Admissions
The Knowlton School of Architecture offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs across the three sections of the school. This article discusses the admissions requirements for each of these programs.
Undergraduate Admissions
The Knowlton School currently offers undergraduate programs in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Undergraduate students should apply directly to The Ohio State University Admissions Office. Students enroll in the Knowlton School as a pre-major student for the first year. Admission to each program is awarded on a competitive basis at the end of the first year, and is based on the following criteria:
- Completion of each major's prerequisite courses (see below)
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75, including the secondary grade point average for the prerequisite courses
- A review of the design portfolio that is developed in Architecture 202 / Landscape Architecture 151
- A statement of intent (Landscape Architecture only)
- Required courses for the Architecture program
- Architecture 200: Outlines of Architecture
- Architecture 202: Introduction to Basic Design in Architecture
- Math 150: Elementary Functions
- Math 117: Survey of Calculus
- Physics 111: General Physics: Mechanics and Heat
- Required courses for the Landscape Architecture program
- Landscape Architecture 151: Landscape Architecture Design I
- Geology 121: Physical Geology
- Other courses as necessary to complete 45 credit hours
Please note that the admissions committee favors exceptional applicants over those who simply fulfill minimum requirements.
Portfolios and academic records are reviewed during the summer with applicants being notified by mid-summer of their acceptance into the program. The curriculum is sequenced so that students must begin the program in the Autumn Quarter.
Transfer Students
Any student interested in transferring should first consult with an academic advisor. Transfer students must complete all prerequisites and submit a portfolio. Architecture or Landscape Architecture coursework from two-year or technical degree programs will not count toward major courses.
Honors Program
First-year students who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class and earn at least a 29 ACT score are eligible for the University's Honors Program. Pre-major students who are admitted to the university with honors status for Autumn Quarter may be guaranteed admission to their major program, provided certain academic criteria are met during the student's first year.
Click here to find out more about the KSA's Honors Program
Scholars Program
An Architecture Scholars program is available to first-year students who rank in the top 20% of their high school class and earn a 25-28 ACT score. This program is designed to provide students who intend to major in architecture or landscape architecture with unique opportunities during their first year. Students must apply to this program by February 1. Admitted students live together in a campus residence hall, enroll in core courses together, and participate in various travel and related opportunities. In the past, Scholars students traveled to Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Chicago; and traveled abroad to London, England for a ten-day Spring Break trip.
Click here to find out more about the KSA’s Scholars Program
Prospective Student Visits
A visit to Ohio State and the Knowlton School of Architecture is highly recommended! Visits should be reserved in advance and can be made online at http://campusvisit.osu.edu. An Admissions Overview & Tour will introduce you to the campus and the University's admission criteria. Students can also schedule an Architecture and Landscape Architecture Overview & Tour on this website.
Contact Information
Official Ohio State University application materials can be received by contacting:
OSU Undergraduate Admissions Office
The Ohio State University
110 Enarson Hall
154 W. 12th Ave
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 292-2980
Web: http://undergrad.osu.edu
Email: askabuckeye@osu.edu
KSA Undergraduate Advising Office
Knowlton School of Architecture
275 West Woodruff Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1138
Phone: (614) 292-1012
Fax: (614) 688-7969
Email: ugadvisor@knowlton.osu.edu
Graduate Admissions
Read an open letter to all prospective graduate students (64 kb PDF)
Architecture and Landscape Architecture
Applicants to the professional Master of Architecture: 2 year program are invited from students holding a pre-professional degree (BS Arch or equivalent) that is part of an NAAB accredited program and students holding four-year architecture degrees from accredited foreign universities.
Applications to the professional Master of Architecture: 3 year program are invited from students holding bachelor degrees in disciplines other than architecture from accredited universities. Successful applicants may be required to take ARCH 200 and 202 prior to Autumn Quarter registration.
Applications to the non-professional Master of Architectural Studies program are invited from students wishing to intensively study a specific area within architecture.
