This unique six-year post-professional doctorate focuses on mastering the "classical method"—a holistic approach to designing beautiful, durable, and reusable places and buildings rooted in timeless principles and known to foster individual and community health and wellbeing.

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The CPA addresses a critical gap in architectural education that emerged after World War II when universities systematically abandoned traditional design knowledge in favor of modernist approaches. While most contemporary PhD programs in architecture focus on theory, history, or building technology, the CPA uniquely teaches practical application of classical planning and traditional architectural methods. The program is founded on neuroscience research showing that pre-attentive human response to beauty is universal and measurable, and that traditional urban environments promote measurable health and wellbeing.

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The curriculum centers on "architectural literacy"—the ability to read and understand built environments analogous to reading literacy in language—and “classic planning”—how cities were built prior to their deterioration and sprawl. These empower both professionals and citizens to engage meaningfully in planning discussions and create more human-centered communities.

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The CPA is currently working towards accreditation for the PhD program, and we are now currently under review. This process usually takes between 3-5 years, meaning our first cohort will likely have an accredited PhD once they have completed the program.

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We encourage you to read the Academic Handbook linked below under "Learn More".