FAQ

The answers to questions frequently asked by prospective undergraduate Architecture students can be found below.

  • The five-year B.ARCH program is a NAAB-accredited professional program. It is a rigorous and challenging major designed to prepare students for professional, innovative careers with an architecture degree. The skills taught are also valuable for related fields. Students should be prepared to learn a broad-based curriculum that includes, Design, History|Theory, Environmental Technology, Structures, Professional Practice, Design Communication, and related software.

  • Most programs offer a 4+2 or 4-year Bachelor's Degree plus a 2-year Masters Degree. We offer a five-year professional Bachelor of Architecture (B. ARCH) degree, accredited by NAAB that would reduce your formal education time and costs by one year.

    • With a B. ARCH + the required Intern Development Program (IDP) hours you are eligible for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) exam for licensure.
    • Students with a B.ARCH may pursue additional degrees like the M. ARCH or specialized M.S. ARCH degrees.

    The B. ARCH at KSU offers an intensive “hands-on” pedagogy that integrates theory, practice, and application.

    We provide extensive labs and resources, including a Media Resource Center, Woodshop, Digital Fabrication Lab, Materials Library, and 3 and 5 Axis CNC routers.

  • Yes, our architecture department offers a 15-credit minor in Architecture. Many of the courses in the regular curriculum can be applied to the minor.
  • Material costs vary depending upon the individual design solution, the student’s choice of materials for models, and the course level the project is for. The Department of Architecture is aware that these costs can add significantly to the cost of education. For this reason, we offer, through our fees, not only extensive equipment but some basic supplies like ink, printing, and shop basics that reduce some typical out-of-pocket expenses. Scholarship opportunities can be applied to assist with offsetting any cost.
    • Studio instruction provides a 1:1 critique of work in a design lab setting.
    • Studio courses are typically run with an average ratio of 1:16.
    • Lectures that have a lab component have an average ratio of 1:25.
    • Typical lecture courses are generally limited to a ratio of 1:30.
  • Attendance at KSU New Student Orientation is required and attendance in the Architecture Summer Design Workshop is highly recommended for all incoming Architecture students at Kennesaw State University (both First-Year and Transfer).
  • There are hundreds of architecture firms in metro Atlanta. Many will be introduced to you during your educational period. In addition, you will have many networking opportunities with involvement in the KSU Architecture student organizations AIAS, NOMAS, and Alpha Rho Chi. Faculty connections and other professional events also often lead to employment.
  • KSU has cultivated a strong reputation with many well-respected Architectural firms in the greater Atlanta area who routinely seek our students. We encourage firms to post job openings on the KSU Career Services site, where current students can view these openings. We also routinely invite professionals to our architecture program to review student work providing ample opportunity for our students to network.

    When students graduate from KSU, they are well-positioned for various careers with their architecture degree.

  • Due to the rigors of the program, we find that students devote most of their time to their coursework and tend not to take on added responsibilities. We recommend that a student not work in the first two years and limit work hours to 10 hours per week while in the upper division of the program if working is necessary. Loans and scholarships are also a great way to supplement financial needs while in college.
  • Architecture classes are offered throughout the day, Monday through Friday. We very rarely offer Architecture night or summer classes. None of the Architecture classes are offered online. Not all Architecture classes are offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters, so it is very important to stay on track by taking the appropriate courses during the appropriate semester.\Core classes required by the University System of Georgia can generally be taken at night, during the summer and many are offered online.
  • Architecture courses are taken within a sequential flowchart schedule and have to be taken when scheduled. If you want a head start, you can enroll in the Spring or Summer semesters and take Georgia Core classes before beginning your Architecture classes. This will result in your having lighter loads throughout but will extend the number of semesters you will be enrolled at KSU.
  • Some students find this advantageous; however, it will add to the number of semesters you will be in college. We provide a comprehensive course flow chart to guide students through their curriculum, but for students who would like to lessen their workloads during the course of the year, we recommend taking GA core classes in the Summer semesters.
  • Summer classes are still in session when the workshop begins. In most cases, this results in a time conflict. You are not allowed to miss workshop sessions so you would have to register for classes in the early summer sessions that are completed by mid-July.
  • Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Register’s Office just before your KSU "Ignition" Orientation session. Transfer credit will be discussed with you during orientation.
  • Unless you have taken architectural studio classes at another university, your educational period at KSU will take a full five years. If you have taken architecture classes at another university, you can submit your portfolio for review for possible Architecture credit. Please contact the architecture department for portfolio specifications.

    You may be eligible for the Accelerated Track in our Architecture program, please consult with a CACM advisor.

  • The Architecture Summer Design Workshop is designed to offer students a transitional experience from high school or other degree programs to the Department of Architecture’s B. ARCH program. The workshop helps students integrate into studio culture and introduces them to basic design concepts, tools, techniques, and resources.

  • The Summer Design Workshop is highly recommended by the architecture department and by our students, but it is NOT required to enter the Architecture Program in the fall term. There is NO GRADE or PASSING REQUIREMENT. All students must commit to the entire two weeks of the workshop. If there is a hardship, please contact the office and ask to speak to Kate Marchman

    email
  • See the the Laptop Specifications Guide  for our current recommendations on what to purchase when entering this program.
  • Registration for the Summer Design Workshop opens online in March annually. After you have been admitted to the program and accepted, the Department of Architecture will contact you with information about the Summer Design Workshop and how to register.
  • The cost of the Summer Design Workshop varies annually and is available in mid to late March. The design material ‘KIT’ is included in the cost of the workshop, as is the BBQ & student exhibit reception. Some of the materials in the KIT can also be used during regular design studios.
  • Financial Aid does not cover the Summer Design Workshop registration costs. Financial Aid does take into consideration the applicable tuition costs that apply during the Fall term.
  • Housing and Meal Plans are available for an additional cost. When registering for the workshop, be sure to select these options if you’d like them.
  • While the official end time is 5:00 pm, many workshop participants stay beyond 5:00 to work on their workshop projects.