“CBU stands out as the only Christian university in the Western U.S. that offers an architecture program. This is anchored by our commitment to being the premier institution where faith and creativity intersect with excellence. At the heart of our program lies a foundation of collaborative, interdisciplinary creativity, fostering an environment where you gain invaluable hands-on experience through strategic partnerships with professional architects throughout Southern California. These industry leaders provide mentorship and real-world insights, helping you develop a deeper understanding of your role as a valuable contributor to the everevolving field of architecture.”
Dirk Dallas, MFA Dean, College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design
Program Distinctives
01 02 03 04
Christian Worldview
CBU is the only university in the western half of the United States that integrates a professional architecture program with a Christian worldview.
Location, Location, Location!
Study architecture in Southern California and have access to a multitude of historic landmarks and award-winning contemporary architecture for inspiration.
Caring Faculty
Learn from outstanding professors who care for your academic and spiritual development as well as your career preparation and ambitions.
Cutting Edge
Utilize state-of-the-art studio space and equipment to make your architectural vision come to life.
Program Details at a Glance
Program Length
CBU 5th-Year Students:
30 units, 1 year
Non-CBU Students:
36–89 units, 2–3 years
Program length for non-CBU students is determined by placement based on prior coursework and portfolio review.
Program Cost*
CBU 5th-Year Students:
$31,730*
Non-CBU Students:
$40,900–$94,250
$940 per unit
$365 per semester general fee
$1400 per semester program fee
Program Start Term
Fall, Spring or Summer (Dependent on placement)
Class Format
Classes are offered Monday–Friday during the day
*Based on current academic year. Subject to change.
**Reference back cover for accreditation.
Accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)**
Optional Concentrations
Construction Management
Religion & the Built Environment
Human Factors in Design
Architectural Representation
Ready to see differently?
Alumni Q&A
Diego Corona Class of 2019
Graduating in 2019 with his Master of Architecture at CBU, Diego now works as an architectural project designer. In his role, he creates the vision and concepts for new projects as they move from a client’s articulated needs and mature into tangible, visionary and achievable pieces of architecture. He also works closely with the managing architects and consulting engineers to ensure that a project meets and exceeds the expectations of the client with quality and timeliness. Diego has worked on close to thirty projects over the last several years and has really enjoyed seeing the needs of clients germinate into a measurable and inspiring architectural design.
Q: Why did you want to study architecture?
A: Since a young age, I’ve been fascinated with the thought behind, beauty of and tangibility of buildings. Since age seven, I could draw a floor plan and immediately have a sense of how the space would look and feel. This creative vision allowed me to understand from a young age that architecture was my calling.
Q: What have you loved most about working in the field you are in?
A: Every project is different. There are different needs and different constraints, which naturally form the opportunity to produce a unique solution. As an art and a science, architecture provides ample opportunities for creativity and continual learning.
Q: What about CBU caught your eye when applying to grad programs?
A: I attended CBU Architecture for my undergraduate studies and was thoroughly pleased with the quality of the curriculum and pedagogy, the personal commitment of the professors to balance design exploration and knowledge engenderment, and the Christ-centered perspective.
Q: How did CBU prepare you for the job you are in currently?
A: The program balances foundational knowledge with design process to provide graduates with the ability to produce achievable and meaningful design. Because of my education at CBU, when I approach a project, instead of overemphasizing a single part of architecture over the whole, I can
better balance the rational with the creative with a more holistic understanding.
Q: What was one of the most valuable things you took from your time at CBU?
A: I’m greatly intrigued with how, as an art form, architecture can glorify Christ. I really enjoyed hearing the perspectives of other students and professors on this topic.
Q: What is a piece of advice you would give to someone looking to apply to this program?
A: Do a thesis and pursue it with passion. It will prove to be very rewarding.
Faculty Spotlight
Keelan Kaiser, MArch, FAIA Director, Architecture
I love architecture because it is a field where we can help people realize their dreams and mission, and because the built environment can culturally enrich our communities positively for multiple generations. My applied research areas are drawing, imagination, and sustainability/resilience in the built environment.
As an educator and a practitioner, I share the theoretical and practical in my teaching. I have taught in the Chicago and Los Angeles metropolitan areas for over 25 years and have practiced all over the country. I’ve taught at the University of Nebraska (my alma mater), Judson University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and CBU.
Most of my design work has focused on building low-energy and net-positive buildings that consume very little energy or produce more energy than they consume. My design work is both culturally rich and compositionally intriguing, while at the same time meeting strict energy and material conservation goals.
My goal at CBU is to help make our architecture program distinctive in quality and content among the 160+ professional architecture schools, to competitively place our students in offices all over the country, and to encourage our graduates to excel in their professional careers in architecture. We accomplish this with outstanding faculty, an excellent curriculum, exceptional co-curricular programming, and great support from our local professional community.
We have something very special at CBU Architecture, and I hope you consider joining our program and meeting your professional goals.
Course Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Application for admission with a $45 application fee.
BA or BS degree in architecture or related discipline from an accredited college or university or the evaluated equivalency.
2.75 or last 60/90 unit GPA. Additional opportunities may be available for a student to overcome an unsatisfactory GPA.
Current architecture portfolio documenting academic and professional design work may be required upon request.
Written statement of purpose OR in-person/virtual program interview (student’s choice). Written statement (500-word maximum) or interview will address:
ο What are your educational goals?
ο How will this program help meet those goals?
ο What makes you a good fit for CBU?
An applicant whose first language is not English and/or does not have a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction is required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a recent TOEFL or IELTS score.
Prerequisites*
Design Studio I
Design Studio II
Computer Modeling
Architectural History I
*Prerequisite classes may be required for applicants without an architecture BA or BS.
Architectural History II Materials and Methods
How to Apply
Submit a graduate application at calbaptist.edu/gradapp.
Send official college or university transcripts.
Provide any supplemental documents required.
**In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a threeyear term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
California Baptist University, College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design Master of Architecture, 168 credits
Next Accreditation Visit: 2029
Graduate Admissions
8432 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504
College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design
951.343.4249 calbaptist.edu 8432 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504
