College of Architecture and Environmental Design

PURPOSE - Back to Top

The practice of architecture and environmental design is the culturally responsible shaping of our environment—from the scale of the cities in which we live to the buildings and interiors we inhabit and the artifacts and products we use. What we design must be durable, useful, beautiful, appropriate to its context, and not a waste of resources, energy, or materials. Designing our environment is an art, a technology, and a social science that has a history as long as human culture. The goals of the faculty include offering students an education that becomes the basis for life-long growth and improvement as professionals, advancing the discipline in both theory and practice, and improving the quality of the environment by making the expertise and knowledge of the faculty available to other professionals and to the public.

ORGANIZATION - Back to Top

Academic Organization. The college is composed of three academic units:

Administration of the college is the responsibility of the dean, who in turn is responsible to the president of the university through the senior vice president and provost.

College Facilities. All of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design’s programs are housed in a single complex. Facilities include the Architecture and Environmental Design Library; computer laboratories; design studios; the Gallery of Design; lecture and seminar rooms; the Media Center; offices for faculty, the administration, and student organizations; the shop; the slide collection; Materials Resource Center; and technology laboratories. The bridge between the original building and the expansion places the college’s review and display space at the heart of the complex.

Architecture and Environmental Design Library. As a branch of the University Libraries, the Architecture and Environmental Design Library provides easy access to more than 30,000 books, periodicals, and reference materials for students, faculty, and the professional community. The library’s special collections include archives of Blaine Drake, Victor Olgyay, Calvin Straub, Will Bruder, and others, as well as research materials on Paolo Soleri and Frank Lloyd Wright. The Alternative Energy Collection and the Materials Resource Center provide additional sources for research.

Gallery of Design. The Gallery of Design is one of eight university galleries and museums. It provides space for traveling exhibits and exhibitions of student and faculty work.

Special Facilities. College programs are supplemented by several special laboratories, including the computer-aided design and graphics lab; the high-bay research lab; the lighting lab; the solar research lab; the solar roofdeck work area; an extensive shop equipped to handle wood, plastic, and metal; the Herberger Center for Design Excellence; and the Joint Urban Design Program, which also has a studio at the ASU Downtown Center. The Media Center includes traditional graphics and audiovisual equipment as well as portable gear. The slide collection, with more than 100,000 images, is available for instructional use, and the college maintains an array of materials testing equipment.

ADMISSION - Back to Top

Lower-Division Programs. A new or transfer student who has been admitted to the university and has selected a college major is admitted to the lower-division program of his or her choice. A separate application procedure is required for entry to upper-division programs and graduate programs. Acceptance into lower-division programs does not guarantee acceptance to upper-division programs. Acceptance into lower-division programs requires a TOEFL score of 500 or higher for international students whose native language is not English.

Transfer Credits. While the university accepts credits transferred from other accredited institutions, transfer credits are not applied to specific degree programs until reviewed and accepted by the appropriate academic units. Transfer course work must be equivalent in both content and level of offering. In addition, a review of samples of work (portfolio format) from previous studio classes is required. Students who change majors to transfer into the college or one of its program areas must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Upper-Division Programs. Admission to upper-division programs is competitive. Consult requirements of each major for details. Students applying to more than one program must make a separate application to each and must submit separate portfolios. Students not enrolled at ASU when they apply to upper-division programs must also make a separate application to the university. Students not admitted to the upper division are not dismissed from the university and may reapply or transfer to other programs. Students who plan to reapply should contact a college academic advisor. Transfers into upper-division programs are considered only if vacancies occur, and such transfers are limited to students with equivalent course work who are competitive with continuing students. Acceptance into some upper-division programs requires a TOEFL score of 500 or higher for international students whose native language is not English.

ADVISING - Back to Top

While the college and its academic units provide academic advising, it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to fulfill academic and program requirements. Advising and record keeping for lower-division programs are the responsibility of a college academic advisor (located in ARCH 141). Records for upper-division program students are kept in the appropriate academic units, and advising is provided by the school’s academic advisor. General career advising is available from all faculty members. Administration of program requirements is the responsibility of the head of the academic unit and the dean.

