Applications and Admissions

Thank you for your interest in Florida Atlantic University's School of Architecture. Admission requirements and application steps vary according to your previous coursework and the program you plan to enter. Review the appropriate pathway below before applying.

• Foundation Pre-Architecture Program (Years 1–2)
• Professional Bachelor of Architecture Program (Years 3–5)
• Automatic Admission and Priority Consideration

Foundation Pre-Architecture Program (Years 1–2)

The Foundation Pre-Architecture Program is based on FAU's Boca Raton campus. It is a limited-access program and typically admits students entering as first-time freshmen.

First-Time Freshmen: How to Apply

1. Visit FAU Undergraduate Admissions and review the university application requirements.
2. Submit your university application as early as possible, preferably in October or November.

Fall 2027 deadline: Applications submitted by February 15, 2027, are considered for Fall 2027 admission. Applications submitted afterward are considered on a space-available basis. The university and School of Architecture typically send admission notifications between October 1 and March 30.

Apply to FAU

Foundation Transfers and Changes of Major

Students transferring from another institution into the Foundation program should contact FAU Undergraduate Admissions. Current FAU students who wish to change their major to Architecture should consult an academic advisor in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.

Foundation Transfer or Change-of-Major Application

Schedule an Advising Appointment

Professional Bachelor of Architecture Program (Years 3–5)

The Professional Bachelor of Architecture Program is based in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Admission is limited, and placement in Design Studio 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 depends on the applicant's qualifications and prior coursework. Students must complete the applicable prerequisites before beginning their first design studio at FAU.

Required Application Materials

• Application to Florida Atlantic University (unless already enrolled in an FAU degree program)
• Application to the School of Architecture
• Portfolio of original design work and other creative work
• Unofficial transcripts for the School of Architecture submission; official transcripts as required by the university

How to Apply

1. Apply to FAU Undergraduate Admissions and submit required university transcripts. Current FAU degree-seeking students do not need to reapply to the university.
2. After receiving your FAU identification number, prepare your School of Architecture application and portfolio. Review the Portfolio Submission Requirements (PDF).
3. Submit the School of Architecture application, portfolio and unofficial transcripts through the Architecture Application Submission Portal (Acceptd).

Fall 2027 submission deadline: February 19, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, according to the prior Applications and Admissions page. That page says applications received afterward may be considered on a space-available basis; the new Architecture program FAQ states that no late submissions are accepted.

Review and Placement

At least three architecture faculty members review each portfolio and assign a score on a five-point scale. The School of Architecture Admissions Committee considers portfolio reviews and transcripts when making admission and placement decisions. Admission notifications are typically sent by email in mid-April.

Applicants from non-accredited programs seeking transfer credit must provide design studio portfolio work, official transcripts and course descriptions. The School may request course syllabi to evaluate equivalencies. Placement into a particular design studio depends on an assessment of previous coursework and demonstrated skills.

Automatic Admission and Priority Consideration

Students who meet particular coursework and GPA requirements may qualify for automatic admission or priority consideration in the upper-division Bachelor of Architecture Program. The two pathways have different eligibility rules.

Automatic Admission for FAU Foundation Pre-Architecture Students

Current or former students in FAU's Foundation Pre-Architecture Program qualify for automatic admission when they satisfy all of the following requirements:

• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
• A grade of B or better in ARC 1301 Architectural Design 1, ARC 1302 Architectural Design 2 and ARC 2303 Architectural Design 3.
• Successful completion (a grade of C or better) of ARC 1701 Architectural History 1 or ARC 2208 Culture and Architecture; ARC 2201 Architectural Theory 1; ARC 2461 Materials and Methods 1; MAC 2233 Methods of Calculus (or higher); and PHY 2053 College Physics (or higher).
• Before entering any upper-division design studio, successful completion of ARC 2304 Architectural Design 4 and ARC 2580 Architectural Structures 1.

Automatic-admission notifications are expected in early February. Students who do not meet the criteria must complete the standard professional program application and portfolio.

Priority Consideration for Florida Public College and University Applicants

Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution in the State University System of Florida or the Florida College System may be eligible for priority consideration for placement in Design Studio 5 if they meet the following requirements:

• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
• A grade of B or better in ARC 1301 Architectural Design 1, ARC 1302 Architectural Design 2, ARC 2303 Architectural Design 3, ARC 1701 Architectural History 1 or ARC 2208 Culture and Architecture, ARC 2201 Architectural Theory 1, and ARC 2461 Materials and Methods 1.
• A grade of C or better in MAC 2233 Methods of Calculus (or higher) and PHY 2053 College Physics (or higher).
• Completion of an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree before beginning the Bachelor of Architecture Program.
• Successful completion of ARC 2304 Architectural Design 4 and ARC 2580 Architectural Structures 1 before entering an upper-division design studio.

Priority consideration is available only for students requesting placement in Design Studio 5. Applicants seeking placement in Design Studio 6 or higher must submit the standard application and portfolio. Students admitted through priority consideration do not need to submit a portfolio. Students who do not qualify must submit the standard professional application and portfolio.

Apply for Priority Consideration

Fall 2027 Priority Consideration Dates

• January 15, 2027: Priority consideration application deadline.
• February 1, 2027: Decision letters expected.
• March 1, 2027: Nonrefundable priority deposit deadline to reserve a place.

Cost of Attendance and Program Resources

Costs vary based on residency, housing, tuition and other expenses. Review the university's Cost of Attendance estimates for tuition, books and supplies, housing, food, transportation and other expenses.

The School of Architecture provides access to computers and software licenses used in the curriculum, as well as fabrication equipment for eligible students during scheduled operating hours. Students may choose to purchase their own computers or software, but these are not generally required by the program.

Questions and Advising

For School of Architecture admission questions, contact architecture@fau.edu. For university admissions questions, contact FAU Undergraduate Admissions or call 561-297-3040. Current students can schedule an advising appointment.

For an overview of the degree and academic program, visit the Architecture program page.