Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture, offered by the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design (AED), is a 4-year pre-professional program. Architectural design studios that focus on the integration of thinking and making through design are central to the curriculum. Students take courses in the architecture foundation program for the first two years of study then focus on architectural design in the third and fourth year. Sequential studio courses provide the means for integration and synthesis of academic and professional knowledge that is learned in courses in building technology, architectural history and theory, and representation. Dedicated studio, woodshop, digital fabrication, and digital lab spaces allow for in-house drawing, modeling, and digital visualization.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: TA-ARCH-BSAR

Admissions

For more information on how to apply, please visit Tyler's Architecture and Environmental Design admissions page.

Accelerated Program

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Architecture program are eligible to apply for the +1 accelerated undergraduate-graduate program. The program enables qualified and eligible students to complete the 60-credit Master of Architecture (MArch) degree within a year after graduation with the Bachelor of Science in Architecture pre-professional degree. Eligible undergraduate students use up to 12 specified graduate credits to fulfill requirements for their undergraduate degree. Upon graduation from their undergraduate program, students move seamlessly into their graduate program. At the end of the contiguous fifth year (including two summer semesters), students will receive a Master of Architecture degree. To be eligible for the program, students must be declared Architecture majors; have a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA in at least 45 credits of coursework taken at Temple; be able to complete their undergraduate degree in four full-time semesters (beginning with their first semester taking a graduate course as an undergraduate); and be able to complete the graduate degree in one additional year including two summer semesters of graduate coursework.

Study Abroad

All AED Department students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester at Temple Rome or Temple Japan. Admission to these programs is competitive. Applications are made through the Temple Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office.

Students who plan to study abroad should arrange to meet with an academic advisor as early as possible, preferably during the freshman year, in order to plan the sequence of courses that would be most appropriate. While students majoring in Architecture may study in Rome in the fall or spring semester, Japan is only an option for the spring.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are qualified for a variety of positions in architecture and related fields for which a professional degree and registration are not requirements for advancement. Graduates are prepared to apply for a professional degree in architecture at the graduate level or a related discipline.

Continuing Studies

All of Tyler's undergraduate architecture programs prepare students for continued study in the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited Master of Architecture (MArch) professional program which the following tracks to accommodate students from different undergraduate majors:

• A 2-year track for students with a 4-year pre-professional bachelor's degree program in architecture.
• A 3-year track for students with a bachelor's degree in other disciplines or in a non-pre-professional architecture program.
• An accelerated track for eligible Temple pre-professional students.

For more information on NAAB accreditation, please visit our NAAB Professional Program Information page.

Accreditation

Students in Tyler's +1 and +2 programs can continue on to the professional degree, the MArch. The BSArch and MArch degrees in a sequence meets the National Architectural Accrediting Board's standards for an accredited professional education.

Architecture Laptop Policy

Laptops are required for all students entering Architecture, Facilities Management, and Historic Preservation programs. The computer and its corresponding digital tools, such as laser cutters, 3D printers, and digital fabrication machines, have become an integral part of architectural pedagogy and the design studio environment. All architecture, facilities management, and historic preservation students begin working digitally in their freshman representation courses within the Architecture Foundations program. This Laptop Policy has been implemented to provide advantageous learning environments that guide students towards the acquisition of tools and skillsets that are most appropriate for the furthering of both their academic and professional journeys. Students should purchase a Windows-compatible laptop.

For full device and software requirements and recommendations, please see the Architecture Program Laptop Policy.

Contact Information

Sasha W. Eisenman, PhD, Architecture and Environmental Design Department Chair
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Dixon Hall, Room 201
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA 19002
267-468-8168
eisenman@temple.edu

Clifton Fordham, RA, IFMA, LEED AP, Architecture Program Head
Architecture Building, Room 133
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-0580
clifton.fordham@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree in Architecture may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 123 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA. 

University Requirements

All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements. Go to the General Education section for more information.

Summer or semester study abroad will satisfy the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement.

All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are ARCH 3296 and ARCH 4596.

Program Requirements

All required Architecture courses, MATH 1031, and PHYS 1021 or ECE 2142 must be completed with a C- or better to fulfill major requirements.

¹

If ECE 2142 is selected, students will need another GenEd Science and Technology (GS) course to satisfy the GenEd requirement.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Architecture Foundation Studies Courses (Year 1 & 2)

¹

Although not required, freshman students registered for ARCH 1011 should also take ARCH 1502.

²

If ECE 2142 is selected, students will need another GenEd Science and Technology (GS) course to satisfy the GenEd requirement.

³

Option to take ARCH 2123 / ARCH 2153 instead of ARCH 2121 for BS in Facilities Management.

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Option to take ARCH 2124 / ARCH 2154 instead of ARCH 2122 for BS in Facilities Management.

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Students planning to study abroad should substitute the Free Elective for a required course available only on main campus. For more information, please see your advisor.

Note: The Architecture Foundation is common to all three undergraduate degrees. In the spring of the sophomore year, students declare a major in one of the degrees offered. A place in the BS in Facilities Management or the BS in Historic Preservation is guaranteed for all students in good standing with the University. Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Architecture is competitive. Typically, students have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and an excellent portfolio. Students in all three programs can apply to the Master of Architecture program. Bachelor of Science in Architecture students are eligible for the 2-year, 60 credit track. BS in Historic Preservation and BS in Facilities Management students may be required to take additional coursework (between 60-90 credits) at the graduate level. Students can meet with an advisor to plan ahead and can refer to the Temple University Graduate Bulletin.

Note: Students who plan on applying to the +1 Bachelor of Science in Architecture + Master of Architecture Accelerated Program should plan on taking ARCH 3251 and ARCH 3354 in the second or third year of study and should consult with an academic advisor.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture (Year 3 & 4)

Rome Option

Bachelor of Science in Architecture students who plan to study abroad are encouraged to meet with an advisor as early as the freshman year. While the grid below suggests appropriate coursework, a semester abroad would require using free electives that ordinarily would be taken in other semesters. It will take careful planning with an advisor to ensure that the degree is completed as efficiently as possible, and that courses normally taken in the spring of junior year or the fall of senior year on Main campus are completed before the semester abroad. ARCH 3234 can substitute for ARCH 4331; ARCH 3241 counts as an Architecture elective.

Japan Option

Bachelor of Science in Architecture students who plan to study abroad are encouraged to meet with an advisor as early as the freshman year. While the grid below suggests appropriate coursework, a semester abroad would require using free electives that ordinarily would be taken in other semesters. It will take careful planning with an advisor to ensure that the degree is completed as efficiently as possible, and that courses normally taken in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year on Main campus are completed before the semester abroad.

GenEd courses are offered at the Japan campus and can be substituted where appropriate for Free electives. ARCH 3233 can substitute for ARCH 4331; ARCH 3242 counts as an Architecture elective.

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated program is available to students in the Architecture BSArch:

Tyler School of Art and Architecture

• Architecture MArch