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
Mailing Address: 375 S. 1530 E., Rm. 332 ARCH, Salt Lake City, UT 84112- 0370
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Website: soa.cap.utah.edu
Phone: 801-585-5354
Email: cap-college@utah.edu
Department Chair: Timothy O. Adekunle, Ph.D, FCIOB, FHEA
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Erin Carraher, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Director of Graduate Studies: Valerie Chang Greer AIA, LEED AP, NOMA
Design Foundations Advisor: Deepika Shah KC
Undergraduate Advisor: Sam Dalton
Graduate Advisor: Brisa S. Zavala
Mission Statement
The University of Utah School of Architecture is dedicated to educating thoughtful, humane architects who think as creatively about representation and ideas as they do about building technology and design. We hold ourselves and our students to rigorous standards while fostering curiosity, risk-taking, and discovery. Through close mentorship, we support students in identifying and pursuing their passions within architecture and the built environment.
Overview
The School of Architecture advances design excellence through rigorous teaching, research, and community engagement. As part of the University of Utah, the School integrates theory and practice, preparing students to address complex social, cultural, and environmental challenges through architecture.
Four core beliefs guide our work:
Design Excellence: We teach a process-driven approach grounded in research, critical inquiry, and technical skill. Students learn to connect theory and making, developing projects that thoughtfully integrate people, program, and place across both traditional and contemporary forms of construction.
Responsibility: Architects are civic actors whose work shapes society. We emphasize empathy, ethical practice, and attention to vulnerable communities to promote social and environmental well-being.
Resiliency: Through systems thinking and attention to context, students explore sustainable, locally responsive solutions that address pressing global challenges.
Respect and Respond: We value deep community engagement and collaboration. Our students and faculty work alongside communities to align shared values with the creation of meaningful built environments.
Equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice are central to our mission. We strive to cultivate inclusive leaders who will transform the profession and expand opportunity within architectural education and practice.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Minor
Master of Architecture
Master of Science
Graduate Certificate
Undergraduate Programs
The School of Architecture offers two pre-professional undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) and the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS).
The BAAS is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares students for careers in architecture and related fields, as well as advanced standing in the 3+ Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program. The curriculum explores design, sustainability, materials, construction, and the social, cultural, and environmental forces shaping the built environment. Students may tailor electives to specific interests or pursue a minor outside the School of Architecture to broaden their academic experience.
The BSAS provides a structured pre-professional foundation for entry-level employment in architecture or continued graduate study. The curriculum includes sequenced design studios, architectural history and theory, building technology and structures, design communication, professional practice, and electives.
Both programs offer a fall semester study abroad opportunity in Volterra. The BSAS also includes optional travel experiences, such as a junior-year spring break trip to New York City and a senior-year spring break trip to Berlin, with similar opportunities forthcoming for BAAS students.
Students must complete prerequisite coursework and apply for full program standing in either major. Pre-professional students are encouraged to consult with the program advisor, Deepika Shah KC.
The School also offers a Minor in Architectural Studies.
Graduate Programs
The School of Architecture offers graduate programs that prepare students for professional practice, research, and leadership in architecture and related environmental design fields.
The Master of Architecture (M.Arch) is a NAAB-accredited professional degree that prepares students for licensure. The curriculum emphasizes advanced design inquiry, technical expertise, environmental responsibility, and civic engagement. Students progress through a structured sequence of studios and coursework supported by close faculty mentorship.
A signature component of the M.Arch is the DesignBuild Program, which provides immersive, hands-on experience through two tracks: one in Bluff, Utah, in partnership with the Navajo Nation, and one in Salt Lake City. These community-based projects integrate design, construction, collaboration, and social responsibility. The school is also working on developing new study abroad programs for graduate students to enrich their knowledge and understanding of architecture in other parts of the world.
The School currently offers two pathways to the M.Arch:
M.Arch (2-year program) – 59 credits for students graduating with a BSAS from the University of Utah or with equivalent undergraduate degree.
M.Arch (3+ program) – 101 credits for students with a bachelor's degree other than a BSAS degree from the University of Utah or equivalent.
In addition, the School offers a Master of Science in Architectural Studies (MSAS), a two-year, 36-credit program designed for students with a background in architecture who seek advanced research training. The MSAS emphasizes scholarly inquiry, critical theory, and specialized research development, and is particularly well suited for students considering doctoral study or research-focused careers. A dual-degree option allows students to complete both the M.Arch and MSAS in three years. Students also have opportunities to pursue other dual-degree programs such as M.Arch and MRED and others.
Professional Accreditation
In the United States, most architectural registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional architecture programs at regionally accredited U.S. institutions and recognizes three professional degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Master of Architecture (M.Arch), and Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch).
The University of Utah School of Architecture’s M.Arch program is NAAB-accredited.
Next accreditation visit: 2032 or 2033 (subject to NAAB confirmation)
Additional Information
Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities
The School of Architecture offers scholarships at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate scholarship applications are in the Fall semester, whereas graduate student applications are available in the Spring semester. There are two travel fellowships available for recent Master program graduates. For further information, please contact the graduate advisor.
Financial Aid/Support Information
The School of Architecture offers teaching and research assistantships for graduate students. All graduate program applicants are considered for assistantships, and current graduate students can apply during the Spring semester. Additional Financial support is offered at the college and university levels.
External Recognition and Awards
Our students are recognized annually through highly competitive external awards, further reinforcing the quality of education offered at the school. Some of the external awards include the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence, Alpha Rho Chi, ARCC King Medal, BTES Edward Allen, Tau Sigma Delta Award for Design Excellence, and others.