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School of Architecture & Community Design
USF COLLEGE OF DESIGN, ART & PERFORMANCE
Welcome to the USF School of Architecture & Community Design (SACD)! Thank you for your interest in our programs.
The SACD offers two graduate programs, the professional Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) and the post-professional Master of Urban & Community Design (MUCD). During 2026-27, the SACD launching a new, 120 credit-hour, pre-professional Bachelor of Design (B.Des.), Architecture degree program and will welcome the new program鈥檚 inaugural First Time in College (FTIC) cohort in Fall 2027.
With the new B.Des. degree, the SACD is transitioning its primary curriculum from a "2+4" model (undergraduate pre-architecture/BGS-GAR + M.Arch. curriculum) to a "4+2" model (B.Des., Architecture + M.Arch.).
USF Architecture programs only admit students for the fall semester
BACHELOR OF DESIGN IN ARCHITECTURE (B.Des., Architecture) PROGRAM:
The B.Des., Architecture degree program is a designated specialized admissions program with a graduation cohort size of approximately forty-five (45) students.
FTIC Students (First-Year Undergraduates):
Application Deadline:
See USF Office of Admissions for freshmen application deadlines
Apply early! To be considered for some types of financial aid, you must apply by the preferred admissions deadline or priority deadline.
Step 1: Review USF Freshmen Admissions Information
See the Office of Admissions for requirements, deadlines, and information on how to apply.
A portfolio of creative achievements is optional for FTIC applicants.
Step 2: Apply to the 91社区
When you are ready, go ahead and apply!
Transfer Students:
Application Deadline:
See USF Office of Admissions for transfer application deadlines.
Welcome! If you qualify as an upper-level transfer student and have completed two years of architecture coursework in an associate in architecture program or a baccalaureate, pre-professional architecture program and you鈥檙e thinking of transferring to the University of South 91社区, we are happy that you鈥檙e here. Please refer to the following step-by-step guide as you begin your application.
Step 1: Review USF Transfer Admissions Information
See the Office of Admissions for requirements, deadlines, and information on how to apply.
Students wishing to transfer to USF鈥檚 B.Des., Architecture program should either complete an Associate of Arts degree (AA) in architecture at a 91社区 College System institution or complete the first two years of major coursework within an undergraduate pre-professional architecture degree program.
A comprehensive portfolio of design work completed in previous architecture design studios is required for transfer students.
Step 2: Review State-mandated Common Course Prerequisites
Transfer students are required to have completed the 91社区 state-mandated common course prerequisites for B.Des., Architecture programs. Successful completion of common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.
The B.Des., Architecture common course prerequisites may be reviewed in the .
Step 3: Apply to the 91社区
When you are ready, go ahead and apply!
USF BGS-GAR (pre-architecture) Students:
FTIC undergraduate admissions in architecture for Fall 2026 and prior were into the General Studies - Architecture (BGS-GAR) "pre-architecture" area of study. Prior to Fall 2026, USF BGS-GAR students applied to continue into the 108 credit track of the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree program. Beginning Fall 2026, USF BGS-GAR students apply to continue into the B.Des., Architecture degree program to complete a pre-professional bachelor鈥檚 degree enroute to earning an M.Arch. degree.
All 2026-27 USF BGS-GAR students must successfully complete ARC 2135C or ARC 1302 no later than Spring 2027 to apply for Fall 2027 continuation into the B.Des., Architecture degree program. The final opportunity to apply to continue beyond the BGS-GAR pre-architecture program is Spring 2027 for Fall 2027 continuation. Please note that all BGS-GAR students who are not accepted to continue into the B.Des., Architecture degree program in Fall 2027 will be required to declare an alternative undergraduate major/degree path. Architecture Advising can provide a list of architecture-allied, alternative majors.
To Apply to Continue into B.Des., Architecture from BGS-GAR:
Application Deadlines:
3PM (EST), Monday, February 01, 2027, for all application materials except design
portfolio.
