B.F.A. in Art with a major in Architectural Design
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
Architectural design students at JMU think creatively through acts of making.
From handcraft to digital fabrication and from orthographic drawing to material prototypes, the techniques and media our students learn are varied and exploratory. and iterative.
Students work side-by-side with graphic designers, fiber artists, printmakers, industrial designers, painters, and sculptors. In addition to required foundation courses in art, architectural design majors at JMU can take art and design classes across the School of Art, Design, and Art History.
The JMU chapter of The National Organization of Minority Architects is an active group on campus and in the community.
The Architectural Design major educates future design leaders. It is an intensive program focused on rigorous design processes. Architectural design is approached holistically– emphasizing investigations into the nature of materials and objects, interior space, ergonomics, history and theory, programmatic invention, functional poetics, and collaboration across disciplines. The curriculum instills purpose, craft, technological competencies, and versatile thinking.
Teaching licensure in art is available as part of all degree programs. As a student enrolled in art education course work, you will be exposed to both theoretical and practical issues related to comprehensive art education delivery. In addition to intensive art education methods course work, you will participate in three practicum experiences designed for elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art with a major in architectural design educates future design leaders. It is an intensive studio-based program focused on rigorous design processes. Architectural design is approached holistically– emphasizing investigations into the nature of materials and objects, space, history and theory, programmatic invention, functional poetics, and collaboration across disciplines. The curriculum instills purpose, craft, technical competencies, and versatile thinking. We are an inclusive program that develops skilled and empathetic architectural designers.
The Architectural Design Program is a pre-professional major that prepares students for graduate studies as well as entry-level positions in a variety of design fields including architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. Students should be aware that educational requirements for architectural licensing vary from state to state.
The program is enhanced by frequent field trips as well as guest critics and speakers. Vibrant student organizations including a chapter of the National Organization for Minority Architecture students and the American Institute of Architecture Students provide leadership opportunities for students and connections to the profession.
Required Courses
- General Education courses 41 Credit Hours1
- University electives 1 Credit Hours
- Major requirements (listed below) 78 Credit Hours
Footnote:
1The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
It is recommended that students interested in pursuing graduate studies in architecture take PHYS 140 and MATH 205 in fulfillment of General Education credits in Cluster Three: The Natural World.
Major Requirements
This major requires 78 credit hours in art, art history, and art-related courses; 45 must focus on architectural design.
Foundation Courses: 18 Credit Hours
- ART 102. Two-Dimensional Design (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 104. Drawing I (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 106. Three-Dimensional Design (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 108. Drawing II (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 206. Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
Required Concentration Courses: 51 Credit Hours
- ARCD 200. Architect Design Studio I Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 202. Architect Design Studio II Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 208. Portfolio Review Credits: 0.00
- ARCD 220. Digital Processes Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 300. Architect Design Studio III Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 302. Architect Design Studio IV Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 330. Materials and Methods Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 370. History of Architecture Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 376. Modern Architecture Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 400. Architect Design Studio V Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 402. Architect Design Studio VI Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 440. Professional Design Practices Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 496. Internship Credits: 0.00
Art, Design, and Art History Electives: 9 Credit Hours
Art, design, and art history electives may include courses from general fine arts, graphic design, industrial design, art education, architectural design, internships, and art history excluding courses taken in the required major, as well as ARTH 490, ARTH 495, and ARTH 499.
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Year
- General Education 12 Credit Hours
- Art Foundations 18 Credit Hours
Second Year
- ARCD 200. Architect Design Studio I Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 202. Architect Design Studio II Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 220. Digital Processes Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 208. Portfolio Review Credits: 0.00
- ARCD 376. Modern Architecture Credits: 3.00
- General Education Credits / Units: 12.00
Third Year
- ARCD 300. Architect Design Studio III Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 302. Architect Design Studio IV Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 330. Materials and Methods Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 370. History of Architecture Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 440. Professional Design Practices Credits: 3.00
- ARCD 496. Internship Credits: 0.001
- Art, Design, and Art History Elective Courses
- General Education Credits / Units: 12.00
Fourth Year
- ARCD 400. Architect Design Studio V Credits: 6.00
- ARCD 402. Architect Design Studio VI Credits: 6.00
- Art, Design, and Art History Elective Courses
- General Education 9 Credit Hours
Footnotes:
1ARCD 496 is typically completed during the summer.
