Whether you want to design buildings, industrial products, or interiors; explore studio and graphic arts; plan parks and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes; manage construction projects; direct public or non-profit organization programs; or manage cities, the College of Architecture and Urban Studies (CAUS) challenges you with a broad range of educational experiences that will help you develop into a sought-after professional.

In its 2007 report, DesignIntelligence, the only national college-ranking survey focused exclusively on design, ranked the School of Architecture + Design’s undergraduate architecture program fourth nation-wide and first among all public universities, and the undergraduate interior design program was ranked seventh in the nation. The graduate program in architecture was ranked tenth in the nation and second among publics, while the graduate program in interior design was ranked fifth in the nation.

The programs within the college are diverse, yet they share a common goal—to prepare students to engage in and manage the human environment through the processes of art, design, construction, policy-making, planning, and management.

Students who wish to combine degree options within the college, or with related disciplines in the university, are encouraged to create a program of study best suited to their individual interests.

High School Preparation & Admission to the College

A challenging college preparatory curriculum is your foundation for success in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Specifically, you must present a minimum of 18 units, and the breakdown of preferred courses depends on the individual program. Four units of English is a standard requirement. The university requires three units of math (including algebra II and geometry), but CAUS strongly recommends an additional unit of higher math. For building construction students, four units of math are required. Two units of social sciences (including history) are required, and additional units are preferred for students majoring in public and urban affairs. Two units of lab science (chosen from biology, chemistry, or physics) are sufficient for most majors, but additional natural science courses, particularly in biology, are recommended for landscape architecture. The completion of two or three units in a foreign or classical language is recommended.

Architecture, interior design, and industrial design are highly competitive, restricted majors, and admission into the programs is a demanding process, both at entrance from high school and as a transfer student. The School of Architecture + Design offers a program permitting students already enrolled at Virginia Tech to transfer internally. Those applying for transfer are required to complete at least one semester of study at Virginia Tech prior to application. Interested students should contact the School of Architecture + Design for specific information concerning this process. In addition to your high school transcript, SAT or ACT (plus writing) scores are required of freshman applicants.

Curriculum & Opportunities

The College of Architecture and Urban Studies offers ten undergraduate degrees: architecture, industrial design, interior design, studio art, art history, visual communication (graphic) design, building construction, landscape architecture, public and urban affairs, and environmental policy and planning. Both architecture and landscape architecture are five-year professional programs.

In addition to on-campus programs, the college also provides opportunities for students to study in urban and foreign settings. The National Capital Region facilities in Alexandria, Va., including the Washington-Alexandria Center for Architecture, are ideal for students interested in urban issues. The Center for European Studies and Architecture, located in the village of Riva San Vitale in southern Switzerland, provides perspective on culture and its influence on the way we plan, design, and build. Many other international travel programs also exist for students.

Faculty & Facilities

College facilities include Cowgill Hall, containing 60,000 square feet of office and studio space. It houses the offices of the School of Architecture + Design, the dean’s office, the art and architecture library, photographic labs, and computer-supported photographic facilities.

Burchard Hall spans 40,000 square feet and houses faculty offices, design studios, a pottery studio, a graphics studio, and varied shop facilities.

The Architecture Annex houses the offices of the School of Public and International Affairs, offices of Urban Affairs and Planning and Landscape Architecture, and provides additional office, lecture, and studio space. It also supplies space for computer development activities.

The art and art history offices and programs are offered in the Art & Design Learning Center, Henderson Hall, and the Art Armory.

The Center for Public Administration and Policy is located in the Thomas Conner House and offers graduate programs in those fields.

The Research and Demonstration Facility offers space for research and prototype projects and demonstration projects. VDS4 is also located in the facility.

The National Capital Region facilities at 1021 Prince Street in Alexandria, Va., offer graduate degrees in public administration, planning, and landscape architecture. And at 1001 Prince Street the Washington-Alexandria Center for Architecture provides opportunities for students wishing to expand their abilities and knowledge in urban design and planning, architecture, and landscape architecture.

Freshman Curriculum

Courses of study will vary greatly among majors in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. There are certain university core requirements that all students must fulfill, usually during the first year. A typical first-year schedule follows, but please contact the academic department for further information: