Courses of Study 2023-2024

Dec 16, 2024

Courses of Study 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

General Information

In the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning .

Admission Requirements
Graduate Placement
Facilities

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for applying to Cornell University at either the graduate or undergraduate level, individual programs may have specific admission requirements.

Bachelor of Architecture Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for applying to Cornell University, admissions requirements for the five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) program reflect the focused, professional nature of the curriculum. Applicants need to present evidence of creative ability and commitment to the field of architecture in addition to having strong academic credentials. The interview and portfolio requirements help the faculty assess strengths in these more subjective areas. Both the interview and portfolio requirements must be met for the application to be considered.

Required Interview

The Department of Architecture requires a portfolio interview for every applicant to the B.Arch. degree program. The purpose of the interview is to explore an applicant’s interest in architecture and to understand how that interest developed. A formal portfolio need not be presented at the interview, but the interviewers do expect applicants to bring samples of their artwork.

Important: The interviews are evaluative and carry significant weight in the admissions selection process. Please request an interview only if you are certain that you will be applying to the architecture major.

Interviews can be completed by:

Scheduling a virtual interview with a Cornell architecture faculty member.
Scheduling a virtual interview with an architecture alum near the applicant’s home.

Important interview deadlines:

Early Decision applicants: Interview must be requested by October 20 and completed no later than November 1.
Regular Decision applicants: Interview must be requested by December 9 and completed no later than January 2.

Due to volume and the timing of application reading, we will be unable to accept any interview requests made beyond the respective Early Decision and Regular Decision deadlines. If you are not able to request an interview by that date, please complete the interview essay following the interview essay guidelines. Interview essays must be emailed directly to aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

Please note: Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN) interviews do not satisfy the B.Arch. interview requirement. The optional CAAAN interview “meeting” has a different purpose, format, content, and line of questioning as compared to the B.Arch. portfolio interview.

Portfolio Requirements

A portfolio is a required and critically important component of the application. All B.Arch. applicants must submit their portfolio online via Cornell AAP SlideRoom. The portfolio should contain several examples of freehand drawings including sketches as well as fully developed work. In addition to drawing, a range of artistic media needs to be demonstrated, but each applicant should emphasize the work where their skills and passion are expressed most strongly. Painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, woodworking, and other crafts can convey artistic experience and aptitude.

Please submit 15-20 images with no more than two dedicated to the same project. Images must be clear with no text on the page unless it is integral to the artwork. A carefully crafted caption for each slide should state the intent, elaborate on the process and method, and reflect on the outcome. Include a note that lists the size and medium of each piece, as well as whether the work was completed in class or independently. Any group projects should be credited accordingly and the task performed by the applicant noted specifically.

The deadlines for portfolio submissions are:

November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
March 1 (fall transfer applicants)

Portfolios are added to the applicant’s admissions file for review by the architecture department admissions committee. An application is not considered complete until all requirements have been received, including the online portfolio and the interview evaluation.

Standardized Test Information

The SAT/ACT is not required. SAT subject tests are also not required.

The TOEFL and/or IELTS is required of all international applicants whose first language is not EnglishThe recommended minimum scores are:

TOEFL: score of 100

IELTS: score of 7

Transfer Students

Please note: Cornell AAP admits a limited number of B.Arch transfer applicants each year due to capacity. When available, admission to the B.Arch. program is offered to a limited number of transfer applicants who have either completed a portion of their architecture studies in other schools or have developed a strong, well-thought-out interest in architecture but have no formal education in the discipline. Each applicant’s case is considered individually. Placement is determined by the faculty admissions committee based on the applicant’s portfolio and the amount of architecture coursework completed.

Credit for many courses can be transferred, but applicants must complete a minimum of 70 credits and four terms in residence. Thirty-five of the 70 credits must be taken in the Cornell architecture department.

Transfer applicants may submit a request for either a virtual interview.

Transfer application interview request deadlines:

For spring semester: well before October 1
For fall semester: well before March 1

Important information for transfer applicants:

Students considering a transfer into the B.Arch. program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any class for which an admitted student seeks credit, as well as a portfolio of work for any studio or visual representation classes. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. AAP will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made.

Internal transfer is an option for current Cornell students who wish to transfer between colleges at Cornell. It is also an option for current AAP students who wish to transfer into a different AAP program.

