Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
[Q] What should I study in high school to prepare for a career in architecture?
[A] Students should be well-rounded, inquisitive, and have excellent communication skills. Communication takes several forms in architectural practice:
(1) you should be at ease expressing ideas orally in front of a group of people;
(2) you should be able to write a well-structured, clearly articulate argument;
(3) you should be able to presenting ideas through a variety of graphic media (including drawings, sketches, photography, and three-dimensional models).
Three areas where we recommend that students should demonstrate they have committed continual and substantial effort throughout high school:
(1) gaining a high level of proficiency in a foreign language;
(2) gaining competence in math. It is highly recommended that students complete courses in calculus and physics;
(3) pursuing work in creative fields such as art and music.
[Q] Should I take physics and/or calculus?
[A] Majors who wish to apply to graduate school should take the physics courses PHYS 0110 and PHYS 0111 and the calculus courses MATH 0220 and MATH 0230.
[Q] What university-level education do I need to become a licensed architect?
[A] In general, individuals who wish to be licensed as architects in the United States (and Canada) must have completed an accredited, professional degree in architecture. There are a number of paths you can take towards that goal:
(1) 4-year B.A. in any subject + 3.5-year M.Arch. degree at an accredited program.
(2) 4-year B.Sc. in architecture + 2-year M.Arch. degree at an accredited program.
(3) 5-year B.Arch. at an accredited program.
[Q] Does the University of Pittsburgh offer an accredited professional degree in architecture?
[A] No. The University of Pittsburgh does not have a professional School of Architecture.
[Q] Where does Architectural Studies fit into the University of Pittsburgh?
[A] The Architectural Studies program is housed in the Department of History of Art and Architecture in the School of Arts and Sciences.
[Q] How do I apply to Architectural Studies at Pitt?
[A] You must be enrolled as a student in the School of Arts and Sciences; then you can declare Architectural Studies as your major. At that point, you should set up an appointment with the director of undergraduate advising.
[Q] What degree do I receive?
[A] Students who complete the Architectural Studies major at Pitt receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).
[Q] What can I do with a B.A. in Architectural Studies?
[A] Our program is intended to prepare students to apply to any first-professional Masters of Architecture (M.Arch.) program or Masters of Historic Preservation program in the United States or Canada.
[Q] Is there a portfolio review for admissions to Pitt’s Architectural Studies program?
[A] No; however, the development of a portfolio of creative work is a central element of the Architectural Studies program and is required for admissions to most graduate programs in architecture.
Special Projects
Field Trips
Every year our students visit sites of national and international significance, studying historic and contemporary architecture first hand.
