Bachelor of Architecture Canada

The Bachelor of Science with concentration in Architecture (BSc Arch) is a pre-professional program based on the Bachelor of Science degree at Athabasca University, the BSc Arch program. The program consists of 120 credits but is designed to provide flexibility in delivery and duration.

Courses in the BSc Arch have been organized into 6 streams or areas of study. These are:

1. Technical (24 credits)
2. History (12 credits)
3. Theory (21 credits)
4. Communications (12 credits)
5. Professional Practice (15 credits)
6. Design Studios (36 credits)

Environmental sustainability is a major focus of these courses and studios.

Students who have an approved diploma or credentials in architecture may apply for the Post Diploma route and will be awarded 30 credits towards the BSc Arch (PD). Students may receive additional credits pending review of course content completed throughout the diploma program.

The BSc Arch will prepare graduates for the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Architecture (PBDA) at Athabasca University or to apply to a Masters program in Architecture at other institutions. It will also enable employment in a variety of capacities in the design and/or construction industries.

The BSc Arch program has been designed to meet the 25 performance standards of the Procedures and Standards for Assessment of Nonaccredited Degrees or Diplomas specified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).

Students with a Recognized Degree

Students who hold a recognized first degree, outside of the field of Architecture, and who are interested in the BSc Arch program and/or courses have two options:

1. Apply to enter a second undergraduate degree. The second degree must include 60 credits that were not part of the first degree, at least 30 of which must be completed at Athabasca. Preparatory (100) level courses cannot be used to fulfill the requirement of a second undergraduate degree.
2. Register as a non-program student and take courses of interest to them.

Specific Architecture Program Regulations

1. Athabasca University will not grant transfer credit for Science courses that were completed more than 10 years ago. Computer Science courses (COMP and CMIS) older than 5 years will be stale dated if students are not currently working in the field of Architecture.
2. To be awarded a BSc Arch degree, a minimum grade-point average of 2.3 is required in all Athabasca University courses used towards the degree. Students unable to obtain the required GPA will be requested to re-register in courses.

Transfer Credit

Note that all students from any program may be eligible for transfer credit from existing courses, diplomas and/or degree. In the Syllabus, students submit their credentials, transcripts and course outlines to the RAIC. In the General Interest route, students submit their credentials, transcripts and course outlines to Athabasca University.