Marywood has brought me so many wonderful experiences throughout my 4 years of attendance. The architecture program helped guide me into the career I always dreamt of pursu...
The four-year, pre-professional Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (BEDA) degree at Marywood University is an excellent pathway for students pursuing careers in the design of the built environment or preparing for graduate study in architecture. While distinct from the professional BArch degree, this rigorous program is closely aligned with top BArch programs, giving students a competitive edge in both academic and professional settings.
Marywood students who complete the Environmental Design degree are eligible for up to 60 credits of advanced standing in the Master of Interior Architecture program, creating a seamless transition to further specialized study.
This environmentally focused architecture degree emphasizes how design impacts the physical, social, and ecological systems around us. Students in the BEDA program explore the intersection of aesthetics and sustainability, preparing for careers in architecture, planning, and related fields—or future enrollment in a Bachelor of Architecture or BArch degree program.
The BEDA curriculum includes:
Eight sequential semesters of design studios, building in complexity and culminating in an integrative building design project
Building technology courses that introduce structures, environmental systems, renewable energy strategies, and passive design principles for energy-efficient buildings
Hybrid representation courses that include hand drawing, model making, digital rendering, animation, and fabrication—essential skills for architecture and design fields
Architectural history and theory courses exploring how cultural, political, philosophical, and religious influences shape the meaning and relevance of the built environment
Electives in specialized topics such as community design build, global urban ecologies, architectural detailing, lighting design, and materials and methods
A required semester abroad at ISI Florence (International Studies Institute), located in the historic Palazzo Rucellai in Italy
This program supports students who want to make a difference through design—providing the foundation to address the urgent environmental challenges shaping the future of architecture.
International Interior Design Association, Women in Architecture and Design, National Organization for Minority Architecture Students
Center for Architectural Studies has open studios with an individual workspace for each student »
From June 20 to June 27, 2026, students are invited to explore the world of architecture through Marywood’s Design Your Future Program, an immersive eight-day experience filled with creative design challenges, studio sessions, and workshops.
Participants gain hands-on experience in sustainable design and architecture, guided by practicing professionals and expert faculty. The program includes tours and demos in our fabrication labs and design studios, featuring wood and metal fabrication, 3D printing and laser cutting, CNC routine, and digital tools used for sustainable building design.
This is a valuable opportunity for high school and early college students who want to preview life in an architecture program — especially those considering an environmental architecture degree focused on addressing the most urgent design challenges of our time.
Learn More About Design Your Future
Marywood has brought me so many wonderful experiences throughout my 4 years of attendance. The architecture program helped guide me into the career I always dreamt of pursu...
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
Completed application
Official transcripts
Letter of recommendation
Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (Marywood is test optional)
Essay (optional)
In some cases, where students learn can be as important as what they learn. Where it can be a modern urban center or a historic city like Florence, or it can be a building so innovative in its design that it becomes a partner in the educational experience. Such is the case with Marywood’s Center for Architectural Studies, which houses the School of Architecture.
The School of Architecture is a state-of-the-art example of sustainable design. It's a spacious, adaptive re-use of Marywood's former gymnasium and natatorium. It features:
A two-story commons under a continuous skylight harvests abundant natural light throughout the day and serves as the building's "agora" - an open, shared, central space for educational exchanges among students and faculty. This is an ideal place for group discussions, debates, displays, and project critiques.
Entrance to the building with student work displayed
A two-story commons under a continuous skylight harvests abundant natural light throughout the day and serves as the building's "agora" - an open, shared, central space for educational exchanges among students and faculty. This is an ideal place for group discussions, debates, displays, and project critiques.
Every student is provided an individual work space with a drawing board, personal storage area, pin-up wall, and space for a laptop.
It features:
The Cloud Room (CAS 251) is located on the second level of the Center for Architectural Studies, above the lobby. Including only chairs without desks, it is not considered a traditional classroom space. The Cloud Room is used by the School of Architecture as a meeting space and as a location for architecture lectures and guest speakers.
Morris K. Udall Scholarship
The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.
The four-year Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (BEDA) degree program at Marywood is a pre-professional degree. Marywood offers advanced standing in their professional Master of Architecture (MARCH) and Master of Interior Architecture (MIA) programs for students with undergraduate degrees in Environmental Design, Architecture, Interior Architecture, Virtual Architecture, and Construction Management. Most jurisdictions require the addition of a professional Master of Architecture to become an architect.
The Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture degree program requires study abroad in the third year at Marywood’s education partner, the International Studies Institute Florence (ISI). Students with extenuating circumstances outlined in the MUSOA Study Abroad Policy may apply for an exemption.
A minimum grade of “C” is required in order to fulfill the University’s requirement of design competency in each of the following studio courses: ARCH 110, ARCH 120, ARCH 210, ARCH 220, ARCH 310, ARCH 320, ARCH 410, and ARCH 420.
Total of 120 credits required including:
Core curriculum*
Environmental Design in Architecture curriculum
General Electives
The Environmental Design in Architecture curriculum is scaffolded by four curricular sequences listed below. Please email the MUSOA Director at architecture@marywood.edu for a recommended, semester-by-semester curriculum tracker outlining the four-year program.
|
ARCH 120 |
Design Studio II |
4 |
|
ARCH 210 |
Design Studio III |
6 |
|
ARCH 220 |
Design Studio IV |
6 |
|
ARCH 310 |
Design Studio V |
6 |
|
ARCH 320 |
Design Studio VI |
6 |
|
ARCH 410 |
Design Studio VII |
6 |
|
ARCH 420 |
Design Studio VIII |
6 |
|
IARC 121L |
Hybrid Representation Lab II |
2 |
|
IARC 211L |
Hybrid Representation Lab III |
2 |
|
ARCH 217 |
Building Technologies II |
3 |
|
ARCH 227 |
Building Technologies III |
3 |
|
ARCH 317 |
Building Technologies IV |
3 |
|
ARCH 417 |
Building Technologies V |
3 |
|
ARCH 427 |
Building Technologies VI |
3 |
|
ARCH 218 |
Hist & Thry of Arch & Interior Arch II |
3 |
|
ARCH 228 |
Hist & Thry of Arch & Interior Arch III |
3 |
Total Credit Hours: 120
An additional 9 credits of program electives are required.**
* MATH 160 and PHYS 140 are required to fulfill Math and Physical Science Core requirements for Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture students. Equivalent or higher courses will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
** Program Electives shall be selected from Architecture, Interior Architecture, Construction Management, Virtual Architecture, and other courses approved by the MUSOA Director. Program Electives shall not be otherwise required courses in the Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture degree program.
Director, School of Architecture | Associate Professor
Associate Director of Graduate Studies | Assistant Professor
Associate Professor | Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies
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From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way.
Explore the vibrant community and endless opportunities that await you at Marywood. Attend one of our special events designed specially for you to learn more about Marywood's degree programs, dedicated faculty, and welcoming campus.
Marywood University hosts three academic Centers of Excellence on campus; The Center for Law, Justice and Policy, The Center for Urban Studies, and The Mother Theresa Maxis, IHM Center. Each center provides students with the tools and resources to excel in their academic endeavors, fostering a dynamic environment where they can engage deeply with their respective fields of study and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE).
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