FAQs

Why a Bachelor of Science in Building Performance degree?

A. The wide range of crises being experienced due to the effects of climate change are well understood scientifically; yet the impacts of these crises on the built environment still remain largely unaddressed for communities in which we reside. Creating high performance buildings is important because more thoughtful planning, design, and construction of the built environment can help meet the objectives and performance targets necessary for achieving resiliency and developing sustainable architecture. Building Performance focuses on improving the measurable ways a building can be resource efficient (energy, water, waste) in addition to improving environmental quality for building occupants.

A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree differs from a 4-year undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree by providing highly specialized, technical coursework which blends applied science and workforce preparation learning objectives together. The Bachelor of Science (BS) form of baccalaureate degrees is well suited to studying and developing career skills for use in the multifaceted field of high-performance building design and construction. This vocational focus contrasts and differentiates the 4-year pre-professional BSBP degree from 5-year NAAB accredited professional Architecture degree programs (B.Arch) which have a broader educational emphasis including the preparation of students for architectural licensure and professional practice leadership positions.

What skills are used in this career field?

A. Designing and constructing high-performance buildings requires a multidisciplinary understanding of the challenges being confronted in order to provide a resilient built environment in response to the effects of global warming and climate change. The Bachelor of Science in Building Performance (BSBP) Program Learning Outcomes allow students to acquire knowledge and develop multidisciplinary analytical, problem solving, and graphic communication skills in the following learning areas:

• Examine the effects of environmental factors and resource consumption on the performance of building projects using a variety of analytical and simulation methodologies.
• Evaluate the suitability of resilient/sustainable building strategies relative to code compliance documentation and regulatory approvals for projects.
• Analyze the use and effectiveness of passive and active environmental control systems and resource conservation strategies for building projects.
• Utilize advanced Building Energy Modeling (BEM) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) techniques to facilitate Integrative Process methodologies for residential and nonresidential building projects to achieve code compliance, improved building performance, and sustainable rating system certification.
• Apply vocational skills and competencies during required Project Based Learning internship to demonstrate technician employment readiness for the A/E/C industry.

What employment opportunities are there after earning the BSBP degree and how much could I earn?

A. Program graduates will be prepared to work alongside other A/E/C industry professionals in a firm or as independent consultants with immediate employment opportunities as Building Energy Modelers, BIM/CAD technicians, architectural interns, and Sustainable Building Certification System consultants for a broad range of employers throughout California. Employment opportunities for careers in high-performance building design and construction are projected to grow in both the near and long-term as a result of ever-increasing environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. Additionally, candidates pursuing employment in the A/E/C industry who have attained a Bachelor's degree enjoy tremendous opportunity and higher wages when compared to candidates with just an Associate's degree. The average wage for Building Performance professionals in Los Angeles County is over $39 per hour (with annual starting salaries of almost $40k) and 69% of graduates attain a living wage within a year of completing their degree (Source: Labor Market Information Report-SCCLA May 2022).

For more info on careers in A/E/C fields related to building performance, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website here: www.bls.gov/green/construction.

Are there examples of high-performance buildings I can see?

A. Sure! See some examples here, here, and here!

Why is College of the Canyons well suited to prepare students for careers in the field of Building Performance?

A. The College of the Canyons Architecture and Interior Design program, with its established expertise in sustainable design and development education focused on technical workforce preparation, provides an ideal educational community through the Bachelor of Science in Building Performance (BSBP) program for students seeking an opportunity to develop skills necessary for meaningful, well-paying employment. The BSBP curriculum, an integration of educational lectures, design studios (labs) and Project Based Learning experiences, fosters development of analytical, problem solving, and graphic communication skills required in this profession. Likewise, the College of the Canyons campuses, in combination with the surrounding Northern Los Angeles County / Southern California region, provide a series of dynamic Living Labs which are leveraged in the BSBP curriculum to the benefit of learning objectives and skills development for students in the program. With all of these resources, College of the Canyons is able to offer a baccalaureate degree which prepares students for the state recognized Certified Energy Analysist exam, LEED Accredited Professional exam, and a broad range of employment opportunities in the A/E/C industry (Architecture/Engineering/Construction).

Do students need to attend BSBP classes on-campus in Santa Clarita, CA or are there remote learning options available?

A. Although some BSBP course sections may be offered using the HyFlex teaching modality (where an instructor and some students are present in the classroom on-campus while the remaining students participate live in the same class remotely via Zoom), a majority of BSBP classes will be conducted exclusively in-person at the College of the Canyons Valencia campus. Likewise, in order to complete the program and graduate in a reasonable amount of time, students are expected to enroll in and complete at least 12 units of BSBP coursework per semester.

Can I attend part-time?

A. The Bachelor of Science in Building Performance degree program has been designed as a cohort model so that each group of admitted students matriculates through the program together and graduates as a unified class. As such, BSBP students are required to commit to enrolling as a full-time student in the program (12 units per semester, minimum) for a total of 4 semesters. BSBP courses are generally scheduled between the hours of 9am-4pm on weekdays (Monday-Friday).

How long does it take to complete the BSBP degree program?

A. Please refer to this 4-Year Roadmap for a sample pathway through the entire 120-unit Bachelor of Science in Building Performance degree program. Additional detailed information on coursework required for completion of the degree can be found in the BSBP Student Handbook.

Are there accommodations available for students with disabilities?

A. Yes. The department will consider any reasonable request for assistance and accommodation. Students should contact the college's Academic Accommodations Center for support with academic accommodation requests and disability verification documentation.

Can I really pursue a California Architects license after earning the BSBP program degree?

A. The vocational emphasis of the 4-year pre-professional, Bachelor of Science in Building Performance (BSBP) degree contrasts and differentiates it from 5-year NAAB accredited professional, Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree programs which have broader educational objectives including the preparation of students for architectural licensure and professional practice leadership positions. Although not a focus of the BSBP program, this 4-year baccalaureate degree from College of the Canyons can be applied directly towards satisfying the educational requirement for architectural licensure in California. Students may also begin to accrue Architectural Experience Program (AXP) hours through Project Based Learning (PBL) and/or employment with an architecture or engineering firm while pursuing the BSBP degree.

Please refer to this Licensure Overview for students considering the BSBP Degree Program. For detailed information on the requirements and application process for pursuing an architectural license in the state of California, please visit: https://www.cab.ca.gov/cand/become_arch/

Are there college courses I need to complete before applying to the BSBP Program?

A. Yes. Completing the required lower-division courses listed on pages 12-13 of the BSBP Student Handbook, or equivalent, are prerequisites for admission into the upper-division program.

What Upper Division courses are offered in the BSBP Program?

A. There are 33 units of upper division courses listed on pages 13-18 of the BSBP Student Handbook which must be completed, in addition to the other required coursework identified, before a student can graduate with the Bachelor of Science in Building Performance degree.

Am I required to complete my first 2 years of lower division coursework at College of the Canyons to be admitted into the BSBP program?

A. No. Students from other community colleges and universities are welcome and encouraged to apply for admission into the BSBP program. Students from other California educational institutions can use www.assist.org to identify course equivalencies offered through other California Community Colleges and Universities (CSU/UC), and out-of-state or international students should compare their catalog course descriptions with College of the Canyons' catalog to identify the equivalent courses prior to applying for admission to the BSBP program. Applicants from local area community colleges (College of the Canyons, Los Angeles Mission College, and Antelope Valley College) receive "Local Preference" for admission consideration based on state recognized local area designation. Applicants are considered a local area student if the majority of their units come from one of these three local area community colleges.

What is the BSBP Admission Process?

A. Applicants should carefully review and follow each step identified on the BSBP Admissions Checklist. Once all of the necessary documents have been compiled, you may submit an online BSBP Application.