Appeals Procedures. Academic appeals and requests for variances are typically made first to the student’s advisor and then, if necessary, to the head of the appropriate academic unit, the Governance and Grievance Committee, and, finally, the dean. A student who feels unjustly treated in academic or other matters relating to his or her career as a student may contact a college academic advisor or may take the grievance to the college ombudsperson.

DEGREES - Back to Top

Undergraduate. The college offers curricula for four- or five-year degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in Design (B.S.D.) degree in Architectural Studies, Graphic Design, Housing and Urban Development, Industrial Design, and Interior Design; the Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (B.S.L.A.) degree; and the Bachelor of Science in Planning (B.S.P.) degree in Urban Planning. Applications for the B.S.D. degree in Design Science are not being accepted at this time. For more information, see the “College of Architecture and Environmental Design Baccalaureate Degrees and Majors” table, on this page.

Each undergraduate program is divided into lower-division and upper-division programs. Completion of a lower-division program does not guarantee advancement to an upper-division program.

MINORS - Back to Top

The faculty in the School of Architecture offer a minor in Architectural Studies, see School of Architecture, “Architectural Studies Minor.” The faculty in the School of Design offer minors in Design Studies and Interior Design History, see School of Design, “Minors.” The faculty in the School of Planning and Landscape Architecture offer two minors: Landscape Studies and Urban Planning. See School of Planning and Landscape Architecture, “Minors,” for more information.

Graduate Programs - Back to Top

The faculty in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design offer the National Architectural Accrediting Board-accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) professional degree; Planning Accreditation Board-accredited Master of Environmental Planning (M.E.P.) professional degree; M.S. degree in Building Design; Master of Science in Design (M.S.D.) degree; and Ph.D. degree in Environmental Design and Planning. For more information, see the “College of Architecture and Environmental Design Graduate Degrees and Majors” table and the Graduate Catalog.

ASU EXTENDED CAMPUS - Back to Top

The College of Extended Education was created in 1990 to extend the resources of ASU throughout Maricopa County, the state, and beyond. The College of Extended Education is a university-wide college that oversees the ASU Extended Campus and forms partnerships with other ASU colleges, including the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, to meet the instructional and informational needs of a diverse community.

The ASU Extended Campus goes beyond the boundaries of the university’s three physical campuses to provide access to quality academic credit and degree programs for working adults through flexible schedules; a vast network of off-campus sites; classes scheduled days, evenings, and weekends; and innovative delivery technologies including television, the Internet, and Independent Learning. The Extended Campus also offers a variety of professional continuing education and community outreach programs.

For more information, see “ASU Extended Campus” or access the Web site at www.asu.edu/xed.

UNIVERSITY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - Back to Top

In addition to fulfilling college and major requirements, students seeking a bachelor’s degree must meet all university graduation requirements. See “University Graduation Requirements.”

General Studies Requirement - Back to Top

All students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program must satisfy a university requirement of a minimum of 35 semester hours of approved course work in General Studies, as described under “General Studies.” Consult an advisor for an approved list of courses. General Studies courses are listed in the“General Studies Courses” table, in the course descriptions, in the Schedule of Classes, and in the Summer Sessions Bulletin.

COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS - Back to Top

College of Architecture and Environmental Design degree requirements supplement the General Studies requirement. Each curriculum offered by the college includes sufficient approved course work to fulfill the General Studies requirement.

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Science in Design (B.S.D.), Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (B.S.L.A.), or Bachelor of Science in Planning (B.S.P.) degrees in the college of Architecture and Environmental Design, a student must have

1. attained a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher for all course work taken at ASU;
    
2. earned a “C” or higher in each studio course; and
    
3. met all university degree requirements.
    

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS - Back to Top

Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Design degree must satisfactorily complete a curriculum of 120 or 150 semester hours, depending on the major. The Bachelor of Science in Planning degree requires 120 semester hours. The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture degree requires 120 semester hours. Students majoring in Interior Design must take 150 semester hours. All other majors require 120 hours.

