College of Architecture and Environmental Design
304 Taylor Hall
Tel: 330-672-2789
Fax: 330-672-3809
Web: http://www.caed.kent.edu
Architecture Major— 2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements] |
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The four-year B.S. in architecture plus the M.Arch. professional program comprise an accredited professional education. The first two years of the B.S. emphasize liberal arts studies, architectural design fundamentals, spatial composition and planning, history and theory of architecture, CAD and an introduction to structures. The third and fourth years emphasize integration of architectural design and the technologies of building structures, methods and materials, environmental control systems and life safety systems.
Requirements for Advancement to Third Year—Professional Level
1. Comply with all specific course prerequisites.
2. Complete the following courses:
ARCH 10101, 10102, 10111, 20101, 20102, 20112, 20113, 20201, 20301, 20601, 20602
ARTH 22006
ENG 11011, 21011
MATH 12002; or 12011 and 12012
PHY 13001, 13012, 13021
3. Earn minimum 2.25 GPA in architecture courses.
4. Earn minimum 2.50 GPA overall cumulative average.
Requirements for Graduation in the Bachelor of Science Program
1. Complete minimum 127 credit hours, including all required coursework.
2. Earn minimum 2.25 GPA in architecture courses.
3. Earn minimum 2.00 GPA overall cumulative average.
Upon completion of the four-year Bachelor of Science degree, qualified students may apply for the one-and-a-half year Master of Architecture professional program. This program consists of professional-level coursework emphasizing design and professional practice-related studies.
The M.Arch. requires a minimum of 44 hours of study with a minimum 3.00 GPA. Students enrolling in this professional-level program must have earned a minimum 2.75 GPA in the B.S., however entry into the graduate program highly selective. Following completion of the accredited professional degree program and after successfully completing approximately three years of the proscribed Intern Development Program (IDP), i.e., an apprenticeship in an architect’s office, candidates are eligible to take the Architect Registration Exam (ARE).
For admission requirements to Master of Architecture Program, see the Graduate Schools Catalog.
Graduate Dual Degree Options
Qualified students holding the B.S. in architecture may also apply for the concurrent two-and-a-half-year M.Arch./M.B.A. or M.Arch/M.U.D.
Accreditation
In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The NAAB, which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
Master’s degree professional programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
Licensing of Architects
All states require licenses or certificates for the practice of architecture. Laws governing such licensing vary from state to state. In Ohio an architect may practice professionally upon satisfactorily completing the Architect Registration Exam (ARE), a professional examination administered by the Ohio Architect's Board.
Recommended High School Preparation
The best preparation is the traditional college preparatory sequence of courses. A strong background in mathematics and English (with emphasis on grammar and composition) is encouraged. A recommended program of studies for architecture includes: four years of English, three years of mathematics (including trigonometry), three years of laboratory sciences (including physics), three years of social science, two years of foreign language and one year of studio art.
Requirements for Admission for High School Students
While Kent State University is an open admissions university that offers admission to Ohio students who are graduates of accredited high schools, admission to the architecture program is highly selective. Of the students who apply each year to architecture, approximately 100 are enrolled in the program. Of the remaining applicants, approximately 50 are selected as alternates. Should additional space become available prior to the beginning of fall semester, spaces will be filled from the roster of alternates.
Students not admitted to the program may qualify for admission to the College of Architecture and Environmental Design as a general major. These students may be admitted to the architecture summer studio program. They must complete their first year with a minimum 2.75 GPA, complete English and calculus, and apply for the summer studio program. Students who are accepted will complete First Year Design Studio I and II during the summer between their first and second years. A personal interview with the college’s admissions advisor also is recommended during spring semester of their first year.
Application deadline is Jan. 31. All applications must include the $30 application fee, official American College Test (ACT)/Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores and an official high school transcript which shows class rank and coursework in 9th, 10th and 11th grades, as well as the courses that are being taken or will be taken in the senior year. Transcripts that do not show class rank and senior courses cannot be considered. All completed applications received by the deadline will be reviewed. Applicants will be considered based on the following criteria:
• High school GPA.
• High school class rank.
• ACT/SAT scores.
