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Architecture, B.A.

Program Overview

The David R. Ravin School of Architecture (SoA) offers a nationally distinct Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree. The B.A. in Architecture is a four-year degree consisting of a two-year core program plus coursework within one of three possible concentrations. The three concentrations accommodate students with a range of interests, from those who wish to pursue the fastest and most direct pathway to professional licensure and architectural practice, to those interested in applying their love of architecture to careers in other disciplines.

Students who wish to become registered architects must supplement this degree with the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The M.Arch degree consists of three tracks, reflecting the three-concentration structure of the B.A in Architecture degree. 

The B.A. in Architecture supports individuality and intellectual growth, as students are first exposed to the discipline and then select the pathway best suited to their skills and interests. Students work with advisors to customize their plans of study according to their goals. The SoA promotes a holistic understanding of the built environment and educates critical thinkers capable of tackling uncertainties and of adapting to emerging opportunities.

Program Contact

Kirstin Sheldon

Architecture Academic Advisor

knygaard@charlotte.edu

Architecture at a Glance

The B.A. in Architecture is a 120-credit program consisting of a 45-credit core program, plus additional credit hours to be earned in one of three concentrations. With guidance from their advisor, students choose their concentration at the end of their second year and may revise their selection later if desired. All three concentrations are designed to lead students into accredited graduate programs in architecture, and all three provide additional career opportunities in architecture and its related disciplines.

Delivery
On-Campus
Total Credit Hours
120 Total Credit Hours
Admits
Fall Only
Concentrations
3 Concentrations

Learn more about the School of Architecture

One of two accredited architecture programs in North Carolina, the David R. Ravin School of Architecture capitalizes on its location in one of the fastest-growing and most diverse cities in the United States. Explore our spaces, degree programs, and recent projects!

Pathways through the B.A. in Architecture

The B.A. in Architecture offers multiple pathways to careers in architecture and its related disciplines, and a rare degree of flexibility compared to other undergraduate degrees in architecture. The flexible structure of the program reflects the inherent complexity of how architecture is created. The degree offers three concentrations, all of which may be customized to lead to professional licensure and/or careers in related disciplines.

B.A. in Architecture (Architectural Studies Concentration)

The Architectural Studies Concentration consists of foundational coursework in architecture and provides opportunities for students to pursue complementary studies applicable to architectural practice and to careers in related disciplines. This concentration accommodates students interested in earning double-majors more easily than the other concentrations.

Students who complete this concentration are eligible to apply to the three-year M.Arch. I Track of the Master of Architecture at UNC Charlotte.

B.A. in Architecture (Pre-Professional Concentration)

The Pre-Professional Concentration consists of advanced coursework in architecture, preparing students to progress into graduate programs.

Students who complete this concentration are eligible to apply to the two-year M.Arch. II Track of the Master of Architecture at UNC Charlotte.

B.A. in Architecture (Practice Concentration)

The Practice Concentration consists of an intensive curriculum that offers students the most direct pathway to an accredited graduate degree. Students who complete this concentration, and who earn a total of 128 credits as an undergraduate, are eligible to apply to the twelve-month Advanced Standing Track of the Master of Architecture at UNC Charlotte.

Admission into the M.Arch track associated with each concentration is not guaranteed. All students earning the B.A. in Architecture must apply to (and be accepted into) the M.Arch Program, per the admissions requirements indicated on the programs website. The M.Arch Admissions Committee may impose additional requirements as conditions of admission upon review of a student’s application materials. M.Arch programs at other institutions place our students into tracks of different lengths based on their own criteria.

Welcome to the David R. Ravin School of Architecture

The David R. Ravin School of Architecture is one of five creative units in the College of Arts + Architecture, an artistic community that is unique in the Carolinas.

Explore Admissions

The Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree is one of the most selective undergraduate majors at UNC Charlotte. Admission to the SoA involves a secondary application process, above and beyond what is required to be considered for admission into the University, and applicants are expected to demonstrate a high level of critical thinking, ambition, and curiosity toward design and the built environment.

Visit the SoA

The SoA invites applicants and prospective applicants to learn more about our program by attending our Open Houses and/or Facility Tours, both of which may be done in person or virtually. These events are opportunities to meet current faculty, staff, and students, and to ask questions about the program. 

“My favorite thing about the David R. Ravin School of Architecture is the sense of community. As someone who has grown up in a variety of art fields, I appreciate the interdisciplinary connections. It makes me feel like I belong in the school.”

Hilleary Wray
B.A. in Architecture with a Minor in Urban Studies

Discover other programs of architectural study

Register for an In-Person Campus Visit

Experience the heart of UNC Charlotte with our in-person campus visits. Register for a First-Year Student Info Session and Tour offered daily — an unmissable opportunity to live the Niner life.

Explore Official University Catalog

Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.