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Architecture - B.S.

Design your future with Kent State's Architecture B.S. program. Our STEM-designated program provides you with a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of architecture and prepares you for a one-year path in Kent State’s professionally accredited Master of Architecture program. With experienced faculty, advanced coursework, design studios, study abroad opportunities and hands-on experience, you will be prepared to design and build innovative structures that meet the needs of society. Enroll now and take the first step towards architecture licensure and a rewarding career in the profession.

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More About the Bachelor's Degree in Architecture

The Robert Cene Architecture Program at Kent State University is dedicated to developing responsible, professional architects committed to the improvement of the quality of life, the enhancement of the physical environment and protection of the public welfare through the design of the built environment.

The STEM-designated program’s professional values include reason, independent thought, productivity, honesty, integrity, justice, self-esteem, teamwork and mutual supportiveness. Within a balanced curriculum of technology, visualization, history, theory and design studio coursework, the program offers a platform for scholarship, constructive discourse and debate. Project-based learning activities are used throughout the curriculum. Problem definition, clarification and solution are present in the full spectrum of the program’s activities and assignments. Required design studios exist in every semester of the program. The curriculum fosters experimentation, collaboration, discovery, critical and design thinking and innovation. The program inspires academic excellence and prepares students to be responsible and accomplished architectural professionals.

One of the many aspects that makes our program unique is the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. For more information, visit the global studies page.

Program Information for Architecture - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture enables students to learn, develop and apply knowledge that contributes to the betterment of the built environment. The balanced curriculum of technology, visualization, history, theory and design studio coursework offers a platform for research, constructive discourse and debate.

Northeast Ohio's rich history and dynamic urban landscape serve as a setting for academic learning. By placing equal emphasis on the art and science of architectural design, the curriculum inspires experimentation, collaboration, discovery, critical thinking and innovation in a studio context of project-based learning. The program fosters academic excellence and prepares students to become leaders in the architecture field.

The college offers full-semester programs abroad for qualified third-year students. The study abroad program is housed in the heart of historic Florence, Italy. The program is open to all students who have made satisfactory progress toward completion of their undergraduate program.

Admissions for Architecture - B.S.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Freshman Students: Admission to the Architecture major is selective and based on a holistic review process. Prospective applicants must have a minimum 3.000 overall grade point average (on a 4.000 scale) to be considered for a holistic review and potential admission into the Architecture program.

Applicants with a non-professional bachelor’s degree or a pre-professional degree from another institution will have their prior education evaluated to determine if they meet student performance criteria as stipulated by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). If deficient criteria or courses are recognized, the student may be required to complete additional courses to earn the degree. Determinations will be made by the program director and graduate coordinator at the time the student is admitted to the program

Admission to Non-Degree General major: Students not admitted to the Architecture major may qualify for admission to the college's non-degree General major. Students in the General major are assigned to freshman orientation classes with students in all College of Architecture and Environmental Design majors. These classes aid in understanding the broad range of career options within the environmental design professions. Students should take regular coursework in preparation to attempt entry into one of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design majors or may consider alternative degree program options. Students should meet with their advisor to aid in making a decision regarding their degree program and major. In order to move forward with a minimum loss of credit hours, it is strongly recommended that students in the General, who were not accepted into a degree program, choose an alternate degree program within or outside the college prior to completing 45 credit hours.

Students in the General major may apply for admission to the architecture Spring/Summer studio programs. To be eligible for consideration, they must complete their first semester (or first-year) with a minimum 2.750 GPA (3.000 GPA or higher are the most competitive), complete first-year non-studio requirements and apply for the summer studio program. Students who are accepted will complete ARCH 10101 and ARCH 10102 during the Spring/Summer between their first and second years. A personal interview with the program director is recommended during the first week of the spring semester of their first year.

Transfer, Transitioning and Former Students: For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles of two and three-dimensional form and space making.
  2. Demonstrate comprehensive design studio experiences through which graduates apply an understanding of the integration of building design, site design, assemblies, structure, environmental systems and building code requirements.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of building systems and their integration for human comfort, including lighting, heating ventilation and acoustics.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
ARCH 10011GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY I (KFA) 3
ARCH 10012GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY II (KFA) 3
ARCH 10101FIRST YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 3
ARCH 10102FIRST-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO II 3
ARCH 20101SECOND-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 3
ARCH 20102SECOND-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO II 5
ARCH 20301INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING STRUCTURES 3
ARCH 20601COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE I 1
ARCH 20602COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE II 1
ARCH 30031ARCHITECTURAL DISCOURSES (WIC) 13
ARCH 30101THIRD-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 5
ARCH 30102THIRD-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO II (ELR) 25
ARCH 40101FOURTH-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 5
ARCH 40102INTEGRATED DESIGN STUDIO 5
ARCH 40301STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS I 3
ARCH 40302STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS II 3
ARCH 40401METHODS AND MATERIALS I 3
ARCH 40402METHODS AND MATERIALS II 3
ARCH 40501ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY I 3
ARCH 40502ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY II 3
Architecture (ARCH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)9
Architectural History Elective, choose from the following:3
ARCH 45210
RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 45211
BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 45213
20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
ARCH 45220
AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE: COLONIAL TO 1900
ARCH 45230
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
ARCH 45240
THE SKYSCRAPER
ARCH 45241
ARCHITECTURE OF WORLD'S FAIRS
ARCH 45291
SEMINAR: VARIABLE TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 3-5
or MATH 12012 CALCULUS WITH PRECALCULUS II (KMCR)
MATH 12011CALCULUS WITH PRECALCULUS I (KMCR) 3
PHY 13001GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
PHY 13012COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 32
PHY 13021GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities3
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 46
Kent Core Additional3
Non-Architecture Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 124 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)14
Minimum Total Credit Hours:124
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

This course is equivalent to ARCH 30112.

