<p>Son wants to combine his interest in architecture, environmental science and urban planning. We have found large universities that have all 3 majors but I think my son would be happier in a smaller traditional college/university (1,000 to 7,000 students). He would also like to be near or in a city. We are from New England but would consider looking at schools in the Mid Atlantic and Southeastern states. Anyone have some suggestions?</p>
<p>Rice University is outside your region, but it does have programs in all 3 (or similar) fields. It’s small (~3800 undergrads) and is in a city (Houston).</p>
<p>Design Intelligence rated Rice the #3 undergraduate architecture program in the country this year. The Rice School of Architecture offers a B. Arch. degree as well as a B.A. degree. Urban Studies is one of the B.A. concentrations. Environmental Studies is a concentration in the School of Natural Sciences.</p>
<p>Notre Dame
Washington U (St. Louis)</p>
<p>Cities Program at Bryn Mawr. As a guy, he’d go to Haverford and be allowed to do the major a Bryn Mawr. Anything else he needed he could pick up through the consortium with UPenn and Swarthmore.</p>
<p>While you might find a number of schools that offer all of these areas of interest, it will be difficult to find major programs that would accommodate all of these interests, especially at a smaller school.</p>
<p>Here are some programs at smaller schools that combine urban studies and environmental studies:
Birmingham-Southern: [The</a> Urban Environment Studies Program Home Page](<a href=“http://www.bsc.edu/academics/env-studies/]The”>The Urban Environmental Studies Program at BSC)
Bard: [Bard</a> College | Environmental and Urban Studies](<a href=“http://eus.bard.edu/]Bard”>http://eus.bard.edu/)
Occidental: [Urban</a> & Environmental Policy | Occidental College | The Liberal Arts College in Los Angeles](<a href=“http://www.oxy.edu/urban-environmental-policy]Urban”>Urban & Environmental Policy)</p>
<p>Prescott (Sustainable Community Development): [Sustainability</a> Studies](<a href=“http://www.prescott.edu/explore/campus-and-fieldstations/departments-and-offices/sustainability/sustainability-studies.html]Sustainability”>http://www.prescott.edu/explore/campus-and-fieldstations/departments-and-offices/sustainability/sustainability-studies.html)
Northland (Sustainable Community Development): [Program:</a> Sustainable Community Development Major (B.A.) - Northland College - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“Program: Sustainable Community Development Major (B.A.) - Northland College - Acalog ACMS™”>Program: Sustainable Community Development Major (B.A.) - Northland College - Acalog ACMS™)</p>
<p>For architecture, look for programs that offer a focus on sustainable architecture:
[Green</a> Architecture Schools - Sustainable Architecture Degrees | My School of Architecture](<a href=“http://myschoolofarchitecture.com/green-architecture-schools-sustainable-architecture-degrees/]Green”>http://myschoolofarchitecture.com/green-architecture-schools-sustainable-architecture-degrees/)
[ULSF</a> | University Leaders For A Sustainable Future | RESOURCES : Sustainability Sites](<a href=“http://www.ulsf.org/resources_sust_degrees_arch.htm]ULSF”>http://www.ulsf.org/resources_sust_degrees_arch.htm)</p>
<p>Landscape architecture also combines aspects of environmental science and planning.</p>
<p>Also, geography is a field to consider for an undergrad major (if taken with the pre-architecture requirements) since it combines aspects of environmental studies and urban studies/planning. Again, it is a major more commonly found at larger schools.</p>
<p>The first thing your son has to decide is if he wants a Bachelor’s of Architecture program (B.Arch) or a BA/BS in architectural studies or something related, like studio art, art history or environmental science.</p>
<p>Depending on the program, some B.Arch programs may involve exposure to urban planning and environmental science, but in general B.Arch programs are narrowly focused on architecture and don’t allow for much experimentation outside of the curriculum. They are designed to be the fastest (and therefore least expensive) route to becoming an architect, but require a serious commitment to that end. With a B.Arch he can begin the architectural licensing process right after graduation.</p>
<p>If he chooses a BA or BS in architecture studies – OR ANY OTHER MAJOR – he would have to continue on to graduate school for an M.Arch. The advantage of the BA/BS + M.Arch is that it allows for a wider undergraduate experience in the liberal arts with more room for experimentation across disciplines.</p>
<p>I would stress that it’s not necessary for the BA/BS to be in architecture or architectural studies. The top M.Arch programs admit students with a wide range of educational backgrounds – as long as they fulfill the entrance requirements which generally include some art, art history, physics and calculus. The portfolio is critically important and summer internships and work experience help. </p>
<p>Many small liberal arts colleges have excellent track records in sending their graduates to top M.Arch programs, even if they don’t offer an architecture major per se. Look for strength in studio art, art history, environmental science. Also look at the M.Arch advising facilities, architectural internship and summer job placement and industry networking.</p>
<p>The BA/BS + M.Arch is a common route for many architects and it is also increasingly common for architects to have multiple graduate degrees, e.g., M.Arch + Urban Planning, Landscape, Real Estate, Business etc.</p>