College of Architecture Planning & Design
Kansas State University’s College of Architecture and Design was established in 1963 by bringing together into one administrative unit the Departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Construction Science, Interior Architecture and Product Design, and Regional and Community Planning.
The early founders of that coalition were very insightful, realizing that the practice of the design professions would involve multi-disciplinary efforts. Housing these programs in a single college enabled students to better understand the roles and relationships of the disciplines that comprised the design of the built environment. This combination of design and planning received national attention as a model organization for education in the design, planning, and management of the environment.
Today, the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design continues to be a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, environmental design school with accredited professional programs in architecture, interior architecture and product design, landscape architecture, and regional and community planning.
Combining these disciplines under one roof makes Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning, and Design one of the visionary design schools in the nation. We are proud to offer this multi-disciplinary education, which reflects the nature of the professions the College serves and contributes to our students’ successes.
Some Key Dates in the History of the College:
1863 — Kansas State University is established.
1878 — Landscape gardening course series first offered.
1903 — A formally organized four-year curriculum in architecture is initiated. It is among the first in the U.S. to earn professional accreditation.
1934 — Landscape gardening becomes an area of study in the Department of Horticulture within the College of Agriculture.
1941 — A formal landscape architecture curriculum is established.
1957 — Master of Regional and Community Planning is established.
1961 — The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning and the American Institute of Certified Planners first recognizes MRCP.
1963 — College of Architecture and Design is formed.
Early 1970s — Interior architecture program is begun. It is one of first to be recognized by the Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research.
Early 1970s — Department of Environmental Design formed to provide a common, two-year, introductory undergraduate program.
1990 — Environmental Design changed to one-year program of study. Undergraduate enrollment cap of 725 and selective admission are established.
1993 — Department of Regional and Community Planning merges with the Department of Landscape Architecture.
1999 — Department of Interior Architecture receives accreditation as a product design program by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
2002 — Department of Interior Architecture changes name to Department of Interior Architecture and Product Design.
2006 — Bachelors’ degrees changed to non-baccaulaureate Master of Architecture, Master of Interior Architecture and Product Design, and Master of Landscape Architecture; interdisciplinary Ph.D. added.
2007 — Regional and Community Planning program celebrates its 50th anniversary.
