The School of Architecture is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), and a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).
College of Architecture + Planning
Office: 332 Architecture Building
Mailing Address: 375 S. 1530 E., Rm. 332 ARCH
Salt Lake City, UT 84112- 0370
Phone: 801-585-5354
Fax: 801-581-8217
Website: soa.cap.utah.edu
Chair: Timothy O. Adekunle, Ph.D
Advisor: 130 Architecture Building, 801-581-7185,
Design Foundations Advisor: Deepika Shah KC dshahkc@arch.utah.edu
Undergraduate advisor: Sam Dalton sam.dalton@utah.edu
Graduate advisor: Brisa S. Zavala brisa.zavala@utah.edu
Director of Graduate Studies: Valerie Chang Greer AIA
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Erin Carraher, AIA
The study of architecture brings together a community of students, faculty, and staff with a broad range of interests and expertise in creative design, building and digital design technology, issues of social and ecological responsibility, and the scholarly study of the history and theory of the built environment. In this wide range of interests is a common concern for the well-being of individuals, communities, and natural systems and for constructing and maintaining the highest quality in our built and natural environments. To this end, the school offers academically and professionally oriented programs, including a professionally accredited graduate program in architecture (Master of Architecture), post-professional research-based graduate degree (Master of Science in Architectural Studies), dual graduate degrees (Master of Architecture/Master of Science in Architectural Studies), pre-professional undergraduate major in architecture (Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies), and a minor in architecture.
Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program in Architectural Studies is a pre-professional degree in architecture that provides a well-rounded academic foundation from which an individual might develop pre-professional competency for entry-level employment in the building industry. For those seeking work at the graduate level, it provides a thorough preparation for an accredited, professional Master of Architecture program, or studies in related environmental design fields.
Admission Requirements
Students who wish to major in Architectural Studies first should meet with the Design Foundation advisor to receive an orientation to the major. Any student interested in the Architectural Studies major may request to be classified as pre-architecture.
During the first year, the pre-architecture students enter the Design Foundation program within the College of Architecture + Planning. At the end of the first year, students apply for admission to full major status in Architectural Studies. It is expected that students will complete the pre-requisite classes before or during the spring semester in which they are applying for admission to the major.
Special Requirements
All students entering or continuing within the architectural studies major must own and maintain their own computer platform and accompanying software within the school's design studio setting. Specifications and computer requirements are available on the school's website.
Graduate Program
Admission Requirements
Please see program pages for more information.
Professional Accreditation
In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
The University of Utah, School of Architecture, offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:
Master of Architecture 2-yr. (non-accredited undergraduate architecture degree + 59 credits)
Master of Architecture 3+ (non-architecture undergraduate degree + 101 credits)
Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2025
Special Requirements
All students entering or continuing within the M.Arch. program must own and maintain their own computer platform and accompanying software within the school's design studio setting. Specifications and computer requirements are available on the school's website.
Students in all graduate programs are expected to make timely progress toward completion of their program and meet program’s requirements as outlined in the school’s academic policy (GPA and grade requirements). Students who do not meet the minimum requirements established by the school’s academic policy (GPA and grades) will be placed on probation.
Costs and Financial Aid
A tuition differential is assessed on the credit hours taken by students in the M.Arch. and M.S. programs. See Tuition Rate Schedules for architecture under Tuition and Fees on the University’s web site. In addition to financial aid available through the Office of Financial Aid of the University, the School of Architecture offers both teaching assistantships and scholarships to its graduate students. Applications for teaching assistantships and scholarships are received and awards are made during spring semester for the next academic year.