B.Arch Transfer Application Requirements

The Academy of Art is an open enrollment university which means that most students will have the opportunity to study with us. We do not apply minimum GPA or completion of math courses as screening criteria for admission into the Architecture program. However, Architecture is a demanding major, and our NAAB-accredited BArch program is very rigorous. So, we provide individualized support for students who need it. Students receive support from a team of advisors and, most importantly, from our Architecture faculty who care deeply about each student’s progress.

A portfolio is required to request transfer credits for architecture courses. Transfer students are placed into our program based on the skills demonstrated in the portfolio and evaluation of transcripts.

B.Arch Transfer Application Requirements shown on this page apply to students who have previously taken architecture courses and are requesting transfer credits.

  1. Application: Submit an online application
  2. Personal Statement: Please provide a detailed statement regarding your interest in transferring. Tell us about yourself. How would someone who knows you well describe you? What or who influenced your decision to study architecture? What do you love about architecture? What are your goals? If you plan to be an online student, please tell us why the online mode of learning is the best choice for you. Upload PDF to SlideRoom.
  3. Transcripts: Provide transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Note: international transcripts must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation agency – please contact your admissions representative for a list.
  4. Resume (optional): Please describe your educational background, work experience, and skill sets. Upload PDF to SlideRoom.
  5. Portfolio: Placement is based on skills evidenced in portfolio. Please see Portfolio Guidelines. Upload PDF to SlideRoom.
  6. Transfer Credit Request Form: Download editable PDF file at Download Course Waiver/Transfer Request Form. Upload completed PDF to SlideRoom.

Transfer Credit Policies

  • Academy of Art University only accepts courses with grades of C or higher for transfer credit.
  • Courses must be 3 or more credits to transfer. Courses will be combined where applicable to maximize transfer credits.
  • Final transfer credits are determined based on a review of portfolio and transcripts.
  • Maximum number of credits that can be transferred into the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree is 75 units.
  • Maximum number of credits that can be transferred into the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architectural Design degree is 60 units.
  • Credit for Prior Learning awards credits for skills demonstrated in a portfolio but not acquired through course work.

Portfolio for B.Arch Transfer Application

  • Portfolio must be a multi-page PDF file. Please note that maximum file size for SlideRoom is 10MB for each PDF file.
  • Please list your name on the cover page as well as on each page of the portfolio.
  • URL link to a portfolio website can be submitted but it must be in addition to a portfolio PDF file.
  • All material, written and graphic, must be original work created by you. Any referenced work must be properly cited.
  • If you are transferring from a NAAB-accredited program, you can submit final presentations from architecture studio courses as your portfolio. To streamline the review process, please attach a degree break down and highlight the courses you have taken. Most architecture schools publish a semester-by-semester breakdown of required courses on their websites.

B.Arch Portfolio Guidelines

We conduct a thorough review of your portfolio and transcript(s). Our goal is to match as many of our courses with those you have taken previously. To ensure this goal,

  • Please list the course numbers on your portfolio pages so that we can understand in which course the work was created.
  • List all software programs used on the portfolio pages – we are looking for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Rhino, Revit, Enscape, Twinmotion.
  • If you worked in a group, please explain in detail your contribution to the group project.

For architecture studio course placement, please submit for EACH project included in the portfolio:

  1. Text narrative describing important design decisions (design intent)
  2. Diagrams visually explaining the project (design concept diagrams can be drawings or models, 2D or 3D)
  3. Floor plans, sections, elevations, site plans (coordinated drawings of the same building)
  4. Physical models and/or digital models and renderings
  5. Freehand sketches if applicable

Additionally, please submit the following if applicable to courses you have previously completed:

  1. Representation of topography in a drawing and/or model
  2. Site analysis
  3. Program diagrams
  4. Precedent analysis

Student Work Examples

Our department blog includes many examples of student work.

Student projects from the first 2 years of our program are at this link

Swipe through the images below to view student projects from studio courses.

Studio Placement for Transfer Students

Our design studio curriculum has a heavy emphasis on process work that explains how and why design decisions were made in a project. This is most commonly shown in the form of diagrams such as concept diagrams, circulation diagrams, site analysis diagrams, etc. Studio placement into our program depends on the quality of process work and the complexity of the project. For example, if you have completed 4 semesters of architectural design studios but lack process work, your placement will not be in our 5th semester studio. This is to ensure that transfer students are successful in our rigorous design studio courses.

For students whose goal is to attain architectural licensure, and are planning to work while in school, we offer the BArch IPAL Track. Architectural licensure requires education, experience, and exams. In a non-IPAL BArch program, students must wait until graduation to take the licensing exams. BArch IPAL Track students have the advantage of taking the exams before graduation to shorten the time to licensure. Setting architectural licensure as the goal, rather than the graduation date, helps our BArch IPAL Track students set realistic goals for course loads. We advise our students to focus on maximizing their learning, ensuring the quality of their projects for the portfolio, and being better prepared to succeed in the profession. 

Here are the states that accept the IPAL path to licensure. Not all states accept IPAL so please check on this interactive page on the NCARB website. https://www.ncarb.org/get-licensed/licensing-requirements-tool

Setting Expectations for Time Commitment

Architecture requires significantly more time than other non-design majors. A student who is working full time must set realistic expectations for how many courses are feasible. We recommend a lower course load, especially for the first semester, for students who are balancing school and work.

Our Architecture courses are fast-paced so missing more than one week of class will make it challenging to get caught up. If students do not have course supplies in hand at the start of module 1, they will fall behind. If students do fall behind due to health or other emergencies, our faculty’s individualized attention will help them get back on track. But it is very difficult to catch up if a student misses class for multiple weeks even with individualized support.

The Department of Education requires universities to design curriculum so that a student spends 9 hours (minimum) per week to earn 3 college credits. Page 5 of this document shows the federal definition for Credit Hour.

Course Descriptions & Learning Outcomes

  1. Find course descriptions in the university’s Course Catalog
  2. Find course descriptions and learning outcomes on the Undergraduate Courses page