CAP First-Year Program

As you pursue a bachelor’s degree within the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP), you’ll engage in a common course of study with other first-year students in the college pursuing degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning.

In this common first-year program, you’ll build a solid foundation for all three disciplines (architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning)—regardless of which of the three directions you’re planning as a major. Studying this way underscores our belief that foundational design, communication, and discipline-specific introductory coursework is effective in introducing students to all three disciplines. At the end of the first year, students then apply to the program(s) of their specific interest; architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning.

Your Own Studio Space

As an ECAP student, you’ll be given your own work and study space in a fully equipped studio. You’ll be assigned projects that encourage you to apply concepts and principles through creative exploration.

Apply Early

Students interested in studying at the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning must complete a supplemental application, in ADDITION to their application to Ball State University. Students who have received the Ball State Fast App from the Office of Admissions must still complete the essay prompts for the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning Application. Admission to the common first-year design program in the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning occurs on a rolling basis until capacity is reached (approximately 190 students). Applying early to Ball State and the college increases the opportunity for admission for qualified students.

Course Curriculum

The First-Year Program consists of six ECAP common first-year courses, with additional courses selected by students to address the University Core Curriculum requirements.

The following table highlights the coursework required for the common first-year program. For full course descriptions, consult the course catalog.

Fall Semester (12-18 Credit Hours)

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

CAP 101

Environmental Design and Planning 1

4

CAP 161

Design Communications Media 1

2

ARCH 100, LA 100, PLAN 100

Intro to Architecture, Intro to Landscape Architecture, Intro to Urban Planning 0-4
University Core Curriculum Courses

6-9

Spring Semester (15 Credit Hours)
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
CAP 102 Environmental Design and Planning 2

4

ARCH 100, LA 100, Plan 100

Intro to Architecture, Intro to Landscape Architecture,
Intro to Urban Planning

0-4

University Core Curriculum Courses

6-9

Advanced Placement

Students transferring from an accredited architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning program may be eligible to begin our programs at the second-year level or higher. Contact us to discuss your options.

Select Your Major

The common First-Year Program is designed to give all students majoring in architecture, landscape architecture, and planning a strong foundation. This year also helps students identify their area(s) of interest and corresponding degree program through career exploration and interactions with faculty and industry leaders in each field.

Once you’ve successfully completed the First-Year Program, you’ll declare a major in one of the following:

Admission into the second year at ECAP is subject to application and departmental review. Please see the catalog pages for architecture, landscape architecture, or planning for specific application expectations for each department. Students will be advised about other available degree programs as needed.

CAP Student with Faculty

Program Faculty

Even before you declare your major, you’ll get to study with our faculty in studio and lecture courses. From the start, you can connect with professors with a wide range of professional education and experience, areas of expertise, and diverse philosophies and points of view. Meet the ECAP faculty.

Computer Requirements

All ECAP first-year students must have a laptop that meets specific minimum specifications to run required software. This laptop is an essential investment that will serve you well throughout your studies, regardless of your chosen discipline. Please note, we do NOT recommend using Apple laptops for any of our programs, though many students opt to have an iPad in addition to their PC laptops.
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