Architecture

The architecture major is designed to prepare students to design buildings as professional architects. The major is typically offered as part of a challenging liberal arts program. Students will learn building materials involved in architecture, the cultural significance of the trade, drawing & drafting skills, as well as the history and practice of architecture. Courses you may encounter in an architecture major might include: Spatial Language in Design; Methods and Form in Architecture; Urban Landscapes & Design; and Architectural Modeling. A number of complex design projects are required of architecture students, as professors will repeatedly require that students demonstrate the skills they learn in the classroom. Some architecture programs offer different tracks, including the design track and the theory track.

If you’ve ever marveled at the beauty of a skyscraper and found yourself curious about how these and other buildings are designed both for practicality and to please the eye, then you may want to consider majoring in architecture. The major is also ideal for those with a background in construction who believe they have what it takes to design facilities, rather than be the one who simply follows the designs. Career prospects are vast for those who obtain state licensure and continue their studies at the graduate level. Architects may go on to work for or own private architectural firms, specializing in anything from historic preservation to green buildings to urban design. They may also seek careers in writing, teaching and consulting.