Architecture

Director of undergraduate studies: Michael Schlabs, RDH, 180 York St.; architecture.yale.edu

Architecture is a humanistic endeavor. The purpose of the undergraduate major is to include the study of architecture within a comprehensive liberal arts education, drawing from the broader academic and professional environment of the Yale School of Architecture. The curriculum includes work in design; in history, theory, and criticism of architecture; and in urbanism, and leads to a bachelor of arts degree with a major in Architecture. As a liberal arts major in Yale College, it is not an accredited professional degree program. For accredited professional degree programs, refer to the requirements of the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Introductory Courses for Nonmajors and Majors

Introductory courses are ARCH 150, 200, and 280. They are open to all Yale College students and are required for those interested in the Architecture major prior to submitting a Declaration of Intent to Major. Interested students may also consider courses such as ARCH 154, 160, 260, 312, or 345.

Prerequisites

Three courses are prerequisite for all concentrations: ARCH 150, 200, and 280.

Requirements of the Major  

Students majoring in Architecture are required to take fifteen course credits, including prerequisites and the senior requirement. Majors are expected to take the three prerequisites by the end of their sophomore year and to complete a core of four courses, for five course credits, by the end of their junior year. They must also base their studies in one of two areas of concentration: the Design concentration or the History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism concentration. Majors are also required to complete three orientation sessions: advanced technology orientation, library orientation, and shop orientation. Within the concentrations, electives are categorized under four broad subject areas: history and theory of architecture and the city; urbanism and landscape; materials and design; and structures and computation.

Students in the Class of 2023 and the Class of 2024 may continue to concentrate in the Urbanism concentration.

Design concentrationThe Design concentration explores the role of architecture in shaping the world around us. It introduces complex processes involved in solving spatial and programmatic problems. Creative work is grounded in the study of history and culture, and in the analysis of social conditions influencing architecture. Design studios provide a forum for production and discourse. Studio projects address issues of architectural form, space, composition, site, tectonics, and programs within broader humanistic ideals. 

For the Design concentration, the following additional courses are required:

1. A core of four courses: the studio courses ARCH 250 and 251 taken during the junior year after the student is accepted into the major; and the history of architecture surveys, ARCH 260 and 312, to be completed by the end of the junior year
2. One elective in history and theory of architecture as outlined in the elective options below 
3. One elective in urbanism and landscape as outlined in the elective options below 
4. One elective in materials and design as outlined in the elective options below
5. One elective in structures and computation as outlined in the elective options below 
6. The senior requirement, ARCH 450 and 494

History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism concentrationThe History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism concentration is intended to establish a broad historical and intellectual framework for the study of architecture and the city. An interdisciplinary approach is encouraged through additional courses taken in various fields of humanities and social sciences. Such courses may include archaeology, urban studies, aesthetics, philosophy, or visual culture. Permission of the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) is required if the courses fall outside the specified course of studies. During their senior year students complete a senior essay or project on a topic approved by the faculty.

For the History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism concentration, the following additional courses are required:

1. A core of four courses: the urban laboratory, ARCH 250 or 360 taken during the fall term of junior year; ARCH 362 or an elective taken during the spring term of junior year; and the history of architecture surveys ARCH 260 and 312 to be completed by the end of junior year
2. Four electives in history and theory of architecture and the city as outlined in the elective options below 
3. One elective in urbanism and landscape, materials and design, or structures and computation or other relevant course approved by the DUS as outlined in the elective options below
4. The senior requirement, ARCH 490 and 491

Elective Options in subject areas

History and theory of architecture and the cityElectives can be chosen from ARCH 006, 271, 272, 314, 316, 327, 332, or other relevant courses in History of Art and other, related fields approved by the DUS. Examples of approved courses include: HSAR 143, 160, 221, 260, and 432

Urbanism and landscapeElectives can be chosen from ARCH 006, 160, 314, 316, 324, 327, 341, 345 or other relevant courses in American Studies; Ethics, Politics, and Economics; Environmental Studies; or Political Science approved by the DUS. Examples include: AFAM 297, 358, 450; AFST 235, 345; AMST 258, 348; ANTH 414; ENAS 425; ER&M 293; EVST 196, 227, 255, 292, EVST 403; SOCY 341 and 584.

