If you’re a high school student interested in architecture and design, enrolling in an online architecture program allows you to study architectural theory, new technological advancements, and practical design virtually! These virtual programs offer great flexibility while still providing interactive learning experiences that can help you determine if architecture is a potential college major without committing to an in-person program.
Through these programs, you’ll explore architectural history, urban planning, and related design fields while building connections with peers, professors, and industry professionals. Many online programs also incorporate hands-on projects, digital design tools, and virtual studio sessions, allowing you to develop skills, strengthen your resume, and create a portfolio to support college applications.
Here’s our curated list of 10 online architecture programs for high school students!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Architecture Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost through the interest form here.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies from cohort to cohort
- Spring seminar: March 3 onwards
- Summer seminar: June 16 onwards
- Horizon Labs offers flexible start dates, but applications must be submitted at least four weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.67 on a 4.0 scale can apply. Most participants are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites, which you can review here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like data science, machine learning, architecture, design, political theory, chemistry, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and psychology. You can choose between quantitative and qualitative research methods. For those interested in architecture or urban planning, the Environmental Health and Engineering course covers sustainability topics such as agricultural production, urbanization, walkable cities, infrastructure, resource use, and modern engineering innovations.
You will select a subject and research method and will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university for mentorship throughout the research process. You’ll develop a 20-page university-level research paper, which can be submitted to journals for potential publication. This program offers specialized research opportunities with expert guidance. You will also receive a recommendation letter and detailed project feedback to support future research and college applications. You can apply here!
2. Architectural Foundation of San Francisco’s Build SF Summer Design Institute
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $3,000; need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: June 1
Dates:
- Session 1: June 9 – June 27
- Session 2: July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students
The Build San Francisco Summer Design Institute is a three-week program for high school students interested in urban development and design. During the program, you will learn video production, 3D modeling, and animation using tools like SketchUp and Autodesk software. You will gain training in digital design platforms, present original projects, receive feedback, and participate in collaborative group activities. Additionally, you will receive one-on-one mentoring from a professional architect or engineer for career guidance and industry insights.
The program operates online Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with additional individual work and mentoring sessions outside these hours. It can help you develop design skills and create a digital portfolio suitable for college applications and future career opportunities.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming spring cohort is February 9
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall cohort from September to December, the winter cohort from December to February, and the spring cohort from March to June.
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides a 12-week virtual research experience where high school students develop independent research projects under the mentorship of a Ph.D. mentor who will offer personalized guidance throughout the program. You will work with your mentor and a writing coach to choose and refine a research topic. The program includes workshops on research methods and assistance in completing a comprehensive independent research paper.
While not exclusively focused on architecture, this program offers the flexibility to explore architecture, urban planning, sustainable design, and structural engineering through a research-based approach. Areas of study typically include data science, physics, chemistry, sociology, history, engineering, economics, and more. If your interests lie outside these fields, you can customize your research topic. Additional details about the application process can be found here.
4. Syracuse University’s Summer College – Online: Architecture
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,165; discounts and scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates:
- 3-Week Session I: July 7 – July 25
- 3-Week Session II: July 21 – August 8
- 6-Week Session: July 7 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduates not enrolling at Syracuse University in the fall
Syracuse University’s Summer College – Online allows high school students to explore potential majors and academic interests from home through high-level instruction and virtual campus resources. You will attend live virtual classes on weekdays with professors, classmates, and teaching or instructional assistants. Classes may include lectures, guest presentations, discussions, activities, breakout rooms, and group work. Outside class, you’ll complete asynchronous assignments such as pre-recorded lectures, readings, and individual or group projects.
The Summer College Architecture Program, taught by the school’s Architecture faculty, provides a foundational introduction to architecture, helping students complete portfolio projects. You will learn spatial definition, form, and relationships, culminating in a final project to design a small pavilion in downtown Syracuse. The program includes instruction in physical model making, mechanical drafting, digital modeling in Rhino, digital illustration in Adobe Illustrator, and photo editing in Adobe Photoshop.
You will also explore architecture through drawing exercises, design projects, lectures, virtual tours, and discussions on contemporary and historical topics. Upon completing the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Syracuse University, with the option to purchase a credit or noncredit transcript.
5. BAC Summer Academy for High School Students
Location: In-person at Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA, or Virtual via Zoom.
Cost:
- Base Price (3 college credits): $2,000, with an early bird discount of $1,800 available for students who register by March 1
- Base Price (without credit): $1,800, with an early bird discount of $1,600 available for students who register by March 1
Application Deadline: June 9
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old
Boston Architectural College’s (BAC) Pre-College Program introduces high school students to careers in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. You will develop core design skills through individual and group projects, focusing on sketching, digital design, model-making, and presentation techniques.
