Coordinator: Jori Ann Erdman
Phone: (540) 568-6696
Email: erdmanja@jmu.edu
Program Description
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.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the architectural design major is selective and competitive for a limited number of reserved seats in upper-division (300-400 level) architectural design courses. Declaration of architectural design as a major and completion of lower-division (100-200) prerequisite art courses does not guarantee admission into the program. Admission to upper-division ARCD courses is based on completion of all prerequisite art courses and merit as determined by faculty review of portfolios submitted in satisfaction of the course ARCD 208.
ARCD 208 is a 0 credit, pass/fail course that functions as a prerequisite to enrollment in 300-400 level architectural design courses. ARCD 208 portfolios are reviewed in the sophomore year prior to pre-registration. Students should contact the area coordinator of architectural design to determine the exact time and location for the ARCD 208 portfolio review.
ARCD 200 and ARCD 202 are restricted to Architectural Design students who have passed FDS 102, FDS 104 and FDS 106 only. Students are restricted from taking any 300-400 level architectural design studio courses until ARCD 208 has been taken and passed. Accepted students who receive a passing grade for ARCD 208 will be able to register for ARCD upper-division courses for the following semester.
Accepted students who receive a passing grade for ARCD 208 are required to furnish a computer that meets or exceeds the recommendations of the program listed on the Bookstore's website.
Students not accepted will have one opportunity to reapply or may choose to continue in another major within the SADAH.
Special Admission Requirements
Architectural Design, Art Studio, Graphic Design and Industrial Design Majors
All prospective freshmen, transfer and change of major students intending to major in architectural design, graphic design or studio art must meet JMU admission requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog. In addition to meeting JMU admission requirements, all students seeking the BFA with a major in architectural design, art studio or graphic design, or the BS with a major in industrial design are required to submit a portfolio to the school's SlideRoom account. The submission of a portfolio is optional for students seeking the BA and BS with a major in art studio. All students regardless of degree type, who wish to be considered for a scholarship must submit a portfolio to SlideRoom. The submission of a portfolio is seen as evidence of a student's interest and potential for future success in art. The deadline for submitting portfolios to SADAH's SlideRoom site can be found on the School's Portfolio page. There is a $10 charge for this submission.
Transfer and Change of Major Students
Transfer and change of major students seeking the BFA with a major in architectural design, art studio, or graphic design or the BS with a major in industrial design are required to submit a portfolio and also need to upload unofficial transcripts and a statement of intent to the school's SlideRoom account that explains their educational and artistic goals, articulating the reasons for choosing this area of study.
On-Campus Portfolio Feedback Days and Scholarships
All students who would like to be considered for scholarships are required to attend one of the on-campus or virtual portfolio feedback days. Students will show their original art and participate in a faculty interview. If time-based media examples (video and animation) are included, students will need to bring their own digital device for presentation purposes. Refer to the SADAH website for the dates of the upcoming portfolio feedback days and for additional portfolio requirements. All scholarship awards are based on merit and vary in amount. Tours of facilities and program information sessions will take place at on-campus events.
Off-Campus Portfolio Feedback Days
The SADAH also offers students the opportunity for faculty critiques on their portfolio, prior to their digital submission and before an on-campus or virtual portfolio scholarship interview. The off-campus portfolio feedback events provide an opportunity for students to meet SADAH's faculty. All prospective first-year, transfer and change of major students are strongly encouraged to attend a portfolio feedback day, on or off campus, prior to submitting their portfolio.
Architectural Design
Students seeking official acceptance into the architectural design major must enroll in ARCD 208 and submit a portfolio representing work completed in ARCD 200 and ARCD 202. Students not admitted may reapply the following year.
SADAH Computer Requirements for Architectural Design
SADAH's programs require all students to have a laptop computer equipped with and capable of running any necessary software. SADAH considers a laptop an essential tool for total participation in classes and content.
SADAH faculty determine the hardware and software requirements annually to ensure students purchase the most up-to-date technology conducive to participating in the curriculum.
For all hardware and software requirements, please see the department's website.
Degree Requirements
Degree and Major Requirements
| Degree Requirements |
Credit Hours |
| General Education courses 1 |
41 |
| Major requirements |
78 |
| University electives |
1 |
| Total |
120 |
Major Requirements
This major requires 78 credit hours in art, art history and art-related courses; 45 credits must focus on architectural design.
