Architectural History

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Undergraduate students entering the School of Architecture share a Common First Year in the School of Architecture . Students take core courses in Architectural History, Architecture and Urban and Environmental Planning to provide a framework for the study of the built environment through observation, analysis, and design. Students must pass each core course with a grade of C- or higher. During the spring semester of the first year, students choose an intended major: Bachelor of Architectural History (BArH), Bachelor of Science Architecture, or Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning.

The undergraduate curriculum in architectural history provides an introduction to the discipline within a liberal arts program. By the end of the first semester of their second year, each student selects one of the following two concentrations: Architectural History or Historic Preservation. Students in both concentrations take the first-year School of Architecture curriculum, including ARH 1010 and ARH 1020. ARH 4591 or ARTH 4591 is taken in the third year as a preparatory research and writing course for the thesis. ARH 4999, taken during the fourth year, allows students to research and write an independent advanced paper on a topic of their choice while working closely with a faculty member in the department. This thesis, with faculty comments, becomes part of the student’s permanent record. Those students considering the 4+1 Track in the Master of Architectural History program should take ARH 4999 during the fall semester of their fourth year.

All students must take courses in the following areas in the College of Arts & Sciences as general education requirements: 6 credits in Natural Sciences/Mathematics, 6 credits in English/Foreign Literature (one of which must be ENWR), 6 credits in Historical Studies/Social Sciences. Students must demonstrate an intermediate level of competency in a foreign language. (4)

Students must have a minimum of 122 credits with at least 2.000 GPA in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Architectural History degree. The department also offers minors in Architectural History and Historic Preservation.

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. See Direct Admissions Policy .