The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a globally recognized institution offering interdisciplinary programs in architecture, art, design, and visual culture, blending rigorous academic training with hands-on studio practice, cutting-edge research, and collaborative innovation to prepare students for leadership in creative industries, sustainable design, and cultural advocacy.

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Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts | WashU

Academic Programs & Interdisciplinary Focus

The school integrates four core disciplines under one visionary umbrella:

• College of Architecture: Offers NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Architecture (MArch) degrees, with concentrations in urban design, landscape ecology, and material innovation. Dual-degree options include partnerships with WashU’s Olin Business School and McKelvey School of Engineering.
• College of Art: Features BFA and MFA programs in painting, sculpture, photography, and interactive media, emphasizing experimental studio practice and critical theory. Unique tracks include Art & Social Engagement and Digital Fabrication.
• College of Design: Delivers BS in Design and MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture programs, with specializations in typography, user experience (UX) design, and environmental graphics. The Design for Social Impact Lab partners with NGOs for real-world projects.
• Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design: Advanced MS and PhD programs in sustainable urbanism, computational design, and historic preservation, supported by research centers like the Center for Ecological Design.

Facilities & Resources

Students access state-of-the-art studios, labs, and galleries across three dedicated buildings:

• Weil Hall: A 75,000-square-foot hub for design innovation, featuring robotics labs, 3D printing bays, and flexible maker spaces.
• Kemper Art Museum: One of the oldest university-affiliated art collections in the U.S., housing over 12,000 works, from Renaissance prints to contemporary installations.
• Steinberg Hall: Home to critique spaces, material libraries, and the Des Lee Gallery, showcasing student and faculty exhibitions.

Faculty & Research Leadership

The school’s 150+ faculty include Pritzker Prize-nominated architects, Guggenheim Fellows, and exhibited artists. Notable experts:

• Dr. Heather Woofter, Director of the College of Architecture, pioneering sustainable urban systems.
• Professor Cheryl Wassenaar, internationally recognized for textile-based public art installations.
• Professor Jonathan Hanahan, whose work in speculative design merges AI with interactive media.

Partnerships & Global Opportunities

Strategic alliances enhance experiential learning:

• Industry Collaborations: Partnerships with Gensler, HOK, and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation for internships and sponsored studios.
• Study Abroad: Semester programs in Copenhagen (DIS), Florence (Santa Reparata), and Tokyo (Waseda University).
• Community Engagement: Initiatives like CityStudioSTL address urban challenges in St. Louis through design interventions.

Awards & Recognition

• Ranked #4 nationally for Graduate Architecture Programs by DesignIntelligence (2023).
• MFA programs consistently ranked among the top 15 by U.S. News & World Report.
• Alumni include 12 Rome Prize winners and 8 National Design Award recipients.

Admissions & Financial Support

Admission is highly selective (14% acceptance rate for undergraduate programs). Merit scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships cover up to full tuition. Portfolio reviews emphasize conceptual depth and technical proficiency, with dedicated mentorship for applicants from underrepresented communities.

Alumni Impact

Graduates lead firms like SOM, Pentagram, and Foster + Partners, while others exhibit at MoMA, Venice Biennale, and Documenta. Notable alumni include:

• Ai Weiwei, conceptual artist and activist.
• Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang Architects.
• Shepard Fairey, graphic designer and social commentator.

For updates on exhibitions, public lectures, and admissions deadlines, visit samfoxschool.washu.edu.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BS Arch)
A pre-professional, four-year program emphasizing design theory, technical skills, and sustainable practices. Students engage in studio projects, digital fabrication labs, and internships. Graduates pursue licensure or advanced degrees.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art
A four-year studio-based program with concentrations in painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and interactive media. Includes critiques, interdisciplinary electives, and a senior thesis exhibition. Prepares students for careers in galleries, museums, or freelance practice.
Bachelor of Science in Design (BS Design)
Focuses on communication design, user experience (UX), and environmental graphics. Combines studio courses in typography, branding, and motion design with courses in design history and ethics. Includes a required capstone project with community or industry partners.

Graduate Programs

Master of Architecture (MArch)
A NAAB-accredited three-year program for students without prior architecture training. Covers advanced design studios, building technology, and urban systems. Specializations include urban design, landscape ecology, and computational methods. Includes a thesis project and global study opportunities.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Art
A two-year interdisciplinary program for experimental artists. Students work in private studios with faculty mentorship, participate in critiques, and present a public thesis exhibition. Tracks include social practice, digital media, and material studies.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
A three-year program blending ecological design, urban planning, and site analysis. Features collaborations with the Missouri Botanical Garden and hands-on projects in St. Louis neighborhoods. Graduates qualify for licensure and roles in environmental advocacy.
Master of Design (MDes) in Illustration & Visual Culture
A two-year program merging narrative illustration with cultural theory. Focuses on editorial illustration, animation, and authorial practice. Includes partnerships with publishers like The New York Times and Penguin Random House.

Advanced Graduate Studies

Master of Science in Advanced Architecture (MS Arch)
A one-year post-professional degree for architects exploring specialized research in sustainable design, robotics, or historic preservation. Requires a publishable thesis and collaboration with WashU’s engineering or environmental science departments.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sustainable Urbanism
A research-intensive program addressing urban resilience, policy, and ecological systems. Students work with the Center for Ecological Design and present dissertations grounded in fieldwork. Typically completed in 4–5 years.

Interdisciplinary & Dual Degrees

• MArch/Master of Urban Design (MUD): A four-year dual degree combining architectural practice with large-scale urban planning. Includes studios in global cities like Copenhagen and Singapore.
• MFA/Master of Arts (MA) in Art History: A three-year program blending studio art with academic research. Students curate exhibitions at the Kemper Art Museum and publish critical essays.
• BS Arch/Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering: A five-year dual degree for students pursuing infrastructure design. Co-taught with the McKelvey School of Engineering.

Certificates & Specialized Tracks

• Graduate Certificate in Public Art & Placemaking: A one-year program for artists and designers creating site-specific installations. Partners with the St. Louis Public Art Initiative.
• Design for Social Impact: An undergraduate/graduate track integrating human-centered design with nonprofit collaboration. Students work with NGOs like Habitat for Humanity.
• Fashion Design Concentration: Available to BFA students, focusing on wearable art, textile innovation, and sustainable fashion systems.

For admissions criteria, course catalogs, and faculty advisement, visit samfoxschool.washu.edu.

Contact Information for Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts:

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