Students interested in transferring into an AAP program must follow a college-specific internal transfer application process. To find out more about the undergraduate programs within AAP, and the process for transferring, you must meet with a member of AAP’s Office of Admissions.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Admission Requirements

In addition to the university’s general requirements, B.F.A. applicants are required to submit a portfolio online via Cornell AAP SlideRoom. A portfolio interview is strongly recommended but not required. The Department of Art considers the strongest applicants to be those who would like to study both fine arts and liberal arts in a university setting.

Portfolio Guidelines

Applicants must submit their portfolios online at Cornell AAP SlideRoom. The portfolio should consist of high-quality images of 18–20 pieces of work. The media of the work represented is optional, but it is to the advantage of the applicant to include work representing several of (but not necessarily limited to) the following media: drawing, digital media, painting, photography, print media, and sculpture/installation. Applicants should choose those media that best reflect their highest level of conceptual and technical development. While there is no requirement that any particular subject or style of work be included in the portfolio, the faculty admissions committee would like to see a selection of work that has been made both independently and in school, and that reflects the applicant’s creative interests at this point. Step-by-step instructions for portfolio submission are available online at Cornell AAP SlideRoom. Acceptable file formats include image files (JPG, PNG, GIF) and video files (MOV, MWV, FLV, MP4). Portfolios will be added to all other admissions materials for review by the Department of Art admissions committee.

Deadlines for portfolio submissions:

November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
March 1 (fall transfer applicants)

Do not send CDs, DVDs, thumb drives, videos, cassettes, slides, or notebooks of photos. Do not send original works of art by mail.

The Department of Art admissions committee will not begin to consider an application until all requirements, including a portfolio, have been submitted.

Interview

A portfolio interview is strongly recommended but not required to apply to the Department of Art. The portfolio interview offers the opportunity to present work and discuss it with a faculty member in the art department or an alum of the art department. Interviews with faculty and alumni are offered virtually during the fall semester. External transfer applicants interested in a fall semester start are able to schedule interviews in February.

Deadline for portfolio interviews:

First-year Applicants:

Early Decision applicants: Interview must be requested by October 20 and completed no later than November 1, 2022.
Regular Decision applicants: Interview must be requested by December 9 and completed no later than January 2, 2023.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to volume and the timing of application reading, we will be unable to accept any interview requests made beyond the respective Early Decision and Regular Decision deadlines. As a reminder, an interview is not required when applying to the Bachelor of Fine Arts.

About the interview:

Applicants will be expected to share their portfolio-in-progress with their interviewer. The interview is also a time to discuss art and other interests. Possible topics of discussion may include your interest in pursuing art in college, your experience with and exposure to art, and your personal creative and intellectual interests.

Standardized Test Update

The SAT/ACT is not required.

The TOEFL or IELTS is required of all international applicants whose first language is not English.

Important Information for Transfer Applicants

Students considering a transfer into the B.F.A. program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any classes for which an admitted student seeks credit, as well as a portfolio of work for any studio classes. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. AAP will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made.

Students may also transfer from outside of Cornell.

Bachelor of Science in History of Architecture and Urban Development Admission Requirements

Please know that B.S. HAUD is a transfer-only option and is not available to first year applicants. This means that students cannot be directly admitted into B.S. HAUD from high school. Rather, they are required to have completed at least a year of coursework at an accredited institution.

Students considering a transfer into the B.S. HAUD program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any classes for which an admitted student seeks credit. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. AAP will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made.

Students may also transfer from outside of Cornell.

Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for applying to Cornell University, successful applicants to the urban and regional studies (URS) program demonstrate intellectual potential and commitment, and a combination of ability, achievement, motivation, diligence, and use of educational and social opportunities. Above all, the department seeks students with a high level of enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.

Interview

We are now offering virtual alumni interviews for applicants to the urban and regional studies program. This is not required but serves as an opportunity for you to learn more about our urban and regional studies program directly from alumni of the program. This is also a chance for us to better understand your interest in urban and regional studies, city planning, and beyond. Alumni interviews are coordinated between the applicant and the alum, at the convenience of both parties. If you are interested, please fill out the interview request form (only active from mid-August through November).

Interview requests must be made well in advance of the deadline.

November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
March 1 (fall transfer applicants)

We are unable to accept interview requests after the posted deadlines. As a reminder, an interview is not required when applying to the Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies.

