CAS: Architectural Studies
Sample Pathway
Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing a degree in architectural studies. Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the architectural studies department to plan their own pathway to an architectural studies degree.
| Semester I | Semester II | |
| Freshman Year | CGS Required Courses Elective* |
CGS Required Courses (London or Boston-New England semester) |
| Sophomore Year | CGS Required Courses CAS AH 111 CAS AH 201 |
CGS Required Courses CAS AH 398 Second Language (if needed) |
| Junior Year | Arch Hist Core or Studio Art Core elective** Arch Hist Core or Studio Art Core elective** CFA AR 412 (or CFA AR 428 in spring) Second Language (if needed) |
Arch Hist Core or Studio Art Core elective** Free elective in architecture-related course (1) Elective* Second Language (if needed) |
| Senior Year | Free elective in architecture-related course (2) Architectural History Seminar** Elective* Elective* Second Language (if needed) |
Architectural History Seminar** Free elective in architecture-related course (3) Arch Capstone Course (CAS AH 486)*** Elective* Elective* |
*Choose your non-major electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements. Architectural studies courses and electives by Hub unit can be found here. External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit.
**Architectural studies majors are required to take one studio art core elective and three upper-level architectural history core electives, one of which must be an architectural history seminar course (not 580). For lists of eligible architectural history core electives, architectural history seminar courses, studio art core electives, and free electives, see lists posted on the Architectural Studies Major webpage.
***Course is recommended, not required
College of General Studies Program Requirements
- Two rhetoric courses: CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104
- CGS RH 104 is taken during the London semester
- Two natural science courses: CGS NS 201 and CGS NS 202
- Three social science courses:
- CGS SS 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
- Students select at least two additional SS courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection
- Three humanities courses:
- CGS HU 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
- Students select at least two additional HU courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection
Major Requirements
The major in architectural studies requires the completion of 11 courses with a grade of “C” or higher in each course. In addition to the major’s 11 courses, students interested in graduate studies in architecture should take calculus (CAS MA 121 or 123) and physics (CAS PY 105). For more information about the major, please see the BU Bulletin.
For more information about the Architectural Studies program and its courses, please see the Architectural Studies webpage or contact Danny Abramson (dabr@bu.edu), Director of Architectural Studies, with any questions.
Study Abroad
Students pursuing the major in architectural studies are encouraged to consider applying for the Venice Architecture Studies program during the fall or spring term of the junior or senior year. More information on this program is available on BU Study Abroad’s website.
Continuation Requirements
- Completion of the CGS required courses and appropriate electives
- Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00
Graduation Requirements
Boston University students completing a degree in CAS must also complete the following requirements.
- BU Hub requirements
- CAS requirements:
- Architecture Studies major requirements
- CAS requires a minimum of 128 credits, excluding PDP, ROTC, and CAS FY and SY courses.
This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.
It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.
Last revised: 03/17/2025