Admissions

The Hampton University Department of Architecture is committed to providing clear, comprehensive, and program-specific guidance for all prospective students seeking admission to our NAAB-accredited program. Our admissions process outlines the requirements and evaluation procedures for first-time, first-year applicants as well as internal and external transfer students. We detail how applications, transcripts, portfolios (when required), and prior academic work are reviewed to determine placement, remediation, or eligibility for advanced standing. In addition, this page provides information and required materials for applying for departmental and university financial aid and scholarships. Our goal is to ensure a clear pathway for every student pursuing architectural education at Hampton University.

1. First-Time, First-Year Applicants

1.1 Application Process

First-year students must complete the Hampton University Undergraduate Application and indicate their intended major as:

• Architecture (5-year professional degree)

1.2 Required Materials

• Completed HU application
• Official high school transcript
• Standardized test scores (if required by HU)
• One letter of recommendation
• Personal statement

1.3 Admissions Requirements

The program evaluates applicants based on:

• Academic performance and GPA
• Math and science preparation
• Writing and communication skills (evaluated from essay)
• Interest in the selected discipline

Portfolio Requirements:
The Department of Architecture does not require a portfolio for first-year admission. 

1.4 Admissions Decision Process

• Applications are reviewed by the University Office of Admission.

• The School of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation receives and evaluates applicant data for program placement.

• Students meeting minimum criteria are admitted as pre-majors in their selected program.

• Students not meeting mathematics or academic prerequisites may be admitted with remedial requirements (see remediation section below).

2. Transfer Applicants (External Transfers)

2.1 Required Materials

Transfer applicants must submit:

• HU Transfer Application

• Official college transcripts from all previously attended institutions

• Course descriptions and/or syllabi for all courses requesting transfer credit

• Portfolio (for Architecture applicants seeking placement beyond first year)*
  *If placement is sought past ARCH 101–102, a portfolio demonstrating design foundation skills is required.

2.2 Transfer Credit Evaluation

The School evaluates transfer credit based on:

• Course equivalency

• Content matching

• Contact hours

• Studio competencies (Architecture)

• Accreditation of prior institution (ABET, NAAB, regionally accredited)

2.3 Placement & Advanced Standing

Students may be placed in:

• Year 1 (no advanced standing)

• Year 2 or 3 (Architecture: only with portfolio + transcript review)

• Engineering course levels based on mathematics and physics prerequisites

2.4 Portfolio Review for Architecture Transfers

Students applying for advanced placement in the Architecture program must submit:

• 10–20 page design/studio portfolio

• Statement of prior architectural education

• Syllabi of all studio and architecture coursework
  This material is evaluated by the departmental Admissions Review Committee.

3. Internal Transfers (within Hampton University)

Students from other HU majors wishing to transfer into Engineering, Architecture, or Aviation must meet the following:

3.1 Internal Transfer Requirements

• Minimum HU GPA of 2.5

• Completion of Algebra II or Pre-Calculus

• For Architecture: portfolio required only if entering beyond 1st-year studio

3.2 Process

1. Meet with the Academic Advisor for the program

2. Submit HU Change-of-Major Form

3. Provide unofficial transcript to department for review

4. Receive written decision within 2–4 weeks

4. Evaluation of Non-Accredited Degrees

Applicants holding bachelor’s or associate degrees from non-accredited institutions or unrelated fields may request an evaluation for advanced standing.

Required Materials

• Official transcript

• Portfolio (if requesting architecture placement)

• Course syllabi

• Statement of experience

Evaluation Criteria

• Demonstrated equivalency of content

• Studio/project competencies (Architecture)

• Minimum GPA (2.5)

• Assessment by faculty in the discipline

Unmet competencies will result in the student being placed at the appropriate level or required to repeat foundational coursework.

5. Remediation & Foundational Coursework

Students who do not meet mathematics, design, or technical prerequisites may be admitted with remediation requirements, which may include:

• Pre-Calculus

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

• Physics prerequisites

• Foundations of Design (Architecture)

Remediation must be completed within the first academic year after admission.

6. Financial Aid & Scholarship Policies

6.1 Financial Aid

Students must apply via:

• FAFSA

• Hampton University Financial Aid Office

6.2 Program-Specific Scholarships

The School of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation offers:

• Departmental merit scholarships

• Endowed scholarships

• Professional organization scholarships (AIA, NOMA, ASCE, IEEE, etc.)

The Department of Architecture adheres to the admission requirements established by the University Admissions Office. In addition, the Department restricts enrollment to students with SAT of 960 or above, and Math SAT of 480 or above. The University Admissions Office may refer applicants not meeting the above requirements to the Department of Architecture for review.

The first year of the 5 year Master of Architecture program is the foundation/pre-professional year. Enrollment in the first year is open to any student admitted to Hampton University. Because much of the Architecture curriculum is sequentially structured, students are screened at the end of the first year, and each subsequent year, to assure the prerequisites have been completed with satisfactory grades before advancing to the next level. A portfolio review of the first year studio work is required for admission into the 2nd year studio. All undergraduate prerequisites must be completed prior to admission to the graduate level in the last semester of the program.

Transfer students seeking advanced placement in the Master of Architecture Program must submit a portfolio of work completed at the previous college or university for review by the Department Chairperson [email: huda@hamptonu.edu]. No transfer credit will be given for the 5th year Design Research Thesis studio sequence.

We treasure the diversity of our students and faculty and know each, with commitment, can succeed in a rigorous but rewarding area of study.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS.