BS in Architectural Studies with Emphasis in Design Studies
- Degree Program Description
- Major Program Requirements
- Semester Plan
- Degree Audit
- Major and Career Exploration
Degree Program Description
Design studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides a baseline of design language and application without the rigor of the advanced coursework and curriculum set forth by accredited degrees for commercial design. Design studies is gaining popularity across the country as an area of concentration where graduates can flexibly navigate conditions unique to their career path and community demand. The curriculum includes several High Impact Practice courses for community engagement and real-world experience. Potential careers include residential design, interior decorator, construction, real estate, contractor, and product representative.
Major Program Requirements
In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated. A program introductory course such as a Freshman Interest Group (FIG) is highly recommended for all students.
Coursework
Students complete University of Missouri general education coursework, supplemental coursework to prepare for a chosen career path such as business, landscape design or construction management, and two years of professional design coursework in the following content areas: basic creative development, design planning and analysis, design communication, advanced computing, technical knowledge, history of art/architecture/interiors, business, and design theory.
Program Structure
All students enter the program as Architectural Studies Majors with Design Studies emphasis for the first two years. After two years students can choose to change their emphasis area to Interior Design or Architectural Studies. A series of required courses and benchmarks are assessed by faculty via portfolio review at the end of each Spring Semester.
Admission to Professional Program Studio Sequence
It is the design studio setting where project-based learning is experienced and realized. The studio is a collaborative environment emphasizing intellectual development and the design thinking process as an applied research tool. Student application for admission to the professional program is required for undergraduate majors after Year One. Portfolio and application materials are submitted in May. In order to submit a portfolio for review, students must complete ARCHST 1100 and ARCHST 1200 or equivalent transfer coursework as determined by the department.
| Required Courses | 56 | |
| ARCHST 1100 | Visual Design | 3 |
| ARCHST 1200 | Architectural Drafting and Working Drawings | 4 |
| ARCHST 1600W | Fundamentals of Environmental Design - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| ARCHST 2100 | Understanding Architecture and the American City | 3 |
| ARCHST 2220 | Introduction to CAD | 3 |
| ARCHST 2230 | Design Communication I | 3 |
| ARCHST 2310 | Building Systems | 3 |
| ARCHST 2315 | Introduction to Building Systems Laboratory | 1 |
| ARCHST 2316 | Advanced Building Systems Lab | 2 |
| ARCHST 2323 | Sustainable Building Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| ARCHST 2811 | Studio I | 5 |
| ARCHST 3100 | Color and Light | 3 |
| ARCHST 3182 | Studio II | 5 |
| ARCHST 4320 | Materials, Methods and Products | 3 |
| ARCHST 4435 | History of the Designed Environment to 1750 | 3 |
| ARCHST 4440 | Design Precedents: Architecture, Interiors and Furniture since the Industrial Revolution | 3 |
| ARCHST 4710 | Design Business Practices | 3 |
| Capstone Experience | 3 | |
Accelerated BS in Architectural Studies to M.Arch in Architecture
An accelerated option is available for the M.Arch in Architecture. Refer to the Graduate School’s webpage on Accelerated Programs for more information. For general information on how accelerated options work at MU, and for guidance on participation, refer to Accelerated Options in the catalog.
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student’s actual plan may vary based on course choices and where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ARCHST 1200 | 4 | ARCHST 1100 | 3 |
| ARCHST 2315 | 1 | ARCHST 1600W (First Writing Intensive) | 3 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | ARCHST 2316 | 2 |
| Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 | Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 |
| Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 | Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 |
| INTDSC 1001 | 1 | Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts and Science | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ARCHST 2220 | 3 | ARCHST 2230 | 3 |
| ARCHST 2310 | 3 | ARCHST 3182 | 5 |
| ARCHST 2811 | 5 | MATH 1050 | 3 |
| Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 | Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ARCHST 2100 ( ) | 3 | ARCHST 2323 | 3 |
| ARCHST 4320 | 3 | ARCHST 3100 | 3 |
| Behavioral Science From Art & Science | 3 | Second Writing Intensive 3000+ | 3 |
| Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 | Biological or Mathematical Science | 3 |
| Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 | Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ARCHST 4323 | 3 | ARCHST 4440 | 3 |
| ARCHST 4435 | 3 | Humanities from Arts and Science | 3 |
| Capstone Experience: choose from ARCHST 4333, 4813, 4823 | 5 | Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 4 |
| Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 | Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 |
| Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective | 3 | ||
| 17 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
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/.
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.
- Change your Major. If you are considering changing your undergraduate major or are choosing between several majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573) 884-9700 or through the Discovery Center service in your MU Connect success network.
- Decided on a Major. 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 that major.
- Identify your Interests and Strengths. If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values, and talents, visit the staff at the MU Career Center. No appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- Explore MU Majors. If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit Majors at Mizzou or the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.