Standardized Test Update

The SAT or ACT is not required.

The TOEFL or IELTS is required of all international applicants whose first language is not English.

Transfer Applicants

Prospective transfer students need a minimum of 6 credits in English. In addition, students should have taken basic college-level classes distributed across the natural and social sciences, humanities, and mathematics. Applicants whose previous course work closely parallels the general education requirements of the urban and regional studies curriculum will have relative ease in transferring. In addition, students with other academic backgrounds, such as engineering, architecture, fine arts, management, and agriculture are eligible to apply.

Transfer application deadlines:

For spring semester: well before October 1
For fall semester: well before March 1

Students considering a transfer into the URS program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any course for which an admitted student seeks credit and recommends a writing sample from each course. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. We will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made. Students who transfer into the B.S. program must complete a minimum of four semesters in residence and a minimum of 60 academic credits after entering the program.

Students may also transfer from outside of Cornell.

Master of Architecture (Professional) Admission Requirements

The Department of Architecture has the following admissions requirements for the professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program:

Individuals must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field. Some students may have previous backgrounds in a design discipline or may hold preprofessional undergraduate degrees in a design discipline.
Admission may also be offered to individuals with no previous experience in design, but who exhibit talent and promise in a design-related activity or interest. Individuals who have completed a four-year bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in a field other than architecture are eligible for admission. Preference for admission is given to individuals who have completed a balanced undergraduate education, including studies in the arts, sciences, and the humanities.
Once admitted into the program, applicants receive a class equivalency information packet. Applicants will have the opportunity to submit class syllabi and transcripts from previous class work for review by a faculty member charged with reviewing that area of study (history, building technology, professional practice, etc.). Faculty members then determine if equivalency credit is appropriate. Please note that for ARCH 5511 and ARCH 5512 , applicants must submit a portfolio of relevant work done in those classes along with the class syllabi and transcripts. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Only course equivalency materials received before June 1 can be considered. We will not accept course equivalency materials before an offer of admission is made.

Application and Portfolio Requirements

The deadline for receiving application materials for the M.Arch program is January 3. This includes the portfolio, which must be submitted at the same time as the rest of the application. There is no spring semester admission. Students interested in the M.Arch program must submit an online application with supporting documentation including:

Two letters of recommendation
Transcripts from each college or university previously attended
TOEFL exam for non-native English speakers (minimum score of 250 computer-based, or 600 paper-based)
One- or two-page printed statement outlining interests and intents for graduate study in the M.Arch program. Please relate these intents to previous design and academic experience, and to future goals. The applicant’s full name and “Master of Architecture (Professional)” must be included at the top of each page.
A portfolio of creative work must be submitted online via the CollegeNET application. Portfolios must be no larger than 20 MB or they will not successfully upload. All applicants are required to submit a portfolio that consists of a maximum of 20 pages representing the applicant’s best work, including drawings, images of two- or three-dimensional work, and models. The entire portfolio must be uploaded as one PDF file, using a landscape (horizontal) format for each page, to ensure that the width of the screen is maximally used to view each portfolio page (approximately a 4:3 ratio). If any project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers, or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application (deadline January 3). Please plan your application process accordingly.
The GRE general test is no longer a required component of the application.

Master of Fine Arts Creative Visual Arts Admission Requirements

The Department of Art has specific requirements for the master of fine arts degree. The deadline for receiving application materials to the M.F.A. Visual Arts program is January 15. All materials must be postmarked by that date. There is no spring semester admission.