Is there a fee for applying to the BSBP Program?

A. Although there is no fee for application to the BSBP program, once enrolled in classes with College of the Canyons the applicable registration and student fees will apply.

How many students are admitted into the BSBP Program each year?

A. Currently 24 students are admitted into the BSBP program each Fall semester.

If I meet the admission requirements, but don't get accepted initially, is there a waitlist I can be placed on?

A. Yes. Students who meet the admission standards, but are not offered admission, will be automatically be placed on the waitlist for a potential future offer of admission for the current BSBP admission cycle. Waitlisted students who receive an email offer of admission must accept within 7 calendar days from the date of the email.

Could I take the Upper Division courses if I am not admitted into the BSBP Program?

A. No, unfortunately, admissions restrictions do not allow enrollment of students into upper division (ARCH-3xx, ARCH-4xx) courses not admitted to the BSBP program.

What should be included in my BSBP application portfolio and how should it organized/formatted?

A. Students should submit a digital portfolio of their collegiate and/or professional work which demonstrates their understanding and academic development in the areas of architectural technology, graphic representation/digital modeling & simulation, and sustainable building design and construction. Specific information regarding the formatting and organization of your portfolio can be found here: digital portfolio.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help generate my BSBP application portfolio or write my application essay?

A. If you decide to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to assist with the preparation of any portions of your admissions application, please identify the app(s)/platform(s) used and carefully describe how and to what extent you used them. AI assistance in the preparation of your portfolio and/or essay will not be penalized (although non-disclosure will result in BSBP admissions denial), since this information can help us better understand how students are leveraging AI as we consider practices for integrating this technology into the BSBP curriculum.

How are BSBP application portfolios reviewed and what criteria is used to evaluate them?

A. Each BSBP application for admissions is carefully reviewed by a committee comprised of faculty and staff from the College of the Canyons Architecture and Interior Design Program. A copy of the Rubric used by the committee to assess BSBP application portfolios and essays can be accessed here.

How much does it cost to complete the BSBP degree program?

A. For California residents, in-state tuition for the entire 4-year program (completing both lower and upper division courses at College of the Canyons for a total of 120 units) is estimated to be approximately $12,000. For students who have already earned an Associate's degree in the field of architectural studies, the tuition for the remaining two years needed to earn the BSBP degree is estimated at approximately $7,000.

Is Financial Aid available?

A. Yes! Financial Aid is available for qualifying students and may be used to offset program costs. Eligible students may receive State, Federal, or private financial aid, or qualify for the California College Promise Grant. Click here for more information about financial aid.

Does the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) cover the baccalaureate degree differential fee of $84 per unit?

A. No, the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) will only cover $46 per unit for qualifying students. Cal-Grant funds may be available to cover the additional $84 per unit, depending upon each individual students eligibility. Please contact the Financial Aid office to discuss further.

Can I apply for a Cal Grant?

A. Yes, Cal Grants are available to students in the BSBP program who meet the eligibility requirements. Cal Grant funds can cover the additional $84 per unit upper-division course fee.

Can my parent take out a Parent PLUS Loan on my behalf for the BSBP program?

A. Yes, please contact the Financial Aid office for more information.

Will my subsidized loan usage limit increase when I transition from the Associate's degree into the baccalaureate degree program?

A. Yes, moving into a program that takes longer to complete re-sets the usage period.

Will my maximum time frame for financial aid eligibility be adjusted for the baccalaureate degree program?

A. Yes, the maximum time frame will be adjusted to 150% of the units required to complete the bachelor's program.

Can my Veteran's benefits apply towards the BSBP degree program?

A. Yes, for information on support services for Veterans and members of the military, please consult the Veterans Resource Center for more information.

Can I apply for the BSBP degree program if I already have a bachelor's degree?

A. Yes, although please be aware that there may be financial aid restrictions due to any existing upper division degree(s). Please contact the Financial Aid office for more information.