Bachelor of Science in Design in Architectural Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Arizona State University Tempe

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Design in Architectural Studies at Arizona State University is a preprofessional, interdisciplinary program that explores architecture as both a cultural expression and a technical achievement, preparing students for architecture-related practice and graduate study. Students develop design, technical, historical and critical skills through project-based architecture courses, with pathways that can support careers in related fields such as urban design, construction, landscape architecture and planning.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students begin with foundational architectural projects through ARC 101 Architecture Project I and ARC 102 Architecture Project II, while ARC 111 Architecture of Architecture I introduces architectural history and theory. The first year also includes the ASU Design Experience and university General Studies coursework, establishing the design and academic foundation for later studios.

Year 2: Students progress into ARC 201 Architecture Project III and ARC 202 Architecture Project IV, developing more advanced project and design skills. They also study ARC 112 Architecture of Architecture II and begin the broader historical and theoretical sequence with ARC 331 World and Western Architecture I, alongside their required General Studies courses.

Year 3: The program moves into more advanced project work through ARC 301 Architecture Project V and ARC 302 Architecture Project VI, complemented by upper-division architecture electives. Students can explore areas such as ARC 351 Architecture of Collaboration, ARC 352 Architecture of Leadership, ARC 431 Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism 1970 to the Present, or complete ARC 484 Internship for professional experience.

Year 4: Students complete the advanced studio sequence with ARC 401 Architecture Studio I and ARC 402 Architecture Studio II, supported by ARC 421 Architecture Technology I, ARC 422 Architecture Technology II and ARC 432 Architecture History. The curriculum also allows focused representation and architecture electives, including subjects such as Revit, Rhino and Grasshopper, helping students consolidate their technical and design capabilities.

Focus areas

Architecture design and studios, architectural history and theory, architectural technology, architectural representation, collaboration and leadership, contemporary architecture and urbanism, digital design, professional practice, interdisciplinary architecture-related fields.

Learning outcomes

Students develop design fundamentals, critically evaluate and communicate design work, and build intellectual, artistic and technical skills for architecture and related built-environment fields.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Institutional accreditation: Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Professional architecture accreditation: the Architectural Studies BSD itself is a preprofessional degree and is not listed by ASU as a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree; ASU's NAAB-accredited architecture offering is the Master of Architecture.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Employability: ASU's official degree-search page states that the university ranks #2 in the U.S. among public universities for employability, based on the Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, 2023–26. ASU also highlights industry partnerships, professional-development opportunities and internships within its architecture and construction programs.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Design in Architectural Studies at Arizona State University gives students practical experience through design work, physical prototyping, digital fabrication, and access to specialized architecture and design facilities. Students can move from digital concepts to physical models using 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC equipment, woodworking and metal-fabrication resources, while The Design School also supports research involving emerging technologies, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, data visualization, and robotic fabrication.

Students can build these practical skills through a combination of digital design, fabrication, prototyping, and research facilities:

Digital Fabrication: The Design School’s Digital Labs provide 3D printers and laser cutters for fabricating and assembling prototypes, with staff available for project consultation and safety training.
Prototype & Modeling Shop: The supervised Prototype Modeling Shop supports design projects, research and special projects, with woodworking, metal fabrication, plastic fabrication, vacuum forming, MIG/TIG welding, plasma cutting, a three-axis CNC mill, three-axis CNC router and water-jet machine.
Digital Design Tools: ASU provides access to professional design technologies, including Autodesk tools; ASU has also documented use of Autodesk Fusion 360 for 3D modeling, rendering, cloud-based model sharing and preparation of files for 3D printing.
Research & Emerging Technology: The Design School’s research activities include virtual reality, artificial intelligence, data visualization, robotic fabrication and human-computer interaction, giving students exposure to contemporary approaches to architectural design and the built environment.
Fabrication Equipment: The wider ASU fabrication resources include digital scanning and modeling tools, FDM 3D printers, laser cutters, CAD/CAM capabilities and workstations using software such as Rhino 3D and Blender.
Design Library: The Design School provides a dedicated Design Library as part of its facilities, supporting research and project development across architecture and related design disciplines.
Collaborative Project Work: The school’s fabrication and research environments are designed to support class projects, prototypes, special projects and interdisciplinary design work rather than limiting students to purely theoretical study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Design in Architectural Studies at Arizona State University prepares graduates for design-related careers while also providing a direct pathway into professional graduate architecture study. The program specifically identifies opportunities in architecture and related fields such as landscape architecture, engineering, construction, urban planning, urban design and historic preservation.

Typical career roles: Architect, CAD Operator, Drafting Technician, Landscape Architect. ASU also lists related opportunities such as historian, mechanical drafter and solar energy systems engineer.

Career development and employment opportunities:

Career Services: ASU CareerLink connects students with jobs, internships, employers, career events and appointments, while Career Services provides resume and cover-letter support, career advising and networking guidance.
Design School internships: The Design School provides dedicated internship support, including guidance on finding, securing and receiving approval for internships. The BSD curriculum also specifically includes ARC 484 Internship as an option.
Industry connections: The Architecture Partners Program connects ASU's academic and professional architecture communities in the Phoenix metropolitan area and supports student initiatives including design-build projects, scholarships, new technologies and professional preparation.
Employer engagement: The Design School's annual Studio Night combines a portfolio show with a reverse career fair, allowing students to present their work and career interests directly to industry partners. The 2026 event included architecture firms such as EAPC Architects and GH2 Architects as sponsors.
Employment networking: ASU Career Services also provides career and internship fairs, employer discovery days, job-shadowing opportunities and one-to-one networking conversations with ASU alumni.
Salary information: ASU's current program page lists median salaries of $99,280 for architects, $76,870 for CAD operators, $66,150 for drafting technicians and $79,870 for landscape architects. ASU notes that these figures are not necessarily entry-level salaries and can vary by experience and location.
Graduate outcomes: The program is designed as a preprofessional degree, so students seeking architectural licensure can continue into an accredited professional Master of Architecture. ASU specifically offers a two-year MArch pathway for graduates of its undergraduate architectural studies program.
Accreditation value: ASU states that its academic programs are institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, while its professional architecture programs have additional specialized accreditation. The Architectural Studies BSD itself is described as a preprofessional degree, making the professional MArch the relevant graduate route for students pursuing licensure.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BSD, students can pursue ASU's Master of Architecture (MArch). The two-year MArch pathway is specifically designed for applicants with a four-year architectural studies or similar preprofessional architecture degree; ASU also offers a three-year MArch pathway for students whose prior bachelor's degree is in another field.