Transcripts are required from every college or university you have attended.
Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree, but it does not have to be related to art.
The M.F.A. Visual Arts program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions.
Three recommendations.
Resume and statement of purpose.
Interviews are not required as part of the initial application process; however, shortlisted candidates will be asked to interview either in person or via Skype. Applicants interested in meeting with a member of the art department faculty should contact the faculty directly. Students interested in arranging a tour of the campus should contact the Program Assistant at (607) 255-6730. For more information about visiting campus, please visit AAP’s Ithaca Campus page.
GRE scores are not required for admission to the M.F.A. Visual Arts program. Applicants who have already taken the GRE are welcome to submit scores with the application. For those seeking financial assistance other than that offered by the Department of Art or Cornell University, it is recommended GRE scores be submitted.
The TOEFL/IELTS exam is required for non-native English applicants. Foreign applicants whose native language is not English but who have studied full-time for two or more years at a college or university where English is the language of instruction, located in a country where English is the native language, are exempt from this requirement. All other foreign applicants must submit TOEFL scores.
All applicants must submit a portfolio with their application. The portfolio should consist of no more than 20 electronic files. These may include any combination of still images, videos, URLs, sound-based work, web-based work, or other work. Directions for properly preparing these materials are below, please follow these instructions exactly. Submitted portfolios that do not conform to the instructions below will not be reviewed. Portfolios are to be submitted through Cornell AAP SlideRoom.
- Still Images: Still images must be in JPG or TIFF format with maximum dimensions of 1280 x 1024 at 72 dpi. No image may exceed 1024 pixels in height (including portrait images) or 1280 in width (including panoramic images). File sizes larger than 4 MB will neither be opened nor reviewed.
- Videos: Video, video installation, performance, kinetic sculpture, and/or gaming/interactive work are also to be submitted through SlideRoom, which accommodates links from YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud. Each video should be no longer than five minutes in length. Please note that each video is to be considered as one file within the 20-file requirement.
- Web-based Work: Web-based work submitted for consideration must be uploaded and operative on the World Wide Web for the duration of the application process (until you are notified of acceptance or rejection). Please note that each URL is to be considered as one file within the 20-file requirement.
- Sound-based Work: Sound-based work should be submitted in AIFF or MP3 format. Each selection should be restricted to five minutes. Please note that each sound file is to be considered as one file within the 20-file requirement.
- Other: For any work you may wish to submit that does not fall into the above categories, please contact the AAP Office of Admissions at (607) 255-4376.
Applicants are notified of acceptance by telephone. This is followed by a written confirmation sent via U.S. mail. Notifications are usually received in late March or early April.

Master of Fine Arts Image Text Admission Requirements

The Department of Art has the following requirements for the M.F.A. Image Text program. The deadline for receiving application materials for this program is divided into two rounds: the first round deadline is February 15 and the second round deadline is March 15. All materials must be postmarked by that date. Applications received after posted deadlines will be reviewed at the discretion of the Director. There is no spring semester admission. The M.F.A. Image Text program is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Transcripts are required from every college or university you have attended.
Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree. We welcome applicants with backgrounds in writing, photography, film/video, digital and studio arts practices, and artists working across these forms and disciplines.
The M.F.A. Image Text program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions.
Two recommendations.
Resume
Statement of goals. The statement of goals should address why you are applying to M.F.A. Image Text and what you would hope to learn and achieve as a graduate student in the program. Please limit to 500 words. Statements should be uploaded via Cornell AAP SlideRoom.
Statement of creative work. The statement of creative work is an artist statement; it is an opportunity to frame and give context to the work that you are submitting in your portfolio. Please limit to 500 words. Statements should be uploaded via Cornell AAP SlideRoom.
All applicants must submit a portfolio with their application. The portfolio should consist of a PDF of no more than 20 pages. There are no word or image count requirements beyond the 20-page limit. Additionally, applicants may submit links to no more than 3 supplemental work samples in any media (websites, Vimeo URLs, etc.). Portfolios are to be submitted through Cornell AAP SlideRoom.
Interviews are not required as part of the initial application process; however, shortlisted candidates will be asked to interview via Zoom. Applicants interested in meeting with the program directors should contact them directly. Students interested in arranging a tour of the campus should contact the Program Assistant at (607) 255-6730. For more information about visiting campus, please visit AAP’s Ithaca Campus page.
GRE scores are not required for admission to the M.F.A. Image Text program. For those seeking financial assistance other than that offered by the Department of Art or Cornell University, it is recommended GRE scores be submitted.
Applicants are notified of acceptance by telephone. This is followed by a written confirmation sent via U.S. mail.
Substantial partial tuition scholarships are available on a competitive basis.

Master of Regional Planning Admission Requirements

The Graduate School at Cornell is organized into fields of study; applicants interested in the Master of Regional Planning (M.R.P) should apply to the field of City and Regional Planning. Applicants interested in real estate should reach out to the Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate or find more information on the M.R.P./M.P.S. RE dual degree.

In addition to the requirements outlined at the Graduate School, the Department of City and Regional Planning has the following specific requirements: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized educational institution. A variety of undergraduate backgrounds have proven to be good preparation for studying planning and making a successful career.

