The School of Architecture (SOA), as part of a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, exists to provide an excellent student-centered, accredited professional architectural education in an urban context. A UDM SOA education seeks to develop architects who are sensitive designers; technically competent; exhibit the highest ethical and professional standards; are socially responsible and culturally aware; and are of service to the community and the profession.
The school makes a strong commitment to a broad based liberal arts education that prepares architects to understand the spectrum of human endeavor. The school intentionally keeps its enrollment small in order to maintain an identifiable relationship with individual students. The SOA advocates an open dialog about architectural issues and philosophies, but searches for deeper architectural meaning than that offered by trend, fad, or style. The curriculum provides a basic foundation in design excellence, but also addresses contemporary issues including a focus on urban revitalization. This foundation is provided through both in-class and out-of-class experiences that develop a student's understanding of societal concerns.
The school is actively involved in the life of the community. Through it's design studios, including design-build studios, and through the Detroit Collaborative Design Center "an out-reach arm of the school" the SOA provides assistance to the community of which it is a part. The ability to gain real world understanding is further enhanced through the mandatory cooperative education program and through theoptional international studies programs.