Applicants for the first-professional degreen program (MLA I) must submit documentation that demonstrates an earned baccalaureate or professional degree from an accredited college or university.
Individuals applying for the second-professional degree program (MLA II) must normally have earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) or a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from a landscape architecture program accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Required Materials
All requests for official University application materials should be addressed to the University Graduate School Admissions Office. Applications for all programs must be received by January 1 (for Architecture) or January 15 (for Landscape Architecture) and contain the following:
- Completed University Graduate School admission application form.
- Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test results.
- Students whose native language is not English are required to submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-minimum 575), its computer-based version (CBT-minmum 233), or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB-minimum 82).
- A resume and statement of purpose and goals.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Portfolio of recent work (see additional notes below).
- A curriculum vitae/resume of no more than two pages is required of all applicants who wish to be consered for a Graduate School Fellowship (both University and Enrichment).
Items 1-4 should be sent to The Ohio State University Graduate School Admissions Office.
Items 2 and 5-8 and any inquiries should be sent to the Architecture Graduate Studies office.
Architecture Portfolio
Print portfolio of recent academic, professional, or individual visual work. The format of this printed portfolio is left to the discretion of the applicant, but it must not exceed 8.5 by 11 inches and the name of the applicant and the program to which he/she is applying should be clearly marked.
Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Portfolio of recent academic, professional, or individual design work in an 8.5 by 11-inch bound notebook.
City and Regional Planning
Masters Program
Admission requirements include the following:
- A baccalaureate or professional degree from a department of approved standing and granted by an accredited college or university. Applicants who file an application during the final year of academic work toward a baccalaureate or professional degree will be considered for admission pending the subsequent filing of satisfactory transcripts showing final course work and degree awarded.
- In general, a 3.0 or better cumulative point-hour ratio for all previous undergraduate academic work; and a minimum of a 3.3 cumulative point-hour ratio in all previous graduate work.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's program and scholastic ability.
- A statement of intent, a brief biographical sketch including a statement of purpose and goals, and a resume.
- The Graduate Record Examination is required for applicants having a cumulative point-hour ration below 3.0. However, the exam is recommended for those applying for financial aid.
- Examples of the applicant's work may be submitted.
- A minimum score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or of 86 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). This applies only to an application from a country where the first language is not English, unless a degree has been earned in an English-speaking country.
Applications must be received by the Admissions Office by August 15, December 1, March 1, or June 1 for the autumn, winter, spring, and summer quarters respectively. Deadlines for international students are July 1, November 1, February 1, and May 1 respectively. It is recommended that applications be submitted much earlier, especially if one has interest in financial aid.
Ph.D Program
Applications to the Ph.D. program are accepted from students about to complete their baccalaureate programs, from students who have completed or are completing a master's program in city and regional planning or a related field, and from students who are currently enrolled in the department's master's degree program. The department places no restrictions on previous fields of study. However, the Ph.D. program is highly selective as the faculty is committed to a small, high-quality program that permits interaction and research collaboration.
Students are selected on evidence of their ability to successfully complete the required course work, general examination, and dissertation. The formal application requirements are similar to those of the master's degree program, except that the Graduate Record Examination is required of all applicants for the doctoral degree, and applicants should submit examples of their work and clear statements of study plans and career objectives.
Further detailed discussion is available in the online Ph.D. manual. Prospective applicants should contact the Chairperson of the Ph.D. Committee in the Department at the earliest possible date to discuss the application process.
Contact Information
OSU Graduate School Admissions Office
The Ohio State University
Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, OH 43210-1200
Phone: (614) 292-9444
Fax: (614) 292-3895
Web: http://www.osu.edu/prospective
KSA Graduate Programs Coordinator
Knowlton School of Architecture
275 West Woodruff Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1138
Phone: (614) 292-8370
Fax: (614) 688-7969
Email: ksagradinfo@knowlton.osu.edu