Degree Requirements
On this page:
Undergraduate Degree Programs | College of Architecture Requirements | Tracks in Architecture | Combined Studies
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The College of Architecture offers course work leading to two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. The requirements for both degrees are the same through the junior year. Students choose which degree program they wish to pursue. Further information about the particular requirements and curricular structures of the undergraduate degree programs is listed below.
Students in the College of Architecture select, in consultation with their advisors, a course of study that satisfies the formal degree requirements, addresses their interests, and best meets their overall goals.
Students begin with a design studio and take required courses in the College of Arts & Sciences in addition to electives across the university. To encourage students to focus their academic and professional interests, they are required to select one of five tracks in architecture.
For the Bachelor of Science degree, students continue to study architecture in depth through the senior year. For those in the Bachelor of Arts program, the fourth year offers the flexibility of studying outside of architecture or pursuing other electives.
Continuing for Graduate Study Years
Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree can apply to two-year Master of Architecture programs. Students receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in architecture usually apply to three-year Master of Architecture programs. Please visit the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design section of this Bulletin for more information.
College of Architecture Requirements
Students in the class of 2028 and beyond must fulfill the following degree requirements. For class of 2027 academic requirements, see the 2023-2024 Bulletin. For class of 2026 and prior classes, refer to the 2022-2023 Bulletin.
Academic Requirements (18 units)
- College Writing (3 units): Every student must demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing the English language and must begin to develop mature skills in framing and revising arguments by completing course work as determined by the College Writing Program L59 CWP, with a grade of C- or better. Transfer students must fulfill the writing requirement by taking an approved writing course or by review of a writing portfolio. For more information, visit the College Writing Program website.
- Calculus I (3 units): All students must complete Math 131 Calculus I (Natural Sciences/Math) with a C- or better. Transfer credit cannot be used to fulfill the Calculus I requirement; the requirement can be fulfilled with Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit.
- Physics I (3 units): Students must complete Physics 191 Physics I (Natural Sciences/Math) with a C- or better.
- Humanities (3 units): Humanities courses examine the human condition as it has been documented and expressed in both past and contemporary times. This area includes courses from literature (both in English and other languages), Classics, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies, as well as some courses in the creative arts such as Dance, Drama, Music and Writing. Courses designated "Arch HUM" fulfill the humanities requirement.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units): These courses use qualitative and quantitative observation to explore the social environment, relationships with society and forms of human behavior. This area includes courses from Anthropology, Economics, Education, International and Area Studies, Political Science and Psychological & Brain Sciences as well as courses from other areas, including interdisciplinary studies. Courses designated "Arch SSC" fulfill the social and behavioral sciences requirement.
- Art History (3 units): Students must complete Art-Arch 113 History of Western Art, Architecture & Design with a C- or better; this course may not be taken pass/fail.
Major Required Courses: Bachelor of Science in Architecture*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 151 | Representation I | 1.5 |
| ARCH 152 | Representation II | 1.5 |
| ARCH 185 | Practices in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design | 3 |
| ARCH 111C | Introduction to Design Processes I | 4.5 |
| ARCH 112C | Introduction to Design Processes II | 4.5 |
| ARCH 304 | Shared Ecologies and Design | 3 |
| ARCH 211D | Architectural Design I | 6 |
| ARCH 212D | Architectural Design II | 6 |
| ARCH 311B | Architectural Design III | 6 |
| ARCH 312B | Architectural Design IV (or ARCH 312M Architectural Design IV (Urban Design + Landscape Systems)) | 6 |
| ARCH 411B | Architectural Design V | 6 |
| or ARCH 411F | Architectural Design V (Florence) | |
| ARCH 412B | Architectural Design VI (or ARCH 412M Architectural Design VI (Urban Design + Landscape Systems) or ARCH 3231 Architectural Apparitions: City of Collective Memory) | 6 |
| ARCH 3280 | Architectural History I: Antiquity to Baroque | 3 |
| ARCH 3284 | Architectural History II: Architecture Since 1880 | 3 |
| ARCH 438 | Environmental Systems I | 3 |
| ARCH 445 | Building Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 447A | Structures I | 3 |
| ARCH 448A | Structures II | 3 |
| History/Theory Research and Writing Elective (RW) | 3 | |
| Open Electives** | 27 | |
| Architecture Track (3 courses)*** | ||
| Total Units | 102 | |
- *
A maximum of 15 non-Washington University units (including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and transfer credit) is permitted.
