The University of Kansas
university
The University of Kansas

The University of Kansas

ArcD academic programs, studios, and research centers are driven to meet challenges through relentless creativity and solutions-based design.

1465 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA

About The University of Kansas

The KU School of Architecture & Design (ArcD) in Lawrence, Kansas, fosters an inclusive community of aspiring architects, designers, creatives, and multidisciplinary leaders. Its academic programs, studios, and research centers are committed to relentless creativity and solutions-based design, aiming to address global challenges. Students immerse themselves in a vibrant studio culture, creating real-world projects with tangible impact. The school emphasizes design education through diverse experiences, including learning through making, collaborative research, and community engagement via initiatives like Designbuild, Dotte Agency, and Institutes for Health & Wellness Design and Smart Cities. The mission is to equip graduates with an educational foundation for exemplary professional practice, preparing them as critical thinkers and problem solvers who will serve, enrich, and sustain their professions and communities.
Program NameDetails
Master of Architecture (5-year)
Master

This program is for entering first-year students and provides an educational foundation for professional architectural practice and personal career fulfillment. It prepares graduates to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.

5 years
English
Tuition varies; 5-year Master of Architecture students who entered KU in or after AY 2022-2023 enrolling in 6 credits pay $2,640 for KU Tuition and Fees. Additional costs include studio supplies.
Deadline: Priority consideration: November 1. Final Deadline: February 1.
Master of Architecture (2- or 3-year)
Master

This program is for students already holding bachelor's degrees in any field and provides an educational foundation for professional architectural practice. It prepares graduates to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.

2 or 3 years
English
The first-year tuition fee is USD 37,738. Resident graduate tuition is $474.90 per credit hour, and non-resident graduate tuition is $1,117.10 per credit hour. A course fee of $120.45 per credit hour is added for Architecture & Design courses.
Deadline: February 1.
Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture
Bachelor

This program provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, professional education preparing graduates to be leaders in the interior architecture and design professions. It focuses on design, functionality, and user experience within interior spaces.

4 years
English
Tuition varies; Interior Architecture students enrolling in 5 credits pay $2,195 for KU Tuition & Fees. A course fee of $120.45 per credit hour is added for Architecture & Design courses.
Deadline: Priority consideration: November 1. Final Deadline: February 1.
Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture
PhD

The PhD program in Architecture prepares graduates to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Writing Sample Required.

Varies
English
Resident graduate tuition is $474.90 per credit hour, and non-resident graduate tuition is $1,117.10 per credit hour. A course fee of $120.45 per credit hour is added for Architecture & Design courses.
Deadline: February 1.
Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
Bachelor

This program is offered only to students accepted to the Master of Architecture Track I (5-year) program. The degree is awarded upon completion of the first four years of KU CORE courses and professional courses in the Architecture program.

4 years
English
Resident undergraduate tuition is $376.60 per credit hour, and non-resident undergraduate tuition is $1005.90 per credit hour. A course fee of $120.45 per credit hour is added for Architecture & Design courses.
Deadline: Same as Master of Architecture (5-year). Priority consideration: November 1. Final Deadline: February 1.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Architecture
Master

Focuses on advanced architectural studies and research.

Varies
English
Resident graduate tuition is $474.90 per credit hour, and non-resident graduate tuition is $1,117.10 per credit hour. A course fee of $120.45 per credit hour is added for Architecture & Design courses.
Deadline: February 1
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Design (Interaction Design)
Master

Focuses on Interaction Design.

Varies
English
Resident graduate tuition is $474.90 per credit hour, and non-resident graduate tuition is $1,117.10 per credit hour.
Deadline: April 15 (Fall Priority), July 15 (Fall Final), November 15 (Spring Priority), December 1 (Spring Final)
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Design (Design Management & Strategy)
Master

Focuses on Design Management & Strategy.

Varies
English
Resident graduate tuition is $474.90 per credit hour, and non-resident graduate tuition is $1,117.10 per credit hour.
Deadline: April 15 (Fall Priority), July 15 (Fall Final), November 15 (Spring Priority), December 1 (Spring Final)
Graduate Certificate in Urban Design
Certificate

Focuses on Urban Design

Varies
English
Varies
Deadline: Varies
Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation
Certificate

Focuses on Historic Preservation

Varies
English
Varies
Deadline: Varies
Graduate Certificate in Designbuild
Certificate

Focuses on Designbuild

Varies
English
Varies
Deadline: Varies
Graduate Certificate in Architecture of Health and Wellness
Certificate

Focuses on Architecture of Health and Wellness

Varies
English
Varies
Deadline: Varies
Graduate Certificate in Architectural Acoustics
Certificate

Focuses on Architectural Acoustics

Varies
English
Varies
Deadline: Varies
Undergraduate Certificate in Architecture Acoustics
Certificate

Focuses on Architectural Acoustics

Varies
English
Varies
Deadline: Varies

Performance & Metrics

Institutional Stats
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Students
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Faculty
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Alumni
14
Programs
Accreditations & Affiliations
The Master of Architecture programs (Track I, II, and III) are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) until 2025, with continuous accreditation since 1920. The University of Kansas is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1968.
Admissions
Requirements
Completion of the online University of Kansas application. ACT Composite score of 25 is mentioned for undergraduate programs. Specific requirements for each program are detailed on their respective admissions pages.
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The University of Kansas Academic FAQ

The University of Kansas is ArcD academic programs, studios, and research centers are driven to meet challenges through relentless creativity and solutions-based design.

Applicants are typically required to submit: Completion of the online University of Kansas application. ACT Composite score of 25 is mentioned for undergraduate programs. Specific requirements for each program are detailed on their respective ad....

The University of Kansas provides a comprehensive curriculum including: Master of Architecture (5-year), Master of Architecture (2- or 3-year), Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture, Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies.

The University of Kansas is situated in Lawrence, United States, offering a vibrant context for architectural study.

Yes, The University of Kansas holds accreditations from: The Master of Architecture programs (Track I, II, and III) are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) until 2025, with continuous accreditation since 1920. The University of Kansas is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1968..