Applicants will be notified of their admission status by March 1. Those offered admission to the architecture program must notify the College of their decision by April 1. Admission not confirmed by this date will be offered to alternates.
AED-General
Students not admitted to the B.S. program may qualify for admission to the College of Architecture and Environmental Design as a General (AED-G) major. These students may apply for admission to the architecture summer studio program. They must complete their first year with a minimum 2.75 GPA (3.0 GPA or higher are the most competitive), complete first year non-studio requirements, and apply for the summer studio program. Students who are accepted will complete First Year Design Studio I and II during the summer between their first and second years. A personal interview with the Associate Dean for Architecture is recommended during the first week of the spring semester of their first year.
Admission to the summer studio program is highly selective. In order to move forward with a minimum loss of credit hours, it is strongly recommended AED-G students, who were not accepted into a degree program, choose an alternate degree program within or outside the College prior to completing 45 credit hours.
Requirements for Admission for Transfer Students
Only transfer students or current change of major students with a minimum 2.75 GPA are considered for admission. This GPA must be based upon a minimum of 24 semester hours of college-level work. (Transfer students with less than 24 semester credit hours are considered after completing additional work at Kent State.)
Transfer or current student applicants who have completed English, calculus and physics, but have no background in architecture from NAAB accredited programs, apply for admission to the summer studio program. Enrollment in these courses during the summer reduces students’ formal education time by as much as one year. Applications for summer session entry are due by May 1.
All students requesting transfer of credit for architecture courses taken at a school accredited by the NAAB shall present a list of such courses to the Associate Dean for Architecture for review and assessment. No credit is given for courses with grades less than C (2.00). A portfolio of work is required for students seeking transfer of credit for studio courses. A personal interview with the Associate Dean for Architecture is also recommended. Credit is not given for architecture courses taken at schools not accredited by the NAAB.
Applications for transfer students plus the course evaluation and portfolio must be received by:
• July 15 for fall semester entry.
• November 15 for spring semester entry.
• May 1 for summer session entry.
Upon review of completed credentials, the Associate Dean for Architecture will notify transfer applicants of action taken regarding acceptance or rejection. Students accepted into the program will be advised of courses to be taken upon entry.
Requirements for Admission for International Transfer Students
International students seeking admission to the College of Architecture and Environmental Design must have completed one year (24 semester hours) of college-level work at a foreign or U.S. institution prior to consideration for admission to the architecture program.
In addition, applicants for undergraduate study must have minimum 2.75 GPA, have successfully completed one year of college English in the United States and one year of college mathematics, including calculus, and will normally apply to the summer studio program.
Normally credit for architecture courses taken at international universities is not transferable. However, it is advised that all applicants submit a course evaluation list to the college’s admissions advisor for review and assessment, including course title, course description and grades received. No credit will be given for courses with grades less than C (2.00). A portfolio of work is required for students seeking credit for studio courses taken elsewhere. If possible, a personal interview with the college’s admissions advisor is advised.
Applications for international students, plus course evaluation sheets and portfolio, must be received by May 1 for summer entry or fall semester entry. For further information, contact the university’s Admissions Office.
Admission for Postundergraduates
The college offers a 3+ year program leading to the professional Master of Architecture. Qualified students may be admitted as postundergraduate students in the preprofessional B.S. program. Normally students will enroll in the summer studio program and then require two years to complete the requisite preprofessional coursework. Matriculation to the one-and-a-half-year professional Master of Architecture program requires a minimum 2.75 GPA for all architecture coursework. Postundergraduate students are not automatically accepted to the M.Arch program. Admission to graduate programs is competitive.
Summer Studio—First Year Design Studio I and II
All transfer, postundergraduate, change of major and NAAB transfers without studio work will normally apply for the summer studio. The application must be received by May 1. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the summer studio program are admitted to the architecture major during the fall semester. Admission requirements for the summer studio program include completion of 6 semester hours of English composition, completion of MATH 12002 plus 11022, or one year of college-level physics and a minimum 2.75 GPA with at least 24 semester hours of completed work. Students with completed course and hour requirements are rank ordered by GPA. Space available is limited and admission is highly selective. Notification occurs during the last week in May, studio courses begin in mid-June.