Materials and designElectives can be chosen from ARCH 154, 162, 325, 332 or another relevant course approved by the DUS. Examples include: ART 110, 123, 130, and 210 

Structures and computationElectives can be chosen from ARCH 161, an approved calculus course such as MATH 112, 115, 120, or physics course such as PHYS 180, 201, PHYS 280, or other relevant course approved by the DUS. One example of an approved course is MENG 280. (Elementary calculus is strongly recommended as preparation for graduate studies in architecture.)

Required Orientations

Advanced Technology orientationAll Architecture students are required to complete orientation sessions in advanced technology workshop and materials laboratory. Students enrolled in ARCH 200 are required to complete these sessions at the beginning of the spring term of the sophomore year. Access to digital media equipment is not allowed until the required orientation sessions have been completed. Questions should be addressed to the DUS or the director of advanced technology, Vincent Guerrero, 432-7552.

Library orientationThe Architecture program requires all students to complete a ninety-minute introductory library research session. Students enrolled in ARCH 200 must take this session at the beginning of the spring term of the sophomore year. Failure to complete the required orientation precludes completion of the major. Students may not offer substitutions for this orientation. Students should register with the Haas Family Arts Library Public Services Librarian, Lindsay King, 436-8052. Questions should be addressed to the DUS.

Shop orientationThe Architecture program requires all majors to complete several woodshop and materials lab orientation sessions. Students who plan to enroll in ARCH 250 must take these sessions at the beginning of fall term in the junior year, before the first day of classes. Access to the woodshop and materials lab is not allowed until the required orientation sessions have been completed. Questions should be addressed to the DUS or to the shop coordinator, Timothy Newton, 432-7234.

Credit/D/FailNo course taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the Architecture major.

Senior Requirement

Seniors in the Design concentration take ARCH 450 in the fall term and 494 in the spring term. Seniors in the History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism concentration take ARCH 490 in the fall term and 491 in the spring term. Proposals for senior projects and essays are submitted in the fall term for review and approval by the senior project coordinator; they are then distributed to faculty members for review. Upon successful review, students may ask faculty members to act as senior advisers. Senior essays and projects for ARCH 491 are due in the office of the DUS by early April. Design projects for ARCH 494 are due as specified by the course instructor. All seniors must submit a portfolio of their work to the office of the DUS by late April. For all architecture majors, this portfolio must be representative of the student's design work including prerequisites and the senior project. History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism majors must also include a copy of the senior essay and other appropriate texts.

Advising and declaration of intent to major

Yale College students interested in the Architecture major must submit a Declaration of Intent to Major during the spring term of their sophomore year, after taking ARCH 150, 200, and 280. The Declaration of Intent to Major must be submitted to the office of the DUS (contact DUS for deadlines) and must include the following information: name, address, telephone number, courses related to architecture already taken, and a statement of purpose. Students should also indicate their desired concentration at this time. Additionally, students must submit an electronic portfolio representative of coursework for ARCH 150, 200, and a paper from ARCH 280. Upon the successful completion of these requirements, students are notified in writing regarding their acceptance to the major. Refer to the department website for important deadlines.

Courses in the School of ArchitectureUnless otherwise indicated in the course descriptions, all courses in the School of Architecture are open to majors and nonmajors with permission of the instructor and the graduate registrar. They are not available for the Credit/D/Fail option. Students are admitted on the basis of their previous coursework and previous performance.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR

PrerequisitesARCH 150, 200, and 280

Number of courses15 course credits (incl prereqs and senior req)

Specific courses requiredDesign—ARCH 250, 251, 260, 312; History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism—ARCH 250 or 360; ARCH 362 or elective; ARCH 260; and ARCH 312

Distribution of coursesDesign—1 elective in history and theory of arch, 1 in urbanism and landscape, 1 in materials and design, 1 in structures and computation, all approved by DUS; History, Theory, Criticism of Architecture, and Urbanism—4 electives in history and theory of arch and city, 1 elective in urbanism and landscape, or materials and design, or structures and computation; all approved by DUS.

