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Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
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Design the future

From landscapes to libraries to cities, sets, and stages, we provide the advanced technical skills and foster the deep human sensitivity needed so that you can create spaces, environments, and realities (digital and physical) – simply put, these degrees can help you build a better future.


Undergraduate
Degrees

A female architecture presents her pinned up boards during reviews to the jury.

B.Arch. in Architecture

The B.Arch. is a highly sought after five-year professional degree program that consistently produces graduates who push the bounds of architecture to enhance the human experience.
SoVA student painting in studio.

B.A. in Art

The B.A. in Art offers visual artists the opportunity to find their artistic voices in an environment that fosters individuality and prepares graduates for an impactful career in the arts.
Student participating in the Borland Project Space

B.A. in Art History

The B.A. in Art History offers an opportunity for students to explore and examine art while developing a deep understanding of how and why it brings the world closer.
Virtual Reality immersive experience seminar.

B.Des. in Digital Arts and Media Design

The B.Des. in Digital Arts and Media Design is on the cutting edge of a rapidly growing discipline that prepares students to develop digital technology in art, gaming, simulations, web-based design, and much more.
First year M.F.A. student exhibition with an interactive floor projection and teal balloons.

B.Des. in Digital Multimedia Design

The wholly online B.Des. in Digital Multimedia Design program prepares students to impact the ever-changing visual art, information science and technology, and communications digital media landscape.
Students gathered around a table with sketches and a laptop open as the instructor points at concepts on the pages

B.Des. in Graphic Design

The B.Des. in Graphic Design empowers students to become innovators that meet the growing demand for branding, storytelling, visualizing information, user experience, and user interface designs.
ADRI Jenny Kenyon

B.A. in Integrative Arts

The B.A. in Integrative Arts offers the unique opportunity for students to work successfully as innovative and dynamic artists, designers, and performers in an increasingly interdisciplinary world.
Two students sitting and one student standing around a table working on designing a landscape architecture model.

B.L.A. in Landscape Architecture

The B.L.A. in Landscape Architecture immerses students in cutting-edge sustainability strategies that produce responsible and creative design for the world around us.
SoVA student photoshoot capturing a close up shot.

B.Des. in Professional Photography

The B.Des. in Professional Photography prepares students to realize the power of photography while training them to professionally capture the beauty and complexity of the world.
School of Theatre dress rehearsal of Argonautica.

B.F.A. in Theatre

With options in Stage Management and Theatre Design and Technology, the B.F.A. in Theatre trains the behind-the-scenes theatre professionals to produce a transformative theatrical experience by artistically engaging modern technology and skills.

Undergraduate
Minors + Certificates

Students sitting at the ruins of Paestum, sketching the architecture.

Architectural History Minor

The Architectural History minor teaches exceptional visual acuity and analysis. You will better understand space, design processes, and construction practice within historical periods.
A spherical architectural lantern with light emanating from within a repeating pattern of laser-cut facets.

Architecture Studies Minor

The Architecture Studies minor will permit students in other majors the opportunity to gain insight into the discipline of Architecture.
A 20th century decorated wooden box called a Tukula container produced by Kuba carvers from the Democratic Rebublic of the Congo.

Art History Minor

Explore art from ancient to contemporary times, in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. This minor relates visual images to the big questions of humanity.
Graphic design students collaborating ideas in studio.

Digital Arts Certificate

Blend classroom and online learning in this 15-credit certificate program that will help you develop artistic knowledge and technical skills that can be applied across industries and professions.
A student presents her 3d model figurine concept to a panel of judges during the Arts Business Ideas Competition. Mimicking the look of her 3d model, she wears a pink ponytail wig and vibrant outfit.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor

Become a leader in the arts or design. Engage in a start-up venture. Leverage your art or craft. Create alliances. Meet social or business needs. Craft ideas and make art work.
Undergraduate graphic design student work exhibition: showcasing a wall divider with big bold text, digital designs on flat-screen TVs, and poster design pinned up on a divider board.

Graphic Design Minor

The Graphic Design minor is intended for students interested in augmenting their academic major with the physical, technological, aesthetic, and conceptual skills associated with a design discipline.
Hundreds of red lanterns overhead in the Doseonsa temple in Seoul, South Korea.

International Arts Minor

Expand your perspective. Become a well-traveled citizen of the world. A minor in International Arts will provide a deeper understanding of how art and design permeate cultures around the world.
Close-up of Penn State Landscape Architecture student showing a camera to a group of smiling Tanzanian children

Landscape Architecture Minor

Landscape architecture is a design profession focused on natural and built environments and people’s experiences within them.
A public collection of late artwork displayed at the Palmer Museum of Art. A student explains the meaning of the piece to visitors.

Museum Studies Certificate

Learn the fundamentals of museum studies. Explore the history, theory, and practice of institutional collecting and conservation. Engage in a technical investigation of art.
Music students in class singing in front of microphones.

Music Technology Minor

The Music Tech minor opens the study of musical acoustics, digital audio, sound design, and audio recording. You will apply domains of knowledge from your majors to the fields of audio production and digital technology.
A student photographing colorful artwork on display in Zoller Gallery.

Photography Minor

Acquire technical and conceptual photographic capabilities for documenting, expressing, and sharing information, ideas, views, and cultural perspectives. Learn to communicate in a visual language.

