Bachelor of Architecture

6 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Drexel University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) at Drexel University is a professional architecture degree that combines design studios, technical knowledge, architectural history and theory, building systems, and professional practice, preparing students for architectural licensure and related careers. The six-year 2+4 option is designed for recent high-school graduates, with two years of full-time study followed by four years of part-time study alongside professional employment, allowing students to gain substantial experience while completing the degree.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their architectural foundation through ARCH 141 Architecture and Society I, ARCH 181 Architecture Studio 1A, and ARCH 211 Architectural Representation I, developing an understanding of architecture, design processes, and visual communication. The curriculum continues with Architecture Studio 1B and Architectural Representation II, while mathematics and composition strengthen the analytical and communication skills required for architectural study.

Year 2: Students progress into more developed studio and technical work through Architecture Studio 2A/2B/2C, Architectural Representation IV–VI, and Architectural Technology I–III. Coursework introduces increasingly complex architectural design problems while connecting representation and studio concepts with building technology and professional architectural knowledge.

Year 3: The program develops students' understanding of architectural technology and professional practice through courses such as ARCH 275 Architectural Technology V, ARCH 276 Architectural Technology VI, ARCH 336 Professional Practice II, and ARCH 382 Architecture Studio 3B. Students also have the opportunity to undertake a Specialized Studio, applying their architectural knowledge to a focused design area.

Year 4: Students undertake advanced technical and design studies through ARCH 377–379 Architectural Technology VII–IX, ARCH 481–483 Architecture Studio 4A–4C, and ARCH 431 Architectural Programming. This stage integrates architectural design with technology, programming, professional decision-making, and specialized studio exploration.

Year 5: Students move into advanced architectural design through ARCH 487 Architecture Studio 5A, ARCH 488 Architecture Studio 5B, and ARCH 489 Architecture Studio 5C, supported by history/theory and professional electives. The year emphasizes increasingly sophisticated design thinking and prepares students for the culminating senior project.

Year 6: The final year centers on ARCH 493 Senior Project I, ARCH 494 Senior Project II, and ARCH 495 Senior Project III, giving students a sustained opportunity to develop and complete an advanced architectural project. Professional electives and other coursework complement the senior project and help students consolidate their academic and professional preparation.

Focus Areas

Architectural design, design studios, architectural representation, architectural technology, building systems, professional practice, architectural programming, history and theory, advanced drawing, computer applications, building enclosure design, energy and architecture, architectural detailing, and senior project development.

Learning Outcomes

Professional practice, applied architectural knowledge, historical and cultural understanding, design communication, research and innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and the ability to develop evidence-based architectural solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

NAAB accreditation: Drexel's Bachelor of Architecture is a NAAB-accredited professional degree. The six-year 2+4 option comprises two years of full-time study followed by four years of part-time study and requires 227 undergraduate quarter-term credits under the current program structure; Drexel identifies the degree as supporting the educational requirements for professional licensure.

Licensure pathway: Students can also pursue Drexel's Integrated Pathway to Architectural Licensure (IPAL), which connects the professional degree with the experience and examination requirements associated with architectural licensure.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Official employment data: Drexel's NAAB annual report records architecture graduates who were seeking employment and obtained architecture-related employment within one year at 97% for the 2019–2020 cohort, 100% for 2020–2021, and 100% for 2021–2022. These are program-level employment outcomes rather than a ranking.

Design recognition: Drexel states that its Architecture program was recognized by DesignIntelligence in 2019 as among the Most Admired Architecture programs in the nation. The university does not currently publish a specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for the B.Arch. on its official program pages.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Architecture at Drexel University is strongly studio-based, with students developing practical design and making skills through continuous architectural projects, critiques, model building, digital production, and fabrication. Students have access to dedicated 24-hour studios, computer labs, printing facilities, and fabrication spaces within the URBN Center, while Philadelphia itself provides an urban setting with access to significant buildings, museums, libraries, galleries, and design firms. The program also provides opportunities to gain professional experience through its work-integrated 3+2 pathway, in which students can work in local architecture and related design practices while completing the latter part of the B.Arch.