Other requirementsOrientation sessions in advanced technology, library, and shop

Senior requirementBoth concentrations—portfolio representative of design work, including prereqs and senior req; Design—ARCH 450 and 494; History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture and Urbanism—ARCH 490 and 491

• $80 application fee or fee waiver
• Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor
• School Report with transcript
• Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) - not required for fall 2023 admission. (See below)
• English proficiency test results - required for non-native English-speakers (See below)
• Mid-Year Report & Final Report

See additional details about these required application components below.

Please note that if your application materials include any documents that are not in English, you must provide an official English translation in addition to the original documents.

$80 application fee or fee waiver

Applicants should pay the $80 application fee via the Common Application or Coalition Application website.

Applicants using the Common Application or Coalition Application may request that the application fee be waived. Learn more on the fee waiver page. The fee waiver scale is based on family size and income in US dollars but is applicable to all international students.

Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor

Request recommendations from two teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects (e.g. English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) who know you well, and who have seen you at your best. It is preferable, but not required, that recommendations come from teachers who have taught you during your final or next-to-final year of secondary school.

Also request a recommendation from your school’s college counselor. If your counselor does not know you well, the recommendation may still provide helpful contextual information about your school and its academic programs. If your school does not have someone serving as a college counselor, please request a recommendation from a school administrator such as a house master, principal, or academic advisor. 

School Report with transcript

Your counselor or other school official should submit a School Report with an official transcript that includes all your secondary school courses. If a question on the School Report form is not applicable to your secondary school, leave it blank. 

Recommendations and transcripts should be submitted electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application website. If necessary, teachers and counselors may also submit their recommendations and transcripts via mail or digital upload. Recommendations may be sent before or after you submit your application; materials that arrive before your application will be kept on file. The admissions office will make reasonable allowances for late school documents in situations where it is not possible for teachers and counselors to meet the application deadlines.

Standardized test results

In response to the extraordinary circumstances associated with the pandemic, Yale has temporarily suspended its requirement that first-year and transfer applicants submit results from the ACT or SAT. The change will be in effect during the 2022-23 admissions cycles for applicants who intend to matriculate in fall 2023. 

More information on Yale’s test policies is available on the standardized testing page. Standardized tests are just one component of a student’s application and are viewed within the context of the student’s entire file. There is no minimum score required for admission, nor is there a score that will guarantee admission.

English proficiency exams

Yale requires that non-native English-speakers who have not taken at least two years of secondary education where English is the medium of instruction submit the results from any of the proficiency tests listed below.

The TOEFL requires pre-registration for available testing dates. Yale’s most competitive applicants have scores of at least 100 on the internet-based TOEFL.

The IELTS offers proficiency tests in locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have IELTS scores of 7 or higher.

Cambridge English exams are available at testing locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have Cambridge English scores of 185 or higher on the C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First exams.

Applicants may submit the Duolingo English Test (DET), which combines an English proficiency test with a brief video interview. Duolingo’s technology and format allows applicants to complete the test at any time or place with internet access. Yale’s most competitive applicants have DET scores of at least 120.

InitialView provides live, unscripted video interviews that candidates may submit to colleges for consideration with other application materials. Interview times must be reserved in advance. There is no scoring associated with these interviews.

Mid-Year Report & Final Report

Students who do not receive new secondary school grades by February 1, including students who have already completed secondary school, are not required to submit a Mid-Year Report. This includes many international students. Applicants who receive new grades by February 1 should submit a Mid-Year Report.

Only admitted students are required to submit the Final Report, which provides final secondary school grades and examination marks. Admitted students submit the Final Report in the summer before fall matriculation.

If your secondary school provides predicted results for external exams such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and other international or national testing organizations, they should be submitted by your school alongside your transcript or Mid-Year Report.

All applicants for first-year admission must submit one of the following:

• The Coalition Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The Common Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The QuestBridge National College Match Application

Yale will accept any one of these applications, without preference for one over another. Students should submit one—and only one—application per admissions cycle.