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can I study business, architecture and a bachelor of fine arts in one go ?
I want to create my business, but I also love architecture and am deeply interested in art. I want to have something that connects all three of these things. I want to see if there's a way to study all of these things at the same time. and to see what universities or colleges have classes that can be studied, or learn all three topics at once
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6 answers
Updated
Prema’s Answer
That’s a compelling combination, business, architecture, and art are deeply connected, especially in fields where creativity, spatial thinking, and strategic planning overlap. You absolutely can study all three, either through interdisciplinary programs or by curating your own path through electives, minors, or dual degrees. Here are a few practical options to explore:
🔹 1. Degrees That Naturally Combine All Three
Design Management or Arts Management: These programs blend business skills with creative disciplines, ideal if you're interested in running a studio, creative agency, or architectural firm.
Architecture + Business Dual Degree: Some universities offer joint programs like B.Arch + MBA, or architecture degrees with minors or certificates in business.
Industrial Design or Urban Design with Business: These fields bridge art, design, architecture, and strategy.
🔹 2. Universities Known for Interdisciplinary Study
Here are some schools that offer cross-disciplinary flexibility:
Parsons School of Design (The New School, NYC) – Strong programs in design, art, and management. Look at their Strategic Design and Management or Architecture programs with electives in business and fine art.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) – Known for cross-registration with Brown University. You could combine architecture or art with entrepreneurship or business courses.
Cornell University – Offers architecture, business (SC Johnson College), and fine arts, with a reputation for interdisciplinary learning.
University of Southern California (USC) – Architecture, arts, and a strong business school. Programs like their B.S. in Business of Creative Industries may fit.
Carnegie Mellon University – Great at mixing technical, artistic, and entrepreneurial disciplines.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Offers programs in architectural design, art, and creative business leadership.
🔹 3. Create a Custom Major or Path
Many schools now offer interdisciplinary studies or design your own major tracks. Look for universities that encourage academic flexibility—such as NYU Gallatin or Hampshire College—where you can craft a program like “Art-Driven Architecture and Entrepreneurial Design.”
If you're looking for a lighter or more flexible path, you could also:
Take online classes (Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning) in art history, business strategy, and architecture fundamentals.
Attend design bootcamps or certification programs to complement a degree.
Use summer programs or electives at art and architecture schools to fill gaps.
🔹 1. Degrees That Naturally Combine All Three
Design Management or Arts Management: These programs blend business skills with creative disciplines, ideal if you're interested in running a studio, creative agency, or architectural firm.
Architecture + Business Dual Degree: Some universities offer joint programs like B.Arch + MBA, or architecture degrees with minors or certificates in business.
Industrial Design or Urban Design with Business: These fields bridge art, design, architecture, and strategy.
🔹 2. Universities Known for Interdisciplinary Study
Here are some schools that offer cross-disciplinary flexibility:
Parsons School of Design (The New School, NYC) – Strong programs in design, art, and management. Look at their Strategic Design and Management or Architecture programs with electives in business and fine art.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) – Known for cross-registration with Brown University. You could combine architecture or art with entrepreneurship or business courses.
Cornell University – Offers architecture, business (SC Johnson College), and fine arts, with a reputation for interdisciplinary learning.
University of Southern California (USC) – Architecture, arts, and a strong business school. Programs like their B.S. in Business of Creative Industries may fit.
Carnegie Mellon University – Great at mixing technical, artistic, and entrepreneurial disciplines.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Offers programs in architectural design, art, and creative business leadership.
🔹 3. Create a Custom Major or Path
Many schools now offer interdisciplinary studies or design your own major tracks. Look for universities that encourage academic flexibility—such as NYU Gallatin or Hampshire College—where you can craft a program like “Art-Driven Architecture and Entrepreneurial Design.”
If you're looking for a lighter or more flexible path, you could also:
Take online classes (Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning) in art history, business strategy, and architecture fundamentals.
Attend design bootcamps or certification programs to complement a degree.
Use summer programs or electives at art and architecture schools to fill gaps.
Updated
Richard A. (Tony)’s Answer
Leslie,
If you want to run your own business, get basics from community college. If corporate leadership, do in graduate (MBA) program.
Architecture and fine art are a lucrative combination as all projects need to be "beautiful" when presented, and those skills allow you to confidentiality add value to any design team.
So, Architecture with a minor in fine art, then choose your business education path when you figure out how you want to apply your undergrad degree.
All at once is a recipie for disaster, either burnout or lousy grades.
