http://caed.calpoly.edu
The College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) offers programs that prepare graduates to create meaningful, resilient places.
Experiential Learning
Under the guidance of expert faculty, students actively participate in hands-on project-based learning that promotes understanding of the built environment and develops the knowledge and skills needed to plan, design, construct and steward.
Interdisciplinary Learning
The college offers interdisciplinary minors, coursework and activities that explore shared areas of interest such as community resilience, real estate development, sustainable environments, earthquake-resistant design, project delivery methods, building technologies, computing technologies, and integrated design and construction.
Co-curricular Activities
Students participate in chapters of professional organizations related to all of the college’s majors, and take part in college leadership through the CAED Student Council, the CAED Student Committee for Diversity and Inclusion and the CAED Ambassadors Leadership Program.
Off-campus Field trips and Programs
Cal Poly’s location in Central California provides access to field trip destinations throughout the state where students study the built environment and interact with communities and experts.
Students have numerous opportunities to participate in national and international off-campus programs offered by the college ranging from field trips associated with courses to community volunteer work, to academic programs with durations ranging from one quarter to a full year. In addition to programs offered by the college, students attend study abroad programs offered by the university, the California State University System and our international exchange partners across the globe.
Internships and Careers
Students are encouraged to gain professional experience through internships that prepare them for careers. The college hosts an annual career fair for all majors and career fairs in the fields of construction and engineering serve all CAED students. The college’s departments and the Cal Poly Career Center assist students with internship preparation and placements.
Facilities
The college’s learning environments include design studios, galleries, the Paul and Verla Neel Resource Center, instructional laboratories equipped for testing building materials and systems, computing laboratories equipped with industry-standard hardware and software, and instructional shops where students create images, models, and prototypes using a variety of media and methods including wood, metals, photography, printing, and digital fabrication. Students build experimental structures and host the annual Design Village Competition in the nine-acre construction site known as “Poly Canyon.”
Accreditation
The Master of City and Regional Planning program and each of the college’s five bachelor’s programs are accredited by their respective national accrediting organizations.
Recommended Preparation
In addition to pursuing CSU entrance requirements, prospective students are encouraged to engage in activities that introduce them to the college’s fields of study so that they can make an informed decision about program choice. These activities may include, but are not limited to, school clubs, professional mentoring programs such as ACE, professional organizations and relevant work, internship or volunteer experience.
CAED Advising Center
Mitra Nafisi, Director, CAED Advising Center
Bldg. (05), Room 210
Phone: 805.756.1325
http://www.caed.calpoly.edu/caed-advising
The college’s Advising Center provides academic advising services to all students enrolled in CAED programs, in coordination with departmental faculty advisors. At the center students receive assistance related to course planning and program completion, transfer and evaluation credit and articulation, academic probation, change of major and course substitution procedures, tutoring, special academic programs, scholarships, and other campus resources.