Students develop practical experience through the following program-specific resources and opportunities:

24-Hour Architecture Studios: Full-time architecture students have dedicated desks, storage, model-making space, and access to studio facilities around the clock, supporting individual and larger design projects.
Hybrid Making Lab: Students can use laser cutters, 3D printers, a CNC router, and small-scale power tools after completing the required training, allowing digital designs to be developed into physical models and prototypes.
Woodshop & Fabrication: Architecture students also have access to the Visual Studies Arts Annex Woodshop, with larger woodworking equipment; additional fabrication facilities include wood, metal, resin, casting, CNC, and fabrication equipment.
Digital Production: Two open computer labs support architecture students, while specialized software and photography facilities are available through Westphal's computer and photo labs. Students can also submit work digitally to the Westphal Print Center for large- and small-format output.
Printing & Presentation: The Westphal Print Center provides full-service, low-cost printing and plotting, giving students practical support for architectural drawings, presentations, and studio reviews.
Group & Collaborative Work: Architecture studios include large tables designed for group work and larger projects, supporting collaborative design development and studio-based learning.
Professional Work Experience: Through the 3+2 B.Arch. option, students spend their first three years studying full-time and then continue part-time evening coursework while gaining professional work experience as employees at local architecture and related design practices.
Integrated Licensure Experience: Students enrolled in Drexel's Integrated Pathway to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) can combine the professional B.Arch. degree with required work experience and the architectural registration examination pathway.
Philadelphia as a Design Laboratory: Students benefit from Drexel's location in Philadelphia, with access to museums, libraries, renowned buildings, galleries, and architectural and design centers in Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Architecture Design Studios: Design studios form the core of the B.Arch. curriculum, requiring students to apply architectural knowledge to consequential design problems and develop solutions through drawings, models, images, and other forms of communication.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Drexel University’s Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) can progress toward professional architectural practice and related careers by combining their professional degree with substantial practice experience. The program is designed around early exposure to professional practice, and Drexel states that graduates may continue with the firms where they worked during their study/work phase, progress toward positions such as associate or partner, or establish their own firms.

Typical career roles: Architect, Architectural Designer, Project Designer, Architectural Project Manager.

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Professional experience: Drexel's B.Arch. study/work model places academic preparation alongside employment in professional practices. Students can gain multiple years of professional experience while completing their degree rather than relying solely on a conventional summer internship.
Career support: The Steinbright Career Development Center supports students through the employment process, including co-op advising, job-search preparation, employer interviews, and ongoing support during work placements. Drexel reports that 1,504 employers hired co-op students during 2024–25 across the university.
Employment outcomes: Across Drexel undergraduate programs, 96% of graduates from the 2024 graduating class were working or enrolled in graduate/professional education one year after graduation; 90% of those working full-time were in professions closely or somewhat related to their Drexel field of study. These are university-wide figures, not B.Arch.-specific outcomes.
Salary information: Drexel reports an average full-time annual salary of $70,272 for a Drexel graduate one year after graduation; this is a university-wide figure rather than a B.Arch.-specific salary. For comparison, the university's 2024–25 co-op data lists a $22,000+ gross median six-month salary for paid, full-time undergraduate co-op positions, but the B.Arch. study/work model is distinct from Drexel's signature co-op program.
Industry connections: Drexel Architecture's study/work model connects students directly with professional design firms, and the university states that architecture graduates often continue working for the firms that employed them during their studies.
Licensure pathway: The B.Arch. is NAAB-accredited, providing the professional-degree foundation used toward architectural licensure. Students can combine the degree with the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) requirements, and Drexel offers an Integrated Pathway to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) option.
Graduation outcomes: Drexel identifies the B.Arch. as preparation for professional licensure, related architectural careers, or further graduate study, with learning outcomes covering professional practice, applied knowledge, design communication, historical and cultural contexts, and research and innovation.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.Arch., students can pursue advanced graduate studies in architecture or related fields, while those seeking professional registration can continue through the AXP and ARE pathway. Drexel's IPAL option provides an integrated route for students who want to coordinate their professional degree, experience requirements, and licensure examination preparation.