Architectural Design

College of Built Environments

The Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design is a pre-professional degree that prepares students for graduate study in a Master of Architecture professional program, a requirement for a career as a licensed architect. Admission is offered at the junior level through a competitive application process, based on completing two years of general university requirements and program pre-requisites. The program features six quarters of design studios as well as coursework in building technologies and architectural theory; students gain design skills that allow continuation to professional studies in related disciplines as well as architecture. This program is a good choice for students seeking for a high degree of focus in their undergraduate studies in architecture. Students in this major are able to apply for the Dual Degree in Construction Management program in the spring of their junior year.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Minor available

Topic: Arts

website  

Applicant type

Freshman

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).


Transfer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission. Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree

Department admission information

  • Departmental application deadline: First Monday of spring quarter
  • Please contact the department for details about the application process.

This major is capacity-constrained. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission.
  • A separate departmental application is required for this major. For more information, visit Architectural Design
  • Non-UW students may register for the prerequisite architecture courses (ARCH 200, 201, 350, 351, 352) as non-matriculated students through UW Extension

Courses required for the major:

  • ARCH 200 – Design and Representation I (autumn only)
  • ARCH 201 – Design and Representation II (winter only)
  • ARCH 350 – Architecture of the Ancient World (autumn only)
  • ARCH 351 – Architecture of the Medieval and Early Modern World (winter only)
  • ARCH 352 – History of Modern Architecture (spring only)

Notes:

Completion of 90 credits including English composition (5 credits); Arts & Humanities (20 credits); Social Sciences (20 credits); Natural Sciences (20 credits including MATH 112, 124, or 145); and additional Areas of Inquiry (5 credits)

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 116
Total from Washington community colleges: 20

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 4
3.50 – 3.74: 4
3.25 – 3.49: 6
3.00 – 3.24: 5
2.75 – 2.99: 0
2.50 – 2.74: 0
2.49 and below: 1


Career outcomes