The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
College of Architecture + Design

Bachelor of Architecture, B.Arch

We are makers. We embrace challenging ideas with the power to transform humanity and our world through creative, sustainable design.

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Program Details

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Program Overview  

A Bachelor of Architecture degree is a five-year professionally accredited program. The core of our curriculum is the studio, where you learn to explore and generate ideas, speculate, draw, and envision your own creative practice. The first year, you will focus on design fundamentals. Our curriculum supports radical experimental thinking from the beginning. In response to open-ended prompts, students operate conceptually. As students move through the program, territories, research, systems, atmospheres, cities, and buildings take shape. The B.Arch concludes with students choosing the way they frame their work. This often involves bringing personal, poetic, and extra-disciplinary ideas into their process.  

We have two paths to provide greater opportunity for your career goals. In addition to the B.Arch, we offer a degree option to prepare students for an accelerated master’s degree in landscape architecture. 

Concentrations 

B.Arch – Traditional Track
B.Arch – Master of Landscape Architecture Preparatory Track 

Why study architecture?

 

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Industry Partnerships

Architecture is a practice-driven field, and UT's industry partnerships with firms like Gensler and SESCO Lighting help students engage directly with the profession throughout their education. Our connections with regional and national firms provide opportunities for internships, project collaboration, mentorship, and exposure to current industry trends. These experiences help students understand how design concepts become built environments while developing the professional skills employers value.
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Experiential Learning

Our architecture students gain hands-on experience that extends beyond the classroom. In collaboration with architecture firms, design professionals, community organizations, and study abroad programs, you'll work on projects that challenge you to apply your skills in meaningful ways. From site visits and guest lectures to collaborative design studios and professional networking opportunities, you'll build the practical knowledge and industry connections that help launch successful careers.

What you can do with a Bachelor of Architecture after graduation.

Preservationist 

Preservationists protect and restore historic buildings, landmarks, and cultural resources for future generations. An architecture degree equips professionals with knowledge of building materials, structural systems, and design history, supporting thoughtful preservation efforts that balance historical integrity with modern needs. 

Facilities Director 

Facilities directors manage the operation, maintenance, and long-term planning of buildings and campuses, ensuring spaces remain safe, efficient, and functional. Architectural training offers insight into building systems, construction, and space utilization, helping facilities leaders make informed decisions about renovations, upgrades, and asset management. 

Set Designer 

Set designers create immersive environments for film, television, theater, and live events, transforming creative concepts into physical spaces. An architecture degree develops skills in visual storytelling, drafting, spatial design, and technical drawing, providing a strong foundation for designing compelling and realistic sets. 

Featured Courses

The first year focuses on design fundamentals, moving through conceptual, abstract and experimental exercises that challenge preconceived ideas about space and form.

Here's a glimpse of some of the courses offered in your first year in the program.

ARCH 171

Design I: Spatial Order I

ARCH 123

Representation I: Visual Logic and Perception

ARCH 101/107H

Intro to Architecture

ARCH 102

Visual Design Theory

Course Catalog

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Admissions + Aid

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