Background Image Alternative Text: Architectural models close up
Background Image Alternative Text: Students, facutly and staff look at architectural structures built with cardboard in Giles Hall
Background Image Alternative Text: Architectural models close up

Overview

The Mississippi State University School of Architecture offers the Bachelor of Architecture degree, a five-year professional degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The program has been accredited continuously since its inception in 1973. In September of 2016, the school was reaccredited for another full eight-year term. 

The School of Architecture is also a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). Courses are taught by a faculty of professionals engaged in practice, education, and research.

Learn How To Apply Watch Our Video Request Info

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Why should accreditation matter to an architecture student?

In order to become a licensed architect, most states require a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). 

How to become a licensed architect

Learn more about our accreditation through NAAB

Curriculum

Hands-on, studio learning: 

All aspects of the curriculum for the Bachelor of Architecture degree program at Mississippi State University are synthesized in the design-studio sequence, which attempts to balance theory and practice though hands-on, studio-based learning. For the first four years, students have 24/7 access to their own studio space within our building, Giles Hall, located on the main campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. The final year of study for our architecture students is spent at the Stuart C. Irby, Jr., Studios in downtown Jackson, Mississippi.

The studio curriculum is broken into three parts:

  1. The first year is considered the pre-professional program. 
  2. The second, third, and fourth years constitute the professional core.
  3. The fifth year provides the transition to professional practice.

The Bachelor of Architecture curriculum is also composed of four areas of study

  1. Design 
  2. History/Theory 
  3. Technology 
  4. Professional Practice 

Full curriculum requirements Courses & descriptions

Background Image Alternative Text: architecture wooden model of structure sits on table in front with people seated in background watching a review
Background Image Alternative Text: In the Architecture studio with clay sculpture in foreground
Background Image Alternative Text: Architecture students working on final projects

Admissions
Highly competitive

Admission to the School of Architecture is limited and highly competitive, and admission to Mississippi State University does not guarantee acceptance to the school. 

Upon initial admission to Mississippi State University, all students who indicate an interest in majoring in architecture will be assigned an “undeclared-architecture” major.

How to Apply to Mississippi State University Architecture Admission Requirements

Minor In
Architectural Studies

The School of Architecture offers a minor in architectural studies. The minor consists of 18 credit hours of courses with an ARC prefix.

Course Requirements

Background Image Alternative Text: Architecture students Jared Woullard and Annelise Sernich (right) seen through cardboard architecture sculpture project

Student Work

The College of Architecture, Art and Design at Mississippi State University is a recognized leader in all of our disciplines. The faculty and students are being recognized for their achievements in all of the areas in which the college is engaged.

See All Architecture Work

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Student Achievement
Scholarships & Awards

In its commitment to recognize outstanding students whose academic credentials confirm their potential for success, Mississippi State University offers scholarships to students with outstanding ACT scores and to National Merit and National Achievement semifinalists and finalists. For more information on MSU scholarships please contact the Office of Admissions and Scholarships.

Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen Scholarships for Transfer Students


Each year, the Mississippi State University School of Architecture also recognizes student achievement through scholarships and annual awards. These monetary awards are made possible by friends and alumni of the school, building and industry suppliers, the American Architectural Foundation, and the American Institute of Architects and are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic standing, and design excellence. Click on the button below to learn more and how to apply.

Architecture-Specific Scholarships

Affordable
Tuition and Fees

Mississippi State University’s affordable tuition provides an excellent return on your investment, combining competitive costs with the best academics, research, student life, and career preparation.

Tuition at Mississippi State University

The Bachelor of Architecture undergraduate degree program has some additional fees for materials, field trips, and other items that enhance an architecture student’s education. The Mississippi State University School of Architecture strives to be able to offer comparatively low lab fees thanks to support from alumni and friends.

Full breakdown of fees

Required Tools and Materials

Students also need to purchase a variety of tools and materials to help them succeed in their studio coursework. (The cost of these additional supplies are not included in the estimated fee breakdown here.)

Computer Requirements

The Studio Tools and Materials List is being updated; check back soon.

  • $905
    Estimated Fees
    1st Year Studio
  • $1,140
    Estimated Fees
    2nd Year Studio
  • $1,240
    Estimated Fees
    3rd Year Studio
  • $1,270
    Estimated Fees
    4th Year Studio
  • $1,000
    Estimated Fees
    5th Year Studio
Background Image Alternative Text: Architecture students working on final project in wood sculptured bench area

Student Life
Supportive environment for personal growth and professional development

The Mississippi State University School of Architecture provides a supportive environment for personal growth and professional development. Studio learning is a unique experience; our students have their own designated studio space in Giles Hall and have 24/7 access to that space. 

Life As A Student

Life After Graduation

Our alumni are working across the nation and world in a wide variety of careers. A few career possibilities with a Bachelor of Architecture degree:

Bachelor of Architecture

architect • architectural historian • architectural lawyer • architectural products and services • architectural renderer • bridge designer • building forensics • cartographer • computer animation (CGI) • computer graphics • construction manager • corporate architect • developer • educator • facilities architect • government architect • graphic design • historic preservation • industrial designer • interior architect • product (and furniture) design • public interest design • set designer • university architect • urban/city planner • registered architect • sales/marketing CAD software • web design

Our
Mission

To cultivate in our students independent thinking within an ethical framework that informs and challenges the contemporary practice of architecture through teaching, research, and service. To provide a professional education that intertwines the spatial, visual, technical, and conceptual content of architecture and graduates students to think synthetically, act fearlessly, understand practice as research, and make a regenerative contribution to the world.

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Our
Vision

The architectural inquiry of both faculty and students is grounded in the cultural, phenomenal, and material world. Our work engages the cultural richness of people and communities, the sensuous qualities of architecture, and the physical and ecological realities of making. Balanced between space making and form making, we anchor our work in our place and time, seeing the extraordinary and provocative qualities of our region as significant resources for architectural creation.

In support of this, the school is dedicated to:

Background Image Alternative Text: Close up of Architecture Smithville municipal structure model

Intellectual discipline.

The school guides students to engage in self-directed, self-motivated, and logical design research. Faculty and students are committed to developing methods of inquiry that lead to integrated and cohesive designs, engaging the wider world through field trips, exchange programs, and guest lecturers.

Deliberative making.

The school requires an iterative physical understanding of how things occupy space, make space, and operate in the larger world. Through making and evaluating things that are, students learn how to make architectural proposals for things that could be.

Integrated thinking.

The school encourages collaboration with other disciplines and promotes open discourse within the discipline as models for the practice of architecture. Students consider systemic interrelationships of scale in architectural design, from the macro-scale of global design to the micro-scale of the architectural detail.

Ethical action.

The school's outreach centers are committed to serving Mississippi communities and providing models for responsible practice that integrate with teaching and research.