1. School of Architecture & Design
  2. Architecture & Design Programs
  3. Architectural Studies

Architectural Studies

At the UL Lafayette School of Architecture and Design, our Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies offers a strong foundation in design, critical thinking, and professional practice. 

Whether you’re planning to pursue a Master of Architecture or explore design-related career paths, this pre-professional degree sets you on a path of creative exploration and real-world application.

Our Architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the sole agency recognized to accredit professional architecture degrees in the United States.
Learn more about NAAB accreditation and what it means for your degree »

Who Should Apply

This program is for students who:

  • Are passionate about architecture, design, and the built environment.
  • Want to tackle global challenges through local, sustainable solutions.
  • Enjoy both creative expression and technical problem-solving.
  • Are curious about how design can shape communities, cultures, and ecosystems.
  • Intend to pursue graduate study in architecture or a related design field.

Learn how to apply »

Key Features

  • Design studio-based curriculum that fosters collaboration, experimentation, and critique.
  • 45 credit hours of electives outside architecture to explore interests in art, humanities, sciences, or beyond.
  • Environmental and regional focus with studio projects tied to Louisiana’s unique wetlands and culture.
  • Affordable excellence: Ranked #2 on AffordableSchools.net’s Top 15 Most Affordable Architecture & Environmental Design Degrees.
  • Professional preparation for those pursuing licensure or planning to apply to our Master of Architecture program.
  • Opportunities for real-world projects, including recent student work in the Atchafalaya Basin and large-scale public research.

What You’ll Study

Our program explores the four architectural environments: Physical, Social-Cultural, Technological, and Professional. Through this lens, you’ll develop:

  • A foundational understanding of architecture as both an art and a science.
  • Technical and creative skills through design studio, history, theory, and technology courses.
  • Knowledge of architectural practices and ethical design methods.
  • Hands-on learning that links classroom work with community engagement and sustainability.

Explore the curriculum »

Skills You’ll Develop

By the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped with:

  • Creative problem-solving and design thinking.
  • Communication skills — visual, verbal, written, and digital.
  • Project and time management under real-world constraints.
  • Team collaboration and interdisciplinary understanding.
  • Proficiency with digital tools, model-making, photography, video, and more.
  • Critical thinking about culture, environment, and society’s role in design.

Beyond the Degree: What Can You Do with an Architecture Degree?

Nearly half of our graduates go on to become architects. Others thrive in careers related to:

  • Urban planning and design
  • Interior or industrial design
  • Construction and project management
  • Real estate or property development
  • Environmental advocacy or public policy
  • Education, engineering, or business

Only 15% of architecture graduates work outside a related field — showing how versatile and in-demand your training will be.

Career Opportunities »

Requirements

All students in the School of Architecture and Design must meet the admissions requirements set by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the College of Arts as a whole to be accepted into the architectural studies program. Learn more about the University's admissions requirements. 

In the School of Architecture and Design, you must earn a C or better in all courses required for the architectural studies degree.

After completing your first-year courses, you must go through a review to ensure that you have the skills and knowledge to complete the architectural studies program. For the review, you must compile a portfolio of 10 to 20 pages (8-1/2" x 11" dimensions) that showcase your work from the DSGN 101 and DSGN 102 courses. The evaluations will happen at the conclusion of both the spring and summer semesters.

In addition to your portfolio, our committee will assess your academic performance. To be admitted to the second year of architectural studies, you must retain a minimum 2.4 cumulative GPA and have completed these courses:

  • DSGN 101 Basic Design I
  • DSGN 102 Basic Design II
  • DSGN 114 Design Communication
  • ENGL 101 Rhetoric and Composition
  • ENGL 102 Composition and Literature
  • MATH 109 or MATH 110

After our committee has completed the review, we will give each student a final assessment. You will be allowed to enroll in second-year design courses if you receive an "accepted" review.

A computer is not required for students in their first year, but it will be required for students in their second year. Find out more about the computer requirements for second year Architecture, Interior Design, and Industrial Design.