College of Built Environments Orientation
Welcome to the community leading decisions that are critically important to climate change, social justice, and human health
Welcome to the College of Built Environments!
At the College of Built Environments (CBE) we lead innovation while building on the traditions of design, planning, construction, and community building.
We imagine a just and beautiful world where we teach, research, and engage to influence the trajectories of climate change, social justice, and human health, by defining built environments as complex interconnections between constructed and natural worlds and their impacts on society.
We are glad you are joining us as an integral part of this vision.
New Student Orientation
Date: Tuesday, September 26th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Audience: Incoming CBE Students
Description: Dean Cheng and other college leaders will provide an introduction to our college and share opportunities for students to get involved, add to our college culture, and advance their learning goals.
New Student Lunch & Resource Fair
Date: Tuesday, September 26th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Gould Hall, Gould Court
Description: Join all incoming CBE students for lunch (provided) in Gould Court. We will have options for dietary needs. During lunch, college clubs and affinity groups will be available at tables for you to learn more.

Department Orientations
Architecture
The Department of Architecture is the oldest and largest unit in the CBE, founded in 1914 and continuing through the years to offer a rigorous design education.
Programs: B.A.Arch, B.A.Arch Design, 2-yr M.Arch & V.Grad, 3-yr M.Arch, M.S. Design Tech, M.S. History & Theory
Undergraduate Students: Contact your advisor Kim Sawada at sawada@uw.edu for more information.
Graduate Students: Contact your advisor Claudine Manio at claudine@uw.edu for more information.
Construction Management
Over the past 50 years, our Department has built a legacy of excellence by educating over 2,500 students. We do this in partnership with the construction industry that provides advice, mentoring, research, scholarships, and career opportunities for our students.
Programs: Construction Management Minor, B.S. Construction Management, M.S. Construction Management
Please refer to the department orientation page for more information.
Landscape Architecture
The University of Washington’s Department of Landscape Architecture is at the leading edge of education in the discipline, utilizing a framework of Urban Ecological Design to engage contemporary societal and environmental challenges, explore interdisciplinary opportunities, incorporate methods of community-infused design, and address social injustice through our research, teaching and community service.
Programs: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture
Please follow this link for more information: https://larch.be.uw.edu/students/incoming-students/orientation/
Real Estate
The Runstad Department of Real Estate leverages the strengths of the University of Washington and our location in a global hub of innovation. A degree from the Runstad Department of Real Estate prepares students for a variety of roles in the diverse real estate industry including roles in the commercial and residential real estate markets.
Programs: B.S. Real Estate, M.S. Real Estate
Please follow this link for more information: https://re.be.uw.edu/programs/
Urban Design & Planning
We believe that investing in our own communities through studios and community-based projects is the best way to approach this new urban age we are living in, successfully, strategically and effectively.
Programs: B.A. Community, Environment, and Planning, Master of Urban Planning, Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management
Undergraduate Students: Contact your advisor Megan Herzog at herzomeg@uw.edu for more information.
Graduate Students: Contact your advisor Diana Siembor at udp@uw.edu for more information.
PhD in the Built Environment
The PhD in the Built Environment is an interdisciplinary program incorporating subject areas and faculty from the College of Built Environments’ areas of study and has three areas of concentration/specialization: sustainable systems and prototypes, technology and project design-delivery, and history, theory, representation.
Contact your advisor Neile Graham at bephd@uw.edu for more information.
CBE Amenities
Resources
On Campus
- UW International Student Services
- UW Dream Project
- Scholarships for Undocumented Students
- Leadership Without Borders
Off Campus
- Green Cards and Permanent Residence in the U.S.
- How to Become a U.S. Citizen
- Post-Election Resources/Info for Undocumented Students & Families
- Seeking Asylum
- Steps to Protect Immigrant Communities
- NW Immigrant Rights Project
- ARCS Citizenship & Immigration Assistance
- One America Know Your Rights
- Post Election Immigration Resource
- Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW)
- Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)
- International Student Center
- Leadership without Borders
- Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity
- Q Center
- Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC)
- UW Graduate and Professional Student Senate
- UW Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
- UW McNair
- Undocumented Student Resources
- UW TRIO Student Support Services
- UW Veterans Center
- Women’s Center
- wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House
- Center for Communication, Difference and Equity
- Center for Environmental Politics
For a full list of student groups on campus, visit the Registered Student Organization Directory.