Prospective Undergraduates: Frequently Asked Questions
The Architectural Studies Degree
Why should I (my son/daughter) major in Architectural Studies
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
What is a “pre-professional” degree in architectural studies?
How long does it take to earn a degree?
What are the steps involved in becoming a licensed architect?
Applying to the Architectural Studies Program
How do I apply?
Do I need a portfolio?
Academic Requirements
What are the admissions requirements for the Architectural Studies program?
What is the foreign language requirement for the Architectural Studies program?
What can be done to prepare for freshman year?
What type of academic advising and assistance is available?
Student Experience
How large is the Architectural Studies program?
Who will be teaching freshman courses?
What is studio like?
Are there opportunities for international study (study abroad)?
Facilities and Resources
What types of computing facilities are available? Do I need a computer?
Are scholarships and financial aid available?
Careers and Employment
What types of career advising and placement resources are available?
What do students do when they graduate from the Architectural Studies program?
Can I get a summer job in an architect’s office?
More Information
Where can I find more information about your program?
Where can I find more information about architectural education generally?
The Architectural Studies Degree
Why should I (my son/daughter) major in Architectural Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
There are 115 colleges and universities in the United States that offer accredited programs in architecture, each with unique programs and strengths. The architecture program at Illinois is the second oldest in the country and is consistently ranked among the top 20 programs nationally. In 2004, DesignIntelligence magazine ranked our program first in the Midwest.
The School of Architecture offers a broad and balanced pre-professional curriculum to undergraduates in the Architectural Studies program. The curriculum provides a strong foundation (and often advanced standing) for professional master’s degree programs in architecture and a world-class general education that prepares students for life (and careers) beyond the architectural profession.
The Architectural Studies program provides outstanding opportunities for undergraduates to assist in faculty research or participate in international study. The 4 + 2 structure of our programs allows students to take a balance of liberal arts and professional courses as undergraduates in preparation for the rigors of a professional program. Many students choose to gain experience by working in a professional office during summers or before returning for the professional (Master of Architecture) degree.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is consistently ranked among the top American research universities and is an excellent value for both Illinois residents and out-of-state students.
The School of Architecture has a well-earned international reputation. Our alumni practice in all 50 states and many foreign countries. Our program challenges assumptions and broadens perspectives; a degree from our program provides access to a world of personal and professional opportunities.
What is a “pre-professional” degree in architectural studies?
The 4-year pre-professional Architectural Studies program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BS in AS) degree. A pre-professional degree allows students to apply for advanced standing in a professional Master of Architecture (M. Arch) program. At Illinois, students with a pre-professional BS in AS can complete the M. Arch in 2 years. The 4 + 2 structure of our programs allows students to take a balance of liberal arts and professional courses as undergraduates in preparation for the rigors of a professional program. Many students choose to gain experience by working in a professional office during summers or before returning for the professional (M. Arch) degree.
Students must apply to the M. Arch program in a competitive admissions process.
How long does it take to earn a degree?
The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies is a 4-year pre-professional program. Most students graduate in 4 years.
The professional Master of Architecture degree (required for licensure in most states) takes an additional 2 years for those who have earned a BS in AS at Illinois or an equivalent degree from another program.
What are the steps involved in becoming a licensed architect?
In most states, professional licensure in architecture requires:
1.) An accredited professional degree (at Illinois, the Master of Architecture or M. Arch)
2.) Completion of the Intern Development Program (IDP), roughly 3 years
3.) Passage of the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) a comprehensive 9-part computer-based exam.
See Becoming an Architect: The Journey Ahead for a more in-depth answer to this question.
Applying to the Architectural Studies Program
How do I apply?
The university’s Office of Admissions and Records is responsible for undergraduate admissions. See their website (http://www.oar.uiuc.edu/) for more information and the online application.
Incoming students should declare Architectural Studies as a major when applying.
Do I need a portfolio?
The School of Architecture does not require a portfolio for incoming freshmen. Transfer students seeking advanced-placement may be required to produce a portfolio in order to determine placement in the architecture sequence.
Academic Requirements
What are the admissions requirements for the Architectural Studies program?
Students applying to the Architectural Studies program must have taken the following courses in high school:
4 years of English
3.5 years of Mathematics
2 years of Social Studies
2 years of Lab-based Science
3 years of the same foreign language
2 years of additional credit in the above areas, fine arts or vocational ed.
