This program prepares students to enter the field of architecture and related areas. The student is provided with an option of direct employment in the field or preparation for transfer to a professional school of architecture. The Design Concentration focuses on studio-based design projects, drawing, and presentation skills. The student will develop a portfolio of work relevant to their concentration.

The Landscape Design and Construction Specialist Associate in Science degree program provides additional training for students interested in working in the field of landscape design/build. The curriculum provides advanced studies in design, plant ID, and basic horticulture, and provides foundational training toward working in a design/ build firm, and obtaining a landscape contractor’s license, irrigation design certification, and related specialties (lighting, water features, water management).

The Landscape and Parks Maintenance Specialist Associate in Science degree program provides additional training for students interested in working in the field of landscape and parks maintenance. The curriculum provides advanced studies in horticulture, plant ID, and maintenance practices, and provides foundational training for working for parks and recreation departments, golf courses, public works, landscape maintenance companies, or starting one’s own landscape maintenance business.

The Environmental Horticulture Program teaches the basic skills and provides state-of-the-art information required to develop a strong foundation for a variety of career specialties within the landscaping, ornamental horticulture and the regenerative and restoration industry. The program encourages professional standards, a strong work ethic and environmentally sound management practices. Horticulture industry professionals from throughout the community serve as members of the college’s Environmental Horticulture Advisory Committee. These “hands-on” professionals provide guidance, expertise and leadership in enhancing the program’s response to community and industry needs. They meet yearly with program staff members, college administrators and student representatives to review program goals and objectives. Course offerings and content have been determined through this participation and are geared to meet the needs of the landscape, ornamental horticulture and habitat management trades.

The A.S. Degree in Environmental Horticulture with an emphasis in Landscape Contracting, prepares the student for obtaining their landscape contractor's license (C-27) and becoming a professional landscape contractor. Environmental Horticulture (EH) teaches students the skills and knowledge required for success in the professions of landscape maintenance, landscape design, permaculture, nursery and greenhouse work, and ecological restoration. The program encourages professional standards, a strong work ethic and environmentally sound practices.

The Associate of Science in Architecture provides students with a strong foundational knowledge of the field of Architecture.

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in architectural technologies prepares you for a career as an architectural technologist, whose primary role is in the development of detailed designs for the construction and renovation of buildings to meet the needs of a sustainable world. The focus of the curriculum is on the knowledge base and decision-making processes involved with shaping building form and assembling architectural materials and components in a manner that supports minimal energy and resource consumption and produces functional, robust architecture.

Most architecture majors, after completing their studies and obtaining their Professional Degree, will choose to obtain their license to practice architecture and go into private practice as owners of their own firm. As practitioners, they will service a wide variety of clientele: private, business, institutional, and governmental. Others may elect to find employment in existing architectural firms, as members of their teams, in the design and development of the built environment. Some may elect to do advance work in fields such as art, historic restoration, product development, government, politics, business administration, law, education, medicine, research, land development, the military, etc. Others find opportunities in related fields that utilize the technical and problem-solving skills obtained from their architectural education.

The Architecture Program at West Valley College is primarily transfer-oriented. It prepares students to enter 4- and 5-year architecture programs at the university level. The degree exceeds 60 units as it is preparing students for the five-year professional degree in Architecture. The Architecture courses at West Valley cover the following areas of study: building design, graphics, history, practical/technical communication, codes, construction, and structural design. An increasing number of WVC courses leverage computer technology as an educational tool.

Associate of Science (Architectural and Building Technology)

This major provides a focused course of study for students in preparation for careers as designers of architectural projects and potential licensure as architects. Emphasis is placed on project visualization, industry-standard drawing techniques and conventions, computer-aided drafting (CAD) skills, and the specific preparation of architectural building plans. Additionally, the integral coursework includes a focus on the official code requirements necessary for residential and commercial building projects. The curriculum also includes introductory coursework in the associated fields of project engineering and construction. As a degree (in contrast to a certificate), this program requires the completion of general education courses; however, if transfer to a university for a baccalaureate or advanced degree is desired, interested students should carefully consider the specific admission and transfer requirements for individual colleges and universities. This program is not designed to fulfill the most common requirements for transfer to a university in architecture; please refer to the Associate of Science Degree in Architecture for such preparation.

Most architecture majors, after completing their studies and obtaining their professional degree, will choose to obtain their license to practice architecture and go into private practice as owners of their own firm.

The Architecture program at El Centro provides a curriculum of transferable college-level courses that give students the opportunity to gain exposure to the wide variety of skills that architects must master. Topics include architectural history, aesthetics, elements of design, hand-sketching techniques, computer graphics and structural concepts.

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degree is awarded upon completion of this program's requirements. Upon completing the ARC program, graduates can be expected to know the following areas of study.

Architects and architectural technicians shape the built environment, creating homes, offices, schools and much more. Do you have a passion for creating on paper and with computers? A career in architecture or architecture-related fields could be a satisfying and rewarding profession. An associate's degree in Architecture from Northampton provides an affordable foundation for a traditional five-year degree program leading to a career as a licensed architect. It can also prepare you for work in the field upon graduation.