Bachelor of Architecture (Professional)

The five-year undergraduate program seeks applicants curious about the acquisition of knowledge, the creative and Scientific aspects of buildings, the importance of ecological design, the power of learning, the value of hard work, and the transformative opportunities afforded the next generation of architects committed to changing the world. Conceived as a supportive and inspiring environment for the beginning student of architecture, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum comprised of architectural design, history/theory, and technology courses as preparation for our graduates to become future leaders in the profession. The School has an extensive international study abroad program enabling students to spend one full semester in Italy, India or China. In addition, the School also offers a semester-long program in New York City for undergraduate students to study at the Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (CASE), a unique educational and research consortium between Rensselaer and the renowned architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), as an opportunity to pursue research on next-generation sustainable architecture. The Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer is a professional degree fully accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board. Graduates of the School are distinguished by being creatively independent, technologically astute, progressive, professionally ambitious with a strong sense of social responsibility, and prepared for career advancement at any level. The five-year B.Arch. program concludes with a year-long individually developed and comprehensive final project in the context of optional research studio and thematic contexts provided by faculty. The first semester of the final project integrates a Research Methods seminar. An integrated design research phase continues throughout the first and the second semesters. The final project is an opportunity to develop a point of view about architecture and its place in the world; to question conventions, habitual responses, and routine approaches to architectural design; and to investigate issues that the student sees as significant to architecture. The Bachelor of Architecture degree requires 171 credit hours. All undergraduate students should develop a Plan of Study with their faculty adviser.