Architecture

General Planning Tips for Architecture

Start planning for your study abroad experience early. Create a plan for study abroad during fall and/or spring advising in your first year at KU, or as early as possible. You can take Architecture courses and general education electives abroad and still stay on track for graduation.
Master of Architecture students are required to study abroad. Summer and winter break programs fulfill the study abroad requirement. Semester programs also fulfill the study abroad requirement but not the degree's total credit hour requirement. Six to nine hours of additional ARCH electives may need to be completed.
Students must apply through the Architecture Department selection process before applying to Study Abroad & Global Engagement. Note that student initiated programs are not approved.
Scholarships are available for study abroad both through KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement and national organizations. Additionally, need based study abroad scholarships are available for KU Architecture students. Architecture students are automatically considered for scholarships when they apply to a KU study abroad program. For more information, contact the Architecture Department.

You can participate in a summer or winter break study abroad program as a first or second year student after you have completed ARCH 208 or ARCH 502.
For full semester or academic year study abroad, you cannot go during your first or second year. Use this time to prepare and identify a program that fits your needs.
Schedule a meeting with your architecture advisor during your first year at KU to discuss your degree plan and identify specific courses as well as specific timing opportunities for your study abroad experience.
After you’ve met with your academic advisor, continue your program research by visiting the KU Study Abroad Info Center in Lippincott Hall. Study abroad peer advisors can help you to identify suitable study abroad options based upon the information you received from your advisor.
Studying abroad for academic year and full semester programs usually requires two letters of recommendation, so it’s good to start identifying individuals who can speak to your academic qualifications as well as your ability to be successful during an international experience.
If you plan to study abroad for a full fall semester when you are a third year student, you will need to start your study abroad application during early spring semester of your second year.

As a third and fourth year student, you can participate in summer and winter break study abroad programs once you have completed ARCH 208 or ARCH 502.
The ideal time for Master of Architecture students to study abroad for a full semester is during their third year. Application deadlines are typically March 1st for fall programs and Oct. 1st for spring programs. Please note that semester study abroad programs are not permitted during 4th year.
You can take three or four architecture courses and one or two general elective courses during a semester abroad.

During your fifth year, you can fulfill the architecture study abroad requirement by participating in a summer program between fourth and fifth year or a winter break program at the end of fall semester of your fifth year. Alternatively, you can participate in the Architecture Internships in Asia Program during the summer before your 5th year and fall semester of your 5th year or in the Study & Intern in Paris Program, which is an academic year program.
If you plan to study abroad in the summer before fifth year, you'll need to complete the application by March 1st (or earlier) during your fourth year.
For study abroad during winter break the deadlines are typically October 1st.
The application deadline for both internship programs will be March 15th of your 4th year.

Architecture faculty have already pre-approved a number of architecture courses abroad. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Equivalencies Database.
If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.

Term: Spring semester - third year
Sample Courses: arch. theory elective, general ed. elective

Term: Fall semester - third year
Sample Courses: ARCH 508, arch. theory elective, general ed. elective

Term: Spring semester - third year
Sample Courses: arch. theory elective, general ed. elective

Term: Spring semester - third year
Sample Courses: ARCH 508, general ed. electives

Term: Spring semester - third year
Sample Courses: arch. theory elective, architecture electives, general ed. electives

Term and coursework information for short-term programs:

You can participate in a summer or winter break study abroad program as a second year student after you have completed ARCH 208 or ARCH 502.

Coursework earned on KU Architecture faculty-led programs varies by degree program and year of entry into the degree program as follows:

M.ARCH I who entered in:

AY19-20, AY20-21, and AY21-22: A total of 8 credits- ARCH 690 (5 credits) + ARCH 692 (3 credits)
AY 22-23: ARCH 690 (6 credits)
AY 23-24: ARCH 690 (6 credits)

M.ARCH II students:

IA students: