Admission

The following steps can be followed to ensure a smooth transition into the NDSU Architecture program:

1. Apply to North Dakota State University and mark architecture as your intended major.
2. Refer to the information for application requirements

During the first year, students will complete NDSU’s Environmental Design courses, Architecture history courses and suggested General Education courses.

High School Preparation

The best courses to study in high school are those that would be recommended for any demanding college program -a sound mixture of courses in sciences, humanities and social sciences. Physics, trigonometry or calculus, art, freehand drawing and literature are recommended. Courses in mechanical, architectural, and digital drawing are not necessary and, in fact, may be less useful than general academic or fine arts subjects. Prospective students are also encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school in the following ways: AP (Advanced Placement), PSEO (Post-secondary Enrolment Options), CIS (College in Schools), IB (International Baccalaureate), or CLEP (College Level Examination Program).

Admission to the Architecture program at NDSU is competitive. We have a limited number of spots for transfer students each year.

The following steps can be followed to ensure a smooth transition into the NDSU Architecture program:

1. Transfer students are accepted on an individual basis and must consult with the architecture academic advisor, Rob Glarum prior to application. Students will know prior to matriculation what their plan of study will look like.
2. Apply to North Dakota State University and mark architecture as your intended major.
3. Refer to the application requirements.
4. Beginning with the Fall 2028 cohort, the following schedule will apply:
   - Application deadline for transfer students is January 1.
   - Admission decisions for transfer applicants will be available in late March.

Transferring from non-Architecture programs

Five years of study are required for completion of the degree. A transfer student’s prior credits allow them to take fewer credits per semester than a student entering from high school, but they do not shorten the 10-semester degree program, as studio courses are sequential in nature. This lighter load allows for the potential of obtaining a substantial minor or a complementary certificate program, which enhances their employment opportunities in design.

Transferring from other architecture programs (accredited and non-accredited):

In addition to the information listed above, students wishing to transfer to NDSU from other architecture programs must submit the following documents:

1. Official Transcripts from prior institutions
2. Portfolio and syllabi for architecture/design courses (if requested). This information should be submitted directly to the Department Chair, Susan Schaefer Kliman and Architecture Program Coordinator David Crutchfield

Each transfer student will have a custom plan of study created based on prior course work. A detailed evaluation is completed to determine alignment of completed courses with the content of the courses in the NDSU curriculum. Any deficiencies must be met within the plan of study at NDSU.

Current NDSU Students who are looking to change their major to Architecture should meet with Rob Glarum, Architecture Academic Advisor, to learn how credits will apply, the duration of the major and the types of courses required.

Students will apply to the pre-professional program (years 2-4) in the spring semester of the first year. Admission to the 2nd year is based on GPA for architecture (ARCH) and environmental design (ENVD) courses, statement of interest and brief portfolio. The template for this portfolio and detailed information regarding submission is provided by the instructor for ENVD 104 / ENVD 172 in the spring semester of the first year.

The Department of Architecture strives to have a student population that reflects the demographics of the broader community of the Upper Midwest; however, admissions are based on student performance in the first year at NDSU. The Admissions committee ranks applications and the top 68 students are granted admission to the second year of the program. Demographics are not considered in this process.

Every student entering or enrolled in either the program will be advised every semester by an academic advisor to ensure that they stay on track to graduate.

Students entering NDSU as freshmen with a major in Architecture typically see the graduate degree as the final outcome of their time at NDSU. Students who complete the pre-professional Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree can complete the accredited Master of Architecture degree with one additional year of study at NDSU. Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply to graduate school during the fourth year. Our “seamless admission” policy guarantees a spot for any of our undergraduate students who meet this GPA requirement.

The NDSU Master of Architecture degree is an accelerated program and is specifically intended for our undergraduate students enrolled in the pre-professional Architecture program to continue seamlessly into the graduate program. Applicants who have not completed the pre-professional degree at NDSU will require at least 2 years to complete the Master of Architecture degree.

Transfer students are accepted on an individual basis and will need to consult with the architecture academic advisor, Rob Glarum to begin the approval process prior to applying to the program.

• Applicants must submit a portfolio in addition to transcripts, and course syllabi when requested. Every applicant is evaluated individually and a tailored plan of study is created based upon the completed coursework and the alignment of the prior degree with the NDSU curriculum.
  • All International graduate students must complete an additional year at NDSU during which they will be enrolled in between 18 and 27 credits.
  • Domestic students transferring to NDSU typically need to complete an additional year at NDSU. Curriculum and coursework from the prior program will be evaluated for these students to align their completed coursework with the NDSU curriculum. In most cases, transfer students admitted to the program must enroll in between 18 and 27 credits beyond the standard 1 year of graduate courses.
• All transfer students to NDSU must consult with the Academic Advisor, Rob Glarum during the application process so that they know prior to matriculation what their plan of study will look like. Once advised and admitted, students will have access to the registration system.

Every student entering or enrolled in either the program will be advised every semester by an academic advisor to ensure that they stay on track to graduate.