Architectural Studies
Combine technical skill and creativity to design buildings and communities.
Architecture impacts everyday life, shaping the homes we live in, the cities we walk through, and the spaces where communities gather. As a student, you’ll work in studio groups that function like professional design teams, guided by faculty who know you and push your thinking. Ideas move quickly from sketches to models to full-scale construction. The Design+Build program has produced community housing, classrooms, and public facilities for more than 20 years, giving students experience that is rare among undergraduate programs.
The four-year Architecture degree program prepares you to advance into the accredited Master of Architecture, the final step toward professional practice.
Key Information:
What is Architecture?
Architecture is the study and practice of designing buildings and communities.
You’ll learn how to balance creativity with structure, turning concepts into designs that can be built and used. Studios, technical courses, and Design+Build projects give you experience from the drawing board to the construction site. Through each stage of the program, you’ll develop the problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills that define the profession.
Why choose an Architectural Studies degree?
A BS in Architecture is the first step toward working and advancing in the profession. Norwich offers the only accredited program in Vermont and one of the few in New England. The program builds knowledge in design, history, and structures while also developing the technical and communication skills needed to work in practice. Small studios and faculty mentorship provide the support to grow as a designer. During the program, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad at CityLAB: Berlin, adding a global perspective to your experience. You’ll graduate prepared to continue into the NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture and take the next step in your career.
What can I do with an Architecture degree?
With a BS in Architecture, you can begin working in design-related fields or continue into graduate study on the path to licensure. Graduates find careers in private firms, government agencies, real estate and development, and facilities management. Some focus on commercial, industrial, or residential design. Others like Aaron Cayer, M’12, move into academia, planning, or other related industries such as engineering and manufacturing. Whatever path you choose, your degree gives you the skills to design, plan, and contribute to projects that shape communities where people live and work.
Explore occupations in architecture
Life as an Architecture Student
As an architecture student, you’ll spend much of your time in the studio, working closely with professors and classmates on real design problems. Technical courses, history, and design classes give you context and skills, while Design+Build projects connect your work to real communities. Every stage of the program pushes you to think critically, collaborate, and refine your voice as a designer.
Program Breakdown by Year
Year 1:
Build your foundation in design and architectural thinking.
Courses in drawing, history, and the liberal arts introduce the core ideas of the profession. Studio is where you put them into practice, moving from sketches to models and learning how architects test their ideas.
Year 2:
Expand your technical knowledge while taking on more complex studio projects.
Classes in structures, materials, and environmental systems show how buildings stand and perform. In Design+Build, you move beyond models to full-scale construction, working on projects such as outdoor classrooms and community facilities that serve real needs.
Year 3:
Deepen your skills through advanced studio challenges and global study.
Studios focus on housing, public spaces, and sustainable buildings, pushing you to design for both function and impact. Through Design+Build, students have created affordable housing prototypes and even a mobile solar-powered geology lab. These experiences set you apart as you continue your studies abroad at CityLAB: Berlin, exploring architecture on an international scale.
Year 4:
Focus on professional-level design and prepare for your future.
Senior studio projects ask you to bring together everything you’ve learned, from concept to technical detail. Portfolio development and advanced work prepare you to continue into the NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture and take the next step toward licensure.
Continued Study: 4+1 Master of Architecture
The BS in Architecture leads directly into Norwich’s NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture program. Earning this degree is a required step toward becoming a licensed architect, the credential that allows you to design buildings independently, lead projects, and open your own practice. The one-year plus one summer program builds on your undergraduate experience with advanced studios and professional coursework. By completing both degrees in five years, you will be prepared to take the next steps toward licensure and a full professional career in architecture.
