College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Undergraduate
Program Overview
Table of Contents 4
Introduction to CADC
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Schools & Programs
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Career Services
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Undergraduate Programs 8 Architecture/Interior Architecture 10 Environmental Design 12 Landscape Architecture 14 Building Science 16 Graphic Design 18 Industrial Design
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Minors
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Student Organizations
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General Information & Professional Fees
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
Introduction
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
The Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction comprises the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture; the McWhorter School of Building Science; and the School of Industrial and Graphic Design. This structure supports designers, makers, thinkers, builders, problem solvers and stewards of the natural and built environment. Our students learn to create, design and build in rigorous academic programs that prepare them to make the world a better place.
Schools & Programs
Schools APLA — School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture BSCI — McWhorter School of Building Science SIGD — School of Industrial and Graphic Design
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
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Undergraduate Programs APLA — Architecture — Interior Architecture (concurrent degree) — Environmental Design — Landscape Architecture BSCI — Building Science SIGD — Graphic Design — Industrial Design
Graduate Programs APLA — Master of Landscape Architecture — Master of Science in Architecture option in Mass Timber Design BSCI — Executive Certificates in Construction Management — Master of Building Construction — Ph.D. in Building Construction SIGD — Master of Industrial Design
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Career Services
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Career Services The mission of the CADC Career Services Office is to facilitate meaningful industry engagement opportunities and provide career development services that lead to internship and full-time positions.
The CADC employs two Career Services Specialists to assist our students with their career goals.
For the most recent academic year, the CADC boasts the highest placement of all colleges at Auburn University.
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Undergraduate Programs
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Undergraduate Programs School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Architecture Interior Architecture Environmental Design Landscape Architecture McWhorter School of Building Science
Building Science School of Industrial and Graphic Design
Graphic Design Industrial Design
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Architecture
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Architecture Auburn’s curriculum in architecture was established in 1907 — the first institution in the South to offer architecture as a major. The program is consistently recognized among the best architecture programs in the United States. The Auburn Architecture program teaches design and planning creativity with an emphasis on developing critical thinking, contextual perspective, technical agility and social and environmental responsibility. Professional Program Selection Our program is unique in that students do not need to submit a portfolio for admission to Auburn as a Pre-Architecture student. Students compete for entry into the professional program through Pre-Architecture coursework taken in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters of their first year of college. Because of this, no design background is needed as an incoming student. Pre-Architecture students will be taught design principles and concepts through project-based learning and are selected for the professional program based on their performance in PreArchitecture coursework. Rural Studio Rural Studio is a design-build architecture studio located in Hale County, Alabama. Students in our Architecture program can spend a semester of third year and/or fifth year at Rural Studio learning architecture through a more hands-on educational experience while designing and building projects that benefit an under-served population in West Alabama’s Black Belt region. Urban Studio Urban Studio is a design studio located in Birmingham, Alabama where students can spend one semester of third year and/or fifth year of Architecture school. Students are immersed in the rich “laboratory” of downtown Birmingham where their work includes professional seminars and studio design projects that typically focus on community development and urban planning. Study Abroad The spring semester of third year presents an opportunity for students to apply for study abroad within the Architecture program. Study abroad costs vary based on the location of the trip. Past study abroad locations include Japan, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.
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Field Study Auburn Architecture seeks to expand viewpoints and connect students with critical issues of the world. Studios will travel to see project sites, meet with firms, study architecture history and/or gather research for projects. Studio trips are voluntary but often a favorite experience for many students. Some trips are day trips, while others are overnight. Costs for overnight trips are approximately $350 for regional locations and $1,400 for locations outside the region. Students typically complete one overnight field study trip per semester. Accreditation In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)—the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation—recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the nonaccredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree. The Auburn University School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program: Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) (159 undergraduate credits), 2026 Next accreditation visit for the program: 2034
Interior Architecture
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Interior Architecture Interior Architecture works across boundaries to integrate the design of objects, furniture, interiors, buildings and landscapes. Students apply for admission to the Bachelor of Interior Architecture program during their second year of the professional Architecture program. At the end of five years with two additional courses and one summer of study, the Interior Architecture (ARIA) student receives a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Interior Architecture. Students pursue both degrees concurrently. Participation in the ARIA program is highly selective, with only between 12–15 students admitted annually. Selection of students has historically been based on an application consisting of a student’s statement of intent and three projects completed in Auburn Architecture studios that demonstrate a high quality of design ability.
