UC BERKELEY SUMMER PROGRAMS IN ARCHITECTURE 2026
UC Berkeley Summer Programs is a 2026 Highlighted Program for our Architecture Summer Program
Whether you are a professional considering a career pivot, a motivated college student, or a curious high schooler, the College of Environmental Design (CED) at UC Berkeley offers a variety of specific summer programs to launch your career in the world of architecture. These immersive Summer Programs teach you the fundamentals of architecture and design, combining rigorous studio work with the collaborative spirit of one of the world’s top-ranked design schools. Students of all programs gain credit on an official UC Berkeley transcript.
Across all age groups, CED Summer program students experience tremendous growth, establish a relevant network of lecturers, professionals, and their peers, and build a valuable application portfolio. No prior design experience is required—only intellectual curiosity and a drive to shape the built environment.
For Professionals: INARCH
Part of the prestigious Summer Institute, the INARCH cohort is primarily designed for professionals with a college degree in any major. Whether you are looking to jump-start a career transition or prepare a portfolio for graduate school applications, this six-week program provides a deep dive into architectural theory and representation. Participants also visit sites and firms in the San Francisco Bay Area and attend guest lectures with other Summer Institute cohorts in city planning + urban design (INCITY) and landscape architecture (INLAND). With an emphasis on studio work, students receive almost daily feedback on their design work. One recent INARCH student commented: “I loved it. I learned so much, gained so many new perspectives, and feel a newfound passion for architecture.”
Summer 2026 Dates: July 6 – August 14, 2026
“I loved it. I learned so much, gained so many new perspectives, and feel a newfound passion for architecture.”
For College Students: DISC
Current undergraduate students from any background are invited to join DISC: Design + Innovation for Sustainable Cities. This five-week program focuses on the intersection of architecture, urban health, and climate change. DISC is inherently interdisciplinary, encouraging students to use the San Francisco Bay Area as a case study for sustainable innovation. DISC is a fast-paced program where digital workshops and site visits help students bridge the gap between theory and practice by creating tangible design solutions for global challenges. “DISC is a super fun and effective crash course into the field” commented a recent DISC student.
Summer 2026 Dates: July 6 – August 7, 2026
“DISC is a super fun and effective crash course into the field”
For High School Students: embARC
The embARC Summer Design Academy is a four-week intensive tailored for rising juniors and seniors. It offers a rare chance to explore the multifaceted world of the built environment through a diverse range of design challenges. The program encourages students to explore architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning. The design studio is a central part of the experience, allowing students to engage in projects that incorporate hand-sketching, physical model-making, and two and three-dimensional digital representation.
Summer 2026 Dates: July 6 – 31, 2026
These well-established CED Summer programs have trained over 3,500 students, helping them to find their calling in design. Many alums go on to be admitted to prestigious architecture degree programs. Every summer, CED Summer programs begin in early July, and applications open in December of the prior year.
