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Background Image Alternative Text: Fine Arts major Garrett Seal paints a building on the MSU campus drill field En plein air style (in preparation for his senior thesis).
Background Image Alternative Text: architectural models close up

Overview

One of the smaller colleges on campus, the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) prides itself on low student to faculty ratios (average 15:1) and considers itself a close-knit “community.” CAAD is continuously at the top of Mississippi State University rankings on a national student survey relating to educational experience and engagement with faculty, and all four departments are nationally accredited.

All majors within the College of Architecture, Art and Design engage in studio-based, hands-on learning. Studio learning is a unique experience; our students have a designated studio space and have 24/7 access to work. 

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Student Organizations

There are 16 student organizations (and growing!) within CAAD - something for everyone!

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Background Image Alternative Text: students carve pumpkins at AIGA-sponsored Halloween event
Background Image Alternative Text: an MSU fashion club student walks down the runway created by architecture NOMAS students in Giles Hall in front of a large audience. She is wearing an outfit out of recycled material design by an architecture student - looks to be newspaper

Collaboration

The college values collaboration between majors, across campus, and with industry professionals. In their senior year, students from all of our disciplines come together to work in teams on a competitive design project. Sponsored by the Birmingham, AL-based construction firm Brasfield and Gorrie, the project winners receive scholarship money to put toward their studies!

Construction and Architecture students come together for two full semesters in our innovative Collaborative Studio to work together on actual design-build projects. Past projects include designing and building bus shelters for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, restroom facilities and golf cart shelters for the university golf course, facilities on campus, a shelter for the Boy Scouts of America, and more.

Learn More about Collaboration in the College of Architecture, Art and Design

Background Image Alternative Text: Architecture student Rashida Momoh sitting at desk in Giles studio

Living Learning Community

The College of Architecture, Art and Design Living Learning Community (LLC) provides freshmen in the college an opportunity to live and learn together. With studio-based learning as the predominant teaching methodology in the college, this community provides CAAD students a context in which to network, study, and work together as they acclimate to this unique learning format.

To accommodate students of varying financial means, the CAAD Living Learning Community is housed in Deavenport and Hull Halls. Students benefit from the close proximity of both residence halls to the 24/7 use of the studios in the college. Students will also have opportunities for tutoring on-site and will have access to study areas where they can gather and form a support network.

Students in the community will take the following courses together:

Freshmen Year Experience “True Maroon” class (1 credit hour):
Meets with the heads of all the four departments in the college (architecture, art, building construction science, and interior design) as well as exposes students to visiting lectures and art gallery exhibitions.

Drawing I (3 credit hours):
The Freehand Drawing class is required for most CAAD students and is recommended for all.

For more information, contact Associate Dean Jeffrey Haupt or visit Housing and Residence Life at MSU.

Background Image Alternative Text: Mississippi State University interior design students visited The Today Show in New York on their 2012 field trip.
Background Image Alternative Text: Mississippi State University building construction science seniors visited The United Nations in New York on their 2016 annual field trip.

Field Trips

Field trips are an important component of education for students in the College of Architecture, Art and Design. Each program offers varying levels of field trips to students. Students prepare for these trips by engaging in research and producing case studies. The time on site is divided between structured visits to important buildings, museums, and offices, and free time for students to explore on their own.

Over the years, field trip destinations have included metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati.

In addition to longer field trips, students also participate in local and regional field trips. These trips are not only planned in conjunction with the design studios, but also complement lecture courses and may last a few hours or require an overnight stay.

Study Abroad

The College of Architecture, Art, and Design at Mississippi State University believes students in our college need exposure to art, design, construction, and culture abroad. We encourage all students to take advantage of opportunities to explore academic opportunities outside of the U.S. 

Where CAAD Can Take You

Background Image Alternative Text: a student takes in the views with her arms stretched up on the Mississippi State University College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) Rome Program, Summer study abroad. The student was on a class field trip to Orvieto, Italy.

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About Student Life

All majors within the College of Architecture, Art and Design engage in studio-based, hands-on learning. Studio learning is a unique experience; our students have a designated studio space and have 24/7 access to work. 

Architecture Student Life Art Student Life BCS Student Life Interior Design Student Life