Lafayette College

What you'll study

The minor requires six courses in total. Two courses are mandatory for all students: Art 126 (History of Architecture II) and Art 120 (Architectural Design and Theory). Students then choose four additional approved courses, with the requirement that at least one course comes from each of three distinct groupings (historical/urban design, design perspective, and engineering perspective).

• Historical perspective and urban design examples: Art 140 Art and Architecture of World Traditions: Asia, Africa, and the Americas; Art 221 Ancient Art; Art 222 Medieval Art; Art 234 Modern Art; Art 240 Japanese Art and Architecture; Art 242 Chinese Art and Architecture; VAST 234 Technology and the City; A&S 201 Culture and Environment; A&S 233 Anthropology of the City; Hist 252 Transformation of the American Environment; Hist 356 American Technological Development; PSTD Environmental Policy; EVST 220 People, Places and Environments in the Mid-Atlantic.
• Design perspective examples: Art 105 New Media: Sculpture against a Digital Horizon; Art 107 Sculpture; Art 109 Drawing I; Art 110 Drawing II; Art 114 Beginning Painting; Art 215 Sculpture II; Art 206 Materials and Methods; Art 250 Art and Environment; EGRS 273 Architecture Theory and Practice.
• Engineering perspective examples: EGRS 271 Introduction to Architectural Engineering; EGRS 480 Sustainable Solutions; ES 226 Statics; ES 230 Strength in Materials; ES 231 Nature of Engineering Materials; ES 232 Biomaterials Science; CE 271 Civil Engineering Land Development-Surveying; CE 311 Structural Analysis and Steel Design; CE 312 Theory of Indeterminate Structures; CE 313 Reinforced Concrete; CE 314 Structural Dynamics; CE 331 Civil Engineering Project Management; CE 411 Advanced Design: Steel Bridge; CE 415 Modern Steel Design Practice; CE 431 Construction Management; ME 372 Engineering Design Optimization; ME 374 Sustainable Building Design; ME 388 Sustainable Materials.

Students preparing applications to professional graduate schools are permitted to count a portfolio development independent study as one of the elective courses. The two‑semester course Architectural Portfolio Preparation is highly recommended for students aiming for graduate architecture programs.

Entry requirements

The published description specifies course requirements for completing the minor but does not list formal admissions criteria. Interested students should consult program staff for advising and how the minor fits with their major program.

Career prospects

The minor is explicitly geared toward two cohorts: students who plan to apply to graduate architecture programs and students who want a strong foundation in architectural history, urban design and materials without pursuing professional licensure. Graduates commonly use the minor to build portfolios for graduate admission or to augment careers in related fields such as historic preservation, urban studies, design‑adjacent roles, and interdisciplinary engineering or environmental work.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not list specific scholarships. Students should explore collegewide financial aid, department or arts scholarships, and summer internship funding to support portfolio work and off‑campus study. Contact the program chair for guidance on funding that aligns with architectural study and preparatory portfolio development.