About the program
Students in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture (BDA) major learn how to critically approach a broad range of conditions through the lens of architecture by working in ways and through projects not necessarily tied to the traditional building scale or building systems. The BDA is a flexible, self-directed degree for students keenly interested in architecture, design, design experimentation, making, and creative arts, and whose interests link architecture with other design disciplines or push the boundaries of architectural practice.
Workshop-based learning
Architecture education in the BDA degree program revolves around an exciting and wide range of self-selected design workshops that change from year-to-year. Collectively, these seven-week workshops expose you to the processes, conditions, and principles of architectural design as it relates to both emerging and traditional practices. You’ll immerse yourself in the design process through projects that link architecture with explorations in visual media (such as film, photography, virtual reality); ethical, social, and cultural concerns (preservation, disaster relief, neighborhood needs); building concerns (daylight, facade, material, modeling studies); and/or allied disciplines (set design, landscape architecture, and urban studies). As a BDA student, you further customize your learning by choosing multiple elective courses in architecture, as well as electives outside the College of Design.
Studying abroad enriches your learning by exposing you to diverse cultures and built environments. Architecture students can customize a learning abroad experience anywhere in the world, or study globally with courses we’ve helped to shape or have pre-approved, such as in Denmark, Italy, and New Zealand. In addition to semester-long options, architecture faculty propose shorter, three-week offerings at the beginning of each summer.
Apply Now
The centralized online application will guide you through the necessary materials and steps.
Admissions
Early Action I Deadline: November 1
Early Action II Deadline: December 1
Regular Deadline: January 1
Students applying to the College of Design declare a major as part of their application. As an admitted “pre-architecture” student, you will take critical inquiry and design fundamental courses during your first year in the college. After you’ve completed the required courses and at least 30 college credits, you will apply to the BDA major degree program. Once admitted to the BDA major you can begin taking design workshops and other major-only coursework.
Undergraduate admissions are standardized across all colleges at the University of Minnesota. For more information on admission requirements visit the Office of Admissions website.
The transfer of coursework and portfolios from other institutions is considered on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to submit your work for credit review, please contact our transfer admissions counselor to initiate this process.
Degree Requirements
- 120 total credits
- 72 major credits (63 within the major)
- 18 design workshop credits (minimum)
View full program requirements and course descriptions
Applying to the Major
Pre-architecture students apply to the BDA major degree program after completing the fall and spring pre-architecture curriculum:
- ARCH 1281 Design Fundamentals I (fall semester)
- ARCH 1621W Introduction to Critical Inquiry in Practice (fall semester)
- ARCH 2281 Design Fundamentals II (spring semester)
Students need a minimum of 30 credits completed, and the preferred overall minimum GPA is 2.80. In addition to your transcript, the major degree application includes work samples and written essays.
