BS - Architectural Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Missouri

Program Overview

The BS in Architectural Studies at the University of Missouri is a four-year pre-architecture program combining architecture, interior design, human sciences, sustainability, digital technologies, and design theory to prepare students for entry-level design and construction careers or advanced study in architecture. It suits students who want a creative and technical approach to the built environment, with an emphasis on design thinking, human-centered spaces, sustainable practices, and advanced computing.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their design foundation through ARCHST 1100 Visual Design, ARCHST 1200 Architectural Drafting and Working Drawings, and ARCHST 2315 Introduction to Building Systems Laboratory, developing visual composition, technical drawing, drafting, and an initial understanding of building systems. ARCHST 1600W Fundamentals of Environmental Design and ARCHST 2100 Understanding Architecture and the American City introduce environmental design, architecture, theory, and the relationship between buildings and cities.

Year 2: Students move into more applied architectural work through ARCHST 2220 Introduction to CAD, ARCHST 2811 Studio I, and ARCHST 3182 Studio II, strengthening digital design, studio-based problem solving, and design communication. Courses including ARCHST 2310 Building Systems, ARCHST 3100 Color and Light, and architectural history courses develop their understanding of technical systems, environmental qualities, and design precedents.

Year 3: The curriculum advances into professional-level design and technical knowledge through ARCHST 4823 Architectural Studio III, ARCHST 4824 Architectural Studio IV, and ARCHST 3230 Advanced Design Communication Using BIM. Students also study ARCHST 4320 Materials, Methods and Products, ARCHST 4323 Sustainable Technologies and Systems, and ARCHST 4333 Compliance and Specifications, connecting design decisions with materials, sustainability, building technology, regulations, and professional documentation.

Year 4: Students consolidate their education through ARCHST 4990 Thesis Design Studio and ARCHST 4815 Construction Documents and Building Information Modeling Studio, translating design concepts into detailed, buildable documentation and professional presentations. ARCHST 4815 serves as the capstone experience, while physics, electives, and/or minor coursework broaden the student's preparation for professional practice or graduate architecture study.

Focus Areas

Architectural design, design thinking, building systems, sustainable design, advanced computing, BIM, CAD, design communication, human-centered design, materials and construction, architectural history, environmental design, and design theory.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop skills in ideation, technical drawing, craftsmanship, storytelling, collaboration, evidence-based design, prototyping, comprehensive building design, construction documentation, BIM, sustainable technologies, project constraints, sourcing, codes, zoning, and professional communication.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Accreditation: The BS Architectural Studies emphasis is a pre-architecture/pre-professional bachelor's degree and is not itself a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree; Mizzou states that professional architecture degrees are a minimum of five years. The program's coursework is part of a CIDA-accredited Interior Design Program, and the university states that pre-architecture students may be eligible for the NCIDQ examination after graduation and relevant professional experience.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Program employment: The University of Missouri's Architectural Studies department reports a 100% job placement rate for students graduating in 2024, defined as employment in the industry or pursuit of an advanced degree.

University career outcomes: Mizzou reports that 95.2% of graduates had a successful career outcome six months after spring graduation, with more than 11,000 employers recruiting from Mizzou each year.

University reputation: Mizzou reported a No. 124 position among 500 universities worldwide in TIME's 2026 World's Top Universities list, based on long-term graduate outcomes, and No. 13 among U.S. flagship universities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BS in Architectural Studies at the University of Missouri gain practical experience through collaborative design studios, building-systems laboratories, digital modeling, construction documentation, and hands-on fabrication. The Architectural Studies emphasis combines design planning, communication, advanced computing, technical knowledge, and sustainable technologies, while Mizzou’s dedicated facilities allow students to visualize, prototype, fabricate, test, and present architectural ideas in research and teaching environments. Students can also gain professional exposure through department-supported internships and work with community and industry partners:

