School of Architecture

Contact Information

School of Architecture
Campbell Hall
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400122
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4122
www.arch.virginia.edu

History

Reflecting Jefferson’s interest in architecture, courses in architectural drawing and construction were taught at the University as early as 1832. Students now, as then, benefit from the proximity of Jefferson’s classical structures and the availability of his plans and drawings for the University Grounds and other buildings. At the end of World War I, a formal curriculum in architecture began, and from the mid 1950s through the early 1970s the School of Architecture continued to expand its programs. Today a student may receive a baccalaureate in architectural history, urban and environmental planning, and a baccalaureate of science (architecture.)

Additional Information

The School Today

The faculty believes that each student deserves personal attention and guidance. The School of Architecture has a small, carefully selected student body. The school seeks applicants with strong academic records and demonstrated aptitude for their chosen area of study.

The undergraduate program in architectural history is one of the few of its kind in the country. The program offers a liberal arts education while developing an understanding of the history of the built environment, from individual buildings to cities and landscapes. Interested students are encouraged to pursue courses in historic preservation, and all students have opportunities to explore coursework in other disciplines in the school and the College of Arts and Sciences. After attaining this degree, many graduates pursue work in museums and preservation as well as advanced degrees in architectural history, art history, architecture, landscape architecture, or planning.

The undergraduate pre-professional program in architecture combines a solid humanities foundation with an emphasis on the role of architecture as cultural expression, and provides three years of studio experience in the development of architectural ideas and the design of built form. Most graduates of this program go on to advanced professional degrees in architecture and related fields.

The undergraduate professional program in urban and environmental planning is one of the few undergraduate programs in the nation accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. The study of planning theory, processes, and methods is integrated with the contextual exploration of political and market forces, resource limitations, environmental concerns, and social needs. With the Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning degree, many graduates go directly into professional jobs with governmental agencies or private planning and development firms. Others go on to advanced degrees in planning, architecture, law, public administration, and business.

Study Abroad

The School of Architecture encourages study abroad by offering summer and semester long programs in

Students also have the option of a study abroad opportunity in the Fall semester in Barcelona, Spain and Venice, Italy.

To study abroad, students must be in academic good standing. Further, to earn degree credit students must have a cumulative U.Va. GPA of no less than 2.500 at either the point of application or at the end of the term prior to the commencement of study abroad. These standards apply both to U.Va.-study programs and study abroad programs under auspices of another institution or organization.

Several programs administered by the School of Architecture are competitive, and priority is given to applicants with a higher GPA.

Programs

The School of Architecture offers a fall/semester program in Venice. The Venice Semester Abroad Program is a fall option for third and fourth year students in the Department of Architecture, Architectural History and Urban and Environmental Planning, subject to adviser approval. Students complete 12 to 15 credits over the course of the semester. The program includes courses in architectural design, drawing, urban, art and architectural history, and Venetian building traditions. Housing will be in shared apartments, and courses will be taught by U.Va.faculty in collaboration with Venetian faculty.

Eligibility

Applicants to Exchange Programs (semester programs) should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000. For additional departmental regulations governing participation in an Exchange Program, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for appropriate academic department.

Applicants to Exchange Programs (semester programs) should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000.

For additional departmental regulations governing participation in an Exchange Program, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for appropriate academic department.

Direct Admit

All undergraduates who complete their degree in good academic standing are invited to continue their studies and complete their graduate degree at UVA. Students who complete their 7th semester with a 3.3 GPA or higher are guaranteed direct admission into the corresponding graduate program. For direct entry into graduate programs in Architecture (MArch) and Landscape Architecture (MLA), undergraduate architecture students must also achieve a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA in design studios. These graduates are also invited to defer their admission for two years allowing them to enroll immediately or in either of the next two entering classes. In this way, Historians and Planners can earn the graduate degree (MArH and MUEP) in 5 years, Architects earn the professional graduate degree (MArch or MLA) in 6 years.