Department of Architecture

Welcome to the Department of Architecture at Thomas Jefferson University.

Architecture has the power to shape healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable communities. At Jefferson, we believe architects have both the opportunity and the responsibility to improve lives through thoughtful, inclusive, and innovative design. Our programs combine design excellence with community engagement, preparing graduates to address the complex environmental, social, cultural, and technological challenges shaping the built environment today and in the future.

Our faculty are accomplished educators, researchers, and practitioners who bring diverse expertise and real-world experience into the studio and classroom. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum that balances design theory with practical application while mastering the tools of contemporary professional practice - including advanced digital design, computational workflows, visualization, Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital fabrication, emerging AI-enabled design platforms, and sustainable building technologies. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and community-engaged projects, students develop the critical thinking, technical skills, creativity, leadership, and professional competencies needed to excel in an evolving profession.

The Department of Architecture offers two distinct undergraduate pathways. The five-year Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) is a NAAB-accredited professional degree that provides a direct path toward architectural licensure. The four-year Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies offers a flexible, interdisciplinary foundation in architecture and the built environment, with concentrations in Historic Preservation and Real Estate Development, as well as accelerated dual-degree opportunities leading to graduate study. Students may continue through our 4+2 Master of Architecture (MArch) pathway or participate in the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL), allowing qualified students to begin completing licensure requirements while earning their professional degree.

Preparing students for successful careers is central to our mission. Strong partnerships with the professional community including more than 250 architecture firms in the Greater Philadelphia region provide opportunities for internships, mentoring, networking, and collaborative projects that connect classroom learning with professional practice. Supported by the Marianne Able Career Services Center, our students receive individualized career guidance, portfolio development, interview preparation, and employer connections. As a result, our graduates consistently achieve outstanding outcomes, with 95–100% securing employment in the profession or enrolling in graduate school within six months of graduation.

Whether your aspirations lead to professional architecture, historic preservation, urban design, community design, interior design, real estate, research, or other allied professions, Jefferson provides the knowledge, mentorship, interdisciplinary experiences, and industry connections to help you build a meaningful and impactful career.

I invite you to explore our programs and discover how the Department of Architecture can help you shape the future of the built environment. We look forward to welcoming you to our creative and collaborative community.

Barbara Klinkhammer, RA (DEU), Dipl-Ing
Interim Chair, Department of Architecture
Dean, College of Architecture, Design & Engineering
Thomas Jefferson University