Architectural studies offers a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to design education that embraces a liberal arts philosophy, based on the belief that a roundly educated individual makes the best architect. Students may, with their advisor, tailor the major to suit their individual interests. This is a B.A. program. While an undergraduate professional degree (B. Arch.) is not offered, many of students continue on to complete a professional degree (M. Arch.) at the graduate level.

Students are encouraged to pursue study abroad opportunities during their junior or senior years. Courses offered on these programs can supplement or be substituted for program requirements. The Colleges' programs have offered opportunities for study in New York, Los Angeles, Rome, and Bath, England. The primary outside affiliation offers a study opportunity in Copenhagen through the Denmark International Study program. Other programs available through leading universities offer study sites for architecture in New York/Paris, and Florence. Also available is a cooperative (3+4) joint degree program with Washington University in St. Louis, through which students can earn both a B.A. and an M. Arch. degree in a total of seven years.