Tony
If you want to run your own business, get basics from community college. If corporate leadership, do in graduate (MBA) program.
Architecture and fine art are a lucrative combination as all projects need to be "beautiful" when presented, and those skills allow you to confidentiality add value to any design team.
So, Architecture with a minor in fine art, then choose your business education path when you figure out how you want to apply your undergrad degree.
All at once is a recipie for disaster, either burnout or lousy grades.
Tony
Updated
Hassan’s Answer
Several colleges like https://catalog.ttu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=21&poid=14429 have combined Architecture, B.S. / General Business, B.B.A. joint degree that can be completed in 5 years. Since more credits will be required a joint degree may take a bit longer or require summer classes.
I couldn't find options with a Fine Arts degree in a joint program. So that would likely require a separate effort that would add significant time and effort.
I'd suggest you do a lot more research and talk to architects to ensure that your joint degree plans will actually help you achieve your career goals. It maybe more advantageous for you to pursue a dual degree Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from UT Austin or a 6-year dual degree Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and a Master of Architecture from the University of Miami.
I couldn't find options with a Fine Arts degree in a joint program. So that would likely require a separate effort that would add significant time and effort.
I'd suggest you do a lot more research and talk to architects to ensure that your joint degree plans will actually help you achieve your career goals. It maybe more advantageous for you to pursue a dual degree Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from UT Austin or a 6-year dual degree Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and a Master of Architecture from the University of Miami.
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Simple answer is, yes, you can. I recommend taking one of those as a major and maybe doing a minor or a certificate and the others. You can also get informal education from podcast and workshops and conferences.
As you progress in your career, You may have less time to explore and experience, so I think getting it in now makes a lot of sense
As you progress in your career, You may have less time to explore and experience, so I think getting it in now makes a lot of sense
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Leslie,
You got some good advice already especially on the combined/dual business+architecture programs. I just wanted to add that not everything you like or find interesting needs to be a job. Not every skill that would be useful in your job needs to be a degree. And you won't stop learning when you graduate from college.
You can certainly carve out a unique niche for yourself, but remember that you pay for your education as long as you are in college, while you can get paid and continue learning on the job.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
You got some good advice already especially on the combined/dual business+architecture programs. I just wanted to add that not everything you like or find interesting needs to be a job. Not every skill that would be useful in your job needs to be a degree. And you won't stop learning when you graduate from college.
You can certainly carve out a unique niche for yourself, but remember that you pay for your education as long as you are in college, while you can get paid and continue learning on the job.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Leslie,
It is great that you have a range of interests and it sounds like you are an overall creative. As an industrial designer, I can say I see a lot of historic designers and artists starting with architecture and converting over time. I have always wondered if there is something about understanding how to make something massive, and well, that allowed for creating smaller and more conceptual things to be born as well. Whether you choose to choose one major or double major, know that you can still do all at once.
Let's say you did theoretically triple major. Something tells me US universities will charge you a bit more money and will range in levels between each program. You will have to really bounce around between each topic. Then again you can say you have a degree in all three, if thats what you truly want.
Let's say you double majored between architecture and business, and did art on the side to stay sane and add to your portfolio. You would end up with two degrees that schooling definitely helps with, while also pushing yourself as an artist through self motivation.
Let's say you just did architecture. You can fully focus and become good at one thing, while also motivating yourself to continue growing as an artist just as much as an architect. Then the business side can come over time through either community college classes (same info and can save money) or by self teaching, or by partnering with someone to create a business overtime.
Consider all your options, it seems like you are ready to put in the work. Best of luck!
It is great that you have a range of interests and it sounds like you are an overall creative. As an industrial designer, I can say I see a lot of historic designers and artists starting with architecture and converting over time. I have always wondered if there is something about understanding how to make something massive, and well, that allowed for creating smaller and more conceptual things to be born as well. Whether you choose to choose one major or double major, know that you can still do all at once.
Let's say you did theoretically triple major. Something tells me US universities will charge you a bit more money and will range in levels between each program. You will have to really bounce around between each topic. Then again you can say you have a degree in all three, if thats what you truly want.
Let's say you double majored between architecture and business, and did art on the side to stay sane and add to your portfolio. You would end up with two degrees that schooling definitely helps with, while also pushing yourself as an artist through self motivation.
Let's say you just did architecture. You can fully focus and become good at one thing, while also motivating yourself to continue growing as an artist just as much as an architect. Then the business side can come over time through either community college classes (same info and can save money) or by self teaching, or by partnering with someone to create a business overtime.
Consider all your options, it seems like you are ready to put in the work. Best of luck!