Pre-Architecture Design Program Developed at NCCU

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has introduced a pre-architecture degree program, Bachelor of Art in Art: Pre-Architecture concentration, the first at a historically Black university in North Carolina.

“It is the mother of all arts and allows students to do a myriad of professions and careers,” said Associate Professor Scott Singeisen, M.Arch., NCCU’s first hire in architecture. Singeisen is a former architect and was chair of the architecture department at Savannah College of Art and Design.

The idea for a degree program came from Brenda Faison, Ph.D., chair of the department of art and design and director of the NCCU Art Museum. About two years ago, the department was revising its curriculum and sought to introduce architecture.

“In the state of North Carolina, there is no way for those who want to study at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to study architectural design,” Faison said. “The goal is to bring in students who may not typically contemplate attending NCCU.”

African American architects are underrepresented in the profession. As of 2022, there were 121,603 architects working in the United States. Of those, only 2% are African American, according to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. And fewer than one half of one percent of all U.S. architects are African American women.

In fall 2022, the university's Academic Planning Committee approved a four-year Pre-Architecture concentration.

Associate Professor Scott Singeisen coaching student, Makyia Edwards.

In fall 2023, Singeisen began teaching architecture to three students on an independent study basis, which centered on the foundations of visualization for architecture.

Among them is sophomore Zamir Vazquez. In his independent study with Singeisen, he recently studied Louis Kahn and recreated floor plans, elevations and facades of the Fisher Residence. Vazquez said he would “undoubtedly major” in a bachelor’s degree program in architecture.

During spring 2024 semester, the university will offer two courses: ARTA 2440: Digital representation for architecture and ARTA 2445: Fundamentals of structures and materials.

To build student enrollment, Faison plans to reach out to high schools and community colleges in North Carolina that offer art, design and architecture courses.

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She would also like to create dual-degree programs with accredited schools of architecture in the region where NCCU graduates can complete a fifth year or a master’s degree.

Carlton Wilson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, thinks the degree program has potential.

“Graduate schools in architecture around the country are looking for African American students for their programs,” said Wilson. “Architecture firms are looking for African American architects in their businesses.”