3PM (EST), Monday, M.Arch. 01, 2027, for design portfolio.
Deadlines are strictly enforced.
Step 1: Submit all Application Materials except Design Portfolio to SACD
To be considered, applications must be complete, with all the following:
- SACD Application to Continue into B.Des., Architecture Form uploaded as a PDF to designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name-application.PDF>
- Unofficial USF Transcripts. Uploaded as PDFs to designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name_transcript01.PDF> (02,03, etc.)
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from academic / professional references. Upload the letters, in PDF format, to the designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name_letter of rec01.PDF> (rec02, 03, etc.)
- One-page Statement of Academic/Professional Intent. Uploaded as a PDF to designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name_LOI.PDF>
Step 2: Submit Design Portfolio to SACD
To be considered, applications must be complete, with all the following:
- Design Portfolio. Submitted BOTH DIGITALLY AND as a PRINTED, bound document. The printed portfolio must measure a minimum of 8" in either dimension and should measure between 80 and 100 square inches total, e.g., 8x10, 8x12, 9x9, 10x10, 8.5 x 11. The digital file format must be a PDF (Portable Document Format) with file size not to exceed 50 MB. Upload your portfolio to the designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name_Portfolio.PDF>
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (M.Arch.) PROGRAM
Please note that admission into the MUCD program has been temporarily paused.
The M.Arch. degree program has two tracks. A four-year, 108 credit hour track serves applicants with a baccalaureate degree in a major other than architecture. A two-year, typically 48-54 credit hour track serves applicants with a baccalaureate degree in a pre-professional architecture major.
Both M.Arch. Tracks:
Application Deadline:
11:59PM (EST), Monday, February 01, 2027, for USF Graduate
3PM (EST), Monday, February 01, 2027, for all SACD application materials.
Deadlines are strictly enforced.
Step 1: Review USF Graduate Admissions Information
See the Office of Admissions for requirements, deadlines, and information on how to apply. Note that GRE scores are required for admission to the M.Arch. degree program. The USF Office of Graduate Studies strictly enforces the 3.0 minimum GPA admissions requirement.
Step 2: Apply for USF Graduate Admissions
Step 3: Submit SACD M.Arch. Application Materials
To be considered, applications must be complete, with all the following:
- SACD Graduate Application Form uploaded as a PDF to designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name-application.PDF>
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from academic / professional references. Upload the letters, in PDF format, to the designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name_letter of rec01.PDF> (rec02, 03, etc.)
- One-page Statement of Academic/Professional Intent. Uploaded as a PDF to designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name_LOI.PDF>
- Digital Design Portfolio. Format when printed must measure a minimum of 8" in either dimension and should measure between 80 and 100 square inches total, e.g., 8x10, 8x12, 9x9, 10x10, 8.5 x 11. The digital file format must be a PDF (Portable Document Format) with file size not to exceed 50 MB. Upload your portfolio to the designated Box folder, a link to which will be provided in December 2026. Please name the file <last name_first name_Portfolio.PDF>
STEP 4: SUBMIT PRINTED, BOUND DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Printed portfolio must measure a minimum of 8" in either dimension and should measure between 80 and 100 square inches total, e.g., 8x10, 8x12, 9x9, 10x10, 8.5 x 11.
Portfolios may be either hand-delivered to the SACD Administrative Specialist, HMS-311, OR ship to the following address to be RECEIVED by the deadline:
USF SACD Portfolio Submission
12316 USF Genshaft Dr.
Tampa, FL 33620
Attention: Admin Specialist, HMS-311
Questions
We are happy to help with any questions you may have! Architecture academic advisors, centrally located in the College of Design, Art & Performance Advising Center (FAH 120), are here to assist prospective and current students with individualized academic planning.
Prospective students can make an appointment with Architecture academic advising through USF Escheduler.
Architecture (BGS-GAR/Pre-architecture, Bachelor of Design, Master of Architecture) academic advisors may be reached via e-mail at architectureadvise@usf.edu