Bachelor of Science (Architectural Studies)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) at the University of Utah is a four-year, pre-professional architecture degree that builds a structured foundation in design, architectural history and theory, building technology, structures, design communication, and professional practice. It suits students seeking entry-level preparation for the building industry or a strong foundation for continued study in the professionally accredited Master of Architecture program.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the university’s Design Foundations sequence, developing interdisciplinary design literacy and fundamental architectural skills. Key courses include Design Contexts (ARCH 1010), Basic Architectural Communications I (ARCH 1630), and Design Foundations Workshop (ARCH 2630), alongside mathematics, physics, and general education requirements.

Year 2: The second year develops stronger design and communication abilities while introducing architectural history, design ecologies, and the technical foundations needed for advanced architectural study. Coursework includes Advanced Architectural Design Workshop (ARCH 2632), Design Fundamentals Studio (ARCH 2634), and Design Ecologies (ARCH 2010), supported by College Physics (PHYS 2010) and calculus.

Year 3: Students move into the core architectural curriculum through studio-based design and begin integrating site, structures, building technology, and critical design thinking. Courses include Architectural Design Studio I (ARCH 3010), Architectural Design Studio II (ARCH 3011), Site Planning and Urban Design (ARCH 3112), Critical Concepts in Architectural Design (ARCH 3216), and Foundational Building Technology I (ARCH 3611).

Year 4: The final year advances students toward professional architectural understanding through upper-level design studios, environmental building technology, professional practice, architectural theory, and issues of identity and justice in the built environment. Students study Architectural Design Studio III (ARCH 4010), Architectural Design Studio IV (ARCH 4011), Professional Practice I: Leadership and Collaboration (ARCH 4701), Architectural Theory and Criticism (ARCH 4270), and Identity and Justice in the Built Environment (ARCH 4850).

Focus Areas

Architectural design, design communication, architectural history and theory, building technology, structures, environmental building technology, site planning and urban design, professional practice, identity and justice in the built environment.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop architectural design knowledge, understand the material and cultural dimensions of place, communicate complex ideas verbally, in writing and graphically, understand architecture within cultural and social contexts, and engage with issues including social equity, ecological resilience, civic responsibility, ethics, and the relationship between people and the built environment.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The BSAS is a pre-professional degree and is not itself a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree; the University of Utah identifies the Master of Architecture as its professionally accredited architecture degree. The BSAS provides preparation for continued study toward the professional M.Arch pathway.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Not stated: The official University of Utah program sources reviewed do not publish a program-specific employability ranking for the BSAS, so no ranking is provided.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Utah’s Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies builds practical skills through a structured sequence of design studios, architectural communication, building technology, structures, site planning, and professional practice. Students work in dedicated architecture studios and collaborative spaces, while the CAP Shop provides professional-grade fabrication tools and staff support for turning design ideas into physical projects. The program also includes opportunities for travel-based learning and hands-on design exploration through the School of Architecture’s study-abroad and travel experiences.

Students gain practical experience through the following University of Utah resources and program activities:

Design Studios: Students complete sequenced architectural design studios, including ARCH 3010 Architectural Design Studio I, ARCH 3011 Architectural Design Studio II, ARCH 4010 Architectural Design Studio II, and ARCH 4011 Architectural Design Studio IV, developing projects through iterative design and critique.
Design Foundations: First-year students work together in a cohort through Design Contexts, Design Ecologies, Basic Architectural Communications I, and Design Foundations Workshop, building foundational design and communication skills before entering the major.
Fabrication Lab: The CAP Shop is a fully equipped fabrication lab with professional-grade tools and expert staff, allowing students to physically develop and construct project ideas.
Collaborative Studios: The Architecture Building provides dedicated architecture and design studios where students can collaborate, study, and develop studio projects.
Digital & Plotting Resources: The Architecture Building includes a dedicated plotter room, supporting the production of architectural drawings and presentation materials for coursework and studio projects.
Building Technology: Students develop applied knowledge through Foundational Building Technology I, Building Resilience – Foundations of Building Technology II, Environmental Building Technology II, and Building Technology in Architectural Design, connecting design work with construction and environmental performance.
Site & Urban Design: ARCH 3112 Site Planning and Urban Design gives students experience engaging with site and urban-scale considerations as part of their architectural education.
Professional Practice: ARCH 4701 Professional Practice I: Leadership and Collaboration introduces students to professional and collaborative aspects of architectural work.
Travel Learning: BSAS students have optional travel experiences, including a junior-year spring break trip to New York City and a senior-year spring break trip to Berlin, alongside the School’s fall-semester Volterra study-abroad program.
Research & Exhibition Space: The Einar Nielsen Field House includes flexible studios, individual and group workspaces, presentation areas, an exhibition area for student work, and the CAP Research Center, supporting design development, collaboration, and research.
Student Project Exhibitions: The Architecture Building’s Bailey Gallery provides an open space for showcasing student projects and hosting college-wide events and exhibitions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Architectural Studies at the University of Utah provides a preprofessional foundation for careers across architecture and the building industry, while also preparing students for advanced study through the professionally accredited Master of Architecture pathway. The university’s career resources, professional networking, internship opportunities, and industry-connected digital fabrication experiences give students ways to build practical experience alongside their academic preparation.

Typical Career Roles: Architectural designer, architectural drafter, design professional, architectural project support roles.

Career Support: University of Utah career coaches support students with career exploration, resumes, internships, interviews, and job searches, while the Architectural Studies major map directs students toward Handshake, career coaching, the annual College Career Fair, externships, and professional networking with graduate students and alumni.
Internships & Externships: The program's major map specifically encourages students to pursue externships with architects and internships through the Hinckley Institute, providing opportunities to connect academic preparation with professional practice.
Industry Partnership: The School of Architecture has an established partnership with Plastik Banana Digital Design Werkshop, giving students access to professional digital-fabrication equipment and instruction. The collaboration has supported undergraduate projects using Rhino and Grasshopper, including a full-scale sunshade fabricated by students.
Professional Preparation: A faculty member serving as the School’s Architect Licensing Advisor provides guidance on the internship and architectural licensing process, including NCARB requirements and examination preparation. This is particularly useful for students intending to progress from the preprofessional BS into professional architectural education and eventual licensure.
Employment & Salary: University of Utah’s UGuide reports a 2025 median annual earning of about $92,000 for architects, with 80% of professionals earning approximately $53,000–$201,000; these are national Lightcast figures for workers at all experience levels, not starting salaries or BS-specific outcomes. For architectural and civil drafters, UGuide reports a 2025 median of about $64,000, with 80% earning approximately $44,000–$99,000 nationally.
Career Outcomes: The BS is explicitly described by the University of Utah as a preprofessional degree that provides an academic foundation for careers in different areas of the building industry and thorough preparation for graduate-level professional architecture study.
Accreditation Value: The BS itself is a preprofessional degree rather than the professionally accredited architecture degree. Its stated progression is toward the University of Utah’s professionally accredited Master of Architecture, making the BS a foundation for students who intend to pursue professional architectural education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Architectural Studies, students can continue into the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) to obtain professional architectural education. The BS curriculum is specifically designed to provide thorough preparation for graduate-level professional architecture study, and students interested in becoming licensed architects can continue developing the education, experience, and examination requirements associated with the professional pathway.