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Architectural Design
- Enterprise Architect Manager at Chesterfield County Local Government
- Naval Military Effectiveness and Cost Engineering/Industrial Analysis - Mathematicians/Statisticians/Engineers/Scientists at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division
- Naval Ship, Submarine, and Unmanned Design and Design Software - Naval Architects/Engineers/Scientists at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division
- Senior Software Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Software Engineer at ENSCO, Inc.
- Digital Engineer/Modeler at ENSCO, Inc.
- Entry Level Data Science/ML - 482022 at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Hardware Digital Design & Verification Engineer (University Grad) at Qualcomm
- Electrical Engineer (Generalist) at Second Order Effects Inc
- Senior Software Delivery Lead at Michigan Supreme Court
- Senior Project Manager - Planning, Design and Construction - Mount Sinai Morningside at Mount Sinai Health System
- Project Manager, Planning Design & Construction at Mount Sinai Health System
- Embedded Firmware Engineer at Second Order Effects Inc
- Salesforce Developer at M&S Consulting
- Senior Planner (Preservation and Zoning Administration) at Town of Leesburg
- Architectural Associate at RS&H
- Architectural Associate at RS&H
- Consultant - Campus Hire (Columbia, SC) at Capgemini America Inc.
- Systems Engineer at Saab Inc.
Interior Design
- (#R25099) House Coordinator / PAHrtners Deaf Services at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Customer Experience Specialist at Nickson
- Graduate Students-Policy Analytics Senior Consultant (Master's) at Booz Allen Hamilton
- Technology Systems Designer: Raleigh, NC at Wiley|Wilson
- Technology Systems Designer: Richmond, VA at Wiley|Wilson
- Technology Systems Designer: Atlanta, GA at Wiley|Wilson
- Technology Systems Designer: Alexandria, VA at Wiley|Wilson
- Junior Designer at Interior Architects
- Intermediate Experiential Designer at Interior Architects
- Junior Experiential Designer at Interior Architects
- Broadband Specialist I at Mediacom Communications Corporation
- Junior Designer at Interior Architects
- Visitor Services Member - Savannah National Wildlife Refuge at American Conservation Experience
- Manager - Business Development at Flipspaces Design Labs
- Business Analyst I at PITT OHIO
- Electric motor Design Engineer at Apex Tool Group
- Architectural Designer at Timber Block USA
- Infrastructure Engineer at PITT OHIO
- Manager In Training (Ft. Lupton, CO) at Builders FirstSource
Internships for JMU Students
Architectural Design
- IT Engineering Intern - Information Security at PetSmart
- Business Technology Associate Consultant Intern at ZS Associates
- Student Trainee (Engineering and Architecture) at US Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Middle East District
- Data Science Intern (Spring 2023) at Carrier
- Full-Stack Engineer Intern at Arbor
- Software Engineer Intern (Summer 2023, Remote/Hybrid) at Vectorworks, Inc.
- Dell Technologies Services - Undergraduate Cybersecurity Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell Technologies Services - Systems Development Engineer Intern at Dell Technologies
- Finance Intern (Summer 2023) at Arconic Corp
- Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Cryogenic Propellant Transfer at NASA Glenn Research Center Office of STEM Engagement
- Intern - Corporate Real Estate, Airport Planner (Summer 2023) at United Airlines
- IT Application Summer Intern at Arconic Corp
- IT Summer Intern - Cyber Security at Arconic Corp
- IT Summer Intern - Deskside Service at Arconic Corp
- Human Resources Intern (Summer 2023) at Arconic Corp
- IT Summer Intern - Enterprise Infrastructure at Arconic Corp
- Digital ASIC/FPGA Design and Verification Development Engineer Intern (Winter 2023) at Ciena
- Software Engineer - Summer Intern at Brightspot
- PACE - Entry Level Sales Training Program at Steelcase, Inc.
Interior Design
- Construction Management Intern - Summer 2023 at Hourigan
- Design Quality Internship (Spring 2023) at Tesla
- Mechanical Test Engineering Internship (Spring 2023) at Tesla
- Business/Hospitality Intern at Lori Designs
- Nonprofit/Fundraising Intern at Lori Designs
- 2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summer Intern at Chick-fil-A, Inc.
- HR Fall Intern at Symmes Maini & McKee Associates
- Marketing Intern - YouTube at Lori Designs
- Marketing Intern at Lori Designs
- Law Intern at Lori Designs
- Web (E-Commerce) Developer Internship at Clocky LLC
- Design Intern-unpaid at Posh Interiors
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with PTE. The faster, fairer, simpler English test, accepted by thousands of universities around the world. PTE, Do it worry-free!