Design Studios: Studio I, Studio II, Architectural Studio III, Architectural Studio IV, and Thesis Design Studio provide project-based learning in a collaborative studio environment where students develop and apply architectural design thinking.
Building Systems Laboratories: Introduction to Building Systems Laboratory and Advanced Building Systems Lab provide practical exposure to building systems, materials, processes, and technical applications.
BIM and Construction Documentation: Construction Documents and Building Information Modeling Studio gives students practical experience with construction documentation and BIM-based architectural workflows.
CAD and Digital Modeling: Introduction to CAD and Advanced Design Communication Using BIM develop students’ digital architectural design and communication skills.
Required Software: AutoCAD, Revit, Twinmotion, Adobe Creative Collection, and Rhinoceros are listed among the required software for Architectural Studies students; courses may also use Enscape and Lumion.
Building Technology Lab: Boone County Lumber Building Technology Lab includes a wood shop, metalworking area, fabrication capabilities, and activities involving furniture, lighting, concrete and masonry, wood and steel construction, mock-ups, and materials testing.
Immersive Visualization Lab: iLab provides advanced visualization tools for design representation and evaluation, including virtual reality, augmented reality, simulations, and digitally mediated project critiques. It is also used for collaborative group projects and student research.
Fabrication Lab: FabLab allows students to turn digital design concepts into physical prototypes, create models for studio projects, plan fabrication processes, and learn machine operation and maintenance.
Materials Library: Materials Library gives students direct access to a curated collection of materials and finishes for investigation, prototyping, and hands-on material study.
T.E.A.L. Classroom: Technology Enhanced Active Learning Classroom supports collaborative project delivery, advanced design computing, digital twins, energy modeling, material takeoffs, cost estimation, and project delivery exercises.
Collaborative Projects: iLab and studio environments are specifically used for collaborative work, project critiques, group projects, and independent exploration with faculty guidance.
Community Design: Community Design Center @ Mizzou connects students and faculty with community stakeholders through design thinking, placemaking, multidisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable built-environment initiatives.
Internships: Department-supported internships connect Architectural Studies students with firms through Handshake, with opportunities potentially available during the summer or academic semester. Internship skills can include computer software, construction documentation, sample boards, space planning, presentation materials, and social media.
Industry Collaboration: Industry partnerships contribute to facilities such as the Steelcase Active Learning Studio and support opportunities for students to explore real-world project delivery, visualization, prototyping, presentation, and testing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Architectural Studies at the University of Missouri prepares students for entry-level roles across architecture, design, construction, sustainability, and building technology, while also providing a direct foundation for advanced study in architecture. Mizzou reports that 100% of students graduating from the Architectural Studies emphasis in 2024 were employed in the industry or pursuing an advanced degree, and the university specifically identifies careers such as designer, CAD/BIM specialist, building science specialist, sustainability consultant, and project manager.

Career opportunities:

Designer: Work on architectural and built-environment projects using creative and technical design skills.
CAD/BIM Specialist: Apply digital design and building-information skills in architecture and construction environments.
Building Science Specialist: Apply knowledge of building systems, sustainability, materials, and environmental performance.
Project Manager: Coordinate design, construction, and project-delivery activities within the built environment.

The program also connects students with professional networks, internships, career services, and industry professionals, giving graduates multiple routes into employment or further education:

Career Services: Mizzou’s Career Center provides career coaching, job and internship resources, career fairs, employer connections, Handshake, interview preparation, and career-readiness resources.
Handshake: Every Mizzou student receives a Handshake profile through which they can find internships, full-time positions, employer events, career fairs, and job opportunities.
Architectural Internship: ARCHST 4940 allows students to receive academic credit for an internship and apply their classroom knowledge within a professional design environment. Students can work with practitioners, clients, specialists, and design teams and develop professional references.
Industry Advisory Board: Architectural Studies’ advisory board consists of industry professionals who advise on curriculum, review student portfolios, participate in panels, and connect students with internship and career opportunities.
Industry Connections: The department states that businesses and institutions actively recruit its students because of their experience with digital media and sustainable design practices.
Industry Engagement: Mizzou Architecture and Design (MAD) brings industry representatives into monthly meetings and provides portfolio reviews, workshops, speakers, and field trips that strengthen professional connections.
Employment Outcomes: 100% of Architectural Studies students graduating in 2024 were reported as working in the industry or pursuing an advanced degree; the reported 2024 graduation rate for the program cohort was 70%.
University-Wide Employment: Across Mizzou, 95.4% of 2025 graduates had a successful career outcome within six months, with 2,098 unique employers hiring Mizzou graduates, including 98 Fortune 500 companies. This is a university-wide figure, not an Architectural Studies-specific statistic.
Salary Information: Mizzou’s official Architectural Studies pages do not publish a program-specific graduate salary or median salary figure, so no salary figure is stated here.
Alumni Progression: Architectural Studies graduates have progressed into professional practice and advanced study; for example, Mizzou alumnus Jackson Reeves worked at a local architecture firm on sustainable residential and commercial projects before pursuing a Master of Architecture.
Accreditation Value: The BS in Architectural Studies is a pre-architecture degree rather than a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree. Mizzou states that most U.S. registration boards require an accredited professional architecture degree for licensure, so students seeking architectural licensure generally need to continue into an appropriate professional M.Arch pathway.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into Mizzou’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) or pursue other graduate design programs. Mizzou specifically describes the BS Architectural Studies emphasis as preparation for advanced study in the M.Arch. and notes that its alumni are admitted to graduate architecture programs across the United States. The department also offers MS and PhD study in areas including environment and behavior and design with digital media, with research covering urban sustainability, smart cities, healthcare accessibility, and virtual/immersive/augmented reality.