The University of Notre Dame School of Architecture’s degree programs were recently granted STEM designation, recognizing the growing integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics within architectural education and design.
At Notre Dame, the designation acknowledges the technical and scientific rigor already embedded in architectural education while affirming the School’s commitment to architecture as both a humanistic and design discipline.
“Architecture has always existed at the intersection of art, science, technology, and human experience,” said Francis and Kathleen Rooney Dean Stefanos Polyzoides. “This designation gives formal recognition to the depth of technical knowledge our students develop while reinforcing the larger purpose of architectural education: to design buildings and places that serve people well, endure over time, and respond intelligently to changing environmental and societal conditions.”
Across the curriculum, students engage with building technology, structures, environmental systems, computational methods, sustainability, emerging technologies, and digital design and fabrication. “It formally acknowledges the breadth of knowledge that architectural education already brings together and the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of architectural practice,” said Director of Graduate Studies Richard Economakis.
Beyond the classroom, the designation also reflects the important role architects play in responding to some of the most pressing challenges facing cities and communities. Buildings and urban environments must increasingly respond to climate change, resource constraints, and rapidly evolving methods of design and construction. Preparing future architects for these challenges requires an education that connects creative practice with rigorous technical and analytical knowledge.
“It reinforces our belief that architects must be able to imagine better environments while also understanding how those environments perform, how they are constructed, and how they can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future,” said Director of Undergraduate Studies John Mellor.
The new designation takes effect in Fall 2026 and applies to the Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, and Master of Architectural Design and Urbanism programs.