BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (BARCH)

2023-2024 | Curriculum | 5-year program

Through a program that builds on itself, students learn to think critically; to produce architecture through both reflection and invention; to build using a variety of materials; to understand the technical aspects of architecture; to communicate ideas through drawing, model making, writing and speaking; and to be socially and ethically engaged in society. After exposure to the fundamentals of the field—design, material performance, digital and manual representation, and architectural history—students move on to solidify work by focusing on architectural, urban design and environmental issues, engaging in advanced topics in architectural history and responding to complex architectural design problems.

Notes:

[a] Three course: Advanced Studio are required. Students planning on taking an alternative curriculum path from the recommended curriculum path (shown above) must notify the Senior Academic Specialist during the pre-registration period of the prior year. Once a student is assigned to ARCH-21ST: Advanced Studio during the pre-registration period, the student may not drop it, even during add/drop. While not required, students may opt to take a fourth advanced studio.

[b] course: Professional Internship is the required summer internship course. It may be completed in any summer prior to entering the final year. Total hours required are 280. This internship can count for NCARB Architectural Experience Program AX-P. The internship hours for ARCH-2199 can be used towards architecture licensure through the NCARB Internship. Student’s intent upon becoming registered architects in the USA after graduation should enroll in the AXP as soon as possible. AXP is the internship program required by all registration jurisdictions. The work experience accomplished during ARCH-2199, the department’s minimum Internship experience (280 hours) can be recorded as acceptable experience in the AXP (3,740 hours) and thus accelerate one’s pace towards architectural licensure. Visit the NCARB website for more information.

If you engage in an internship before admission to RISD, you may be able to fulfill the internship credit. If you believe this applies to you, please submit the following to the Architecture Department office:

1. 280 hours of internship experience prior to being at RISD

2. A signed letter from your employer verifying that you successfully completed the 280 internship hours.

course: Professional Internship is an optional internship, which may be taken during the summer or in Wintersession. Depending on the nature of the work, the internship may count for major elective credit or for non-major elective credit. Total hours required are 180.

[c] B.ARCH students are required to take 42 credits of Liberal Arts courses. Six of those credits are co-taught with Liberal Arts and include course: World Architecture and course: Modern Architecture. Choose a Liberal Arts, Major, Open, or Non-Major Studio Elective, depending on unfulfilled degree requirements and class availability.

RISD Global organizes several study abroad options for students. Architecture students are encouraged to plan to do their study abroad exchanges during the fourth year (either the fall or spring semester). Students should take the following steps, one year prior to study, to plan for the semester abroad: meet with academic advisor and meet with Global Office advisor, create a course plan to meet department requirements while abroad and notify department administration of intent to study abroad by contacting the Senior Academic Specialist. Notification should include the intended school, and what courses you will be taking to substitute for RISD courses. Applications for study abroad should be submitted to Global according to the Global office deadlines.

Students entering the Department of Architecture must participate in its Academic Laptop Program, purchasing hardware, software, and upgrades. Students should direct questions to the Computer Technician in the Architecture Department.

National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) Accreditation

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

Rhode Island School of Design, Architecture department offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program(s):

Bachelor of Architecture (156 credits)

Master of Architecture (non-accredited degree + 111 credits)

Master of Architecture (non-accredited degree in architecture + 69 credits)

Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2023