Architecture - B.S.

Design your future with Kent State's Architecture B.S. program. Our 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 toward architecture licensure and a rewarding career in the profession.

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.

The Architecture major includes the following optional concentration:

  • The Architecture Foundations concentration provides a pathway for students who do not meet the GPA requirement for the Architecture major. Students complete additional foundation design coursework and meet additional criteria to progress within the 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 the Architecture Foundations concentration: Students who do not have a minimum 3.000 overall grade point average (on a 4.000 scale) may qualify for admission to the Architecture Foundations concentration. Students admitted to the Architecture Foundations concentration complete additional foundation design coursework and, after the first two semesters, are required to meet additional criteria to progress within the program. In addition, students are required to complete coursework during the summer term prior to entering their second 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 proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, 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

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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 45214
EARLY 20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 45215
MID-20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 45220
ARCHITECTURE IN THE UNITED STATES
ARCH 45230
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
ARCH 45240
THE SKYSCRAPER
ARCH 45241
ARCHITECTURE OF WORLD'S FAIRS
ARCH 45295
SPECIAL 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
American Civic Literacy Requirement 43
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities 40-3
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 4,53-6
Non-Architecture Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 124 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)14
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:3
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Architecture Foundations Concentration
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 meet the requirement for PHY 13012.

4

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category.

5

ECON 22060 is a recommended Kent Core Social Sciences course.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
Kent Core Additional3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:3

Architecture Foundations Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
ARCH 10001UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE (KFA) 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:3

Progression Requirements

Progression Requirements for All Students in the Architecture Major

Requirements for advancement to third year—professional level:

Advancement review for the B.S. degree in Architecture occurs upon completion of second-year architecture coursework. To advance, students must complete 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

Progression Requirements for Architecture Foundations Concentration

Students in the Architecture Foundations concentration must complete one of the following:

  • Minimum 3.000 average GPA in the following courses:
    • ARCH 10001
    • ARCH 10011
    • ARCH 10012
    • ARCH 10101
    • ARCH 20601
    • MATH 11022 or MATH 12011
    • MATH 12002 or MATH 12012
  • Special approval by program director through portfolio review

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.250 2.000
  • Students who are not in the Architecture Foundations concentration may not use ARCH 10001 to satisfy major requirements.
  • 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
Roadmaps

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Roadmaps

Architecture Major (No Concentration)

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. 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
American Civic Literacy 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

Architecture Foundations Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
ARCH 10001 UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE (KFA) 3
ARCH 10011 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY I (KFA) 3
MATH 12011 CALCULUS WITH PRECALCULUS I (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Non-Architecture Elective 2
 Credit Hours15
Semester Two
ARCH 10012 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY II (KFA) 3
ARCH 10101 FIRST YEAR DESIGN STUDIO I 3
ARCH 20601 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE I 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
First Summer Term
ARCH 10102 FIRST-YEAR DESIGN STUDIO II 3
ARCH 20602 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE II 1
 Credit Hours4
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
American Civic Literacy 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 Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
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 4
 Credit Hours15
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
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
!ARCH 40102 INTEGRATED DESIGN STUDIO 5
!ARCH 40302 STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS II 3
Architectural History Elective 3
Non-Architecture Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:124

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

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

Architects, except landscape and naval

3.9%

about as fast as the average

123,600

number of jobs

$96,690

potential earnings

Architectural and engineering managers

3.8%

about as fast as the average

212,500

number of jobs

$167,740

potential earnings

Architecture teachers, postsecondary

2.0%

slower than the average

11,600

number of jobs

$101,480

potential earnings

Designers, all other

2.0%

slower than the average

28,600

number of jobs

$66,220

potential earnings

Historians

2.2%

slower than the average

3,400

number of jobs

$74,050

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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Important Dates for Prospective Students

Visit Information

Fall 2025 Visitation

NOAC Virtual Visitation Day is scheduled for November 14, 2025 from 3-4 PM. Please join the NOAC Coordinator and the audiology graduate coordinators from Kent State University and the University of Akron to learn more about the program and to answer any lingering admissions questions.

Program Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to apply for Audiology licensure in all 50 U.S. States.  If appropriate options are selected during your time in the program, you may also become eligible to apply for licensure as a P12 practitioner in the State of Ohio, as approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

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