<p>I’m having a hard time finding a small liberal arts college offering an architecture or pre-architecture program. Does anyone know how the Pre-Architecture program at Knox works? If you know of any schools that offer these programs let me know! Thanks!</p>
<p>Connecticut College has a well reputable architecture program.
I think Barnard and Mt Holyoke have departments too (if female)</p>
<p>Several LACs offer “pre-architecture” or “architectural studies” (not to be confused with a Bachelors of Architecture degree program). Middlebury College seems to have one of the best. Connecticut College and Hobart & Wm. Smith also have programs.</p>
<p>Some other LACs that may not have an architectural studies major, per se, do have a pre-architecture program that specifies a set of course options from Art History or other departments as preparation for graduate training in architecture. Or they offer a cooperative program in partnership with a larger university. Examples:</p>
<p>[Colorado</a> College Pre-Architecture](<a href=“http://www.coloradocollege.edu/dept/AH/programs/students/prearch.html]Colorado”>http://www.coloradocollege.edu/dept/AH/programs/students/prearch.html)
[Pre-Architecture</a> - Cornell College](<a href=“Department of Art & Art History | Cornell College”>Department of Art & Art History | Cornell College)
[Macalester</a> College Architecture Program](<a href=“http://www.macalester.edu/architecture/courses.html]Macalester”>http://www.macalester.edu/architecture/courses.html)</p>
<p>[To</a> build a better architect (The Colgate Scene, November 2003)](<a href=“http://www4.colgate.edu/scene/nov2003/architect.html]To”>http://www4.colgate.edu/scene/nov2003/architect.html)
[Colgate:</a> Pre-professional Planning (dt)](<a href=“http://www.colgate.edu/DesktopDefault1.aspx?tabid=3846#prearchitecture]Colgate:”>http://www.colgate.edu/DesktopDefault1.aspx?tabid=3846#prearchitecture)</p>
<p>Bryn Mawr College offers a program that which may suit your needs. BMC is a women’s college but men (or women) from neighboring Haverford College can cross-register.
[Bryn</a> Mawr College: Growth and Structure of Cities Program](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/cities/arch/]Bryn”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/cities/arch/)</p>
<p>Masters of Architecture programs accept students with all sorts of undergradutate degrees, not just architecture studies. You could study art, art history really whatever appeals to you and still get accepted to an M.Arch program as long as you fulfill the requirements which are basically: portfolio + classes in studio, art history and usually some calculus and physics.</p>
<p>So my advice would be to find a college that suits you in personality and teaching style with reasonably good art history and art studio programs and don’t worry about architectural studies per se. Along the way, try to attend an introduction to architecture summer program or possibly intern at an architecture firm. Work on building a strong portfolio that highlights technique and creativity in several media.</p>
<p>Ways judge the efficacy of an individual program:
Ask if architecture graduate school counseling is offered.
Look at the course catelog to see how many courses are offered in architectural drawing and architecture related art history.
See which graduate programs alums have been accepted to.</p>
<p>Ah, thank you so much! Do you have to be artistically talented to be an architect? I have an eye for design and I’m excellent at math. I like to draw and take pictures but I’m not particularly good. I’ve heard that a lot of sketching and drafting these days is done via specially designed computer programs. Is there truth to any of that?</p>
<p>Also check out Lehigh, a small national univ. as ranked by USN&WR with a wonderful architecture program (enrollment about 4,500). Just about 1.5 hrs. north of Philly in PA.</p>
<p>worm, Assuming that you are not planning to go directly from high school into a professional architecture program (the bachelors of architecture or B.Arch), then I wouldn’t worry too much about your aptitude for architecture. You’ll have some time to take art courses, CAD courses, maybe a summer architecture program or an internship. By the time you get ready to apply to graduate school you’ll feel more confident.</p>
<p>Again, I’d concentrate on finding an undergraduate school that FITS you. Don’t focus exclusively on whether it does or does not have a defined architecture studies program. Most likely you – like most undergrads – will change your major once or twice in the next few years. What you won’t change is your personality so make sure that your list reflects what you like in environment and teaching style.</p>
<p>Some architecture programs are more computer driven than others. Some involve a lot of drawing, some do not. The key balance that you’ll want to achieve in your portfolio is between creativity and technique.</p>
<p>My son was an art studio / art history major at Williams and just this week he’s started his M.Arch at Cornell. Please let me know if I can provide any more specific information.</p>
<p>…on the other hand, might not the ability to take some architecture courses along the way, as an undergrad, help inform one’s decisions about whether they really want to be an architect, and enter such master’s program, and maybe help shed some light on what Master’s program they might prefer to enter??</p>
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<p>monydad, yes, of course, but many LACs offer courses in architectural drawing and architectural art history even though they don’t offer a full major in architectural studies. M.Arch programs draw from all sorts of backgrounds.</p>
<p>If you are looking for the official list of accredited architecture programs, go to
[NAAB:</a> Schools Database](<a href=“http://www.naab.org/schools/search.aspx?searchType=A]NAAB:”>http://www.naab.org/schools/search.aspx?searchType=A)</p>
<p>Great thread and reading guys, I didn’t even know half these schools existed!! My son went to UCON Architecture school but I remember during the process that it was an extremely tiring process because not many of our top/first choices seemed to carry the degree program.</p>
<p>I’m taking these schools down if that’s okay and I’ll put them up on my [architecture</a> schools](<a href=“http://www.american-school-search.com/architecture-schools.html]architecture”>http://www.american-school-search.com/architecture-schools.html) page. I hope the OP found what he was looking for but don’t stress out about it, the college selection process is extremely sensitive and it really isn’t a decision that should be rushed. Take care everyone</p>
<p>Be careful that you find a liberal arts program that actually has an architect on the faculty. I only know of one program that has two full time architects on staff, Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY on lovely Seneca Lake (finger lakes). They just put a bunch of money into the program and the facilities and teaching are incredible.</p>
<p>Wesleyan has at least one architect on the Art department faculty.
[Elijah</a> Huge - Art & Art History Department - Wesleyan University](<a href=“<!--- GET FacName ---> - Art & Art History Department - Wesleyan University”><!--- GET FacName ---> - Art & Art History Department - Wesleyan University)</p>
<p>So does Middlebury.
[John</a> McLeod](<a href=“http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/majors/haa/hours/jmcleod.htm]John”>http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/majors/haa/hours/jmcleod.htm)</p>
<p>And Bryn Mawr.
[Samuel</a> E. Olshin](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/cities/SOlshin.htm]Samuel”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/cities/SOlshin.htm)</p>
<p>And Hampshire College.
[Robert</a> Goodman](<a href=“http://www.hampshire.edu/faculty/rgoodman.htm]Robert”>Robert Goodman | Hampshire College)</p>
<p>I don’t know that having <em>two</em> architects on the faculty would carry a program across some quality threshold. A very good historian of architecture might do as much for you as a second architect. Just keep in mind, none of these LAC programs are intended to be the same as a B.Arch. degree program.</p>
<p>
There are probably no LACs that offer a professional, NAAB-accredited B.Arch. degree. If you want a B.Arch. degree, you should check the NAAB website for their list of accredited schools.</p>
<p>Many LACs have an “architectural studies” or “pre-architecture” B.A. track, most commonly offered through the Art Dept. However, a B.A. of this kind is not equivalent to a B.Arch., and is not a professional degree. If you plan a career in architecture, then a BA from a LAC would have to be supplemented by an NAAB-accredited M.Arch. degree.</p>
<p>I think the Connecticut College and Hobart and William Smith are the best LACs that offer Architecture.But I cannot figure out which is better</p>
<p>These LACs are “better” than Barnard? In what way?</p>