Architectural Studies and Design, BS (Boston)

Students in Northeastern University’s Architectural Studies and Design, BS build practical skills through architectural representation, design studios, building systems, and advanced architectural communication, while combining architecture with graphic, information, interaction, or experience design. The program emphasizes a strong portfolio and includes access to dedicated architecture studios, digital fabrication facilities, laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC equipment, and collaborative making spaces. Students can also apply their classroom learning through Northeastern’s co-op model, study abroad, and design-focused projects:

• Design Studios: Fundamental Architectural Design and Site, Space, Program give students hands-on experience developing architectural proposals, spatial concepts, and design solutions.
• Architectural Representation: Fundamental Architectural Representation develops visual communication skills used to represent architectural ideas and projects.
• Building Systems: Introduction to Building Systems connects architectural design with the technical systems that support buildings.
• Advanced Communication: Advanced Architectural Communication develops more sophisticated methods for communicating architectural concepts and design work.
• Ruggles Architecture Studio: 24-hour studio access, approximately 300 student work desks, four critique spaces, a model shop, craft area, 3D printers, digital output, and an integrated laser-cutting lab support ongoing studio production.
• Laser Fabrication: Four Universal laser cutters are available in the Ruggles Laser Lab for precise cutting and engraving of materials such as paper, cardboard, thin wood, and acrylic.
• CNC Fabrication: TechnoCNC HDS CNC router with a 4-by-8-foot bed provides full-size digital fabrication capabilities, supported by woodworking equipment including band saws, sanders, a drill press, and other tools.
• 3D Printing: 3D printing facilities within the Ruggles Architecture Studio support physical model production and digital-to-physical prototyping.
• Digital Tools: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, and InDesign are identified by Northeastern Architecture as multidisciplinary skills relevant to architectural studies and design.
• Co-op: One six-month co-op is part of the Architectural Studies pathway, with an optional second four-month summer co-op; CAMD provides a dedicated coordinator to help Architectural Studies students research positions and work with employers.
• Professional Experience: Architecture-related co-op opportunities have included architectural engineering firms such as Buro Happold and LeMessurier, as well as urban planning, exhibition design, and real-estate-related organizations.
• Collaborative Fabrication: Ruggles Makerspaces are designed to support collaborative architectural fabrication, with professional makerspace staff assisting students and faculty in integrating fabrication into architectural practice.
• EXP Makerspace: EXP provides additional prototyping and fabrication resources, including dedicated areas for 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking, and project workspaces.
• Study Abroad: Architecture Topics Abroad courses and the option to study abroad provide opportunities to examine architecture, drawing, and urban/architectural history in international settings.
• Library Resources: Northeastern University Libraries provide access to more than 80,000 e-journals, 500,000+ e-books, licensed databases, articles, images, data, and other research resources supporting design and architectural research.
• Archives: Archives and Special Collections provide research access to materials documenting Boston-area infrastructure, neighborhoods, natural environments, and Northeastern’s own architectural and campus development history.
• Capstone: Architectural Studies Capstone brings together the program’s architectural and design learning into a culminating project, supporting the portfolio students develop for further study or design-related careers. 

The Architectural Studies and Design, BS combines architectural studies with experience, graphic, information, or interaction design, preparing graduates for work across architecture, built-environment design, and creative industries. Students graduate with a portfolio and practical experience through Northeastern’s six-month co-op, with the option of a second four-month summer co-op, while the program also provides a foundation for graduate study.

Typical career roles: Architectural Designer, Design Researcher, Experience Designer, Graphic/Information Designer

Career progression opportunities:

• Co-op experience: Students complete one six-month co-op and may add a second four-month summer co-op, gaining professional experience before graduation.
• Career support: CAMD co-op coordinators help students research positions, prepare resumes and portfolios, develop interview skills, apply through NUworks, and connect classroom learning with workplace experience; Architectural Studies students are supported by Megan Strosnider.
• Industry network: CAMD reports 600 employers participating in its co-op network, with listed organizations including Gensler, Sasaki, Stantec, Payette, Safdie Architects, Elkus Manfredi Architects, Hacin + Associates, Mass Design, and Ann Beha Architects. Employer participation and hiring are competitive and not guaranteed.
• Paid experience: 96% of CAMD co-op positions were paid in 2022–23, giving students an opportunity to build professional experience while earning compensation.
• Graduate outcomes: Across Northeastern, 96% of graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months in the university's latest career-outcomes reporting; 92% of employed full-time undergraduate graduates who reported outcomes were in jobs related to their major for the Class of 2025. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to this degree.
• Salary information: Northeastern's latest university-wide salary reporting shows graduates distributed across salary bands, including $60,000–$69,000 (15.8%), $70,000–$79,000 (15.8%), $80,000–$89,000 (11.3%), and $90,000–$99,000 (7.0%); the university does not publish a program-specific starting salary for this BS on the cited page.
• Professional networks: The School of Architecture's co-op team also supports alumni networking events, alumni panels, and full-time job placement, helping students maintain professional connections after graduation.
• Accreditation value: This BS is not itself a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree. Northeastern's NAAB-accredited professional architecture pathway is its M.Arch., so students seeking architectural licensure can use this undergraduate degree as preparation for further professional graduate study; Northeastern lists M.Arch. pathways for students with a Northeastern B.S. Arch or other qualifying backgrounds.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can pursue graduate study in architecture or related design fields. Northeastern specifically offers NAAB-accredited M.Arch. pathways, while the BS's strong portfolio and architectural/design foundation can also support further graduate education in architecture, design, urbanism, or related built-environment disciplines.