The Bachelor of Architecture/Bachelor of Interior Architecture concurrent degree is the only undergraduate program of its kind in the United States. Interior Architecture courses focus on design principles, aesthetics and concepts through the completion of graphic drawings and models of interior spaces. Studio experiences involve projects with an emphasis on exploration of space and detail within a structure. Upon graduation, students who earn the Bachelor of Interior Architecture concurrent degree pursue jobs as Architects, Interior Architects and Interior Designers at firms nationwide and internationally.
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Environmental Design
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Environmental Design The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design is an interdisciplinary design studies degree at Auburn University that focuses on the design of digital and physical environments. In this dynamic program students engage through hands-on learning with diverse workflows, blending digital and physical environments, multi-scalar deliverables and a strong focus on undergraduate research. The curriculum prepares students to navigate the complexities of built, digital and natural environments through lab-based lecture courses, project-driven seminars and studio workshops.
Environmental Design
Summer Workshop Completed the summer of sophomore year, the 5-week workshop allows students to develop a technical skill set in design foundations, including design communication, development, digital media introduction and structure and fabrication techniques. Urban Studio Urban Studio is a design studio in Birmingham, Alabama where students can spend the spring or summer semester of their third year of design school. Students are immersed in the rich “laboratory” of downtown Birmingham where their work includes professional seminars and studio design projects that typically focus on community development and urban planning.
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Summer Capstone Project The capstone allows students to bring together all previous knowledge and training in a final portfolio project. It requires students to initiate and complete a project based in community engagement using principles of collaboration, leadership and effectiveness training, handson experience, civic engagement and design communication skills. Students will create a set of drawings, models and solutions that are meaningful, researched and visually impactful. The project is a great opportunity for students to showcase their work from their focus area in one comprehensive design. Study Away Through 1–3 weeklong trips students can explore the world of design with their Auburn faculty outside of the state of Alabama. Previous locations include Seattle, New York City & New York State, Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands.
Areas of Employment for Environmental Design Graduates The program’s projects often inspire students to pursue undergraduate research fellowships, grants, awards and publications. Graduates are well-equipped for advanced studies or careers in architecture, landscape architecture, community planning, spatial/set design, fabrication, construction and more. Focus Areas Scenographies Digital-Physical Representation World Building Media Technology Ecologies Territories Systems Formations Narratives Civic Engagement Urban Technology Mapping Matters Digital-Physical Fabrication Prototyping Positions
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Landscape Architecture
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture Auburn’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program, accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), teaches students to imagine, create and build 21st century landscapes. Landscape architects design the outdoor fabric of the world where we live. From the design of parks that give people places to play and rest in cities, to the shaping of spaces between buildings, from courtyards to city streets, landscape architects work with nature—in places as small as a backyard garden and as big as a continental wildlife corridor. Auburn Landscape Architecture, the only Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program in the state of Alabama, allows students to learn to work with the landscape—a medium that is richly expressive and engaging—through a practical, rigorous and design-oriented curriculum that emphasizes doing, making and studio-based experimentation. Fieldwork We believe landscape education and landscape practice begin outside, in the landscape. We measure, observe, fly drones to make our own maps and draw to understand what we see. Expanded Field Landscape architecture is a broad, varied profession, with roots in a diverse set of disciplines, including architecture, gardening and ecology. We value that breadth and encourage our students to explore the many ways that their training in reading, understanding and shaping landscapes may form a career trajectory. Landscape Advocacy We believe in the value of public interest design, and we seek opportunities to more effectively understand communities. We listen to and engage with the public to shape our perspective and our work.
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Design Excellence We learn by making. We prototype. We explore potential futures through drawings and models. These actions are critical tools for inquiry, providing us with techniques and methods to challenge assumptions and explore potential design opportunities. Field Study Auburn Landscape Architecture seeks to expand viewpoints and connect students with critical issues of the world. Studios will travel to see project sites, meet with firms and/or gather research for projects. Studio trips are voluntary but often a favorite experience for many students. Some trips are day trips, while others are overnight. Costs for overnight trips are approximately $350 for regional locations and $1,400 for locations outside the region. Students typically complete one overnight field study trip per semester.
