Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture & Design Ranks Highly with DesignIntelligence

The Virginia Tech School of Architecture & Design was among a select group of programs recognized in the 11th annual America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools study conducted by DesignIntelligence on behalf of the Design Futures Council.

In the only national college rankings focused exclusively on design, Tech’s Landscape Architecture undergraduate program ranked first among programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). Tech’s graduate program in Landscape Architecture—offered both in Blacksburg and the National Capital Region—ranked second directly behind Harvard in the same study.

The DesignIntelligence survey tapped professional practice leaders who have direct experience hiring and evaluating the performance of recent architecture and design graduates. A total of 381 practices were included in the study which analyzes which college and university programs have best prepared students for professional practice.

In addition to the best schools study, deans and chairs from 166 academic programs participated in a separate survey supplementing the information provided by design firms. Almost 2000 architecture students also completed surveys concerning their satisfaction with design education.

Tech’s architecture program ranked forth among undergraduate programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and tied for second in the survey of deans and program chairs for preparation of students, integrated design approach, and comprehensive balance of design and technology.

Both the interior design and industrial design programs also received recognition and high rankings in the DesignIntelligence study. Tech’s interior design program ranked second in computer applications and third in communication and sustainable design concepts and principles.

In addition to the program review, each year DesignIntelligence selects a team of educators and education administrators who exemplify excellence in design education leadership. Four Virginia Tech professors from the School of Architecture & Design were among 25 faculty members named Most Admired Educators of 2010.

There are approximately 148 accredited interior architecture/interior design programs, 151 accredited architecture programs, and 63 accredited landscape architecture programs in the U.S. More information on the DesignIntelligence study may be found on its website.