The Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies is a two-year program for juniors and seniors that uses architecture and related design practices as a lens through which to understand the history of ideas and cultural invention. In addition, it exposes students to the synthetic environment of the design studio, providing an introductory experience that some students may wish to pursue later in graduate education.
The program admits undergraduate students who have completed two years of college, either at UIC or at other institutions. Students currently studying at UIC should take Arch 200 before applying to the program as an intercollege transfer student. Applicants from other institutions take Arch 200 in their first year after admission.
Admitted students move as a cohort through their junior and senior years. In addition to the understanding of contemporary architecture culture provided by the program’s theory and history courses, students will gain design experience in two introductory studio classes, which allow them to develop greater appreciation for the work and synthetic problem-solving methods that design involves. The major has enough university elective offerings to enable students to pursue and potentially minor in other areas of interest.
The BA in Architectural Studies program is designed to provide graduating students with everything they would need to prepare an application that would be favorably received by three year Master of Architecture (MArch) programs such as the one offered by UIC. Graduates who do not choose to continue into a professional degree program may work in related architectural careers or apply for advanced degrees in landscape architecture, graphic or industrial design, urban design and planning, law, public policy, history/theory of architecture, or business.