Career Possibilities Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree are prepared to work in professional practice and potentially pursue professional licensure in Landscape Architecture. Specific roles graduates may serve include Landscape Designer, Landscape Architect Intern, Urban Designer and Project Designer. These roles are found within design firms, parks and recreational facilities and state and local governments. Study Away The fall semester of fourth year presents an opportunity for students to study off campus through either a Study Abroad experience or at the Urban Studio. Previous Study Abroad locations include France, Switzerland and Japan. The Urban Studio is a design studio in Birmingham, Alabama where students are immersed in the rich “laboratory” of downtown Birmingham through professional seminars and studio design projects that typically focus on community development and urban planning.
Landscape Architecture
Accreditation The undergraduate degree program in Landscape Architecture at Auburn University is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board. The program meets educational requirements needed to obtain professional licensure. Additional requirements include work experience and passing of licensing exams. Consult the licensure board for the state you are interested in.
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Building Science
Building Science The Bachelor of Science in Building Construction degree at Auburn University prepares students to be construction managers in the global construction industry. Established in 1945, Auburn’s Bachelor of Science in Building Construction (BSCI) program is one of the oldest and largest construction education programs in the country. This four-year ACCE (American Council for Construction Education) accredited program focused on construction management includes coursework in estimating, scheduling, project management, safety, surveying, communications and structures. The Building Science program is unique due to its experiential learning opportunities and technology emphasis.
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McWhorter School of Building Science
Building Science
Career Possibilities Auburn Building Science graduates plan, execute and manage construction projects of all sizes with companies across the globe. Each semester, the McWhorter School of Building Science hosts career fairs with more than 100 companies from all over the United States. Our Building Science Career Services Specialist works to ensure all Building Science students are prepared for the job and internship search. Most students complete at least two internships or a co-op during the program. The program’s industry connections help students set goals for post-graduation early and be fully ready to enter industry after college. Building Science graduates have one of the highest placement rates at Auburn University. Professional Program Selection Students begin Auburn’s Bachelor of Science in Building Construction curriculum as PreBuilding Science students. After completing the required Pre-Building Science courses, students are eligible to apply into the Professional Program. A formula GPA will be calculated from a set of the required courses and the students with the top GPAs will be accepted into the professional program. Experiential Learning The Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab The three-acre Robins & Morton Construction Field Laboratory reinforces classroom lectures by allowing students to put their lessons into practice. Students learn about safety in construction, earning a 30-hour OSHA card. The Building Science program strives to not only educate in the classroom but outside it as well. Experiential learning allows our students to put into practice what they learn in the classroom.
McWhorter School of Building Science
The Construction Visualization Laboratory In the “VIZ” lab, faculty and students can virtually and interactively construct buildings, demonstrate potential problems and discuss possible solutions. The lab is equipped with a 27-monitor video wall and allows the use of augmented reality (AR), building information modeling (BIM) and other interactive modes. Competition Teams Auburn Building Science students are encouraged to participate in competition teams, where they are coached by their professors and sponsored by industry in construction-related competitions. These competitions test their knowledge and skills against those of students from other schools from around the world. The projects assigned in these competitions are based on real construction projects. Service Learning Every student participates in a hands-on construction service project that allows for real world use of material taught in the classroom in addition to meeting a need in the community. These projects allow students to gain a broader appreciation of the built environment while remembering to always give back with their skills. Study Abroad Building Science international programs seek to expand viewpoints and connect students and faculty with critical issues of the world. We are leading the country in study abroad programs for construction students. Previous study abroad locations include Ecuador, China, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Common Job Titles for Auburn Building Science Graduates Estimator
Virtual Design Construction Manager (VDC)
Project Manager
Superintendent
Graphic Design
School of Industrial and Graphic Design
Graphic Design Listed as a “Top Design School” by Graphic Design USA for the past ten years, Auburn’s Graphic Design program prepares students to practice visual communication in a competitive global environment. Program Overview Auburn’s studio-based curriculum puts active learning at the center of the educational experience. Through the curriculum, ideas are tested through making, discussion, critique and iteration. This hands-on environment builds technical skill, confidence, resilience and critical thinking skills, preparing students for professional practice as a designer. The program emphasizes typography, branding, UI/UX, publication design, motion design, illustration and packaging design, while also offering advanced courses in interactive mediabased design (app, website, magazine, type in motion and more). Upon graduation, students in our Graphic Design program receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design.