- **
A maximum of 9 units may be applied to physical education, lessons and/or independent studies. School of Continuing & Professional Studies courses do not count toward degree requirements.
- ***
Track courses fulfill either Humanities and Social Sciences distribution requirements (Arch HUM/Arch SSC); History/Theory Research and Writing elective requirements (RW); or open elective requirements.
Major Required Courses: Bachelor of Arts in Architecture*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 151 | Representation I | 1.5 |
| ARCH 152 | Representation II | 1.5 |
| ARCH 185 | Practices in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design | 3 |
| ARCH 111C | Introduction to Design Processes I | 4.5 |
| ARCH 112C | Introduction to Design Processes II | 4.5 |
| ARCH 304 | Shared Ecologies and Design | 3 |
| ARCH 211D | Architectural Design I | 6 |
| ARCH 212D | Architectural Design II | 6 |
| ARCH 311B | Architectural Design III | 6 |
| ARCH 312B | Architectural Design IV (or ARCH 312M Architectural Design IV (Urban Design + Landscape Systems)) | 6 |
| ARCH 3280 | Architectural History I: Antiquity to Baroque | 3 |
| ARCH 3284 | Architectural History II: Architecture Since 1880 | 3 |
| ARCH 445 | Building Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 499 | Senior Capstone in Architecture | 3 |
| History/Theory Research and Writing Elective (RW) | 3 | |
| Open Electives** | 45 | |
| Architecture Track (3 courses)*** | ||
| Total Units | 102 | |
- *
A maximum of 15 non-Washington University units (including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and transfer credit) is permitted.
- **
A maximum of 9 units may be applied to physical education, lessons and/or independent studies. School of Continuing & Professional Studies courses do not count toward degree requirements.
- ***
Track courses fulfill either Humanities and Social Sciences distribution requirements (Arch HUM/Arch SSC); History/Theory Research and Writing elective requirements (RW); or open elective requirements.
Tracks in Architecture
All students must complete a track in architecture as part of their degree requirements. In consultation with their major advisor, students select a track during their third semester. Tracks consist of 9 units of course work in a focused area of study. A minimum of 6 units of track courses must be taken in the Sam Fox School, with up to 3 units permitted from the College of Art. Up to 3 units taken outside the Sam Fox School can also count toward this requirement. Track courses fulfill either Humanities and Social Sciences distribution requirements (Arch HUM, Arch SSC), History/Theory Research and Writing elective requirements (RW), or open elective requirements, and they may also be counted toward minors.
Students choose one of the following five tracks:
- Ecologies and Sustainable Environments
- Entrepreneurship and Practice
- Fabrication and Visualization
- History and Theory
- Socially Engaged Practice
Regulations
A. Students may take one non-required course on a pass/fail basis each semester.
B. Students may enroll for credit in only one supervised performance course during any semester. Students may earn a maximum of 9 units toward the degree in supervised performance and/or in group or individual performance courses, internships, and independent studies combined. School of Continuing & Professional Studies courses do not count toward degree requirements.
Combined Studies
Washington University offers students the option to study across disciplines and to take advantage of the wide range of courses available. Students may choose to major in architecture and minor in another subject in architecture or to major in architecture and choose a minor or second major in an area from a different undergraduate school.
Major requirements (i.e., any course required to be taken within the Sam Fox School) may not be double-counted for another degree, major or minor unless specifically allowed by a Sam Fox School minor. Open/general electives and Arts & Sciences distribution requirements are permitted to double-count for another degree, major or minor.