The Architecture and Environmental Design program is part of the School of the Built Environment in the BGSU College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering.

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  • Bachelors Available
  • Bachelors Available

Architecture and Environmental Design

The Bowling Green State University architecture and environmental design major enhances students' problem-solving ability and produces critical thinkers that can address challenges in the built environment. 

Within a newly constructed design studio setting, students investigate real-world issues, integrate solutions and test alternatives to conventions.

The Department of Architecture and Environmental Design emphasizes technical expertise and entrepreneurial experience in the architecture and design fields. Those are supplemented with intensive curricula in research, theory, systems, sustainability, structures, materials, methods and professional practice to create capable graduates.

Inspiring and empowering students to enhance the global built environment.

The architecture and environmental design major includes a 28-day study abroad option developed to provide a structured experience in key locations that BGSU students want to visit. Previous tours have studied in countries such as France, Italy and China. The experiences enable students to develop an experiential understanding of the key architectural innovations, such as the Haussmann boulevards or the Roman arcades that have contributed to the evolution of critically significant cities and to the understanding of the global built environment.

Diverse faculty with national and international experience and recognition provide student-centered teaching, emphasizing community-based learning and entrepreneurship. The program offers small class sizes and individual attention to our students both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

All undergraduate and graduate architecture and environmental design lectures and design studios are now housed in one recently renovated building, allowing for more meaningful interactions and collaboration, just as in a quality design practice.   

Stand Out in courses like

  • Architectural Design Fundamentals
  • Architectural Building Systems
  • Mechanical and Electrical Systems 
  • Math for Architects
  • Steel, Concrete and Masonry Design 
  • Design Studio
  • Design Theory

All architecture and environmental design studio classes and lectures happen in a state-of-the-art facility with NEW studios, materials and reference library, lecture room, gallery and print room featuring new workstations, plotters and laser cutters. Watch a guided tour.

Career

Architects are licensed by state bodies, the Ohio Architects Board, here in Ohio. The four-year pre-professional B.S. in architecture degree is ideal preparation for Bowling Green State University’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) program, which is accredited by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and leads to licensure once the experience and examination components of the licensing process are completed. 

An integral component of this program is an emphasis on gaining professional experience through paid internships or co-ops. This hands-on learning not only offers invaluable practical experience, but in many cases may lead to the student’s first post-graduation job.

BGSU architecture and environmental design alumni work throughout the design and architecture industry in careers as both qualified architects, construction professionals and environmental designers. 

GO FAR in your career

  • Architect 
  • Interior Designer
  • Environmental Designer
  • Landscape Architect
  • Sustainable Design and Construction
  • Building Information Systems
I like seeing things as a whole.

If you decide to be an architect and work at an architecture firm, you’re forever going to be interacting with contractors. And if you want to be a contractor, you’re forever going to be talking to architects.

Lauren Schmenk

Class of 2019

Curriculum

The mission of the architecture major is to pursue the convergence of technical excellence and liberal arts investigations to inspire and empower students to enhance the built environment. 

Students will learn to apply the concepts of architectural theory and history in shaping buildings, cities and other spatial environments – encompassing international traditions as related to aesthetics, environmental impact, society and human behavior. 

Understanding of the basic principles that inform the design of the structural, material and mechanical/electrical systems is taught, and how to assess, select and integrate such systems into a comprehensive integrated building design. Students will become skilled at presenting their designs verbally, graphically and through written and physical representations using the model-making studios.

Discovery, teaching, engagement and service is well-defined in the program’s curriculum. This aligns with the University's and college’s mission to provide educational experiences inside and outside the classroom as well as providing a culture of applied research and professional service for the good of society.

 

A BGSU architecture and environmental design student working on her building model

Internships and Careers

An integral component of this program is an emphasis on gaining professional experience through paid internships or co-ops. This hands-on learning not only offers invaluable practical experience, but in many cases may lead to the student’s first permanent job.

Average Starting Salary & BGSU Placement Rate

$44,490* — BGSU Architecture and Environmental Design graduates average starting salary

100% of Architecture and Environmental Design graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation

(BGSU data compiled from students who completed the related questions on the graduation survey.)

Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Department of Architecture and Environmental Design is in candidacy for accreditation by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB).

More information on accreditation

Professional Licensure

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Architecture and Environmental Design program leads to professional licensure.

More information on professional licensure

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Architecture and Environmental Design program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.



* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.

Updated: 04/23/2021 09:11AM