Thomas Jefferson University
College of Architecture, Design and Engineering
The Department of Architecture is founded on the belief that architecture has the power to improve lives by creating, activating, facilitating and substantiating innovative and inclusive design for all communities and environments. Faculty with diverse perspectives and backgrounds can foster interdisciplinary academic experience that positions architecture at the dynamic center of social, cultural, historical, technological and physical issues within our shared world. A commitment to design excellence, social equity and sustainability is evident throughout the curriculum and faculty research. We aim to equip graduates with the creativity, competence, compassion and conviction to be positive agents of change and stewards of the built environment.
Setting
Thomas Jefferson University is a private, nonprofit national research university dedicated to improving lives through education, research, and creative discovery. Its architecture programs are based on the green, residential East Falls campus in Philadelphia, combining a close-knit campus community with access to a city rich in architectural history and contemporary design. Philadelphia serves as an extended classroom, where students explore historic neighborhoods, modern landmarks, and the challenges of creating more equitable, sustainable urban environments. The city’s architecture firms, cultural institutions, and community organizations offer opportunities for professional engagement and experiential learning. Within Jefferson’s College of Architecture, Design and Engineering, students learn alongside peers across related disciplines, connecting architectural inquiry with the broader fields that shape the built environment.
School Philosophy
At Thomas Jefferson University, architectural education connects creative exploration with the knowledge and skills to improve lives through design. Grounded in our College’s three core values - sustainability, social equity, and design excellence - our studio-centered approach encourages students to think critically, experiment through making, and develop their own architectural voices while addressing real-world challenges. Students explore how environmental responsibility, cultural context, and emerging technologies shape architecture and how design can support more equitable communities. Collaboration across architecture, design, and engineering broadens their perspectives and prepares them for an increasingly interdisciplinary profession. Through hands-on learning, community engagement, and connections with practice, students learn to translate ideas into thoughtful proposals for buildings and places. We educate architects who approach their work with curiosity, technical understanding, and a commitment to the communities and environments they serve.
Programs
Jefferson offers complementary pathways into architecture, combining design studios with architectural history and theory, building technology, sustainability, and professional practice. Hands-on making, digital exploration and fabrication, community engagement, and opportunities for internships and study abroad connect classroom learning with the wider world.
Bachelor of Architecture (BArch): This five-year, NAAB-accredited professional degree prepares students for architectural practice through a progressive studio sequence, from professional design foundations to complex architectural projects. Advanced studios allow students to explore specialized interests while integrating design, research, and technical knowledge.
BS in Architectural Studies + Master of Architecture (4+2): This six-year pathway combines a four-year pre-professional bachelor’s degree with a two-year professional MArch. The Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) option enables students to integrate professional experience and licensing examinations with their education, creating an opportunity to complete licensure requirements upon graduation.
Master of Architecture (MArch): This professional graduate program welcomes students from architecture and other academic backgrounds, with a two- or three-year course of study depending on prior preparation. Advanced design studios, interdisciplinary electives, and an individually defined final studio project support focused exploration and preparation for practice.
BS in Architectural Studies + MS in Historic Preservation or MS in Real Estate Development: These accelerated dual-degree pathways connect an undergraduate foundation in architecture with specialized graduate study. Historic Preservation prepares students to engage with the conservation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings and places, while Real Estate Development focuses on the processes that shape development projects and investment in communities.
Students can follow their passions and shape their professional paths through over 20 accelerated dual-degree options (bachelor + master), minors, and concentrations. Opportunities across fields such as sustainable design, historic preservation, real estate development, interior architecture, and construction management allow students to customize their education and broaden their career possibilities.
of Focus
1. Digital Fabrication & Technology
2. Historic Preservation
3. Community Design
4. Industry Collaborations
5. Urbanism
6. Interior Design
7. Digital Design & Visualization
8. Sustainability & High-Performance Built Environments
Opportunities
Cross-disciplinary experience
IPAL
Teaching / Research assistantships
Summer Program
Study Abroad
Facilities
Large-format Printer
Laser Cutter
Woodshop
3D Printing
Metalshop
CNC Milling
Fabrication Lab
Robotics Lab
Policies
Transfer Policies
Jefferson welcomes transfer applicants from community colleges and four-year institutions. Students with previous coursework in architecture or design may qualify for advanced standing in the Bachelor of Architecture program. Placement is determined individually through review of completed coursework, design studios, a portfolio of architectural and creative work, and supporting application materials. Eligible courses completed with a grade of C or higher may receive transfer credit; design studio credits require faculty portfolio review. Our relationships with regional community colleges support established transfer pathways. The Admissions Office and architecture faculty guide students through credit evaluation and placement.
School Showcase
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpjWsQTKPVg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Zwl9-h7PM
- https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/architecture-design-engineering.html
- https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/architecture-design-engineering/departments/architecture.html
- https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/architecture-design-engineering/programs/architecture.html
