School of Architecture

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As Kentucky’s only architecture program that is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the School of Architecture offers a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a Master of Architecture degree. The University of Kentucky’s four-year Bachelor of Arts in Architecture serves as either an essential first step toward becoming a licensed practitioner, or an excellent foundation for a very wide range of career trajectories and related fields of study. The Graduate School of Architecture offers a Master of Architecture, the path toward licensure as a professional architect, with two points of entry for students with undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines.

Regardless of what degree path you take, architectural education offers a transformation that enables you to see the world in a new way, allows you to hone your own critical point of view, and empowers you with skills to improve the world. The broad, generalist education of an architect differs from that of many other professions and disciplines. It empowers you with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills for a career today, while instilling essential critical and creative thinking that will enable you to adapt to the evolving workforce of the future.

The School of Architecture’s curriculum centers around the design studio, which provides a social and curricular framework for every architecture student. As students develop their architectural acumen and spatial acuity over the studio sequence, they develop an array of techniques for visual communication. Architecture students acquire essential skills in drawing, model building, 2D and 3D modeling software, rendering and animation, as well as prototyping and digital fabrication. In addition to the design studio, students study building technology, material innovations, sustainable design and construction systems, as well as the history, theory, and criticism of architecture, and the ethical and professional principles of a successful architecture practice.

The School of Architecture’s educational foundation combines theoretical, conceptual, technological and historical knowledge with critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Our curriculum is designed to prepare you for your future in the architectural profession, as well as broaden your knowledge of the many fields and disciplines that intersect with it. Our courses continually evolve to align with the latest developments in the profession, and respond to current and emerging social, environmental, and global issues impacting the built environment.

Application Deadlines

Accreditation

In the United States, most state 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 U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, and Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted from a few years up to an 8-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The University of Kentucky School of Architecture offers the following NAAB accredited degree programs:

• Master of Architecture (pre-professional degree + 48 graduate credits and non-preprofessional degree + minimum of 78 graduate credits)

Preprofessional Degree

• Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (120 undergraduate credits)

Admissions Procedures

The School of Architecture is a selective admissions program. All applicants are required to apply to the University of Kentucky at www.uky.edu/Admission as well as complete and submit the Architecture Admission Application requirements found in Slideroom at www.ukcod.slideroom.com in order to be considered for admittance into the program; this secondary application to the School of Architecture will include a series of design and writing exercises. The application must be completed and submitted by December 1, 2020, to the College of Design School of Architecture to be considered for scholarships and early notification of admittance to the program. The deadline for Regular Decision Track is February 15, 2021.

Freshman candidates are required to file a University application, with necessary supporting documents, with the Office of Undergraduate Admission and University Registrar by February 15 for Fall Semester admission.

Candidates will be admitted in order of priority on the basis of the following criteria:

1. A potential for general academic achievement as indicated by the high school gradepoint average and national college admission test scores (ACT or SAT).
   
   As a rule, freshmen applying to the School of Architecture must meet the minimum academic standards required for all freshmen applicants for admission to the University. However, if the Architecture Admission Committee finds clear indications of probable success in architecture from its review of the further evidence pertaining to a candidate who does not meet these minimum criteria, an exception may be made to this rule. Any such exception would require formal recommendation of the School of Architecture Admission Committee and approval of the Associate Dean for Administration.
   
   For fall admission, applicants must register for and take the ACT or the SAT on or before the December test date.
2. The probability of success in a professional program in architecture as predicted by the Architecture Admission Application.
3. Comparative measures of aptitude and motivation derived by the Admission Committee from the Architecture Admission Application and, in cases of uncertainty, and circumstances permitting, personal interview.

Transfer candidates from educational programs other than those in architecture will be required to observe the same application deadlines and portfolio submission procedures (when applicable) as those set out above for freshmen. Please note that this deadline is earlier than that for general admission of transfer students to the University.

Candidates will be considered in order of priority on the basis of the following criteria:

1. The indication of general academic performance as reflected by the cumulative collegiate grade-point average, and the indications of specific interests and aptitudes as reflected by grades in certain critical disciplines (e.g., art history, art studio, foreign languages, freehand drawing, history of ideas, mathematics, philosophy, social history).
   
   As a rule, the minimum academic standard acceptable to the Admission Committee will be a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or an average of C in all previous college work. However, if the Architecture Admission Committee finds clear indications of probable success in architecture from its review of the further evidence pertaining to a candidate who does not meet these minimum criteria, an exception may be made to this rule. Any such exception would require formal recommendation of the School of Architecture Admission Committee and approval of the Director of Admissions.
2. The probability of success in a professional program in architecture as predicted by the Architecture Admission Application. Any applicant who is successful on the Architecture Admission Application but who has a university grade-point average of less than 2.0 will not be accepted to begin work in the School of Architecture. However, a one-year deferment of admission may be granted pending grade improvement to at least 2.0. This requirement may be waived by the School of Architecture Program Director under extraordinary circumstances.
3. Other indications of their aptitude and motivation may be available (e.g., a portfolio of work, references, experiences in building construction or related fields).
4. Comparative measures of their aptitude and motivation derived by the Architecture Admission Committee from the Architecture Admission Application and, in certain cases of indecision, and circumstances permitting, personal interviews. Students who have been admitted to and have completed some professional courses within the School of Architecture and have withdrawn from the university for a period of three years or more, or who have not taken professional courses within the School of Architecture but remain in the university for a period of two years or more, may not reenter the program without the consent of the Dean of the College of Design, which would be given only under extraordinary circumstances.

