Director's Welcome
Clemson University and the School of Architecture are committed to teaching, research, and service. For more than 100 years, Clemson has been a leader in architectural education focused on serving the state of South Carolina and the professions engaged with designing the built environment. We have undergraduate and graduate programs recognized among the short list of "America's Best" – the most admired and most hired-from programs – by Design Intelligence magazine. The School of Architecture has unique programs, locations, and initiatives that provide an academically comprehensive community for students, faculty and staff.
The School of Architecture provides a rich selection of degree offerings focused on the built environment. We offer undergraduate degrees in both architecture and landscape architecture. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in architecture provides a strong foundation in architectural studies. It prepares students to pursue numerous career paths while preparing them for graduate studies in architecture and other related fields. The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) degree is the first professional degree that provides students with an undergraduate path to professional licensure in landscape architecture. The Master of Architecture (M.Arch) and the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) have multiple plans of study to suit students coming from a diverse array of undergraduate disciplines and experiences. A two-year (60 credit hour) path is available and attracts participants who hold undergraduate degrees within their field of study from institutions across the United States and worldwide. A three-year (90 credit hour) plan of study is also offered, drawing participants with backgrounds ranging from architecture and landscape architecture to the humanities to the sciences and more. The M.Arch and the MLA degrees are professionally accredited and meet professional licensure requirements. In parallel to the M.Arch degree, the School of Architecture offers an M.Arch in Architecture + Health. This unique graduate offering prepares students to enter the field of architecture with specialized knowledge of the healthcare industry. The School of Architecture provides a Master of Science in Historic Preservation degree. The Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP) degree is a two-year (60 credit hour) plan of study. MSHP students gain expertise in the documentation, preservation, and stewardship of historic resources. Students in the MSHP program gain expertise in urban resilience strategies focused on health, infrastructure, environment, economy, leadership and strategy. Additionally, the School of Architecture offers a Master of Resilient Urban Design (MRUD) program, which is a one-year (36 credit hour) program located in Charleston. The School also offers a Master of City and Regional Planning program, which is a two-year (48 credit hour) program. As the only graduate planning program in South Carolina, the program plays a pivotal role in the development of the planning profession in the state and region. All graduate programs have affiliated faculty contributing to the School of Architecture's postgraduate Ph.D. in Design and the Built Environment (DBE). Students in the DBE program work with affiliate faculty in their chosen field of study and are provided opportunities for research and teaching. The collection of undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Architecture offers comprehensive studies in the built environment, providing entry points of study for all levels of post-secondary students.
The School of Architecture operates a unique model of education we call the Fluid Campus.™ All undergraduate students are required to study for one semester in a fluid campus location, and all graduate architecture and landscape architecture students are allowed to study at a fluid campus during their time at Clemson. We operate three fluid campus locations in Genoa, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and Charleston, in the low country. Each location provides a unique urban, social, and ecological context for students to study and understand. The opportunity to design in a global context prepares our students for 21st-century practice while providing a life-changing experience.
Clemson University is an R1 Carnegie Classification institution, the highest ranking for research institutions. The School of Architecture operates research institutes and centers that facilitate faculty and student research. The Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing (CHFD+T) uses interdisciplinary design research to improve healthcare environments through better architecture and building design. Graduate and postgraduate students work alongside faculty to study the relationship between the physical healthcare environment and clinical outcomes. The Community Research + Design Center (CR+DC) works with community stakeholders to promote effective procedures and policies in the built environment. Students and faculty engage in applied research through community engagement and design-build projects that promote a strong economy and quality of life. The Institute for Intelligent Materials, Systems and Environments (iMSE) researches digital and human-machine solutions to better understand shifts occurring in the design and occupation of the built environment. Students and faculty work with new technology and seek solutions for rapid changes in industry and practice. Additionally, School of Architecture faculty and students participate in the Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D). The WU+D is a multidisciplinary research institute for foresters, architects, engineers, and building construction scientists seeking design advancement in wood-based construction materials. With a robust collection of research institutes and centers along with the associated faculty and facilities, the School of Architecture maintains the highest level of research for the built environment.
A common focus of all the School of Architecture programs is to fulfill the University's land-grant mission by engaging with the state's citizens to improve the built environment. We also work to maintain a supportive, collegial atmosphere that encourages productivity and innovation. Our enthusiasm for design and our pride in our work is best experienced in person. We welcome you to visit us at Lee Hall and to meet our exceptional faculty and students.
Jim Stevens, AIA, P.hD.
Director + Professor
