Academic Options

Admission to the College of Architecture, Planning and Design (CAPD) is competitive and based on academic achievement. If you are not admitted to the CAPD or missed the application deadline the following are options available to you:

  1. Attend KSU for a year of general study and apply to CAPD as an internal transfer student.
    Most students who elect this option choose to enroll at KSU through the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), Open Option. The advisors in A&S are prepared to help you choose classes and understand that you will be working to gain admission to the CAPD the following year. Shortly after you arrive on campus, you can pick up an application for admission to CAPD in 212 Seaton Hall. The deadline for application is prior to February 1. Late applicants will not be considered for admission. The application will include information explaining the process of changing your curriculum from one college to another. Remember, your KSU cumulative grade point average will be the primary factor used to determine admission to CAPD. In addition, if you select this option your education at KSU will be at least 6 years. There is absolutely no way to shorten this time frame because once you are admitted to CAPD you will begin a ten-semester design studio sequence that starts only in the fall semester. Students who are pursuing this option need to give serious consideration to taking courses during their first two semesters at KSU that are of general interest to them as there are very few, if any, courses in the college available to non-majors.
  2. Attend another university or community college for a year of general study and apply to KSU and CAPD as a first year student.
    You will need to apply to KSU prior to February 1. The Office of Admissions must receive your application, transcript(s) and fee prior to February 1. Late applications will not be considered for admission. Your cumulative grade point average will be the primary factor used to determine admission to CAPD. An applicant needs at least a 3.0 gpa to be considered for admission and will probably need at least a 3.2 to be competitive. This option will extend your education to six or more years. Once you are admitted to CAPD you will begin the 10-semester design studio sequence (5 years) that begins only in the fall semester. Your high school gpa and ACT are not considered.
  3. Take a year off and apply to KSU and CAPD as a first year student.
    If you are a high school student and not admitted for the fall semester immediately after graduation, you can choose to take a year to work or have an experience other than pursuing college credit. If you select this option, we will make our admission decision based on your high school grade point average and ACT or SAT. Work experience in the design professions or a related field such as construction, travel or community or military service could be viable alternatives.You will need to apply to the university and the Office of Admissions must receive your high school transcript, ACT or SAT scores and fee prior to February 1. Late applicants will not be considered for admission. If you are a transfer student we will make admission decisions based on your cumulative college gpa. We ask that you prepare a statement describing your experience during that year(s) and submit it to archdesstuserv@ksu.edu by February 1.
  4. Attend another school or KSU, complete a bachelor’s degree in a field other than architecture, interior architecture and product design or landscape architecture and apply to an accredited, post-baccalaureate master’s degree program.
    This option is attractive to students who have completed more than sixty hours or have two years or less of undergraduate school to complete and have strong grade point averages. An accredited post-baccalaureate master’s degree typically takes 3-3.5 years and upon successful completion enables the graduate to compete for entry-level positions and eventually sit for the pertinent licensing exam. KSU/CAPD offers an accredited post-baccalaureate Master of Landscape Architecture degree and an accredited post-baccalaureate Master of Regional and Community Planning. We do not have accredited post-baccalaureate  masters programs in architecture or interior architecture and product design.
  5. Attend the University of Missouri in Kansas City, UMKC.
    This option allows you to have a seamless transfer to KSU in the 2nd year of landscape architecture or 3rd year in architecture or interior architecture and product design. Enrollment is limited, you should apply as soon as you have decided that UMKC is where you want to study. To apply you must complete a UMKC application for admission, and submit transcripts from all schools attended, ACT scores and high-school class rank. To learn more about this option you can visit  http://cas.umkc.edu/aupd/ or call (816) 235-1725.  This is the only option that allows you to remain on a 5-year program of study.

You may contact the CAPD Student Services Office at
(785) 532-5047 or archdesstuserv@ksu.edu with questions.