Note: These are minimum requirements. The pool of prospective freshmen is very competitive and applicants who take additional coursework will strengthen their chances of admission. In 2003, 48% of incoming freshman had earned some Advanced Placement credit.
What is the foreign language requirement for the Architectural Studies program?
Effective for all entering freshmen in Fall 2000 and later, the foreign language requirement must be completed for graduation. This requirement may be satisfied by:
Successfully completing a third semester college foreign language;
Having taken three years of the same foreign language in high school; or
Demonstrating proficiency at the third semester level in a language proficiency examination approved by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the appropriate department.
If you enter UIUC without three years of the same foreign language in high school, you must take a foreign language placement test to determine the courses in which you should enroll.
All curricula in the College of Fine and Applied Arts have a two year foreign language/fine arts requirement for admission.
Students admitted to the University with foreign language taken in high school may continue their study of this foreign language at the placement test level.
In those cases where foreign language is taken for elective credit or to fulfill an admission deficiency requirement only the credit-no credit option may be used.
What can be done to prepare for freshman year?
Complete three years of a foreign language in high school.
Take a broad range of courses in high school. Consider especially courses in art, history, physics and mathematics.
Take Advanced Placement (AP) courses if they are available at your high school or take a course at a community college. Satisfactory AP and community college credit can be used to fulfill General Education requirements and allow students to take more electives. The rigor of these classes typically helps students prepare for university level instruction and study.
Reading skills are very important for university-level studies. Developing your reading skills will also improve your vocabulary, your ability to write, and your proficiency in understanding what you read. One means to accomplish this is to visit your high school or local library and request a list of suggested books. Then the goal should be to read at least one book every three weeks.
Place special emphasis on becoming proficient in taking class notes. For university level studies this is quite important and it is significantly different from what is practiced in high school.
Become a self-starter. It is a student’s responsibility to set his/her own goals and work to accomplish them.
Read about how to study effectively. Practice improving your study habits and time management. A local library should have information about this subject, or it can be found on the Campus Student Services Counseling Center’s web page www.couns.uiuc.edu/read.htm
In the final analysis, the faculty is responsible for transmitting knowledge; the student is responsible for learning. This is best accomplished through regular course attendance, a significant amount of studying, and asking questions about course material.
What type of academic advising and assistance is available?
The staff of the School’s Office of Undergraduate Affairs is available to help with planning and course selection.
The undergraduate library provides assistance with writing and research in the Writer’s Workshop.
Is it possible to combine a double major or minor with the Architectural Studies major?
In most cases, no. The architectural studies program is a rigorous pre-professional program. Some students, especially those entering with college credit, are able to complete a minor. Minors require a minimum of 18 credit hours. Students should consult the UIUC Programs of Study publication or the academic advisor for more information.
Student Experience
How large is the Architectural Studies program?
There are about 125-140 undergraduate students in each entering class. About 125 students graduate each year from the Architectural Studies program. Overall, there are roughly 550 undergraduate students in the School of Architecture. There are roughly 225 graduate and post-graduate students in the School of Architecture.
Who will be teaching freshman courses?
In the freshman year of the Architectural Studies program, most courses are taken in other departments to meet campus-wide general education requirements. These courses are often taught in the lecture/discussion format. Every week students attend large lectures given by a faculty member and also smaller discussion sections led by teaching assistants (graduate students).
In the Architectural Studies program, freshmen take ARCH 101. ARCH 101 is an introduction to the profession of architecture, taught by the Associate Director for Undergraduate Affairs.
What is studio like?
A major part of an architectural education is the studio experience. In studio courses, students are given 24/7 access to their studio space. Students are encouraged to work in the studio, so that students can learn from each other while they work. Different students spend different amounts of time in studio. Some prefer to work early in the morning, others during the day, and many students work late into the night. The studio experience is social as well as academic; students spend a lot of time with their studio-mates and often form lasting friendships.
You may have heard stories about studio all-nighters—times when architecture students work with little sleep to finish projects. It happens, but students in engineering, psychology and math often work all night to finish assignments too. The difference is that architecture students are working together in studio while other students often work alone in the library or their dorm room. Staying up all night to finish a project is a lot more fun (and worth talking about later) when you’re in a group with pizza and loud music, not alone in the library. Most students only experience one or two all-nighters during a semester, often before the final project is due. Some students avoid all-nighters entirely and others seem to never sleep. The studio experience is individual and depends on your expectations, attitudes, and work-habits.
Studio classes aren’t the only classes you’ll take. Remember, there are plenty of lectures and lab/discussion sections. All your classes are important, and most students quickly learn that lectures aren’t the best place to catch up on lost sleep.
Are there opportunities for international study (study abroad)?
The School’s study abroad program in Versailles, France is one of the longest running and most respected study abroad programs offered by an American architecture program. Every year approximately 48 juniors spend the entire academic year in Europe and take the same classes that they would take in Champaign.
Undergraduates are also able to participate in 6-8 week summer study abroad programs Italy, Denmark, and China.
Facilities and Resources
What types of computing facilities are available? Do I need a computer?
The School provides 3 architecture-only computer labs loaded with all required specialized software and with equipment for large format printing, scanning and video editing. A limited number of computers are also placed in upper-level studios. There are several computer labs located around campus operated by the University for the use of all students; these labs do not necessarily have the specialized software necessary for some architecture courses. University residence halls and certified private housing facilities (where freshmen are required to live) also have computer labs.
A recent survey revealed that 90% of freshmen entering the architectural studies program in Fall 2004 owned a computer on campus. As of Fall 2005, the School of Architecture strongly recommends that all new students purchase a notebook computer. Recommended minimum specifications and information about discounts available through the university will be provided to all new students during summer orientation.Are scholarships and financial aid available?
At the undergraduate level, most financial aid is provided at the University level and is need-based. The School provides a limited amount of financial aid to undergraduates. At the graduate level, the School provides a substantial amount of financial assistance based on both need and merit.
Careers and Employment
What types of career advising and placement resources are available?
Both the College of Fine and Applied Arts and the School of Architecture have career planning and placement advisors. These are the people to talk to about course selection, internship opportunities, and graduate schools. (Most faculty members are also happy to discuss these topics during studio or office hours.) The School offers a number of opportunities to meet with prospective employers: from intimate settings such as design reviews that include practicing architects to large events such as Career Expo, a two day event held every February. The career advisors also regularly organize workshops on topics such as resume editing, interviewing, portfolio preparation, and business etiquette.
What do students do when they graduate from the Architectural Studies program?
Most students follow one of two paths:
Many students go into the workforce as an intern and begin accumulating IDP units (Internship Development Program, see http://www.ncarb.org) and may spend a range of 1 – 3 years working at a firm. Then, at some point, they return to school as a graduate student to finish their master’s degree in architecture.
Other students apply and are accepted into a graduate grogram the fall after completing the BS in AS degree. These students finish their educational requirements before going into the workforce in order to complete their IDP requirements.
Can I get a summer job in an architect’s office?
The BSinAS curriculum is rigorous and pre-professional. Most students are prepared to work in a professional setting during the summer between their junior and senior years. We highly recommend that students work during their summer breaks if that is possible. Some students will participate in study abroad programs administered through the School of Architecture and others will have commitments that will not allow working in an office. The Placement Office communicates many opportunities allowing students to pursue summer employment in an architect’s office through an online announcement board and brings many employers (willing to hire undergrads) to campus each spring for the Career Expo.
More Information
Where can I find more information about the program?
Please explore our website. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, call or email us. The Undergraduate Office can be reached by calling (217) 333-7720 or by emailing arch-ups@uiuc.edu. We’re happy to help answer your questions.
If you’d like to schedule a visit, contact the Campus Visitors' Center (217-333-0824). All prospective undergraduates must make appointments through this central office. Your scheduled visit will include a general campus information session and tour in addition to an appointment with a representative of the School of Architecture.
Where can I find more information about architectural education generally?
We’ve tried to provide a good overview in Becoming an Architect: the Journey Ahead. Additional helpful resources can be found on the website of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (http://www.acsa-arch.org) and ArchVoices (http://www.archvoices.org).
An invaluable resource for comparing architecture programs is the Guide to Architecture Schools published by the ACSA, now in it’s seventh edition (2004). It can be found in many high school counseling centers or libraries and can also be ordered directly from ACSA.
Additional Information
design studio, student presentation Contact
Undergraduate Office
(217) 333-7720