The program offers two tracks:
- Exploration Track: For first-time students or those without prior design experience, covering foundational skills across multiple disciplines.
- Investigation Track: For students with design experience, focusing on specific disciplines and challenges.
You can enroll for credit through the Credit Bearing Option (CBO), which provides 3 college credit hours, or choose the Not For Credit (NFC) option. The online program features virtual studio sessions via Zoom, real-world design challenges, personalized feedback, workshops, virtual site visits, and digital fabrication, concluding with a digital pin-up and portfolio. A kit with materials and tools will be provided at the start of the program.
6. Cornell University’s Introduction to Architecture Summer Program for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,750 per credit
Application Deadline: June 2 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: June 24 – August 2 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 15 or older by the program’s start
Cornell University’s Introduction to Architecture Summer Program is an online course for high school students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture. The program combines design studios with courses on architectural history and theory, focusing on developing a creative and critical design approach.
You will learn architectural concepts, principles, and methods to address design challenges in a studio environment. Activities include working in small groups, attending lectures, and participating in workshops on representational techniques and portfolio development.
The program includes two online courses, each worth three credits, for a total of six credits:
- Introduction to Architecture: Design Studio (ARCH 1110)
- Introduction to Architecture: Lectures (ARCH 1300)
The program is fully online, using remote tools for studio setup and collaboration while combining digital, analog, and hybrid design methods. You will receive personalized instruction and feedback to build a portfolio suitable for college applications and gain insights into architectural education and practice.
7. UCLA’s TeenArch Studio Summer Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,028; scholarships are available
Application Deadline: June 13
Dates: June 30 – July 18 (virtual session)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who are at least 15 years old by the program’s start date and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
The TeenArch Studio Summer Institute, offered by UCLA’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design, is a 3-week intensive program for high school students interested in architecture and design thinking. The program will introduce you to architecture and college life through a design studio model. You will work on a project, receiving mentorship from UCLA Architecture students, alumni, and faculty.
The program includes design exercises, drawing and modeling techniques, group and individual instruction, and critiques from guest designers and instructors. You will start with studying origami to understand form and volume, using feedback to guide your designs. You will also attend lectures from architects and designers to complement the hands-on experience. The program will conclude with a final presentation of your work to faculty from Los Angeles architecture schools for feedback.
8. Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture’s Introduction to Architecture Online Program
Location: Virtual (synchronous session)
Cost: The program tuition is $2,980, with a $40 application fee. Students are responsible for purchasing supplies.
Application Deadline: June 1
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Eligibility: Current high school students and recent high school graduates, including international students
The Introduction to Architecture Online Program by The Cooper Union’s Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture is a five-week intensive designed to introduce high school students to architectural thinking and design while building a portfolio.
The program includes lectures, workshops, and tutorials by Cooper faculty, including Mersiha Veledar, James Lowder, Nader Tehrani, Elizabeth O’Donnell, and Lauren Kogod. It focuses on the design and critique process, with morning sessions covering workshops, seminars, and lessons on the history and context of architecture. You will engage remotely with faculty and peers, working on exercises that emphasize geometry, structure, and function. You will learn digital drawing, model-making, computer modeling, and fabrication techniques. You will also attend weekly lectures that will explore significant architectural works. Students who complete all assignments will receive a Certificate of Completion from The Cooper Union.
9. Fallingwater Institute Virtual Summer Camp: Portfolio Prep
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $250 per person, which includes basic materials and tools
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Dates: August 4 – August 8,
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 are eligible to apply, and no prior design experience is necessary.
The Fallingwater Institute Virtual Summer Camp: Portfolio Prep is a week-long program focused on design, architecture, or fine arts at the college level. During the program, Fallingwater Institute instructors will guide you in creating portfolio-ready pieces in your chosen medium, with an emphasis on traditional studio techniques and hand-crafted work.
Over the week, expert instructors guide group discussions, assign independent projects, and offer personalized feedback to help you refine your skills.
10. UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning’s Virtual Summer Camp Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: $575
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Dates: July 20 – July 26
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12, including new high-school graduates
The UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning offers a Virtual Architecture Summer Camp for high school students interested in architecture, design, and 3D design technologies. The camp, led by SARUP faculty member Alex Timmer with support from graduate students, faculty, and staff, covers the basics of architectural design.
During the camp, you will tackle design challenges, learning to communicate your ideas through models, drawings, text, and presentations. You will participate in workshops on digital modeling, reading architectural drawings, and documenting work in 2D. On the final day, students and families can optionally visit Milwaukee for architecture tours and a lunch event at the School of Architecture.
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