Thomas Jefferson University’s Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) is a five-year professional degree program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Students receive an industry-centered, liberal arts-infused education, blending academic scholarship with hands-on, professional learning. The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and most of our faculty members are practicing industry professionals. 

As architectural practices evolve rapidly to meet new environmental, economic and societal challenges, our curriculum’s unique focus on market-driven innovation and sustainability gives students a competitive advantage in the industry. The program builds on an interdisciplinary foundation of design and visualization studies and grows into more advanced courses that support design projects of increasing complexity and scope.

Thomas Jefferson University’s Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) is a five-year professional degree program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Students receive an industry-centered, liberal arts-infused education, blending academic scholarship with hands-on, professional learning. The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and most of our faculty members are practicing industry professionals. As architectural practices evolve rapidly to meet new environmental, economic and societal challenges, our curriculum’s unique focus on market-driven innovation and sustainability gives students a competitive advantage in the industry. The program builds on an interdisciplinary foundation of design and visualization studies and grows into more advanced courses that support design projects of increasing complexity and scope.

Students learn essential research skills and can take focused courses in experimental structures and materials, furniture design, design theory, construction management, historic preservation, business, and more. Instruction goes beyond the classroom to include industry partnerships, community engagement projects, study abroad, and internships with architectural firms in Philadelphia. 

As a transformative force in professional education, Jefferson gives students a working knowledge of the industry so they may contribute to a firm immediately, present work professionally, and think critically. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles as stewards of sustainability and to work with top firms worldwide.

The Bachelor of Architecture is a STEM designated program (CIP Code 04.0902).

Program Highlights

Our 5-year professional architecture program prepares you to think and design for the future. From advanced design courses to business classes, and a focus on sustainability throughout, you will be ready to dive into careers upon graduation. You will collaborate with various disciplines on industry projects, gain valuable experience in internships and get a global perspective through study abroad programs. The NAAB-accredited program provides a challenging curriculum with a design studio sequence that is the core of the program comprehensively synthesizing all the courses into project-based learning.

  • Focus on sustainability and building for the future.
  • Learn from an interdisciplinary faculty of professionals.
  • Master the skills to be a creative and innovative professional in the built environment.
  • Explore the possibilities of innovative material strategies with the collaborative IDEA Lab.
  • Spend your fifth-year studios focused on specialized areas such as Smart & Healthy Cities, the Malawi Health & Design Collaborative and more. 
  • Collaborate with Zaha Hadid Architects' CODE Studio.
  • Students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or one of the many short courses offered throughout the year.

Video: I Am ...

Hear firsthand from students and faculty about what it's like to be a Bachelor of Architecture major at Jefferson; what skills a good architect needs, along with some misconceptions; along with exposure to myriad jobs and pathways — from engineering to drafting to photography to video games.

"Architecture actually goes well beyond the physical product or the physical environment," says professor Kihog Ku. "Architecture can also be something that's about the idea of defining spaces around us at the human level at the building level and at the city level." 

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Video: Architectural Inspiration in London

Hear from fifth-year architecture students whose study abroad opportunity took them to London as part of the College of Architecture & the Built Environment's Cities Under Climate Threat and Computational Design Studios innovation experience.