Architecture Degree Termination
Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.)
Degree Termination Announcement
Southern University regrets to announce the termination of its Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) degree program. The Louisiana Board of Regents voted at its April 25, 2013 meeting to approve staff recommendations that the program be terminated.
The difficult decision to recommend termination of the program was a cost cutting measure resulting from several years of reduced state funding, mid-year state budget cuts to colleges and universities, declining enrollment, and a Louisiana Board of Regents report identifying the Bachelor of Architecture degree as a low completer program.
Effective Fall 2012, the program will no longer accepted students into the B. Arch. degree program. The program phase-out plan includes the maintenance of sufficient qualified architecture faculty until the existing students complete matriculation at the University. The University will not award the B. Arch. degree after December 31, 2015. Southern University is carefully advising existing students to assure that they complete all architecture courses and their degree program by this time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. I am an existing student. Will my degree be from an accredited program?
A. The National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) currently accredits the Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) degree program through December 31, 2015. The University is working with NAAB to assure that program standards and requirements are maintained through this time.
Q. Can existing and former students become licensed architects?
A. Yes, existing and former students who meet all other experience, examination and professional development requirements are eligible to sit for the licensing examination.
Q. Have students been advised of the program status?
A. All students have been advised of the program status through program-wide student meetings, individual advisement sessions and regular class announcements.
Q. When must students complete their studies to obtain a B. Arch. degree?
A. All students must complete the requirements for graduation by December 31, 2015.
Q. If a student fails a class that will no longer be offered, will he/she still be able to obtain B. Arch. degree?
A. The student will only be able to obtain the B. Arch. degree if that class or a class with very similar content and rigor is successfully completed at another NAAB accredited program and transferred to Southern University prior to December 31, 2015.
Q. Will the University offer additional Architecture courses to help me complete my degree by December 31, 2015?
A. Yes. The University will offer several Architecture courses during the Summer 2015 session. Course offerings will be based on advisement and student demand. Minimum enrollment requirements for these classes may be relaxed to encourage student completion and enrollment.
Q. What are my options if I cannot complete the degree program by December 31, 2015?
A. Students not able to complete the degree requirements by December 31, 2015 will be encouraged to complete all or as many architecture courses as possible before December 31, 2015 and follow one of the options listed below.
Option 1:
a. Complete other degree requirements and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
b. Enroll in a Master of Architecture degree program to meet degree requirements for architecture licensure.
Option 2: Transfer to an NAAB accredited program.
Option 3: Consider changing to another Southern University degree program.