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BS in Architectural Studies with Emphasis in Architectural Studies

Degree Program Description

The Architectural Studies emphasis is a four-year, professional baccalaureate program often referred to as a Pre-Architecture program. The architectural studies emphasis prepares students for success in entry-level jobs in the design and construction industry and also to prepare students for advanced study in architecture (Masters of Architecture, M.Arch.) or other design-related programs. See Opportunity for Employment, Careers in Architectural Studies, and Spotlight on Alumni. Students benefit from the enriched academic research environment and the emphasis on the thinking and making of physical environments that address the needs and aspirations of people. The program strives to blur the boundaries between architecture and interior design by stressing the experience of people in buildings.  Students interested in becoming a licensed architect continue their education in graduate architectural programs that are accredited. Missouri residents may benefit from the Reciprocity Agreement with the University of Kansas which may waive out of state tuition for their M. Arch. degree. Alumni are admitted to many highly ranked graduate programs throughout the U.S. With coursework being part of a CIDA Accredited Interior Design Program, pre-architecture students may be eligible for the NCIDQ examination after graduation and experience in the field. For more information see Careers in Interior Design with links to professional organizations and regulations. See Architectural Studies web page for more highlights of program.

Major Program Requirements

Coursework

Students complete University of Missouri general education coursework that includes physics and calculus. Professional design coursework is in the following content areas: basic creative development, design planning and analysis, design communication, technical knowledge, history of art/architecture/interiors, business, and design theory.

Studio Description

It is the design studio setting where learning by doing is experienced and realized. The studio is a collaborative and cooperative learning environment emphasizing personal intellectual development as well as content learning. Course work includes studios and coursework centering on the synthesis of functional, technological, social, aesthetic and symbolic attributes architecture that support human needs and their aspirations. See Studio Description on the department website for more information.

Application for the Professional Program

After completing two required classes of Drafting (ARCHST 1200) and Visual Design (ARCHST 1100) during the first year, students apply for admission to the studio sequence. Applications are made at the end of the spring semester of the first year granting permission to enroll in Studio I. The application form is available at the department's web site. Transfer Coursework is evaluated by faculty on a case by case basis.  Please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for more information.

Degree Requirements

Basic Creative Development9
ARCHST 1100Visual Design3
ARCHST 2315Introduction to Building Systems Laboratory1
ARCHST 2316Advanced Building Systems Lab2
ARCHST 3100Color and Light3
Design Planning and Analysis 24
ARCHST 2811Studio I4
ARCHST 3182Studio II4
ARCHST 4815Construction Documents and Building Information Modeling Studio4
ARCHST 4823Architectural Studio III4
ARCHST 4824Architectural Studio IV4
ARCHST 4990Thesis Design Studio4
Design Communication9
ARCHST 1200Architectural Drafting and Working Drawings3
ARCHST 2230Design Communication I3
ARCHST 3230Advanced Design Communication Using BIM3
Technical Knowledge25
ARCHST 2220Introduction to CAD3
ARCHST 2310Building Systems3
ARCHST 2323Sustainable Building Design Fundamentals3
ARCHST 4320Materials, Methods and Products3
ARCHST 4323Sustainable Technologies and Systems3
ARCHST 4333Compliance and Specifications3
MATH 1400Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I3
PHYSCS 1210College Physics I4
History of Art, Architecture and Interiors6
ARCHST 4435History of the Designed Environment to 17503
ARCHST 4440Design Precedents: Architecture, Interiors and Furniture since the Industrial Revolution3
Business3
ARCHST 4710Design Business Practices3
Design Theory9
ARCHST 1600WFundamentals of Environmental Design - Writing Intensive3
ARCHST 2100Understanding Architecture and the American City3
ARCHST 3860WHuman Factors Programming - Writing Intensive3

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester.  A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. Also, view degree program requirements at the department's web site. 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 12003ARCHST 11003
ARCHST 21003ARCHST 1600W3
ENGLSH 10003ARCHST 23233
American History or Government 3MATH 11003
Electives3Electives3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 22203ARCHST 22303
ARCHST 23103ARCHST 31003
ARCHST 28114ARCHST 31824
ARCHST 44353ARCHST 44403
Electives3Electives3
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 32303ARCHST 3860W3
ARCHST 43203ARCHST 43233
ARCHST 48234ARCHST 43333
MATH 14003ARCHST 48244
ARCHST 23151ARCHST 23162
 14 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 47103ARCHST 48154
ARCHST 49904PHYSCS 12104
Electives6Electives8
 13 16
Total Credits: 120

Grade requirements
The University requires the following courses to have a grade of C- or above: ENGLSH 1000, ARCHST 4323 Sustainable Technologies and Systems, ARCHST 1600W Fundamentals of Environmental Design - Writing Intensive and ARCHST 3860W Human Factors Programming - Writing Intensive, and ARCHST 4815 Construction Documents and Building Information Modeling Studio satisfying the capstone experience. 

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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