Southern California Institute of Architecture

Research the degree programs at Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA. Learn about its academics, and get admission and financial aid info to determine if this is the right school for you.

About Southern California Institute of Architecture

Founded in 1972, Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) was established as an experimental alternative to traditional architecture schools. Since then, the independent school's faculty and leadership have accrued more than 500 design awards and recognitions. The SCI-Arc mission is to educate architects who will imagine and shape the future. The school's bachelor's and master's degree programs in architecture are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board; some states require an accredited degree to qualify for professional licensing.

The school is located inside a converted freight depot that takes up a quarter mile of the artist's district on the east side of downtown Los Angeles. It is attended by approximately 500 students and supported by 80 faculty members.

SCI-Arc's undergraduate architecture program was ranked number two on DesignIntelligence's 2013 ranking of America's Best Schools of Architecture and Design. The school also reported that it earned the number one spot for undergraduate and graduate architecture programs in the western U.S., and the number six spot for graduate architecture programs nationally on that same list.

Academics

The school offers three professional degrees. The undergraduate Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree usually takes five years (or 10 semesters) to complete. Advanced placement standing may be available to students who've already completed an architecture design studio. The graduate degree (M.Arch) programs include Master of Architecture 1 and Master of Architecture 2. Additionally, students can earn a postgraduate Master of Design Research (M.DesR) degree in urban design, planning and policy or emerging systems, technologies and media. Both of the postgraduate specialty programs offered by SCI-Arc are year-long programs.

Facilities include the SCI-Arc Robot House, where students have the opportunity for hands-on research with advanced robotic platforms. The SCI-Arc Gallery hosts exhibits by contemporary architects. There is a 5,000-square foot fabrication shop on campus where students may experiment with materials and construction. The Kappe Library has 20,000 books and adds approximately 1,500 titles annually, in addition to the periodicals and digital collection.

Admissions

The application form is available online. Application materials may also be submitted online for first-year placement in the B.Arch program. Students applying for advanced placement or graduate-level programs must submit hard copies of all materials directly to the admissions office. Applications from students seeking regular first-year placement in the Fall 2013 B.Arch program are due January 15, 2013; those seeking advanced placement must apply by May 1, 2013. M.Arch applications are due December 14, 2012. Post-professional degree program applications are due March 1, 2013.

Applicants must include an essay explaining why they want to study architecture, a resume, three letters of recommendation, academic transcripts and a portfolio. The portfolio should include 15 or more pieces of work that demonstrate the student's design sensibilities and experience with different materials. Undergraduate applicants are required to submit either ACT or SAT scores if they have fewer than 24 units of college credit. Applicants to the graduate programs must submit GRE test scores. Students from non-English speaking countries must take either the International English Language Testing System or Test of English as a Foreign Language exam and submit the official test scores. There is an $85 application fee.

Upon notification of acceptance, students are required to reserve their spot with a non-refundable deposit. The deposit will be applied toward the first semester's tuition.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition is $16,638 per semester as of the 2012-13 academic year - which covers 15-18 units, or one studio class and 3-4 lecture courses. Other required expenses include $350 in administrative and student union fees. The school estimates an additional $5,380 is required for books and supplies. Room and board is estimated to cost $5,444.

Financial aid is available to students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and SCI-Arc's financial aid application. The school recommends that students' FAFSA forms be completed in January for consideration for the following Fall term. The SCI-Arc application for financial aid may be completed in November to qualify for aid in the following academic year. CalGrant consideration - a California state grant program - has a deadline of March 2.

Scholarships are also available directly from the school without the need for a further application. Scholarships are based on merit as well as financial need.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE QUICK FACTS
School Type	4-year, private not-for-profit*
Degrees Offered	Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture Master of Design Research**
Religious Affiliation	None*
Academic Calendar	Semester**
School Setting	Large city*
Student Body	457 (243 undergraduate; Fall 2011)*
Student Housing	None**
ACADEMICS
Schools and Programs	Single school; one undergraduate, two graduate and two post-graduate programs**
Student-Faculty Ratio	15 to 1*
Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2010-11: Bachelor: Architecture (52) Master's: Architecture (82) Certificate: Architecture (12)*
Undergraduate Graduation Rates	52% within six years 61% within eight years for students who started in Fall 2003*
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	89% in (Fall 2010)*
Entering Class Size	20 (Fall 2010)***
First-Year Retention Rates	88% (for students beginning Fall 2010)*
Average SAT Score of Admitted Students	Middle 50% SAT scores: 400-540 in critical reading, 570-650 in math, 390-530 in writing (2010)*
Application Due Date	For Fall 2013: M.Arch: December 14, 2012 B.Arch, first year placement: January 15, 2013 B.Arch, advanced placement: May 1, 2013 Postgraduate programs: March 1, 2013**
Decision Notification Date	Undergraduate: A rolling basis from April to June Graduate: Early April**
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition (2012-13)	$33,276 (does not include fees, books or supplies)**
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Students Receiving it)	For first-year undergraduate students beginning in 2010-11: Federal grants (15%), Institutional grants or scholarships (10%), Federal student loans (20%)*
Percent of Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	20% (full-time beginning students; 2010-11)*

Sources: *College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics, **Southern California Institute of Architecture, ***IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics.

School Contact Information

Address: SCI-Arc Admissions Office, 960 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 356-5320
Website: www.sciarc.edu