Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Architectural Studies builds a broad foundation for professional master’s degrees in architecture and other design disciplines. By focusing on historical and contemporary design thinking, the program links design to art, culture, society, environment and urbanism. The degree prepares students to be innovative, active, well-rounded, critical and informed designers and introduces students to architectural design culture while emphasizing the history and theory of architecture and art. The program includes design studios, lecturestudio hybrid courses and seminars that focus on architectural history, theory and criticism; urban issues; and sustainability. Students are required to complete elective credits outside of the Architectural Studies major, which allows students to customize their undergraduate experience to suit their own career and educational goals, expand their understanding of design and explore the ways it is connected to other fields. Students may use these electives to pursue minors, double majors and dual degrees in other areas of interest, such as a streamlined dual degree with the B.S. degree in Construction Management. Students may take advantage of the semester-long study abroad program in Florence, Italy, during any semester after successful completion of at least 6 credit hours of Architectural Studies (ARCS) coursework and 30 total credit hours at Kent State University. The Florence program is open to all Architectural Studies students who have made satisfactory progress toward completion of their undergraduate program. Students may apply early to the M.L.A I degree in Landscape Architecture and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs.