School of the Built Environment
BGSU’s School of the Built Environment is the only school of its kind in the state of Ohio. The newly founded school offers a transformative experience for students who seek to engage in design-build innovation and the creation of exemplary places, structures and systems with the ultimate goal of shaping the future of our built environment.
Housed within the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, the School of the Built Environment comprises of the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design and the Department of Construction Management, two units of established histories, collaborations and synergies. Within the school, we offer four degrees, including one certificate. These include:
- Bachelor of Science in Architecture
- Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
- Master of Architecture
- Master of Technology Management - Construction Management; and
- Graduate Certificate in Construction Management.
The mission and core-values of the school highlight the impact and significance of architectural practice and construction management on the user, the environment, and the broader socio-economic context. Our students are immersed in a cutting-edge interdisciplinary learning environment – one that seamlessly infuses design, technical and management education. Our programs remain distinct, because we require 2-3 paid co-op experiences, which typically transition into full-time job opportunities for our students, upon graduation.
Highlights of the educational experience we seek to offer in the School of the Built Environment at BGSU are as followed.
- Small class sizes, optimum coupling of lectures and hands-on-experiences,
- dedicated faculty with extensive academic qualifications and industry experience,
- personal attention and mentorship,
- study abroad opportunities,
- diverse student organization presence, and
- strong professional/industry connections.
With an overarching focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, integrated design-build practice/collaboration, community outreach, environmental stewardship and global engagement, our graduates are uniquely poised and prepared to enter the work-force as entrepreneurs and leaders of the design profession and construction industry.
Virtual Tour of the Architecture Program and Park Avenue Facility
Kokosing Hall
New Home to the School of the Built Environment
This integrated, state-of-the-art facility will allow for dynamic growth, provide real-world experiences, and prepare for evolving technology and processes that will be more adaptable and cohesive in the future. Recruitment and enrollment growth will be enhanced and ultimately produce more graduates with workforce-ready skills while also attracting a more diverse student body that can envision how the industry is changing and influencing our communities. A renovated and expanded facility for the School of the Built Environment will provide new spaces to incorporate student engagement with corporate partners, students, faculty and alumni and afford opportunities for growth in new programs such as facilities management, sustainability and landscaping.
Undergraduate Areas of Study
Undergraduate Admission Process
Financial Aid
Majoring in Architecture at BGSU provides a design studio-based learning experience supported by technical coursework covering topics such as computer modeling, construction methods, and structures. Our courses focus on student-centered teaching, community-based learning, and entrepreneurship. Architecture coursework offered through the Department of Architecure and Environmental Design in the School of the Built Environment in the College of Technology, Architecture, and Applied Engineering, incorporates classes from related disciplines such as construction. Elective coursework in art and related fields provide our students with opportunities for a diverse educational experience.
The faculty in the Department of Architecture have national and international practice experience and recognition. BGSU architecture students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on developing design competition proposals, several of which have been recognized by design review boards nationally and internationally.
At BGSU, architecture student organizations, including the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) and NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architects), are active at the local, regional, and national levels.
The Architecture and Environmental Design major provides short-term study abroad tours in key locations that BGSU students want to visit. Previous tours have studied London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Vancouver, and Cabo San Lucas. The experiences enable students to develop an experiential understanding of architectural history and architecture's impact on regional culture in other locations in the world.
Career Opportunities
- Architects
- Interior Designers
- Environmental Designers
- Landscape Architects
- Urban Planners
- Sustainable Design
- Construction
- Building Information Modeling Systems
- Historic Preservation
Program Highlights
- BGSU architecture students participate in two cooperative education experiences as part of the curriculum, enhancing students understanding of real-world architectural practice.
- The program offers small class sizes and individual attention to our students both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- The BGSU architecure programs is accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) at the graduate level.
- All undergraduate and graduate architecture and environmental design lectures and design studios are now housed in one recently renovated building, allowing for meaningful interactions and collaboration among students, just as in a quality design practice.
Architecture Courses
- Architectural Design and Representation
- Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Systems
- Introduction to Construction
- Building Information Modeling
- Architectural History and Design Theory
State-of-the-art facility with studios, materials and reference library, lecture room, gallery and print room featuring workstations, plotters and laser cutters.
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The Bachelor of Science in Construction Management program prepares students for leadership and management roles in the rapidly expanding field of construction. It is the offspring of the marriage of the architecture, engineering, and business professions.
The construction management curriculum is a combination of architecture, engineering, and business courses. Students are given a blend of course work and real-life experience including academic work in the classroom, application of concepts in laboratory workshop, and cooperative education experiences with construction businesses. Students learn blueprint reading, building material properties, math, quantity take off, structural analysis, computer applications, cost estimating, scheduling, surveying, safety, contracts, problem solving, people and networking, management and leadership skills.
Career Opportunities
- Project Managers
- Construction Managers
- Estimators
- Planners
- Schedulers
Companies that employ our graduates
- Turner Construction
- Lathrop Company
- Rudolph Libbe Companies
- Cleveland Construction
- Marous Brothers Construction
- Kokosing Construction
- Kiewit Corporation
Program Highlights
- BGSU’s construction management program is one of only three in Ohio and 73 nationwide that is accredited by the ACCE.
- Students are required to have three co-ops. The construction management program maintains a strong connection with the industry for co-op opportunities and employment after graduation.
- Job placement is at 100% after graduation.
- The Student Construction Management Association (SCMA) is a student organization managed by construction management majors.
Construction Courses
- Construction Surveying
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Construction
- Structural Design
- LEED and Lean Fundamentals
- Safety and Health Management
- Estimating and Cost Control
- Construction Project Management
Updated: 06/08/2023 03:43PM