Special Honors at Graduation. At the time of graduation, students with academic distinction are awarded the respective designation cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. For more information, see University Graduation Requirements, “Graduation with Academic Recognition.”

ACADEMIC STANDARDS - Back to Top

Lower-Division Retention Standards. A student in one of the college’s lower-division programs is placed on probation when he or she fails to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Students on probation must observe rules or limitations the college imposes on their probation as a condition of retention. If, after one semester on probation, the overall GPA is not at least 2.00 and the conditions of probation have not been met, the student is disqualified for a minimum of two full academic semesters. Appeals may be made to the college Standards and Appeals Committee; see a college advisor for the necessary forms. For more information, see Undergraduate Enrollment, “Retention and Academic Standards.”

Upper-Division Retention Standards. Students in upper-division programs are placed on probation when any of the following occur:

1. failure, incomplete, or withdrawal from any required course;
    
2. a semester GPA below 3.00;
    
3. a grade of “D” or “E” in a design studio, a design laboratory, or a design lecture; or
    
4. violation of the college Code of Student Responsibilities or any admission agreement.
    

Students on probation must observe rules or limitations that the college or academic unit places on their probation as a condition of continuation. Students may be removed from a program (but not necessarily the university) if

1. the requirements imposed are not met or the probationary semester GPA is below 3.00 after one semester on probation;
    
2. failures or withdrawals in required courses are not resolved at the next offering of the course;
    
3. they fail or withdraw from required sequential courses; or
    
4. incompletes in required sequential courses are not completed before the first day of class of the next semester.
    

A student removed from a program is not guaranteed reinstatement in the program even if probation requirements or requirements placed on readmission are fulfilled. Appeals may be made first to the appropriate academic unit and, if necessary, to the college Governance and Grievance Committee. For more information, see Undergraduate Enrollment, “Retention and Academic Standards.”

Incompletes. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor regarding the process of requesting and fulfilling an incomplete. Tardiness in contacting the instructor may result in a failing grade. Students must obtain an official “Request for Grade of Incomplete” form from their academic units. The completed form must include a justification, a listing of requirements that have not been fulfilled, and a proposed schedule of completion. The instructor reviews the request, proposes modifications if necessary, and submits a copy of the request to the appropriate school office. An incomplete in any course that is a prerequisite for sequential courses automatically denies enrollment in subsequent courses. For more information, see Undergraduate Enrollment, “Incomplete.”

Withdrawals. University withdrawal regulations apply to all courses. In addition, because the college’s upper-division curricula are modular and sequential and because space in the programs is limited, a student is expected to progress through the curriculum with his or her class. Withdrawal from a required upper-division course automatically places a student on probation. Withdrawal from a required upper-division course in a required sequence automatically removes the student from the program beginning the subsequent semester. For more information, see Undergraduate Enrollment, “Grading System.”

Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit. The only courses accepted toward graduation with a grade of pass/fail or credit/no credit are internships and field studies.

Foreign Study. The College of Architecture and Environmental Design maintains active communications with several foreign institutions offering professional course work similar to the programs of the college. This opportunity is available for students who wish to pursue professional studies at a foreign institution in lieu of resident course work for up to one academic year. Any interested student is encouraged to inform the head of his or her academic unit at the earliest possible date of any intentions for foreign study. The student must petition the academic unit regarding course equivalency for any exchange programs.

Exchange programs currently exist with the Stuttgart University, Germany; Wageningen University, the Netherlands; the University of Valladolid, Spain; the University of British Columbia, Canada; and the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Foreign study programs in France, Italy, and Spain and summer off-campus courses are offered by the School of Architecture. The School of Planning and Landscape Architecture offers a summer landscape planning course in Europe.

Students are also encouraged to consider foreign travel for either a semester or an entire academic year. A leave of absence must be requested for foreign study and foreign travel. Each academic unit reserves the right to evaluate the content and the student’s competency in each of the courses completed at foreign institutions.

Internship. Upper-division students majoring in Architectural Studies, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, or Urban Planning are required to complete an internship program as part of their curriculum between the third and fourth years of study. Internships are optional for Landscape Architecture and Housing and Urban Development majors.

