripts by June 2 so that they may be added to their portfolios. The student is also responsible for getting an official transfer transcript sent directly to the Office of the Registrar.)

Page 5. A certificate of admission is necessary only for those students who have been newly admitted for fall 2001 and who are applying directly into an upper-division program. The certificate is not required for students currently attending ASU.

Following Pages (Usually 10–20 Sheets). Students should present work sufficient to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their creative activity. This work should include (but is not limited to) examples of two- and three-dimensional design and graphics. Each project should be clearly identified (course, length of project, etc.), with a concise accompanying description of the assignment.

Students should obtain a portfolio requirements addendum for their major from the college’s Academic Advising Office, ARCH 141, at the beginning of the academic year in which they intend to apply to the upper-division program. Requirements or instructions indicated in the addendum for that academic year take precedence over any other printed material.

Students are encouraged to include additional materials, written or pictorial, that provide additional evidence of skills and abilities and of the aptitude and commitment to the major. When any work submitted is not completely original, the source must be given. When work is of a team nature, the applicant’s role should be clearly indicated. Original examples or slides must not be submitted. All examples must be photographs or other reproduction graphic media.

Return of Portfolios. Application documents (pages 1–5) remain the property of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. However, the remaining portfolio is returned after the admissions review, provided the applicant encloses a self-addressed return mailer with sufficient prepaid postage. Portfolios may be claimed in person after July 3, 2001. If the applicant provides written permission, another person may claim the portfolio. After one year, unclaimed portfolios are discarded. While care is taken in handling the portfolios, no liability for lost or damaged materials is assumed by the college or school.

ADVISING

Advising for the lower-division curriculum is through the college Academic Advising Office. Advising for upper-division students is by assigned faculty advisors and administrative personnel from the School of Architecture.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The Bachelor of Science in Design degree in Architectural Studies requires a minimum of 120 hours of course work. Most lower-division students pursue option A; however, those who intend eventually to seek an advanced degree in either engineering or building science are encouraged to fulfill the requirements outlined in option B.

Option B students who intend to pursue graduate degrees in an engineering discipline should consult with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences advising office for any additional requirements.

GENERAL STUDIES REQUIREMENT

The following curriculum includes sufficient approved course work to fulfill the General Studies requirement. See “General Studies” for requirements and a list of approved courses. Note that all three General Studies awareness areas are required. Consult your advisor for an approved list of courses.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to fulfilling college and major requirements, students must meet all university graduation and college degree requirements. See “University Graduation Requirements” and “College Degree Requirements.”

The accredited professional degree Master of Architecture requires an additional 56 hours of approved graduate-level course work. For more information, see the Graduate Catalog.

COURSES

Subject matter within the school is categorized in the following instructional areas.

Architectural Administration and Management. AAD courses focus on the organizational and management aspects of architectural practice, including management coordination, administrative procedures, ethics, legal constraints, and the economics of practice.

Architectural Design and Technology Studios. ADE courses require the synthesis of knowledge and understanding gained from other course work and develop an understanding of design theory and design skill through a series of comprehensive design projects. Students apply analytical methods, compare alternative solutions, and develop sophisticated technical and conceptual results.

Environmental Analysis and Programming. ANP courses develop the ability to analyze and program environmental and human factors as preconditions for architectural design using existing and emerging methods of evaluation and analysis.

Architectural Philosophy and History. APH courses develop an understanding of architecture as both a determinant and a consequence of culture, technology, needs, and behavior in the past and present. Studies are concerned with the theory as well as the rationale behind methods and results of design and construction. Case studies are both domestic and international.

Architecture Professional Studies. ARP courses provide students with off-campus opportunities, educational experience in group and individual studies relative to specific student interests, and faculty expertise, including summer internships and field trips.

Architectural Technology. ATE courses develop knowledge of the technical determinants, resources, and processes of architecture. These studies focus on the science and technology of design and construction, including materials, building systems, acoustics, lighting, structural systems, environmental control systems, computer applications to design and technology, and both passive and active solar systems. Emphasis is on measurable and quantifiable aspects.

Architectural Communication. AVC courses develop the student’s understanding of communication theory as it applies to architectural design and practice as well as skills in drawing, graphics, photography, presentation design, and the design process.

The courses required in the upper-division and graduate levels of the professional program are not open to nonmajors and students not admitted to the upper-division program.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The faculty of the School of Architecture offer a Master of Architecture and a M.S. degree in Building Design. Also, a dual career program, Master of Architecture/Master of Business Administration, has been established in cooperation with the College of Business. Also offered is a collegewide, interdisciplinary Ph.D. degree in Environmental Design and Planning with concentrations in design; history, theory, and criticism; and planning. For more information, see the Graduate Catalog.

Page Last Updated: Tuesday, February 26, 2002

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