University of South Florida

School of Architecture & Community Design

USF College of The Arts

Apply for Admission

Welcome to the USF School of Architecture & Community Design (SACD)! We are glad to help you through the application process. To be considered for acceptance, all prospective students must complete their application in the following order: 1) Apply for admission to the University of South Florida; 2) Apply for admission to SACD.

Please note that admission into the university and admission into the school are separate processes which involve different application forms, supporting materials, and deadlines.

Step 1:
Apply for admission to the University of South Florida

To begin your admission application to the University of South Florida, please refer to the USF Office of Admissions website for requirements, deadlines, and information on how to apply. The links below will guide you to the specific requirements for admission based on your academic status:

 

Step 2:
Apply for admission to the School of Architecture & Community Design

New students are admitted to SACD once a year and begin in the fall semester only. The deadline for application is March 1 of the same calendar year for which the prospective student is seeking fall admission.

Before you apply, review the SACD Admissions Requirements to be sure you have fulfilled all of the prerequisites.

 

Application Materials

All SACD admission application must include the following:

  1. A completed School of Architecture & Community Design application form
  2. Undergraduate transcripts (as applicable)
  3. A design portfolio - design portfolio must be submitted in hard copy form on 8 1/2 X paper.  The portfolio can be delivered to USF School of Architecture & Community Design (third floor - Room HMS 311). If you are submitting the portfolio outside the state or country it can be submitted in pdf format (no links please) to SACD-Portfolio@usf.edu.  If you'd like to mail your portfolio please use the following address and please allow time for delivery.

    USF School of Architecuture 
    Portfolio Submission
    12316 USF Genshaft Dr.
    Tampa, FL 33620
    Attention: 
    James E. Spear HMS-311
  4. Three (3) letters of recommendation
  5. A one-page statement of academic/professional intent
  6. A GRE test score
    • The institution code for the University of South Florida is 5828 and applies to all tests administered by ETS. - The School of Architecture and Community Design prefers to have the GRE information from applicants, the test is available online. If there are extenuating circumstances the SACD may waive the requirement.

Take the GRE

instructions for submitting applications:

All above application materials must be submitted no later than March 1st.  Please note that hard copies of your Design Portfolios can be delivered to James Spear in HMS-311 or sent to the school at the following address:

USF School of Architecture 
Portfolio Submission
12316 USF Genshaft Dr.
Tampa, FL 33620
Attention: James E. Spear HMS-311

Please send all other Admissions documents to: SACDAdmissions@usf.edu

Each student should submit one application email containing:

  • Completed SACD application form
  • Design portfolio - hard copies must be delivered to USF SACD prior to March 1, 2023. If you reside out of the state of Florida or the United States the Design Portfolio can be sent via email as a pdf ( no links, please) to SACD-Portfolio@usf.edu
    Hard Copies of your portfolio can be sent via US Mail to:

    USF School of Architecture 
    Portfolio Submission
    12316 USF Genshaft Dr.
    Tampa, FL 33620
    Attention: 
    James E. Spear HMS-311
  • Statement of intent
  • A .PDF of GRE test scores downloaded directly from ETS website

Students who are not already admitted to USF can have digital copies of transcripts sent to the email address provided.

The window for submitting applications will open beginning the first week of January and close on March 1st. However, students should be working to collect and finalize all application materials prior to the application window opening.

For any questions regarding the application process, please contact Maricarmen Salamo Cedeno at ms321@usf.edu. 

Specific steps for admission by academic status

First-Year Undergraduate and Non-Degree Transfer Students

  1. Apply to the University of South Florida through the USF Office of Admissions and select "Pre-Architecture" as your intended major.
  2. After you receive your acceptance into USF, meet regularly with your undergraduate advisor to complete the Pre-Architecture courses, then follow the steps for Current USF Undergraduate Students to apply for admission into the master's degree programs.

 

Current USF Undergraduate Students

  1. Meet with the undergraduate advisor about your status as a Pre-Architecture student prior to spring semester registration to ensure you are on-track to complete the Pre-Architecture courses before you apply for admission into the master's degree programs at SACD.
  2. Take the GRE exam by January 1 to ensure scores are received electronically by the February 1 admissions deadline.
  3. Submit your application containing the materials listed above by March 1 directly to the School of Architecture & Community Design via email. Note: Current USF students do not need to send an official transcript. We can access USF transcripts internally.

 

Associate of Arts Transfer Student with AA in Architecture

  1. Take the GRE exam by January 1 to ensure scores are received electronically by the February 1 admissions deadline.
  2. Apply to the University of South Florida through the USF Office of Admissions and select "Pre-Architecture" as your intended major.
  3. Submit your application containing the materials listed above by March 1 directly to the School of Architecture & Community Design.

 

Students with 4-year Preprofessional Bachelor's Degree

  1. Take the GRE exam by January 1 to ensure scores are received electronically by the March 1 admissions deadline.
  2. Apply to the University of South Florida through the USF Office of Admissions as a graduate student and select "Master of Architecture" and/or "Master of Urban and Community Design" in the application.
  3. Submit your application containing the materials listed above by March 1 directly to the School of Architecture & Community Design.

 

Questions?

We are happy to help with any questions you may have! Please contact the school's academic advisor, Maricarmen Salamo Cedeno, at (813) 974-2320 or via ms321@usf.edu. Prospective students can also make an appointment to meet in person.