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Professional Program Selection Students begin Auburn’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design curriculum as Pre-Graphic Design students. Upon completion of the required Pre-Graphic Design courses in their first two semesters, students are eligible to apply to the professional program. A GPA will be calculated from the required courses, and the students with the top GPAs will be allowed to continue. Senior Project In the final semester of the Graphic Design program, students complete Senior Project. This project requires students to select or create an organization, company or event and design deliverables for a branding or mock re-branding. Each project represents a cohesive body of work from senior students working independently and cooperatively with committee faculty and student peers. The semester concludes with a Senior Show, which exhibits all graduating senior work and is open to the public.
Kaleidoscope: Auburn Design Student Show Kaleidoscope is a curated and juried design exhibition that showcases outstanding projects created by students throughout the academic year in the School of Industrial and Graphic Design. The annual show occurs at the end of the Spring semester.
Graphic Design
School of Industrial and Graphic Design
Common Fields of Work for Auburn Graphic Design Graduates Brand Identity
Digital Marketing
Illustration
Advertising
Interactive Design
UI/UX (User Experience)
Packaging Design
Wayfinding & Signage
Publication Design
Web Design
Career Possibilities Graphic Design graduates work in many areas of visual communication from the development of strategies implementing large-scale communications campaigns, to the design of effective communication products such as brand identity, interactive media, web design, packaging, exhibitions, publications, illustration and environmental graphics. The CADC Career Services Office hosts Meet and Greets for the School of Industrial and Graphic Design, inviting industry partners to visit campus and engage with our students through the review of resumes and portfolios for job openings within their companies. Graphic Design students have excellent opportunities for internship experiences as a result of well-established relationships with regional, national and international companies and firms.
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Industrial Design
School of Industrial and Graphic Design
Industrial Design Industrial designers are responsible for imagining, designing and creating the products and systems we use daily. They consider human interaction and how to make these products and systems meet the needs of consumers. Auburn’s Industrial Design program is one of the oldest and most well respected programs in the country. Industrial Design students learn the principles of human-centered design, engineering, ergonomics and design thinking. Program Overview In Industrial Design program, students acquire technical skills such as computer-aided design (CAD), prototype fabrication, exploratory sketching, perspective drawing and graphic design principles and tools. Students are introduced to design methods, creative and critical thinking, color theory, visual communication, materials and manufacturing, consumer psychology, generative artificial intelligence and environmental implications of design decisions. The four-and-a-half year (nine semester) curriculum leads to the professional Bachelor of Industrial Design degree. With a small student-to-professor ratio, students have the opportunity to experience project-based learning in the setting of a small classroom and studio while attending a large university. Industrial Design students have access to fabrication shops that include woodworking equipment, industrial-sized CNC routers, metal fabrication areas, vacuum formers, 3D printers, laser cutters and more. These state-of-theindustry tools and technologies allow students to transform ideas and design concepts from paper sketches and digital CAD models to physical models and prototypes that can be analyzed, tested and refined. Kaleidoscope: Auburn Design Student Show Kaleidoscope is a curated and juried design exhibition that showcases outstanding projects created by students throughout the academic year in the School of Industrial and Graphic Design. The annual show occurs at the end of the Spring semester. Experiential Learning Our studio-and project-based curriculum allows students to explore design concepts and product designs through ideation, collaboration, iterative prototyping and constructive design reviews. Students learn through research and design projects that are often supported by industry partners and grants. Students collaborate with companies, industry experts and consumers to innovate and develop new concepts.
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Professional Program Selection Students begin Auburn’s Bachelor of Industrial Design curriculum as Pre-Industrial Design students. After completing a minimum of 24 credit hours in good standing, they are eligible to take “Summer Foundation” studio, comprising three courses that teach foundational drawing techniques. At the end of the Summer Studio, the 45 students with the highest studio grades advance into the professional Industrial Design program. Career Possibilities Industrial Design graduates work in many areas of product design from research and development to innovation and improvement in consumer goods and electronics, exhibit design, physical and digital user experience, medical, mobility and transportation. The studio experience through our professional program ensures that every student graduates with a comprehensive portfolio of work that spans many sectors of product design to share with potential employers. The CADC Career Services Office hosts Meet and Greets for the School of Industrial and Graphic Design where industry partners are invited to visit campus and engage with our students through the review of resumes and portfolios for job openings within their companies. Common Fields of Work for Auburn Industrial Design Graduates Brand Management
Healthcare Products
Commercial Products
Sports & Leisure Products
Exhibit & Experience
Material Science Innovation
Furniture
Apparel & Soft Goods
Structural Packaging
UI/UX (User Experience)
Industrial Design
School of Industrial and Graphic Design
Minors
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Minors CADC students are encouraged complete a minimum of one semester in their major to provide a foundation in architecture, design or construction before enrolling in a minor. Auburn offers numerous options for minors. The four below are housed within the CADC. The History of Architecture and the Built Environment The History of Architecture and the Built Environment minor is composed of a series of established courses taught in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA) and the Department of History and Art History. The minor is mainly housed in APLA, with the History Department as a primary partner. A unique program to both the state and larger region, the minor offers students the opportunity to study the history of the built environment within a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)accredited architecture program. This minor is open to students in any major on campus.
