About this program
Pursue the Bachelor of Architecture degree at Penn College and you’ll be primed for a career as a licensed architect. You’ll explore the historical and cultural significance of architecture, master modeling and design software, and learn the importance of promoting sustainable design. If you imagine creating inspired designs rooted in modern principles, this immersive five-year program will propel you in the direction of your dreams.
The architecture labs are undergoing major renovations for the Fall 2024 semester. Check out the details. →
The Bachelor of Architecture program is pursuing initial candidacy status for accreditation with the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
$82,840
Average Salary
24/7
Access to Design Studios
Shorten Your Pathway to Becoming a Licensed Architect
Careers
Potential employers:
- Architecture firms
- Engineering firms
- Environmental organizations
- Government agencies
Potential job titles:
- Architect
- Designer
- LEED specialist
- Project manager
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- Introduction to Architecture (ACH101)
- Architectural Graphics (ACH111)
- Architectural History (ACH112)
- Building Materials I (ACH119)
- Architectural Computer-Aided Drafting (ACH135)
- Building Materials II (ACH129)
- Construction Documents - Residential (ACH139)
- Building Codes & Accessibility (ACH141)
- Architectural Design Studio I (ACH181)
- Architectural Graphics II (ACH211)
- Construction Documents - Commercial (ACH239)
- Structural Principles (ACH243)
- Architectural Design Studio II (ACH261)
- Sustainability: Building & Living Green (ACH262)
- Computers & Estimating (ACH264)
- Environmental Systems (ACH240)
- Structural Applications (ACH253)
- Architectural Design Studio III (ACH281)
- Specified Architecture Elective (ARC)
- Architectural Design Studio IV (BSD332)
- Detailing & Applications (BSD340)
- Historic Preservation (BSD410)
- History of Modern Architecture (ACH272)
- Sustainable Community Planning & Design (BSD322)
- Architectural Design Studio V (BSD352)
- Renewable Energy Technologies (BSD420)
- Architectural Design Studio VI (BSD432)
- Architectural Theory (BSD442)
- Sustainable Rating Systems (BSD450)
- Architectural Design Studio VII (BSD452)
- Architectural Thesis Studio I (BSD472)
- Professional Practice (BSD482)
- Architectural Thesis Studio II (BSD492)
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
Facilities
Collaborative Studio Space
Mixed use studios carve out space for design presentation, computer work, and layout table with designated model-building areas.
Featured Videos
Virtual Tour
Think you have what it takes to design the future? Meet Professor Dorothy Gerring who will discuss the program and give you a tour of the hands-on studio spaces.
The Dr. Welch Workshop
The makerspace is an open workshop for all students. Take hands-on learning to the next level. Explore your creativity. Bring your ideas to light. Collaborate with others or work independently to test theories, explore ideas, and gain real-world skills to power your career.
Maker Profiles
Student
Alejandro Huaman
Architecture & Sustainable Design
He's an aspiring architect, guitarist, soccer player, runner, and self-taught barber. What's next?
Student
Megan Bugbee
Architecture & Sustainable Design
She's driven to succeed on the field and in the classroom.
Faculty
Naim Jabbour
Architecture & Sustainable Design
He's a true tomorrow maker who is determined to change the future for the better.
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.
Mar 1
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM
Apr 6
Undergraduate Open House
Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM
Internship
Your knowledge in practice
Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Industry
Lithko Contracting
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Industry
The Tri-M Group
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Automation Engineering
Building Construction
Construction Management
Electrical
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Workforce Development
Industry
Clark Associates, Inc.
Accounting & Business Administration
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Construction Management
Information Technology
Industry
Oldcastle Infrastructure
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Automated Manufacturing & Machining
Building Construction
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
Polymer Engineering
Industry
Allan Myers
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Civil Engineering
Collision Repair & Restoration
Construction Management
Diesel Truck, Heavy Equipment & Power Generation
Heavy Equipment Operations
Industry
High Construction Company
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Construction Management
Industry
Murray Associates Architects, PC
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Industry
JEM Group
Building Construction
Construction Management
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Industry
Outdoor Illumination & Irrigation Management
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Building Construction
Construction Management
Electrical
Landscape/Plant Production
Industry
JENA Engineering, Corporation
Architecture & Sustainable Design
Construction Management
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) at Penn College
Appreciate architecture with friends and make connections that last a lifetime. This organization focuses on building leadership skills and community outreach.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Lester shares tactics to retain employees at industry conference
Sunday, October 20, 2024
October's recruitment harvest continues
Saturday, October 19, 2024
'Build My Future' opens doors to explore
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Enrichment through site visits
Architecture students benefited from eye-opening visits to the Lycoming County Resource Management Services landfill in Allenwood and the John R. T. Ryan Restaurant & Brewery in a section of downtown Williamsport that recently underwent extensive redevelopment.
More Information
The Bachelor of Architecture program is pursuing initial candidacy status for accreditation with the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
In addition to the transfer standards established by the College, students seeking transfer credit from another institution for architecture program courses may be asked to submit examples of coursework to the architecture department head. Determination by the department head as to whether transfer credit is given will be based on alignment of the transfer course with Penn College course content and established NAAB Program and Student Criteria.
View the Architectural Technology Tool List
Architecture Related Software and Computer Specifications
Students in the Architecture Department programs are required to purchase their own laptop computers for use during our courses and labs. The minimum computer specifications below are based on the hardware requirements needed to run the software that we utilize including:
- Autodesk AutoCAD®
- Autodesk Revit®
- Adobe Photoshop®
- Act-3D Lumion®
- Microsoft Office®
Minimum Laptop Computer Requirements
- 64-bit Windows 10 or higher (recommended).
- Multi-core Intel Core i7 or i9 CPU running at 2.5 GHZ or higher (recommended).
- 32+ GB RAM (required).
- 1+ TB M.2 NVMe Drive (recommended).
- Dedicated 8+ GB graphics card (required).
- Video Display Resolution 1920 x 1080 (could be higher, but will impact Lumion® performance).
- Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
- Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
- Broadband Internet connection when working off campus.
- Additional plug-ins for software may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
- Multi-year support plan including accidental damage protection (recommended).
- The specifications above are based on requirements for Revit ® 2023 “Performance” system recommendations and Lumion® 12.5 “Recommended requirements”. Please review those sites to ensure your laptop meets the requirements.
- *Apple computers and Chromebooks are prohibited.
Tools are available for purchase through The College Store.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
- Mr. Larry Basile, '91, Executive Vice President, Supply Source, Inc.
- Mr. David W Daneker, '81, Construction Project Manager, UPMC Susquehanna
- Mr. Robert J Gehr, AIA, NCARB, '86, Vice President, Retail Design & Buildings, Larson Design Group, Inc.
- Mr. Jeff A LeFevre, '75, President, LeFevre Wilk Architects, LLC
- Ms. Erica Schreffler, '12, Architecture Project Coordinator, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates
- Mr. Brent A Stebbins, '88, Partner/Architect/Designer, RLPS Architects
- Mr. Anthony H Visco, Jr., '69, Owner, Anthony H. Visco, Jr., Architects
- Mr. Daniel Willis, Emeritus Professor of Architecture, Penn State University
