Academic Programs

Carleton’s undergraduate program in Architecture is unique in Canada. Students applying to the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) program choose from among three majors: 1) Design, 2) Urbanism, and 3) Conservation & Sustainability. The three majors follow parallel, but specialized, curricula.

While each is design-oriented, the majors focus on different aspects and scales of the built environment. All three BAS majors offer Directed Studies Abroad (DSA) opportunities in the third year of studies and include a co-op option. All three majors prepare students to continue on to professional studies in architecture at the Masters level – or to advanced degrees in related disciplines. 

M.Arch: The Master of Architecture is an accredited professional degree program committed to preparing future architects for a culturally rich, technologically dynamic, and globalized world. A rigorous studio and research pedagogy invites students to take critical positions on design, culture, technology, and the city. In their final year, students spend two full semesters working on a thesis project; these make innovative contributions to architectural, technological, and humanistic research. Courses in the history and theory of architecture, advanced building systems, and digital tools and techniques contribute to a rich curriculum of creative and intellectual exploration. Options for the M.Arch course of study include two pathways: the 3-Year M.Arch (for students without a pre-professional undergraduate honors degree in architecture), and the 2-Year M.Arch with Advanced Standing (MArch; for students with pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture),

The PhD in Architecture and Master in Architectural Studies (MAS, post-professional) are innovative and comprehensive programs inviting students to engage in critical forms of historical research oriented to contribute to architectural practice. The PhD rigorously prepares graduates for academic and professional fields. The MAS is intended for students wishing to pursue in-depth research on matters of architectural concern. Both programs aim at developing multidisciplinary and multimethod approaches to individual scholarship.

The Graduate Diploma in Architectural Conservation (GDAC) augments the existing professional Master of Architecture (MArch) with a focus on architectural conservation. The Graduate Diploma is taught by a team of multidisciplinary experts and consists of four credits dealing specifically with the theory and practice of architectural conservation, challenges in adaptive reuse, advanced digital technology and condition assessment, evaluation of heritage properties, urban studies and repairing historical structures. The program is designed to provide graduates with specific knowledge and skills in the process of decision making in architectural conservation.