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Bachelor of Architecture

HomeBachelor of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture

NewSchool’s NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program in San Diego equips students with real-world experience, industry connections, and the skills to shape the built environment.

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Building the Future

Unlock your potential with the Bachelor of Architecture at NewSchool, the only program south of Los Angeles accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Our inclusive approach welcomes diverse talents fostering a community where exceptional ideas flourish. Immerse yourself in a curriculum that not only prepares you for licensure but also integrates you into the heart of the city’s booming development and connection to the tech and biotech sectors. Located in San Diego’s hub of architectural innovation, our students gain hands-on experience working on real projects with actual clients, guided by excellent faculty known for creativity and industry connections. Our graduates are highly sought after, stepping into the job market with a competitive edge and a network that opens doors to a future where they don’t just inhabit spaces—they create them.

Accreditation & Licensure

  • Accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
  • Prepares students for NCARB licensure and the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE).
  • Meets requirements for licensure across all 55 U.S. jurisdictions.

Daniela Deutsch

Head of Architecture

Format

Format 
Full-Time, On-Campus

Duration

5 Years

Total Credits

225 Hours

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NAAB Accreditation

The only program south of Los Angeles accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

91% Job Placement Rate

91% of graduates were placed in program-related jobs within 6 months of graduation (2023).

Course Breakdown

View Course Outline

Year 1-2

  • Design Fundamentals
  • Architectural Drawing & 3D Modeling
  • Sustainable Design Principles
  • Urban Theory

Year 3-4

  • Advanced Design Studios
  • Professional Practice
  • Technology & Materials
  • Collaborative Industry Projects

Year 5

  • Capstone Project
  • Real-World Application
  • Licensure & Portfolio Development

Student Work

Why Choose NewSchool?

View Course Outline

Full-Time On Campus

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:

Architectural Designer
Job Captain
Project Risk Manager
Project Engineer
Landscape Architect
Project Coordinator
Drafter
Design Consultant
Lead Designer
3D Architectural Designer
Model Maker
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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.

I have very fond memories of when I studied at NewSchool of Architecture & Design and I am very grateful for the education I received,” said Zapata. “My time there as a student consolidated my passion for architecture, a passion which I am continually trying to nurture. I believe the foundation I received at NewSchool, through the teachers and friends I met there, as well as the learning environment that we as students were surrounded with, kept me true to my passion.

Jorge A. Zapata

Bachelor of Architecture '95

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

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

We believe Quartyard can serve as a model for cities across the U.S. looking for unique economic development ideas,” said NewSchool alumnus and CEO of RAD Lab, Philip Auchettl. “It is a feasible way to temporarily re-invent empty spaces while improving quality of life for residents. We welcome the opportunity to talk to other cities about how this model can work for them.

Philip Auchettl, David Loewenstein & Jason Grauten

Master of Architecture '13

The NewSchool facility is unique compared to other schools because the classes are more personal. Not only with the instructors but with other students as well. You'll know everyone at the school once you graduate which, in turn, will build a network of great colleagues.

Paul Freitas

Bachelor of Interior Architecture & Design '20

It is still early in my career, but I was placed in charge of handling the logistics for a 100 Meg. solar farm due to my drive and attention to detail. With 100s of thousands of pieces of material arriving on the site within 6 months, it is part of my job to ensure all the material is here on site when it is supposed to be.

Larry Elkins

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management '20 • United States Marine Corps

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

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of 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 Experts

Daniela Deutsch

Dean of Architecture

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Vuslat Demircay

Professor, Graduate Architecture

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Raúl Díaz

Contributing Faculty, Graduate Architecture

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Next Application Deadline!

SUMMER $1,000 Early Admission Scholarship Deadline on May 1, 2025

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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Academics

At NewSchool, learning is accessible to individuals
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