The Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (B.A.) program at UCLA AUD is not NAAB-accredited and may not be accepted as meeting licensure requirements in many U.S. states.

You can read more detail about accreditation here.

The B.A. in Architectural Studies is a four year, unaccredited degree designed to provide critical access to students who come to their interest in architecture in college via the liberal arts. B.Arch programs are notoriously difficult to transfer into at true junior standing because of the accelerated nature of the curriculum, so the UCLA BA strives to support students who become interested in architecture in college, but would like another option that enable reasonable time to degree.

We admit approximately half of our class from outside of UCLA as transfer students (the majority coming from California Community Colleges), and the other half are current UCLA students who started their education under a different major (typically Undeclared, although that is correlative and not causative).

The degree is organized in a 2+2 format. Whether transferring in from outside of UCLA or changing their major from within UCLA, students will complete their lower division general education requirements in the first two years, apply to the major in their sophomore year, and then enter a sequential curriculum of upper division coursework that lasts for two years.

The majority of our students go on to pursue accredited M.Arch degrees in order to obtain licensure, and other students typically pursue other advanced work in and around architectural design, or take their background and expertise in architectural thinking and planning into different realms (tech, systems organization, etc.)

The Architectural Studies B.A. is a transfer only major. This major is not open for new first year applicants. For more information about how to navigate interest in architecture at UCLA if you are applying straight out of high school, please click here.

The major enrolls 50 undergraduates (~25 juniors, ~25 seniors).

In concert with the portfolio, take care with preparing your departmental essays. Because this is a program that sees candidates with diverse visual arts skill sets as far as the portfolio, the departmental essays are a place where students can contextualize and articulate their interests in architecture. Strong critical writing skills are highly valued in the admission review.

Strong overall academic performance in college level coursework is also highly valued. Architecture is an interdisciplinary field and consistent, high level academic performance speaks to a broad literacy and understanding of the world we live in, which is essential to the practice of architecture. The average GPA for our admits is a 3.7.

Technically, we do not require any coursework for preparation for the major. The B.A. in Architectural Studies is made up of primarily upper division coursework. There are three lower division classes that you might find at community college, but most CCs do not have them, and the great majority of our transfers take these classes after they arrive here. That being said, you can look for coursework at your CC that is a best match to these descriptions:

INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE - Exploration of role of built environment in social, cultural, and political life: how buildings are constructed, what they mean, effects they have on world, and ways they imagine new futures and shape private and public life. Focus on series of contemporary case studies for what each reveals about new possibilities for shaping world in which we live, with emphasis on how architecture extends to cities, roads, books, and films. Consideration of historical context and cultural genealogy of particular buildings and environments, material and economic conditions of building, and more.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY: ANTIQUITY TO PRE-MANNERISM - Exploration of developments in global architecture and urban design from prehistory to 1600 and critical reflection on terms such as building, architecture, city, history, and culture. Focus on world context, construction and technology, and history of architectural ideas.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY: MANNERISM TO PRESENT - Survey of architectural and urban history from 1600 to present in global context. Exploration of buildings, cities, spaces, artifacts, landscapes, and ideas through their relation to geopolitical conditions and through their relation to theories of design.

Again, if your current school doesn't offer classes like this, please don't worry-- they are not required for admission. Focus on taking your GE classes, and selecting GEs that relate to your interest in architecture, and in which you can deliver a solid academic performance.

No, we do not consider the UC PIQs in the supplemental review. The evaluating faculty are interested in the three supplemental statement that accompany the portfolio. The supplemental statements do bear resemblance to the UC PIQs but are adjusted for architecture, so if you'd like to use elements of your UC PIQs in your UCLA Architectural Studies supplemental statements, feel entirely free to do so.

Please note that our portfolio is open-ended. We do not require architectural work at all. The department operates from the understanding that most people don't have access to quality instruction in architecture, so they do not expect to see experience in architecture prior to applying. The portfolio is a presentation of a wide variety of visual arts and design investment and sensibility, so we do see (and admit) a range of histories and backgrounds that show potential with design and built environments. Other design work, fine arts materials, sculpture, painting, photography, textiles, origami, and cake decorating ( yes, very serious about the last two!) are a few of the ways you can share your visual aesthetic.

With the department statements, you can discuss your interest in and direction with architecture more specifically. Between the portfolio and department statements the faculty can really get to know you.

For further reading, here is a link to a document where the Architectural Studies faculty share their thoughts about the portfolio and admission process.

No, you do not-- there is no requirement or expectation that you have prior knowledge of modeling/design software before you start the program.

THAT BEING SAID-- current students have reported that if you have a basic knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, and Rhino before you arrive, it will make your life easier. Again, this is strictly practical knowledge and not anything explicitly tied to success in the admission process or necessarily success in the classes, simply falling under a "hot tip" category. Familiarity with software can be gained from taking classes, job/internship experience, or free online tutorials.

Yes. Cover pages, indexes, resource lists, etc., all count towards the 6-page maximum. If the PDF exceeds the 6-page maximum, the faculty will only look at the first 6 pages and disregard the rest.

We do not.

The department usually encourages students to attend another school for their graduate degree, for the purpose of building a greater industry network. That being said, if you affirmatively want to stay at UCLA for your M.Arch, this can be a discussion with the department academic advisor.

Find course descriptions for Architectural Studies classes on the UCLA Registrar’s website

Find the study program outline for junior and senior year on the UCLA Architecture and Urban Design website

Find summer programs information on the UCLA Architecture and Urban Design website