Architecture Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Architecture major designs buildings and spaces that are useful, safe and beautiful. Architecture programs teach design studio, building technology, structures, history and theory, and digital design tools.

An Architecture major includes coursework in design studio, building technology and materials, structures, architectural history, and digital design and modeling and more. You build skills such as design, 3D modeling and CAD, sketching, and building codes. Programs often include studio courses. Typical degrees: bachelor's (including five-year professional degrees) and master's degrees.

Typical courses include design studio, building technology and materials, structures, architectural history, digital design and modeling, and environmental systems. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Architecture is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's (including five-year professional degrees) and master's degrees. In the latest federal data, 11 colleges reported certificate awards, 11 colleges reported associate awards, 84 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 45 colleges reported master’s awards, and 15 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to architecture include architect, CAD drafter, interior designer, landscape architect, construction manager, urban planner, and cost estimator. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include architect (typical training: 5–7 years of school plus internship), cad drafter (typical training: 1–2 years), interior designer (typical training: 4 years), landscape architect (typical training: 4–5 years + experience), construction manager (typical training: 4 years plus field experience), and urban planner (typical training: 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)).

Architecture majors build skills such as design, 3D modeling and CAD, sketching, building codes, and presentation.

Good pairings include Construction Management (connects design to construction practice), Sustainability (fits green building and energy-efficient design), and Business (useful for running a design practice).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include studio courses. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as architect, CAD drafter, and interior designer, and enjoy subjects like design studio and building technology and materials. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes design studio, building technology and materials, and structures; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

111 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

Texas (13), Massachusetts (8), California (7), New York (7), and Pennsylvania (7), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

100 of the colleges that offer architecture also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Architecture designs buildings and spaces that are useful, safe and beautiful. Mechanical Engineering designs machines, engines, tools and mechanical systems. Architecture leads to careers such as architect and CAD drafter, while Mechanical Engineering leads to careers such as mechanical engineer and mechanical engineering technician.

Architecture designs buildings and spaces that are useful, safe and beautiful. Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Architecture leads to careers such as architect and CAD drafter, while Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to architecture, such as Architect Training.