Attendance. Attendance is expected at all classes, laboratories, and seminars and is a criterion for evaluating performance. Absences and missing work due to absences may result in failure of a course or academic probation. A student may not be excused from attending a class except for medical reasons or other serious personal conditions beyond his or her control. Requests for special consideration must be submitted in writing to the instructor. If accepted, a student may be allowed to take a late or special examination or to submit missing work. Tardiness in contacting the instructor is cause for denying acceptance. For university policy regarding religious holidays, see General Information, “Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.”

Employment. It is difficult for students in professional programs to carry part-time employment while in school. Acceptance to any of the college’s upper-division programs presumes a commitment of a minimum of eight hours a day for professional studies. Prior work experience is not a requirement for admission to upper-division programs.

Retention of Student Work. The college reserves the right to retain any or all projects or work submitted to meet course requirements for the college’s future use in instruction, publication, and exhibition.

Student Leave of Absence. Upper-division students who withdraw from classes or do not continue sequentially in enrollment must request both a leave of absence and readmission in writing from the head of the appropriate academic unit. Leaves of absence are for one-year increments and may be approved for personal reasons, travel, work, or additional study in other disciplines. A student on leave must make the written request for readmission before April 15 for the fall semester of the year of return or before November 1 for the spring semester so that a space may be reserved. Failure to request a leave of absence may result in removal from the program and deferrals are not allowed.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY - Back to Top

The purpose of this code is to promulgate standards of conduct for students of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design and to establish procedures for reviewing violations. Students are expected to support and maintain the highest professional standards with regard to their individual conduct and their personal and common environments in the college. Copies of the Code of Student Responsibilities are available from the Office of the Dean and a college academic advisor.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Back to Top

The college and its academic units regularly sponsor lecture series, symposia, and exhibits. In addition, faculty and students attend regional and national meetings of educators and professionals. Academic units sponsor student awards programs and regularly invite professionals and critics to reviews of student projects. The college also participates with the Barrett Honors College, offering a wide range of courses for honors credit.

GENERAL INFORMATION - Back to Top

Accreditation. Most states require that an individual intending to become an architect hold an accredited degree. There are two types of degrees that are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB): (1) the Bachelor of Architecture, which requires a minimum of five years of study, and (2) the Master of Architecture, which requires a minimum of two years of study following a related preprofessional bachelor’s degree or three years following an unrelated bachelor’s degree. These professional degrees are structured to educate those who aspire to registration/licensure as architects.

The four-year preprofessional degree, where offered, is not accredited by NAAB. The preprofessional degree is useful for those wishing a foundation in the field of architecture, as preparation for either continued education in a professional degree program or for employment options in architecturally related areas. For more information, see “Accreditation and Affiliation.”

Dean’s List. Undergraduate students who earn 12 or more graded semester hours (“A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “E”) during a semester in residence at ASU with a GPA of 3.50 or higher are eligible for the Dean’s List. A notation of achieving the distinction of being listed on the Dean’s List appears on the final grade report for that semester.

College of Architecture and Environmental Design Alumni Association. The College of Architecture and Environmental Design Alumni Association encourages graduates to contribute to the college by acting as liaisons among the college community, students, and practicing professionals. The college also calls on the members of the Architecture Guild of Arizona State, the Arizona Design Institute, the Council for Design Excellence, and the Planning Advisory Committee for advice and to promote the goals of the college.

Council for Design Excellence. The Council for Design Excellence has been created to consolidate a partnership between the College of Architecture and Environmental Design and key community leaders who share a vital interest in the development of high quality in the built environment of the Phoenix metropolitan area. By joining together professionals, business and civic leaders, students, and faculty in a common pursuit of design excellence, the council seeks to make a profound difference in the quality of life.

Affiliations. For information on affiliations maintained by the college, see “Accreditation and Affiliation.”

Student Professional Associations. The purpose of the student associations is to assist students with the transition into professional life and to acquaint them with the profession relating to their program of study. These include the following associations:

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