Undergraduate
Not only can undergraduate students pursue an independent thesis topic in their fifth year, but there are numerous opportunities to work directly with the faculty in directed research.

Graduate
Research is an integral part of the studio design process.  Both project based and written theses are expected in the graduate program.  Requirements differ depending on the degree program.

Ongoing Research
Lessons Learned  is an ongoing research project by the LA Unified School District, the Design Advisory Council, the USC School of Architecture, and the J. Paul Getty Trust. It is a series to design 85 new schools that are part of the current $2 billion building program.

Earthen Wall Construction
Funded by USC’s Fund for Innovative Undergraduate Teaching Grant
This project was inspired by students asking to learn more about the materials covered in the course ARCH 206: Shelter.  Not content with hearing how one-third of the world’s population live in earthen buildings or that vernacular architecture techniques are typically more sustainable than contemporary building practice, they wanted to learn more about these techniques – specifically through a hands-on building projects.