Bachelor of Science in Architecture
The Texas A&M BS-ARCH program provides a strong foundation in architectural design, theory, and building technology.
Designing for the Built Environment
The Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree offers a rigorous sequence of STEM-oriented courses, providing students with a solid foundation of math, science, and physics. Since architects’ lead projects using engineers as consultants, they must know technical and engineering concepts and principles, understand structures, building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, daylighting principles and system design) and go beyond the core curriculum to ensure they are well-prepared to lead architectural projects and collaborate effectively. Our architecture-driven curriculum and studio-based experiences will develop your capacity for design thinking. You will leverage creative thinking as a tool in rapidly expanding fields.
About the Program
We deliver a 21st-century education building on timeless principles while engaging with current, emerging, and projected trends. Motivated 2nd-year ARCH students who aspire to become licensed professional architects have the option to participate in the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure (iPAL) program to simultaneously pursue the three essential components for licensure, i.e., Education (Accredited degree), Experience (AXP), and Examination (ARE 5.0), thereby reducing the overall time required to obtain an architectural license. The curriculum requires all 3rd-year undergraduate students to study away from the Texas A&M Main Campus for one semester. Students can elect to participate in an internship or study abroad program to gain global architecture and design perspectives. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture prepares graduates to continue their professional education through a NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture program.
Areas of Emphasis
- Design thinking
- Architectural history, theory and criticism
- Representation
- Building technology
- Social, professional and community engagement
Careers
Students interested in professional architecture registration must complete a National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) accredited Master of Architecture program after completing the four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree. Salary ranges estimated from PayScale.
Graphic Design
$51,175 – $54,308
Robotics
$60,000 – $126,000
Architecture Design
$46,000 – $106,000
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is a 120-credit-hour degree organized over the course of eight semesters. Coursework encourages multidisciplinary and comparative perspectives, communication skills, and team-oriented methods of production. Knowledge gained in the core curriculum is complemented by learning by doing in the design studio sequences.
Students often supplement their degree plans with minors offered through the department, including art and architectural history; sustainable architecture and planning; architectural fabrication and product design; and architectural heritage conservation.
Degree Plan
All students are placed on the current catalog when they enter the Department of Architecture. Under special circumstances, students may request to move into a newer catalog by contacting their academic advisor.
All proposals for undergraduate independent study must be signed by the supervising faculty and submitted to the department for approval; forms are available from the Department of Architecture Undergraduate Advisor.
Students must also make a grade of C or better in any course used as an equivalent substitution for College of Architecture courses satisfying degree requirements.
Past Degree Plans
Looking for past degree plans? Visit the TAMU Catalog Archive for historical records of degree requirements.
Year 1
29 Credit Hours| Course No. | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 105 | Design and Visual Communications Foundations I | 5 |
| ARCH 249 | Survey of World Architecture History I | 3 |
| ARCH 281 | Seminar in Contemporary Architecture | 1 |
| Select One of the Following: | 3 | |
| MATH 140 | Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | |
| MATH 152 | Engineering Mathematics II | |
| MATH 140 | Finite Mathematics | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Year 2
34 Credit Hours| Course No. | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 205 | Architecture Design I | 5 |
| ARCH 212 | Social and Behavioral Factors in Design | 3 |
| ARCH 330 | Seminar | 3 |
| PHYS 330 | Seminar | 4 |
| Government/Political Science | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
| Course No. | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 206 | Architecture Design II | 5 |
| ARCH 213 | Sustainable Architecture | 3 |
| CARC 481 | Seminar | 1 |
| American History | 3 | |
| Life and Physical Sciences | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Year 3
27 Credit Hours| Course No. | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 305 | Architecture Design III | 5 |
| ARCH 331 | Architectural Structures | 3 |
| ARCH 335 | Architectural Systems | 3 |
| Communication | 3 | |
| Life and Physical Sciences | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Year 4
30 Credit Hours| Course No. | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 405 | Architecture Design IV | 6 |
| ARCH 431 | Integrated Structures | 2 |
| ARCH 435 | Integrated Systems | 2 |
| American History | 3 | |
| Government/Political Science | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
FAQ About the Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Students hoping to prepare for the program while still in high school are encouraged to take courses in geometry, algebra, calculus, trigonometry, physics, art, 3D art, and design.
This bachelor’s degree is organized into eight semesters with required studio sequences. There is no way to overlap to get ahead with studio courses, as they are meant to be taken in sequential order. Your degree’s completion time will depend on your AP, transfer, or dual credits and overall academic performance, but it typically takes at least four years.
The Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) at Texas A&M University is a program offered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) that enhances the BS in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees without impacting course load.
Design Studios
The design studio sequence encourages individual exploration, research, and team-based collaboration through project-based learning and application. Students learn and develop skills through a variety of theoretical, experimental, and practical design projects. Design studio projects place a shared emphasis on the:
- Technical and expressive content of design work
- Processes used to research, synthesize, and document design ideas
- Creation of tangible, high-quality products
How to Apply
Admission to our architecture program is offered to students seeking a bachelor’s degree and who meet the Texas A&M University’s entrance requirements.
FAQ About the Admission Process
No.
Yes. However, it can take up to eight semesters (4 years) to complete the BS-ARCH Program after transferring because it requires a studio sequence. There is no way to overlap to get ahead with studio courses as they are meant to be taken in sequential order. Departments may offer summer studio courses to accelerate a program.
Submit your application to Texas A&M University through ApplyTexas or Coalition. Select Architecture as your intended major in your application.
The cost to attend varies depending on a variety of factors, including semester of admission, student type, how many hours you take per semester, and rate type. Additional costs to consider include course materials, housing, meal plans, parking, and fees.
For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance, please visit the Texas A&M University cost and tuition rates webpage. This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated cost of attendance information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
Numerous scholarships and financial aid are available through Texas A&M University, the College of Architecture, and the Department of Architecture. Incoming freshmen applicants are considered for university scholarships through the ApplyTexas Application or the Coalition Application. Continuing students can apply for additional scholarships through the University Scholarship Application for Continuing Students or through our departmental scholarship application process. For more information about university scholarships, visit scholarships.tamu.edu
Our Commitment to Our Students
We are committed to delivering a 21st-century, student-centered education to all of our students. We weave design and critical thinking throughout all of our courses. We view design, both as a process and a product, as the unifying force within our program.