Industrial and Graphic Design Processes The minor in Industrial and Graphic Design Processes equips students from diverse disciplines to work more effectively to advance design innovation within an organization. Professionals in today’s economy are frequently required to implement design innovation as a part of creating and sustaining a competitive advantage. Through this program, students learn how to participate in the creative problem-solving process, explore multiple modes of visual communication, examine the roles that design plays in shaping modern culture and better recognize opportunities to employ design and innovation catalysts within industry. This minor is open to students in any major on campus.
Environmental Design The Environmental Design minor allows students from any discipline to enrich and broaden their education through the understanding and application of design and design-thinking methods. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, businesses and organizations are utilizing design thinking methods to assist with problem solving in a creative and effective manner. Education in design and design-thinking provides embedded understanding of human activities. Students who acquire an Environmental Design minor will be able to demonstrate nimbleness and adaptability in the real world, the ability to approach issues from many different angles and offer constructive and effective methods for human-centric problem-solving. These skills will enable them to be well-rounded and competitive candidates for positions in the public and the private sectors, regardless of their major. Real Estate Development The minor in Real Estate Development is a collaboration between the Harbert College of Business and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. It has three pathways and is open to students in the following majors: Finance (FINC), Building Science (BSCI), Architecture (ARCH), Environmental Design (ENVD) and Landscape Architecture (LAND). Each minor pathway is designed to complement a student’s respective major courses. Through these course offerings, students are exposed to resources that include an integrated approach to real estate development, providing a familiarity in design, contract and build and finance and investment. The Real Estate Development minor enables students to participate in interdisciplinary collaboration. It provides students with a way to differentiate themselves and, thus, improve employability. Courses counting towards university core (i.e. fine arts), college core or major cannot double count towards the minor.
Student Organizations
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Student Organizations American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Associated Builders and Contractors of America (ABC) Associated General Contractors Builders Guild (AGC) American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
CADC Ambassadors CADC Student Council Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) Environmental Design Student Organization (EDSO) Freedom by Design (FBD) Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Organization of Minority Architects and Students (NOMAS) Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society (SLX) Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts (TSD) Theme Park Engineering and Design at Auburn University (TPED)
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General Information
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
General Information Tours CADC Tours We offer information sessions and tours of our programs on most weekdays during the fall and spring semesters. To schedule a tour, please visit aub.ie/cadcvisit. Auburn University Tours While you’re on campus, we encourage you to take a tour of Auburn University with the university admissions office. To schedule a tour of Auburn’s campus, please visit the Office of Admissions and Recruitment website at aub.ie/auburnvisit. Summer Camps Rising 11th and 12th grade students, spend a week with us on campus, experiencing life as an Auburn CADC student. Work with our faculty in our facilities to get a feel for what a CADC major might look like in college. Learn more about the CADC Summer Camps at aub.ie/cadcsummercamps. Apply Apply for Admission to Auburn University online at auburn.edu/apply. Auburn does NOT review portfolios for admissions or scholarship purposes. For further questions regarding admissions requirements, check out the Admissions FAQ at aub.ie/admitFAQ. Admissions and Scholarships Dates and Deadlines Review university admissions and scholarship dates and deadlines on the university admissions website at aub.ie/prospectstudents.
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CADC Professional Fees Professional programs are inherently more expensive to run than non-professional programs. They require more space, more personnel, a lower student-to-teacher ratio, access to a higher level of technology than most disciplines, and incur significant costs associated with achieving and maintaining accreditation from the appropriate specialized, national agencies. As a result, the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) charges a professional fee to partially defray the difference between state funding and tuition and the actual costs of our professional programs. Within each program, a professional fee charge of $2,160 is tied to enrollment in specific trigger courses. During semesters when students are enrolled in these classes they will be charged the professional fee. Each curriculum has its own trigger courses as noted by a triangle on the program’s CADC curriculum model.