Transfer candidates from NAAB accredited degree programs in architecture are required to file application with the Office of Undergraduate Admission and University Registrar by April 1 for Fall Semester admission. Please note that this deadline is earlier than those for application to the University in general.

Candidates will be considered in order of priority on the basis of the following criteria:

1. The indication of general academic success and success in a professional program in architecture as reflected by the cumulative collegiate grade-point average, and indications of specific aptitude and skill development as reflected by grades in architecture or environmental design courses.
   
   As a rule, the minimum academic standard acceptable to the Admission Committee will be a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a C average in all previous college work. However, if the Architecture Admission Committee finds clear indications of probable success in architecture from its review of the further evidence pertaining to a candidate who does not meet these minimum criteria, an exception may be made to this rule. Any such exception would require formal recommendation of the School of Architecture Admission Committee and approval of the Director of the School of Architecture.
2. The probability of success in a professional program in architecture as predicted by the Architecture Admission Application.
3. A review of at least three letters of reference addressed to the Admission Committee from referees such as previous other teachers, architectural practitioners or related professionals for whom the candidate may have worked.
   
   The candidate’s Architecture Admission Application and letters of reference should be received by the committee by April 1 for Fall Semester admission.
4. In cases of indecision, and circumstances permitting, personal interview. Based on the above criteria, the Admissions Committee will determine entering placement in the program. This placement may be at a level lower than the applicant had achieved at his or her previous institution.

Master of Architecture Candidates

Master of Architecture candidates from the University of Kentucky and other NAAB accredited degree programs are required to file a University application with the Graduate School with supporting documents by January 15. In addition, a School of Architecture application is due on the same date.

Candidates will be admitted in order of priority on the basis of the following criteria:

1. A potential for academic achievement as indicated by college GPA and national college admission test score (GRE);
2. A portfolio of undergraduate work;
3. A personal statement; and
4. Three letters of reference.

Master of Architecture candidates from nonNAAB accredited degree programs are required to file a University application with the Graduate School with supporting documents by January 15. In addition, a School of Architecture application is due on the same date.

Candidates will be admitted in order of priority on the basis of the following criteria:

1. A potential for academic achievement as indicated by college GPA and national college admission test score (GRE);
2. A portfolio of undergraduate work (when applicable);
3. A personal statement; and
4. Three letters of reference.

Scholarships

The College of Design offers merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students. There is no application required to be eligible for scholarships for new incoming students; all students are automatically considered. Students currently enrolled in the Architecture program must apply. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, more than $75,000 in scholarships are awarded to our students each year.

All graduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Approximately $200,000 in merit-based scholarships, awards, and stipends are awarded to College of Design graduate students every year. Scholarships and awards can range from $500 to full tuition. Because financial resources are limited, applicants are encouraged to seek out other sources of funding.

Computer Requirements

Each new incoming student is required to possess a laptop computer with the specifications and software (preloaded) as specified in the School of Architecture Acceptance Letter.

Advising

Advising in the School of Architecture is conducted through meetings with Student Services staff. The Student Services staff has knowledge of the College’s programs and is ready to help students navigate and build their educational plans.

Probation and Academic Suspension

Students should refer to the Academic Requirements  section of this Bulletin for information concerning the College of Design’s probation and academic suspension rules.

Curriculum

The University’s UK Core requirements complement the architecture course work. This program comprises liberal arts and science courses required of all students at the University of Kentucky.

The School of Architecture in the College of Design administers the program curriculum, and the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees grants degrees. The curriculum consists of 48 credits for the 2-year graduate degree for a total of 168 credits in six years. The curriculum consists of a minimum of 78 credits for the 3+ year graduate degree for a minimum total of 198 credits in seven years.

The curriculum conforms to the following outline:

*Three+ Year Master of Architecture.

The above distribution of credit assumes that the UK Core requirements in mathematics and a foreign language have already been met prior to admission to the program, an assumption supported by historical student data. It also assumes that the Humanities and Global Dynamics sections are to be met by approved core program courses in the History and Theory of Architecture ( ARC 314  and ARC 315 ).

UK Core Requirements

See the UK Core  section of this Bulletin for the complete UK Core requirements. The courses listed below are (a) recommended by the college, or (b) required courses that also fulfill UK Core areas. Students should work closely with their advisor to complete the UK Core requirements.

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