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NewSchool of Architecture & Design

Fall $1,500 Early Admission Scholarship Deadline on June 1, 2025

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Bachelor of Arts in Architecture

HomeBachelor of Arts in Architecture

Bachelor of Arts in
Architecture

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Step into the World of Architecture

The Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at NewSchool is crafted to pave the way for aspiring architects aiming to advance into a first-professional Master of Architecture program. With a total of 183 quarter credits, the program offers a comprehensive blend of required and elective professional credits, ensuring a breadth of knowledge in architectural practices, alongside 60 integrative studies credits to foster a well-rounded education. While it’s important to note that this program is not accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), it is a vital stepping stone providing the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for students to progress into NAAB-accredited graduate programs or into the professional world.

Graduates placed in program-related jobs within 6
months of graduation (2023)

Student to faculty ratio in studio and major courses

Student scholarships
granted annually

Daniela Deutsch

Head of Architecture

Format

Format 
Full-Time, On-Campus

Duration

4 Years

Total Credits

180 Hours

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Student Work

Course Breakdown

Year 1-2

  • Introduction to Architectural Design
  • Architectural History and Theory
  • Fundamentals of Building Technology
  • Basic Design Studios
  • Integrative Studies Courses

Year 3-4

  • Advanced Architectural Design Studios
  • Urban Design and Planning
  • Sustainable Design Principles
  • Professional Practice and Ethics
  • Elective Courses in Specialized Topics

Why Choose NewSchool?

Hands-On Experience

Dive into real-world projects from day one and make connections with both local and international architecture firms.

Expert Faculty

Learn from world-renowned architects and educators who are as passionate about teaching as they are about architecture.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Utilize the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D technology at our urban campus in the heart of San Diego’s design district.

Career Opportunities

Our Bachelor of Architecture degree program can
prepare you for the following careers:

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Alumni Spotlight

Through these inspiring stories, current and prospective students can
gain insight into the possibilities and opportunities that await them as
graduates of NewSchool.

My favorite thing about NewSchool was having a place dedicated to design work. As soon as you step foot in the door, it's creative energy and collaboration everywhere.

Alexandre Vorilhon

Bachelor of Arts in Product Design '20

I enjoyed the smaller classrooms and the relationships we could build with the instructors. It made the learning process better and more personal. My fondest memories were when the construction management students would work on their homework and projects together up in the construction management loft.

Amanda Schilling

Field Engineer, Hensel Phelps

From a young age, I was manipulating space and my physical environment, constantly rearranging everything in my childhood home and creating elaborate worlds. In college, I was introduced to the field of Architecture and Design and it was an instant fit. Architecture was the perfect combination of art, beauty, hard science, and psychology, all of which I am passionate about.

Mackenzie Sims

Master of Architecture 4+2 '18 • International Women's Day 2021

My time as a student consolidated my passion for architecture, a passion which I am continually trying to nurture. The foundation I received at NewSchool, through the teachers and friends I met there as well as the learning environment, kept me true to my passion.

Jorge A. Zapata

Bachelor of Architecture '95

Planning and programming for academic science buildings. Currently working on a needs assessment and space plan study for the Plant Science Building at Cornell University.

Kerry Drake

Master of Architecture 4+3 '08

I served on the Alumni Advisory Board as the Mentorship Committee Chair where we started an alumni mentorship program that is still active today. I then served as the Board President of the Alumni Advisory Board. Since then, I have continued to volunteer my time as a resource in different capacities.

Melina Aluwi

Master of Architecture 4+3 '10

I wanted a chance to turn raw spaces into sustainable and unique rooms. I believe interior architecture isn't just about being creative, it also applies psychological and technical skills.

Paul Freitas

Bachelor of Interior Architecture & Design '20

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture program will be prepared to:

PLO 1HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN: Employ an empathetic approach to architecture through an ethical design process centered on environmental stewardship, regeneration and resilience, upholding values of social equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote human and ecological well-being.
PLO 2CRITICAL THINKING: Employ critical thinking as a fundamental process grounded in theoretical and practical criteria, informed by diverse perspectives and contexts, to develop and analyze lines of inquiry, concepts, and design decisions.
PLO 3REPRESENTATION: Establish representation as the disciplinary and critical foundation of the architecture profession, by integrating heuristic, technical, analytical, and synthetic modalities, across tools.
PLO 4ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: The holistic application of discipline-specific skills and methods for the conception and development of architectural projects; interrelating multiple technical, natural, and cultural design conditions, including program, site, and user.
PLO 5INTEGRATED ARCHITECTURE: Establish a synthetic design process through the integration of constructive and environmental systems by employing emerging trends in performance of building systems and incorporating measurable and evaluative approaches between collaborating agencies in architectural projects.
PLO 6PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND LEADERSHIP: Collaboratively lead stakeholder teams in the design process, fulfilling the legal, ethical, environmental, and financial responsibilities to clients, communities, and the public, while practicing as a lifelong learner within the wide range of career paths in an evolving profession.

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Meet Our Expert Faculty

Daniela Deutsch

Dean of Architecture

Read Biography

Tom Mulica

Principal/Owner – Story Architecture
and Design

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Amin Espandiari

Teaching Design Studio &
Advanced Modeling/Rendering

Read Biography

Next Application Deadline!

FALL $1,500 Early Admission Scholarship Deadline on June 1, 2025

APPLY TODAY
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Contact the School
of Architecture

Office Hours

Monday – Friday | 8 AM – 4 PM (Pacific)

Front Desk

(619) 684-8800

Contact Information

enrollment@newschoolarch.edu

Contact Enrollment

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Your Future

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