Earn your architecture degree at one of the best architecture schools in the Midwest – Ranken Technical College.

Becoming an architect requires a wide range of technical, creative, practical, and strategic thinking.  Ranken’s Architectural Technology program teaches through projects, often with emphasis on design, which seeks to integrate your creativity.

Does an architecture degree sound right for you?

Architectural Technology (2)You are visual and creative, and love to draw, sketch and design your ideas.

You want to learn about the technology that takes your projects from the idea stage all the way to a finished product in the real world.

You want a career in a dynamic industry that will keep you learning throughout your career.

Does this sound like you? If you’ve dreamed of learning to design homes, buildings or other structures, a career in architecture may be for you. With an architecture degree from Ranken, you can start your career in as little as two years.

We offer an associate’s degree as part of our two-year architecture programs, or you can opt to get a bachelor’s degree so you can continue on to graduate study by pursuing a master’s degree in architecture.

Ranken’s Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology (BSAT) is a rigorous pre-professional program.  While not required, it is suggested that interested applicants have successfully taken multiple years of the following high school courses:  higher level math, natural sciences, art or drawing, English/composition, and a foreign language.

Interested in seeing more of our Architecture facilities? Take an interactive 360° virtual tour of Ranken Technical College’s ARCHITECTURE department.

Why choose Ranken for your architecture degree?

Combining critical thinking skills, state-of-the-art technology and hands-on experience, the associate and Bachelor’s degree programs in Architectural Technology train students in the newest practices of this evolving profession.

Architectural Technology students learn to assess, plan and create effective building and structural design, making Ranken one of the best architecture schools around. Student coursework centers on hands-on architectural and computer management projects.

Students work together on a series of increasingly complex studio projects in a mentoring atmosphere. This reflects the real-world practice of pairing junior and senior architects, helping them to develop their own skills and their ability to mentor others.

Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree

Architectural Technology (1)Students who complete the four-year program earn a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Providing thorough training and experience in all aspects of the architectural profession, course offerings include design principles, site and building design, construction technology, structural principles, architectural history, building information modeling and computer modeling.

Throughout the program, students participate in a series of architectural studio classes that combine design projects with studio work and offer students the opportunity to manage projects from concept design through construction documentation. Students complete major studio projects in the following areas:

  • Residential building technology using AutoCAD®
  • Commercial building technology using AutoCAD® and Revit® Architecture
  • Building design using 2D and 3D computer modeling
  • Building design using Revit® Architecture
  • Architectural visualization using Revit® Architecture and 3ds Max® Design

Students enrolled in the Architectural Technology program are required to complete the majority of their coursework via computer, utilizing computer-aided design and drafting in each of their studio projects. Mirroring current industry practices, the program provides training in AutoCAD®, Autodesk® 3ds Max Design and Revit® Architecture, as well as a breadth of other graphics software.

At the beginning of their first semester, students are issued a notebook computer for lease during their academic career at Ranken Technical College, with a buyout option upon completion of the program.

Two-Year Associate Degree

Architectural Technology (6)For students looking for two-year architecture programs and drafting training, Ranken offers the option to pursue either an associate of science or associate of technology degree.

At the beginning of their first semester, students are issued a notebook computer for lease during their academic career at Ranken Technical College, with a buyout option upon completion of the program.

After completion, the student will be qualified for employment as an architectural draftsperson.

A student completing one of these degrees will not be able to pursue the bachelor’s degree without taking additional general education and technical courses first.

Taryn P. Risley

Adjunct Instructor, Day School

Master of Architecture,
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
BS in Architectural Technology,
Ranken Technical College
Certifications:
CMBIM
Associate AIA
Revit Architecture Certified Professional

Jonathan G. Myers

Adjunct Instructor, Day School

MS in Landscape Architecture,
Washington University
BS in Architecture and Environmental Design,
Morgan State University

John J. Cahill

Adjunct Instructor, Day School

BA in Architecture,
University of Arizona
Certifications:
Licensed Architect in Missouri and Arizona
Certified LEED AP – US Green Building Council
(USGBC)
Certified Document Specialist – Construction
Specification Institute (CSI)

Brian G. Pelcak

Instructor, Full Time

Master of Architecture,
Kansas State University
Bachelor of Interior Architecture,
Kansas State University
Certifications:
LEGO Serious Play Trained Facilitator
Certificate in Design Thinking

Elizabeth S. Proost

Adjunct Instructor, Day School

Bachelor of Architecture,
University of Kansas
Certifications:
Registered Architect – State of Missouri

David M. Graf

Department Chair, Instructor, Full Time

Master of Architecture,
University of Illinois
BS in Architectural Studies,
University of Illinois
BS in Civil Engineering,
Washington University
Certifications:
Registered Architect – State of Illinois
Registered Architect – State of Missouri
LEED Accredited Professional, Building
Design and Construction – US Green
Building Council

Kelley R. Raftery

Instructor, Full Time

MEd in Curriculum and Instruction,
National-Louis University
BA in Applied Behavioral Science,
National-Louis University
AT in Architectural Drafting,
Ranken Technical College
Certifications:
LEED Accredited Professional, Building
Design and Construction – US Green
Building Council

Michael W. Walker

Instructor, Full Time

Master of Architecture,
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
BS in Architecture,
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Students complete major studio projects in the following areas:

  • Residential building technology using AutoCAD®
  • Commercial building technology using AutoCAD® and Revit® Architecture
  • Building design using 2D and 3D computer modeling
  • Building design using Revit® Architecture
  • Architectural visualization using Revit® Architecture and 3ds Max® Design

Taryn Underwood Risley

Department: Alumni Architecture
Architect II @ FGM Architects

2015 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Jequetta Smith Chestnut

Department: Alumni Architecture
Piping Designer @ Roeslein and Associates

2017 Architectural Technology
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Brandon Wheeler

Department: Alumni Architecture
Level II Technician @ Core & Main

2021 Information Technology & 2020 Architectural Technology
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Matthew Turk

Department: Alumni Architecture
Production Revit Technician @ TBE Architects

2018 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Anthony Zinser

Department: Alumni Architecture
BIM Design Technician @ Archimages, Inc.

2015 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Nour Fuqa

Department: Alumni Architecture
Architectural Assistant @ HT Design, LLC

2019 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Stephen “Andrew” Taylor

Department: Alumni Architecture
Draftsman and Taper System Estimator @ Crown Supply

2018 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Deanna Landreth Law

Department: Alumni Architecture
Architectural Technician @ Archimages

2017 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Tony Raya

Department: Alumni Architecture
Technical Principal @ HOK Architects

1991 Architectural Drafting
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Kody Zedolek

Department: Alumni Architecture
Architectural Designer @ The Lamar Johnson Collaborative

2019 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Earnestina Fields

Department: Alumni Architecture
Drafting Technician @ Wallace Architects

2019 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Ashley Hammock

Department: Alumni Architecture
Drafting Technician @ Jeff Day & Associates

2018 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Cody Henderson

Department: Alumni Architecture
Director of Science & Education @ Feeler S. Architects

2006 Bachelor Degree in Architectural Technology
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Charles Riechers

Department: Alumni Architecture


1971 Architectural Design & Structural Engineering
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