University of Utah
School of Architecture
At the University of Utah School of Architecture, we are committed to the belief that architectural education must produce thoughtful and humane architects capable of thinking as creatively about their representations of the world as they think about building technology and design. We approach teaching and practice with a rigor that holds us, and others, accountable to high standards, without losing a sense of adventure, risk-taking and discovery. We are dedicated to mentoring young people to help them discover where their passions lie.
https://soa.cap.utah.edu/
Setting
It is a luxury to live and to study architecture in a place full of unparalleled natural beauty, complex cultural history, and time-honored can-do spirit as Utah. Situated at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains in the state capitol, Salt Lake City, the University of Utah is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Founded in 1850, it serves over 31,000 students from across the U.S. and the world. With close to 100 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including architecture and city planning, the university prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace. Known for its proximity to seven world-class ski resorts within 40 minutes of campus, the U is only minutes from rugged mountain bike trails and downtown amenities. The campus benefits from and contributes to the rich cultural history and sophisticated metropolis allure of Salt Lake City. The School of Architecture is centrally located on campus, between the main library and the university art museum, and well connected to the architecture firms and related professional organizations in the city and the state.
School Philosophy
As a school of architecture in the beautiful Intermountain West, we strive to do our part in the creation of a society that matches our magnificent scenery. The architecture program fosters individual development and creativity within an intimately scaled and rigorous academic environment. We value curiosity, adventure, risk-taking, and discovery. We understand the vital role that thoughtful, well-designed built environments have in the physical and emotional well-being of individuals and communities. We promote empathetic responses to foster community and environmental health. We support creativity and innovation in architecture and design through critical theoretical understanding and collaborative research. We understand the power of context and the potency of the local. We advocate a practical approach to the act of making and a systems-thinking approach to this place and global contexts as well. We are dedicated to confronting the imperative issues of our time, including air quality, water accessibility, public health, and social equity, and to do the greatest good for our society and our world. We are proud of our long tradition of community engagement and environmental ethics, and we our students to view architecture in an interdisciplinary context, where answers to complex problems may be found outside the traditional discipline.
Programs
The University of Utah offers the best of both worlds, the benefits of a large research institution with innovation and engagement at the forefront of its mission and a small school of architecture with plenty of contact between the students and faculty. The School of Architecture has developed a number of core values over the years that have guided our program: design excellence, community engagement, cutting-edge technology and innovation, student empowerment, design-build, sustainability and urban ecology, and a thoughtful approach to history, theory, and globalization. In the undergraduate architecture program, students build basic knowledge of these many sides of architecture through a set curriculum. The undergraduate experience is divided into two two-year programs of study. The first two years focus on general education, exploring a variety of subject areas and methodologies of critical inquiry. At the same time, students take courses that are directed toward a strong foundation in the technical, graphic, and design areas of architecture. Following admission to the major, the junior and senior years are a highly-focused study of architecture. As a design-centered curriculum, the coursework buttresses and amplifies consistent studio exploration with strong digital work, history and theory, as well as the technologies and methods of making buildings. Students with an undergraduate pre-professional degree in architecture from the University of Utah are qualified to apply to enter two-year graduate professional degree programs. Our accredited graduate Master of Architecture program has dual tracks: a two-year track for students with an undergraduate pre-professional degree in architecture and a 3+ track for students with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than architecture. The 3+ M.Arch. program begins with an intensive three-semester course of study before joining the two-year M.Arch. curriculum. Recognizing the maturity and background of the graduate student, the two-year M.Arch. program emphasizes choice and flexibility, allowing students to tailor a program that reflects their particular interests and intentions. Students select courses from a variety of offerings in each of several areas of study: design studio, communications, structures, technology, history/theory/criticism, professional practice, and elective work. This flexibility in the academic program allows students the option to complete graduate certificates in historic preservation or urban design or to fulfill coursework leading toward one of three possible dual degrees: M.Arch./MSAS, M.Arch./MBA, M.Arch./MRED. The M.Arch. program offers many unique opportunities including an award-winning design-build program with the Navajo Nation, immersive academic experiences in community engagement and urban design, and faculty-led research projects, as well as many travel experiences throughout the world. The final master's studio project represents the culmination of the program. It is a comprehensive synthesis of the program's content and provides an opportunity to explore individual design philosophy. The Master of Science in Architectural Studies (MSAS) program is designed for students seeking education in a specialty area (historic preservation, architectural technology, digital fabrication, or visual representation) of architectural practice or as a consulting specialist. The program can be completed by students in approximately two years of study and prepares students for professional practice in the selected specialty area of architecture. (This degree is not accredited to gain licensure for practice as an architect or other field requiring professional licensing.) Beyond the academic programs, the University of Utah is located in an incredibly beautiful part of the country which allows for many outdoor activities, including downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and exploring of the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain West.
of Focus
1. Community Design
2. Design/Build
3. Digital Fabrication & Technology
4. Digital Design & Visualization
5. Historic Preservation
6. History | Theory | Criticism
7. Industry Collaborations
Opportunities
Study Abroad
Facilities
Large-format Printer
Laser Cutter
Woodshop
3D Printing
Metalshop
CNC Milling
Fabrication Lab
Policies
Transfer Policies
You are a transfer student if you meet the following criteria:
– You have previously attended a regionally accredited college or university after successfully graduating from high school or obtaining your GED.
– You have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree.
Items Required for a Complete Transfer Application:
– Completed Application
– Application Fee
– Official Transcripts (from ALL regionally accredited institutions attended)
*If you have under 30 transferrable credit hours you will be required to submit:
– Official High School Transcripts (with posted graduation date)
– Official ACT or SAT Scores
