Admissions

No. Many high schools do not teach art classes. Our studios provide the design fundamentals needed to be a successful designer. Admissions decisions are made by the University Admissions Office and portfolios are not reviewed. If you have questions regarding university admissions requirements, please contact the AU Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Courses in Calculus, Physics and English are the best preparatory courses. These classes show dedication to one’s learning and are the best preparation for taking the ACT/SAT exam. Art and architecture classes are encouraged, but not required.

If you are a high school student trying to decide on a world language, we recommend Spanish or Italian. Many of our study abroad opportunities travel through Italy and several countries in South America.

You may access the AP and IB information through the Registrar’s website to determine how this type of credit will transfer to Auburn.

The cost of attendance for the Architecture program includes tuition, fees and related expenses that can be found in the Professional and Program Fees table on the Estimated Cost of Attendance page for the university.

The Architecture program (through the College of Architecture, Design and Construction) works with Auburn University to update estimated for the program. For first year students, Auburn University’s estimated cost for fees and books, course materials, supplies and equipment provided on Auburn University’s web page for Estimated Cost of Attendance, reflects student costs for pre-architecture and non-architecture courses. For students admitted into the professional program in Architecture, the figure reflects the differential cost of a professional design program (professional fee) and the estimated cost of books, course materials, supplies and equipment anticipated for students in the professional program (2nd–5th year) over the course of the academic year (fall and spring semesters).

At multiple points in the curriculum students engage in field studies (travel-based study) as part of the studio and core courses. The estimated costs of these trips are provided at the beginning of each semester and included in the course syllabus; students are responsible for these expenses. In many cases this travel consists of local field trips associated with core architecture program courses are included in the estimated expenses for transportation (outlined in the Estimated Cost of Attendance page). In some cases, there are established field trips of a longer duration that students can plan for as outlined following:

Second year / Fall Field Studies in Chicago

• • This trip is for the entire cohort and involves four days and fie nights in Chicago. Costs include airfare, admission to museums and tours as well as daily meals and incidentals. Estimated cost: $600–$800 (depending on student’s choice of lodging expenses and flights).

Third Year / On-Campus Options Studios Fall & Spring

• On-campus options studios often have field trips ranging from local sites within driving distance or short domestic trips requiring flights. Estimated cost: $300–$800 (depending on student’s choice of lodging expenses and flights).

Fourth Year / Fall Options Studios

• Fourth-year fall options studios include short trips to their studio project sites. These sites are urban and range from major cities in Alabama to other states. Estimated cost: $300–$800 (depending on student’s choice of lodging expenses and flights).

Fifth Year / Spring Thesis Studio

• Fifth year fall on-campus thesis studios include a short trip to a major domestic city. Estimated cost: $800–$1000 (depending on student’s choice of lodging expenses and flights).

The program also operates a range of optional study away and study abroad programs largely centered in the third year of the program.

Optional Study Away programs are Rural Studio and Urban Studio (both within the state of Alabama). Rural Studio has a program fee ($3,750) that services housing, shop fee and meals costs. Urban Studio will have a program fee ($4,000) that services housing and is planned to be in place by Fall 2026.

Optional Study Abroad programs in the Architecture program include the Nordic Program (Aarhus, Denmark), the Barcelona Program (Barcelona, Spain) and the Kyoto Program (Kyoto, Japan). These programs are space limited and capped at 16 students per program. Students apply in the year before the program runs; these programs are managed in collaboration with the  Office of International Programs (OIP). The Nordic and Barcelona Programs occur in the spring of the third year of the program. The Kyoto program occurs in the fall of the fifth year of the program.

Estimated costs* (2024) for each Study Abroad program are listed below:

*Estimated program costs are shared with students at an annual options presentation meeting which occurs in the fall of their second year in the program (1 year before the Office of International Programs builds the application portal for each program). 

**Recommended variable expenses (not billed to student)

Several forms of financial assistance are available to students, including:

• Scholarships
• Grants by federal agencies
• Low and moderate-interest, federally-insured loans
  • Subsidized loan programs

Interested students can obtain detailed and updated information directly from the University Office of Financial Aid.

Visit the scholarship page for more information for scholarship opportunities within the college and program.

We refer to currently enrolled Auburn undergraduate students who want to change their major and transfer into our programs as “internal transfers.”

• All students must have a 2.8 GPA to transfer.

• Pick up your change of major form from your current student services office along with your file and make an appointment to see one of our program advisors through Advise Assist or by calling our Student Services Office at 334-844-5350.

Students enrolled at Auburn who are accepted through the internal transfer process are all required to take the Summer Design Studio to compete for their spot in the professional program.

You would be classified as an “external transfer student.” You need to apply for admission through the Auburn Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Pre-Architecture students admitted through the external transfer process will be required to take the Summer Design Studio to compete for their spot in the professional program. We recommend transfer students enter in the Summer semester. Placement for the Fall semester will be determined upon completion of the Summer session.

All students pursing an Architecture degree at Auburn must qualify for Summer Design and if accepted, will complete four or more years of study to receive a professional Bachelor of Architecture, fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).