University of Central Florida

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Design in Architecture at UCF is a studio-driven undergraduate degree created to address Central Florida’s demand for architectural education. The program is delivered on the Valencia College West Campus and is integrated into a 2+2+2 pathway—lower-division study at Valencia College, upper-division bachelor’s study at UCF, and an optional master’s at the University of Florida—allowing students to complete an NAAB-accredited track locally. The curriculum emphasizes design excellence, emerging technologies, social and environmental responsibility, and real‑world engagement with local firms and community partners. Students must maintain continual access to a computer that meets the program’s minimum hardware and software specifications.

What you'll study

Instruction centers on studio work combined with technical and interdisciplinary coursework. The program uses multiple review points and competitive entry checkpoints to ensure readiness for upper-division studio courses. Core and advanced-level studio and digital topics are included; example course listings in the upper-level requirements include ARC3181 (Advanced Topics in Digital). Degree completion requires at least 120 semester hours overall, with at least 42 advanced-level credits from specified courses and a departmental residency of at least 36 semester hours of 3000–4000 level courses from the UCF School of Visual Arts and Design.

Entry requirements

• Submit a completed UCF application packet and satisfy the UCF General Education Program (GEP) or its equivalent.
• Successful completion of PHY 2053C (or equivalent) with a grade of C (2.0) or better is required prior to admission to the major.
• Lower-division entry to Valencia College ARC courses requires passing a studio test; top scorers are admitted into ARC1301C (Design 1).
• Admission to upper-division B.Des. courses at UCF is competitive and requires participation in a spring pin-up (portfolio review). Selection is based on a composite of overall GPA, architecture GPA, and pin-up score; successful pin-up candidates may be admitted into ARC3320L (Design 5).
• Students changing majors must adopt the current catalog; co-op credit cannot be used in the major.

Career prospects

The program develops visualisation, critical thinking, technical competencies and collaborative skills applicable across design and construction fields. Graduates pursue graduate architecture and design programs or enter professional roles locally and beyond. Typical career destinations include architectural designer/practitioner, architectural drafter, interior/spatial designer, urban designer/planner, sustainable design and building performance specialist, construction/project management, design technology and digital fabrication, among roles in public agencies and development.

Scholarships & funding angle

Tuition is charged per credit hour; listed rates include $212.28 per credit hour for in-state students and $891.07 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Students should explore UCF and Valencia financial aid, scholarships, and campus-based funding; admission into competitive pathway elements (studio test, pin-up) does not alter financial-aid eligibility. Consult the architecture school and the university financial aid office for program-specific awards and cost-planning.