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Architectural Studies

College of Built Environments

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architectural Studies is a four-year, undergraduate degree program in which students explore the many factors that shape our built environment. The program provides a liberal studies approach to the study of architecture that explores socio-cultural influences, urbanism, spatial reasoning, aesthetics, political and economic structures, landscape, construction, building technologies, and ecology. The program engages students in the experience of architecture as a complex, multi-faceted discipline. It also offers the opportunity to focus their studies through a series of courses concentrating on one of three areas:

History and Theory — Exploration of the cultural contexts, impacts and legacies of architecture and the built environment.
Materials and Making — Exploration of design with attention to the inherent qualities of the materials employed and an understanding of potential processes for making objects, furniture and architectural elements.
Sustainable Development — Exploration of design and construction that is conscientious in its use of resources and technologies and is designed to use and support natural systems and to promote social justice.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Minor available

Topic(s): Arts, Humanities and Design, Engineering option

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

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).

Architectural Studies is a capacity-constrained major. While the vast majority of students enter this major by submitting an additional application once they are enrolled a the UW, you may be considered for direct admission as a freshman by listing Architectural Studies as your first-choice major on the freshman application. Admission may be competitive. Visit the department website for more information.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

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 the Architecture website.
  • Non-UW students may register for the prerequisite architecture courses (ARCH 200, 231, 350, 351, 352) as non-matriculated students through UW Extension.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

  • ARCH 200 – Design and Representation I (autumn only)
  • ARCH 231 – Making and Craft (spring 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)

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 102
Total from Washington community colleges: 20

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 9
3.50 – 3.74: 5
3.25 – 3.49: <5
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5

Career outcomes

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See list of all majors