Deadlines

Fall, January 10; there is no spring semester admission.

Master of Science Advanced Architecture Design (Post-Professional) Admission Requirements

The Department of Architecture has the following requirements admissions requirements for the post-professional M.S. AAD program:

Application deadline for summer is Jan. 3rd, no spring admission.
All Graduate School Requirements, including the TOEFL Exam or IELTS Academic Exam for non-native English applicants
Two recommendations
Transcripts: Submit completed and official transcripts from each college or university previously attended to the field to which you are applying. If it is against an institution’s policy to send transcripts to the applicant, the transcripts can be mailed by the school directly to the field to which you are applying.
GRE general test scores are optional
Statement of purpose (A one- or two-page statement, preferably printed on white paper, outlining your research interests and intents for graduate study at Cornell. Please relate these intents to your previous design and academic experience, and to your future goals. Include your full name and your proposed field of study at the top of each page.)
Students holding a professional bachelor of architecture degree (B.Arch.) or a professional master of architecture degree (M.Arch.) may be admitted as candidates for the post-professional M.S. AAD program. International students must submit an official certification that the degree held is a professional degree entitling them to practice architecture in their country.
A portfolio of creative work must be submitted online via the CollegeNET application. Portfolios must be no larger than 20 MB or they will not successfully upload. All applicants are required to submit a portfolio that should represent the applicant’s best work and consist mainly of reproductions of 20 to 30 pieces of creative drawings, two-or-three dimensional work, and models. The entire portfolio must be uploaded as one PDF file, using a landscape (horizontal) format for each page, to ensure that the width of the screen is maximally used to view each portfolio page (approximately a 4:3 ratio). If any portfolio project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings or details of drawings were produced by the applicant and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application is submitted (deadline January 3). Please plan your application process accordingly.
The application process for the M.S. AAD should be used by students applying to the three-semester (one-year) post-professional program. Students interested in applying to the four-semester option should contact arch-grad-info@cornell.edu for more information and instructions.

Master of Science Advanced Urban Design (Post-Professional) Admission Requirements

The Department of Architecture has the following admissions requirements for the post-professional M.S. AUD program:

Application deadline for fall is January 3rd, no spring admission.
All Graduate School Requirements, including the TOEFL Exam or IELTS Academic Exam for non-native English applicants
Two recommendations
Transcripts: Submit completed and official transcripts from each college or university previously attended to the field to which you are applying. If it is against an institution’s policy to send transcripts to the applicant, the transcripts can be mailed by the school directly to the field to which you are applying.
GRE general test scores are optional
Statement of purpose (A one- or two-page statement, preferably printed on white paper, outlining your research interests and intents for graduate study at Cornell. Please relate these intents to your previous design and academic experience, and to your future goals. Include your full name and your proposed field of study at the top of each page.)
Students holding a professional bachelor of architecture degree (B.Arch.) or a professional master of architecture degree (M.Arch.) may be admitted as candidates for the post-professional M.S. AUD program. International students must submit an official certification that the degree held is a professional degree entitling them to practice architecture in their country.
A portfolio of creative work must be submitted online via Slideroom. Portfolios must be no larger than 20 MB or they will not successfully upload. All applicants are required to submit a portfolio that should represent the applicant’s best work and consist mainly of reproductions of 20 to 30 pieces of creative drawings, two-or-three dimensional work, and models. The entire portfolio must be uploaded as one PDF file, using a landscape (horizontal) format for each page, to ensure that the width of the screen is maximally used to view each portfolio page (approximately a 4:3 ratio). If any portfolio project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings or details of drawings were produced by the applicant and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application is submitted (deadline January 15). Please plan your application process accordingly.

Graduate Placement

Undergraduate and graduate students are provided extensive resources for career advising including job search, networking, resume, cover letter, portfolio review, interview prep, professional communication skills as well as coaching. We offer career programming such as panel discussions, career fairs, recruiting events with employers and networking opportunities with alumni, as well as employer site visits. AAP students are encourage to utilize 1:1 advising with our trained Career Advising staff to support them in achieving their career goals. Additionally, our staff provides support with internships, jobs, and research opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Facilities

Comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding college facilities can be found online at http://aap.cornell.edu/resources/.