The School of Architecture and Planning is one of nine schools/colleges of the University of New Mexico, maintaining strong historic ties with both the College of Engineering and the College of Fine Arts. There are currently about 350 students in the School; comprised of 160 undergraduate students who have been formally admitted to either the professional program in architecture (BA in Architecture) or the BA in Environmental Planning & Design degree program, 100 architecture graduate students, 70 graduate planning program students, and 60 Master of Landscape Architecture program students.
In 1975 the School of Architecture and Planning was designated as a quasi-autonomous professional school - along with the Schools of Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Nursing. The first professional degree in Architecture was accredited in 1967 and the Master of Architecture program received accreditation in 1968. The School retains its close ties to engineering and fine arts. The Community and Regional Planning program offers dual degree programs with Latin American Studies, Public Administration, and Public Health. The School’s Planning program is one of the founding academic units in the interdisciplinary Master of Water Resources Administration degree and plays an active role in community-based issues in the city. Architectural design studios have a long and distinguished history in the design and development of neighborhoods and local organizations in the metropolitan region and state.