Students in the architecture program at the Knowlton School learn to understand formal and spatial relationships and the impact of ideas based on the research and analysis of cultural, social, political, economic and environmental contexts. They experiment with materials, structures and building systems to gain an understanding of design. Upon admission to the university, new first-year students interested in architecture are admitted directly to the major. No prior experience or portfolio is required. Transfer students with GPAs of 2.5 or higher enter as pre-majors; students with studio experience at a peer institution may petition for advanced placement in the major sequence. Current Ohio State students should schedule an advising appointment to discuss the landscape architecture major. In the first year, students take Architecture 2300: Outlines of the Built Environment, and Architecture 2310: Introduction to Design. These foundation courses introduce fundamental knowledge, language and skills to prepare students for either the architecture or landscape architecture major. Students with grades of B+ or above in both foundation courses and cumulative GPAs of 3.3 or higher will automatically be eligible for the major sequence. All other students will receive additional review; many competitive applicants will be eligible to continue in the major though this review process. Approximately 90 students are eligible to continue to the architecture major sequence on an annual basis.

Ohio State’s four year, pre-professional architecture degree prepares students to continue their studies in an accredited Master of Architecture program. Ohio State students consistently enroll in the nation’s best architecture graduate programs, including Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Rice University, University of Michigan, Sci-ARC and UCLA. The core components of becoming a licensed architect include: education (earning an accredited Master of Architecture degree) experience (documented though the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s Architectural Experience Program) examination (completion of the Architect Registration Exam) Many architects specialize in design, while others become adept at managing, marketing and other aspects of professional practice. Architecture firms are also involved in real estate development and construction, a form of practice known as “design/build.” Local, state and federal governments and private entities also employ architects to plan and oversee the work of design and planning firms. Many architects combine private practice with teaching or architectural journalism. Others trained as architects enter allied fields of planning, engineering, real estate development and construction, or develop graphic, industrial or interior design specialties. Theater, film and television industries attract architecture graduates, as do museums, display firms, and architectural product and materials manufacturers.