The Department of Architecture offers fully accredited professional degree programs in Architecture (BArch and MArch—accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board), and is home to more than 700 students. We also offer post-professional degrees, including a Masters of Science in Architecture and a PhD program in Sustainability.
Programs and activities such as the urban architecture concentration located in Portland’s Northeast campus provide unique opportunities for focused study. The Ecological Design Certificate allows graduate students to earn additional recognition for acquiring specific expertise. Collaborations with other programs within the College of Design provide opportunities to engage in explorations that involve interior architecture, landscape architecture, planning, historic preservation, product design, history of art and architecture, and art.
The Department of Architecture also offers a minor in architecture. The College of Design offers additional undergraduate minors in interior architecture, art history, fine and applied arts, landscape architecture, and planning, public policy and management. Graduate students may select a concentration of coursework from the school’s other graduate programs as well. Undergraduate architecture students often choose minors (and sometimes a double major) offered by other colleges and schools at the UO. The most popular are: business, international studies, music, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German, French, dance, theater, ethnic studies, and environmental studies.
We offer numerous study abroad opportunities in Italy, Japan, Germany, Finland, and Denmark. For those wanting real-world building experience, designBridge is an interdisciplinary, student-run group that provides design and design-build services for non-profit community organizations. Cultivating a forum for dialogue and networking opportunities between students and professionals practicing ecological and sustainable design, the student-led Ecological Design Center hosts the HOPES (Holistic Opportunities for Planet Earth Sustainability Conference) each spring.
A Culture of Collaboration
Our programs in architecture and interior architecture emphasize collaboration and a noncompetitive but rigorous learning environment. Studio work is evaluated using individualized discussion and written assessments rather than letter grades, and a supportive studio culture is encouraged through facilitated peer teaching and teamwork. The department doesn't dictate a specific design aesthetic or ideology, but encourages intellectual inquiry as the basis for design exploration.
Responsible Design
The Department of Architecture is dedicated to recognizing designers’ accountability for their impact on environmental, social, and cultural systems. Studio teaching serves as the primary means of integrating all design issues (e.g., cultural, social and behavioral, environmental, contextual, technological, theoretical, economic, political, and professional), resulting in meaningful design achievements.
Innovation and Leadership
The department is nationally recognized for the achievements of its faculty and students in innovation and environmental sustainability research including the design of buildings and communities. Student organizations assume leadership roles in curriculum development, extracurricular programs, and community service. Graduates are broadly educated designers who attain leadership positions in the professions of architecture and allied fields.
University of Oregon in Portland
Portland’s creative arts and design community is recognized for its do-it-yourself culture and creative collaborations. From film and television production to arts education, Portland artists and designers have contributed to the quality of the life of this vibrant city. Students at the UO in Portland have worked with a number of nonprofit organizations, other academic institutions, and with industry leaders as part of their professional education and creative pursuits.
Learn more about the School of Architecture & Environment's Portland Programs.