Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (BA)
The School of Architecture at the University of Minnesota exposes students to the socio-cultural, environmental, formal, and historical factors that shape the built environment. Students develop visual literacy by thinking through the design process in studios and workshops, by researching historical precedents, and by analyzing theoretical texts and the physical environment.
Our undergraduate programs foster a sense of stewardship for the local and global built environment by providing opportunities for students to engage with College of Design faculty and research centers, enroll in service learning courses, and study abroad.
The School of Architecture offers three undergraduate architecture degrees - BA, BDA and BS - and the professional Master of Architecture (M. Arch), which is required to become a licensed architect in the state of Minnesota, and throughout the U.S.
Program Info
The BA provides a liberal arts education, with an emphasis in architecture. Students in this program register in the University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts, and must fulfill all requirements of that college's program - including proficiency in a second language. Students are eligible to apply to this program after completing the required pre-Architecture program. In addition to the first- and second-year core Architecture courses, students in the BA program take 4 credits of design workshops, upper-level architecture electives and required upper-level courses in architecture. Graduates of the BA in Architecture program are well prepared to apply to the School of Architecture's 3+ Master of Architecture program, as well as programs at other schools, per their admissions requirements.
Degree Requirements and Sample 4-year Program
Admissions
Applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing freshman composition, Arch 1281, and Arch 1701, and a total of 30 college credits (end of freshman Pre-Architecture year for most students). A GPA of 2.8 or above is preferred for admissions to the BA in Architecture program. Note: Students moving from the Pre-Architecture to BA in Architecture major must follow the College of Design transfer admission process. Transfer Admissions deadlines and application materials