Bachelor of Science in Architecture (Post Diploma)
Athabasca University and Architecture Canada, Royal Architecture Institute of Canada (RAIC), have formed a partnership dedicated to offering a high quality online architecture program. This is Canada’s first online architecture program and it is a component of the renewal of the RAIC Syllabus which constitutes an alternative path to professional licensure as an architect in Canada. The RAIC Syllabus consists of studio, work experience and academic components taken while working under the supervision of a licensed Canadian architect.
The academic components of the Syllabus program are shared between first, a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSc Arch) and second, a Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA). Together, the studio and work experience (offered by RAIC) and the academic components (offered by Athabasca University) fulfill the requirements of the RAIC Syllabus Professional Diploma in Architecture.
The BSc Arch program, which has a strong focus on environmental and community sustainability, will also be beneficial for public and private careers in urban and construction planning and design, as well as studies of the built environment.
The BSc Arch program has open admission, however students who have an approved diploma or credentials in architecture may apply for the Post Diploma route and will be awarded 30 credits towards the BSc Architecture (PD). Students may receive additional credits pending review of course content completed through the diploma program.
The Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSc Arch) program at Athabasca University provides a new way to study architecture and it is designed for the adult learner who wishes to earn a quality university education regardless of age, gender, culture, ability or disability, geographic location, career and family commitments.
Planning your program
Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Students are strongly encouraged to register in APST 215: Introduction to Graphic Representation early in their program.
Program structure
| Total credits in the program | 120 |
| College diploma receives | 30 |
| Residency Requirement. A minimum of 30 credits at the senior (300/400) level must be obtained through AU. | 30 |
| Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through AU in order to be considered. | 24 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 30 |
Minimum credits required beyond the college diploma
(90 credits)
| Core course requirements | 30 |
| Science and Arts breadth and senior-level requirements are fulfilled by a combination of specific Science, Arts, and Architecture courses (many of which are disciplinary in nature and cover both requirements). As a result, the BSc Arch requirements replace the breadth and depth of the BSc requirement. | |
| Required Core Credits | 30 |
| Architecture Major Credits | 60 |
| Within those 90 credits: | |
| Required senior (300/400) level credits | 60 |
Maximum credits allowed
| In junior (200) level credit courses | 30 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 30 |
Core course requirements
(30 credits)
Note: To better meet Architecture needs, a few requirements vary from the general BSc requirements and are replaced with similar, discipline-related courses.
A total of 18 credits from:
3 credits in mathematics from:
| MATH 215 – Introduction to Statistics | (3) |
| or | |
| MATH 216 – Computer-Orientated Approach to Statistics |
The following courses:
| PHIL 252 – Critical Thinking | (3) |
| PHIL 333 – Professional Ethics | (3) |
| or | |
| PHIL 371 – Ethics in Science and Technology | |
| PSYC 432 – Psychology and the Built Environment | (3) |
Architectural Major courses (60 credits)
Design Workshop courses
(30 credits)
Note: the courses below with "RAIC" course codes are offered to syllabus students through RAIC.
| ADST 200 – Foundations of Design I and ADST 205 – Foundations of Design II | (6) |
| or | |
| RAIC 200 – Foundations of Design (6 credits) | |
| ADST 350 – Foundations of Architectural Design: Simple Habitat | (6) |
| or | |
| RAIC 350 – Foundations of Architectural Design – Simple Habitat | |
| ADST 400 – Foundations of Architectural Design – Collective Habitat | (6) |
| or | |
| RAIC 400 – Foundations of Architectural Design – Collective Habitat | |
| ADST 450 – Architectural Design – Cultural, Recreational and Institutional | (6) |
| or | |
| RAIC 450 – Architectural Design – Cultural, Recreational and Institutional | |
| ADST 490 – Architectural Design, Workplace | (6) |
| or | |
| RAIC 490 – Architectural Design, Workplace |
Architectural Theory
(15 credits)
Architectural History
(9 credits)
| ARCH 200 – History of Ideas in Architecture I | (3) |
| ARCH 300 – History of Ideas in Architecture II | (3) |
| ARCH 320 – History of Canadian Architecture | (3) |
Advanced Architectural Technologies
(6 credits)
| APST 470 – Building Envelope and Assemblies | (3) |
| APST 480 – Mechanical Equipment of Buildings | (3) |
Specific program regulations
Given the professional nature of the BSc in Architecture program, the following regulations supersede some of the general policies governing academic studies at Athabasca University:
- Athabasca University will not grant transfer credit for science courses that were completed more than 10 years ago. Computer Science (COMP) and Computer Management Information Systems (CMIS) courses older than 5 years will be staledated if students are not currently working in the field of Architecture.
- Student who hold an approved college or technical institute architecture diploma that is more than five years old, but who can supply evidence of employment indicating that they are currently in architecture, will gain admission to this degree program. A letter of reference from an immediate supervisor may be submitted as proof of employment.
- To be awarded a BSc in Architecture degree, a minimum grade point average of 2.3 is required in all Athabasca University courses used towards the degree. Students unable to obtain the required GPA will be requested to re-register in courses.
- Upon graduation in the BSc in Architecture degree students may subsequently complete the Graduate Diploma in Architecture in order to apply for the RAIC Professional Diploma in Architecture.
There are two ways to complete this degree:
Updated July 26, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)