Graduate
Degrees

A group of Penn State Master of Architecture students gathered behind an elaborate cityscape model in the offices of architectural firm SOM.

M.Arch. in Architecture

The professional M.Arch. degree deeply explores the techniques, principles, histories, theories of architecture, preparing students to become leaders in the field.
Parametric modeled forms developed by a Penn State M.S. in Architecture student.

M.S. in Architecture (+Dual M.S. +IUG)

The M.S. in Architecture program is designed for students interested in advanced research and independent work. Integrated undergrad/grad, as well as dual-title program options exist.
Radially blurred aerial view of favelas in Rio de Janeiro's Santa Marts hill region.

Ph.D. in Architecture (+Dual Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Architecture is a research-based degree concentrating on a number of areas of inquiry. Hone the degree via research clusters, program focus areas, or dual-title options.
Landscape architecture students discussing their projects pinned up on boards.

M.L.A. in Landscape Architecture

The professional M.L.A. program at Penn State equips students with the techniques, principles, histories, theories, and technologies to become leaders in the profession of landscape architecture.
MS in Landscape Architecture students working on stormwater draining project.

M.S. in Landscape Architecture (+Dual M.S. +IUG)

The research-focused M.S. in L.A. degree, with HDNRE, Geodesign, and IUG options, is framed to enhance the expertise of individuals who already hold a professionally-accredited degree in landscape architecture or architecture.
Collage image of base map with geodesign data overlays indicating land type, use, structure, and density information.

M.P.S. / Certificate in Geodesign

The M.P.S. and graduate certificate in Geodesign are online programs that prepare students to employ a unique combination of science and design to change the way we design for a sustainable future.
Scenic design from the play Argonautica.

M.F.A. in Theatre

Program Application Deadline The deadline for applications for AY 2023–24 is January 15, 2023. To be assured full consideration, please apply by this deadline. Review individual program descriptions for details...

Alumni Spotlight

Penn State provided the specialized training required to succeed in my field in the “real world,” as well as a strong network of alumni to guide me once I got there.
Penn State alumna and events professional Carolyn Quinn wearing headset.

Alumni Spotlight

Carolyn Quinn

B.F.A. in Theatre 2016

Carolyn Quinn is an events professional based in New York City. She is currently a production coordinator at Sequence Events, a Global Top 50 Events Agency. Prior to Sequence, Carolyn spent time at Baseline Theatrical and in the general management office of Hamilton: An American Musical, as well as freelancing for high-profile corporate and non-profit events, new
theatrical works, and television and film, including working on the production team for the 71st Annual Tony Awards.

An overhead shot of the 2018 Global Forum hosted in the Oculus World Trade Center. Carolyn Quinn production managed the event with Sequence for the Wharton School of Business.

Design Facilities

From labs and shops to libraries and galleries, A&A boasts myriad design spaces. Visit and be inspired.
See All Design Facilities
Students present their final projects for William Kenyon's Lighting Design course.
Students present their final projects for William Kenyon's Lighting Design course.

Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library

Located in 111 Stuckeman Family Building, the Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library supports study and research in architecture and landscape architecture and their histories


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Students present their final projects for William Kenyon's Lighting Design course.

DArt Design Studio

The DArt Design Studio computer and peripheral labs are available 24 hours a day to the entire DArt community, and are primarily for student


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Students present their final projects for William Kenyon's Lighting Design course.

Stuckeman Shop

The Stuckeman Shop – primarily supporting architecture, landscape architecture, and graphic design students – provides an excellent opportunity for motivated students to develop their ideas


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Students present their final projects for William Kenyon's Lighting Design course.

Theatre Lighting Lab

The Penn State School of Theatre Lighting Lab is one of the most advanced and well-equipped labs of its kind in the country. Seating


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Students at work...

Crafting and creating solutions and systems. Design permeates our world, and A&A students lead the way forward.

Faculty Spotlight

video
Marriott was featured on the “10 Streets That Changed America” episode of the PBS heritage program "10 That Changed America."

Paul Daniel Marriott

Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture

Paul Daniel Marriott is national leader in historic preservation and a global expert in historic roads. As a licensed landscape architect, he has advanced heritage recognition and planning policy for cultural landscapes around the world. His views on heritage and preservation have been featured in The New York Times and on National Public Radio and Radio National in Australia. He serves on the advisory board for the PBS heritage program “10 That Changed America” and was featured on the “10 Streets That Changed America” episode. His research was featured at the “Repton Revived” exhibition at the Garden Museum (London) in 2018 and he was invited to present on the history of scenic roads in the Highlands at the National Library of Scotland in 2019.

Portrait of Paul Daniel Marriott

News from A&A

Penn State work featured in upcoming long-term Franklin Institute space exhibit

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A video that highlights the work a Penn State team is doing to 3D print houses that can sustain life on Mars is featured in a


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Stuckeman School to host architect and graphic designer as lecturers on Oct. 4

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Stuckeman School in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State will welcome two guests as part of its 2023-24 Lecture and Exhibit Series


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Graphic design professor’s graphic novel relates Greek Olympians' origins

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Joel Priddy, associate professor and interim head of graphic design in the College of Arts and Artchitecture’s Stuckeman School at Penn State, wrote and illustrated a


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