Architecture Major

Architecture is the study and practice of designing buildings and built environments, integrating aesthetics, function, and technical knowledge. It is a major within Arts & Humanities.

Architecture is the study of how buildings and built environments are conceived, designed, and constructed. It sits at the intersection of art, science, and engineering, and it asks students to think simultaneously about how a structure looks, how it works, how it stands up, and how it affects the people who use it. Students learn to generate and develop design ideas through studio projects, communicate them through drawing and digital tools, and ground them in the technical realities of structures, materials, and environmental systems. The path to becoming a licensed architect in the U.S. requires completing an accredited professional degree, gaining supervised work experience, and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Architecture is a different degree from Architectural Engineering, which focuses on the engineering systems inside buildings (structural, mechanical, and electrical) rather than on design. Both fields work closely together in practice, but they are separate programs with distinct emphases — see the Architectural Engineering page for that degree.

The professional bachelor's degree in architecture is most commonly the B.Arch, a five-year program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Some students pursue a four-year pre-professional bachelor's degree (often a BS in Architectural Studies or a BA in Architecture) followed by a two-year accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch), which achieves the same accreditation goal on a different timeline. Architecture programs are studio-intensive: much of the curriculum is structured around design projects that take many hours and require sustained creative and technical problem-solving.

Typical coursework

Course requirements vary by school, but a Architecture program commonly includes topics such as:

• Architectural design studio
• Architectural history and theory
• Building technology and structures
• Environmental systems
• Architectural drawing and digital tools
• Professional practice

Most programs also include general-education requirements and, in many fields, a capstone project, internship, or research experience.

Degree levels

Architecture is commonly offered at these levels:

• Bachelor's
• Master's

Availability differs by institution, and program names can vary (for example, a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science track).

Common career directions

Graduates with a Architecture background pursue a range of paths. Some roles related to this field of study include:

• Architect (requires licensure)
• Project manager
• Interior designer
• Urban designer

Many careers require additional steps beyond the major — such as a graduate degree, a license, or a certification — and many graduates work in fields unrelated to their major. What you study is one factor among many in where your career goes.

General career information is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Career paths vary widely by person, school, and region; this is not a list of guaranteed jobs or earnings.

Other majors in arts & humanities

See all Arts & Humanities majors →