FYI: Miami's Architecture Department: a School that Excels in Distinctive Specialties

[StitchInTime]

<p>Along with the recognition Miami has received from Design Intelligence ("…[Miami’s</a> Interior Design program is ranked ninth in the nation, according to the 2009 edition of ‘America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools’](<a href=“http://www.miami.muohio.edu/about-miami/recognition/index.html]Miami’s”>Rankings and Recognition | Miami University) " ), the department was also recognized by Architect Magazine in their ‘[Arch</a> Ed 2009: A new guide to inform (and demystify) the process of choosing an architecture school](<a href=“http://www.architectmagazine.com/education/arch-ed-2009.aspx]Arch”>http://www.architectmagazine.com/education/arch-ed-2009.aspx)’ as one of the [Schools</a> that Excel in Distinctive Specialties](<a href=“http://www.architectmagazine.com/education/distinctive-specialties.aspx]Schools”>http://www.architectmagazine.com/education/distinctive-specialties.aspx):</p>

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Every student at Miami, a public university with 16,000 students, completes the Miami Plan for Liberal Education, which includes foundation courses, a thematic sequence, and a senior capstone experience. Architecture students are encouraged to pursue research at the undergraduate level; they can assist in faculty research initiatives or (with permission) conduct an independent studio project in the second semester of their senior year.

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<p>Related: [Psychology</a> Today: What’s a Liberal Arts Education Really Worth?](<a href=“http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/look-it-way/201004/whats-liberal-arts-education-really-worth]Psychology”>What's a Liberal Arts Education Really Worth? | Psychology Today): </p>

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…The Bottom Line regarding a well rounded, liberal arts education is that it has nothing to do with any kind of Bottom Line. Its value is to be found in the quality that it adds to life. It allows one to better appreciate music and art, history and literature. It contributes to a better understanding of language and culture, nature and philosophy. It expands rather than limits horizons as it replaces faith and belief with reason and logic. Very simply, it teaches one to live…not to earn a living.

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[StitchInTime]

<p>Update via The Miami Student:</p>

<p>[College</a> guide commends music, architecture](<a href=“http://www.miamistudent.net/news/campus/college-guide-commends-music-architecture-1.1576503]College”>http://www.miamistudent.net/news/campus/college-guide-commends-music-architecture-1.1576503):</p>

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Miami University’s music and architecture programs have recently been recognized in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011 for being among the top programs in their fields.</p>

<p>In the guide, Miami is listed as one of 20 “Public Universities Strong in Architecture” and one of 25 “Major Universities Strong in Music.” Miami was also ranked one of 36 “Public Universities Strong in Business.”</p>

<p>John Wiegand, chair and professor of architecture and interior design, said Miami is one of only four National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited universities in Ohio. The other three are The Ohio State University, Kent State University and University of Cincinnati.</p>

<p>As opposed to a five-year bachelor of architecture program, Miami offers a four-year bachelor of art in architecture pre-professional program as well as a master of architecture graduate program. Wiegand said this is one of the strengths of the undergraduate program.</p>

<p>**“One of the things we talk about as being unique is our emphasis in broad-based education,” Wiegand said.</p>

<p>Wiegand said the liberal arts undergraduate education Miami offers is important in his field because architecture is very interdisciplinary. He said students need a broad base of understanding in art, science, human behavior and business to succeed in architecture.**</p>

<p>Wiegand said off-campus study, from Over-the-Rhine to Ghana, Africa, is another unique aspect of the program. He said more than half of the department’s students participate in off-campus study before graduation.</p>

<p>The department also partners with other university departments, Wiegand said. **Collaboration with the business, education and engineering schools, as well as other programs, give students interdisciplinary experience</p>

<p>The program is also competitive. According to Wiegand, of the 400 to 500 undergraduate applicants the department receives, only 75 are accepted. The high caliber of students and the small class size allows for successful collaboration even in the students’ first-year studio classes, Wiegand said…

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