3

Students who successfully complete PHY 13002 will have met the requirement for PHY 13012.

4

ECON 22060 is a recommended Kent Core Social Sciences course.

Progression Requirements

Requirements for advancement to third year—professional level:

Advancement review for the B.S. degree in Architecture occurs upon completion of second-year architecture course work. To advance, students must accomplish the following:

  • Comply with all specific course prerequisites
  • Earn a minimum 2.250 GPA in architecture courses
  • Earn a minimum 2.500 overall GPA
  • ​Complete the following courses: ARCH 10101, ARCH 10102, ARCH 10011, ARCH 10012, ARCH 20101, ARCH 20102, ARCH 20301, ARCH 20601, ARCH 20602, ARCH 30031, MATH 12002 (or MATH 12011 and MATH 12012), PHY 13001, PHY 13012, PHY 13021, UC 10001 and Kent Core Composition.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.250 2.000
  • Architecture majors may not use the following course to satisfy the architectural major requirements: ARCH 10001.
  • No more than 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses may apply to required credit hours for graduation.
  • No more than the first 16 credit hours of ROTC courses—Aerospace Studies (ASTU) and Military Studies (MSCI)—may apply to required credit hours for graduation. Veterans who have completed a minimum one year of active duty may receive PWS credit for military basic training according to branch of service, as follows:
    • Army and Marine Corps: 3 credit hours
    • Navy and Coast Guard: 2 credit hours
    • Air Force: 1 credit hour
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
ARCH 10011 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY I (KFA) 3
ARCH 10101 FIRST YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 3
ARCH 20601 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE I 1
MATH 12011 CALCULUS WITH PRECALCULUS I (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
ARCH 10012 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY II (KFA) 3
ARCH 10102 FIRST-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO II 3
ARCH 20602 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE II 1
MATH 12002
or MATH 12012
 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR)
or CALCULUS WITH PRECALCULUS II (KMCR)
3-5
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
!ARCH 20101 SECOND-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 3
ARCH 30031 ARCHITECTURAL DISCOURSES (WIC) 3
!PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
!PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Non-Architecture Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
Requirement: Kent Core Composition courses (6 credit hours) must be completed.  
!ARCH 20102 SECOND-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO II 5
!ARCH 20301 INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING STRUCTURES 3
!PHY 13012 COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
Non-Architecture Electives 4
 Credit Hours17
Semester Five
Requirements: minimum 2.250 GPA in ARCH courses, minimum overall 2.500 GPA. Note: no more than one deficiency in required major coursework listed in the first four semesters.  
!ARCH 30101 THIRD-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 5
ARCH 40301 STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS I 3
ARCH 40401 METHODS AND MATERIALS I 3
ARCH 40501 ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY I 3
Non-Architecture Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
!ARCH 30102 THIRD-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO II (ELR) 5
Architecture (ARCH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6
Non-Architecture Electives 5
 Credit Hours16
Semester Seven
!ARCH 40101 FOURTH-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 5
!ARCH 40402 METHODS AND MATERIALS II 3
!ARCH 40502 ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY II 3
Architecture (ARCH) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Eight
!ARCH 40102 INTEGRATED DESIGN STUDIO 5
!ARCH 40302 STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS II 3
Architectural History Elective 3
Non-Architecure Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:124
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Program Layout

FIRST YEAR

Studio begins immediately and focuses on the comprehension of space and its relationship to the individual.   What creates space? How do we differentiate space and represent it in both two and three dimensions?   How does space affect human perception, vitality and action? The year also provides a basis for understanding the terminology of design and construction, while establishing the design process and critical thinking as the basis for further study.

SECOND YEAR

This year sets the groundwork for building technologies that will develop in depth throughout the remainder of the degree. Studios are designed to provide opportunities to concentrate on programming, spatial relationships, the differences between private, semi-private and public spaces, circulation and how to integrate function with aesthetics to create environments that serve individuals and society simultaneously.

THIRD YEAR

Technology enters the curriculum in significant ways, from the use of computer design programs in studio projects to knowledge of building systems. Structure, materials, environmental systems and lighting all become vital parts of the curriculum. Studio courses address “context”, whether that be topography and landscaping, or urban relationships and the creation of designs responsive to specific city locations. This year also provides an option for a semester of study in Florence, Italy which is integrated into the curriculum.

FOURTH YEAR

Although sustainability is woven throughout the curriculum, this year concentrates on that aspect of design and the responsibilities of the designer to address the future of the planet and society. Perhaps the greatest challenge in this year is the “Integrated Design Studio” that demands that students draw upon all their knowledge gained to date, and incorporate it into a single project of significant size and uses, while following the principles of the living building challenge.  The final studio semester requires the student to perform in a manner that replicates an architect in practice.

THREE EXPERIENCES REQUIRED TO BE A REGISTERED ARCHITECT

The candidate must first complete a NAAB accredited professional degree. Second, the candidate must complete the  Intern Development Program (IDP) as administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Third, the candidate must pass all sections of the Architect Registration Exam (ARE), also administered by NCARB. Upon successful completion of these activities, a new architect is granted the initial license to practice architecture in the state where the exam was taken. A separate license is required for each state.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Architecture - B.S.

Architects, except landscape and naval

0.8%

little or no change

129,900

number of jobs

$82,320

potential earnings

Architectural and engineering managers

2.6%

slower than the average

198,100

number of jobs

$149,530

potential earnings

Architecture teachers, postsecondary

5.1%

faster than the average

8,500

number of jobs

$90,880

potential earnings

Designers, all other

-1.9%

decline

13,600

number of jobs

$63,750

potential earnings

Historians

2.6%

slower than the average

3,500

number of jobs

$63,100

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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