Earn a Bachelor's degree in architecture or a related area of study, such as design, from an accredited college or university. Though not always necessary -- depending on the school -- you may also want to earn a Master's degree in architecture before applying for your Ph.D. Work hard to earn the best grades possible during your undergraduate and graduate education, as Ph.D. program admissions committees will review your transcripts when determining your eligibility for a program.
Gain professional or research experience to include in your resume, which will be sent with your application to the Ph.D. program's admissions committee. Take a few years off from or after college to work in the field of architecture, or participate in research during your undergraduate or graduate studies. Schools offering Ph.D. programs like to see your involvement and passion for the field of architecture when reviewing your application. Ask your employer or research supervisor for a letter of recommendation for the school you are applying to.
Complete the GRE, which is the standardized exam that many schools require of those interested in applying for a Ph.D. program in architecture. Purchase preparation materials to ensure that you score to the best of your ability on the exam.
Apply to as many different architecture Ph.D. programs as you can find that interest and excite you. By applying to more than one school, you are able to keep your options open and choose the program that best suits your needs. Consider issues of budget, program rank and location when choosing where to complete your Ph.D.
Work hard to complete all of the requirements for the Ph.D. in architecture. Each program will have slightly different requirements of its students, so you will need to accomplish all of the tasks that are required for graduation. Aside from courses, there are usually also research components and a published written piece that are required for those who wish to earn a Ph.D.