What College Degree Do You Need To Be An Architect

Different Types Of Architects & Degrees

Although a general architecture degree is the most common degree to seek in this industry, there are also some other architecture course options for people with different interests. For example, you can also become a licensed Landscape Architect. Landscape architecture is working more with planning as it relates to the natural environment vs traditional architecture. Moreover, there are many different specializations within the field of architecture, such as:

• Residential

Best Online Architecture Degree Programs

Your education will be a big part of your journey in becoming an architect, so you want to choose the right architecture degree for your goals. There are so many architect schools out there, and you need to make sure that the degree you get will help you get the career you want. If you want to know how to become an architect who has the licensure to be able to fully practice this profession, then you will need to make sure that the school you attend has the right accreditation to allow you to eventually take the exams to get your license. The programs that are most widely accepted will have accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board and will offer the B.Arch., M.Arch., or D.Arch. degree program. Programs accredited by the NAAB will meet high standards and it generally doesnt matter if your degree is from a school in another state as long as it is NAAB accredited.

The five-year B.Arch. degree can be completed online from a few schools, but most will have in-person requirements for this rigorous undergraduate degree. For those who value becoming an architect as quickly as possible, this is the minimum education required. If you attend part time, your pathway to this degree will take longer. Most will choose to be full time architecture students, as this is an intense degree program and requires time and focus to be successful.

What Kind Of Architecture Degree Should You Get

When youre thinking about getting your undergraduate degree in architecture, the first consideration you need to make is regarding the quality of the program. A good architecture degree will be accredited by NAAB and is usually the bare minimum for pursuing further graduate studies in architecture. You can choose between an online or a traditional program for your studies in architecture.

When in doubt, remember that an online degree is a great way to meet your career goals without having to leave home or the security of your current job. Most online degrees are affordable and allow you the convenience of studying from any location without sacrificing the quality of your degree. If you are looking for the right online school, consider our comprehensive ranking of the Best Online Colleges and Universities for a deeper look at the best schools.

Don’t Miss: American Students Going To College In Europe

Doctoral Degree In Architecture

A doctorate in architecture is a 4-7 year graduate program intended for architects who wish to teach at the university level, pursue high-level research jobs, or improve their career opportunities. In most cases, you must have a masterâs degree or the equivalent in order to apply.

PhD in Architecture

This is the traditional pathway for architects interested in research and academic careers. PhD students are expected to contribute an original piece of research to the field of architecture and complete a research project or dissertation.

Doctor of Architecture

Like the BArch and the MArch, the Doctor of Architecture is an NAAB-accredited professional program that allows architects to apply for state licensure. In your search for doctoral programs, you may find that DArch degrees tend to have a more practical/professional focus than research-oriented PhDs.

What To Expect From An Architectural Technician Career

The architecture industry is constantly evolving as advancing technology and modern developments lead to new and exciting design and construction opportunities. Architectural technicians play a vital role in the industry, working alongside architectural professionals to plan and execute sophisticated residential and commercial designs. Architecture programs at Ontario colleges train students to enter this progressive field, with practical skills and advanced training with the latest architectural technology.

If youre interested in designing and planning buildings and want to start a career in the architectural field, heres what you need to know.

Don’t Miss: Are Summer Classes Worth It

Discover Your Career Fit

With Lanterns Career Quiz, you can be matched to career options that align with your personal characteristics.Take the free Career Quiz

Methodology

Best College Reviews provides degree rankings, such as the , from carefully researched data sets published from government and non-profit organizations across the United States. Five primary factors affect how we rank degrees:

• 25% Student Satisfaction

For an in-depth breakdown of how we calculate each ranking, check out our Methodology page.

What Degree Do I Need To Become A Network Architect

• Degree Finder

Listen we all know why you want to land a job in Information Technology .

You want to make the big bucks.

Well, this IT position is one of the higher paying ones, so listen up and take some notes. Before you had that nice streamlined Macbook, neat and charged up battery sporting the minimalist look, you probably had a dinosaur of a desktop. A ghastly sight of wires and dust bunnies shoved behind an old file cabinet or broken down desk, out of public view, but you knew it was there waiting for a yearly cleaning, a microfiber dusting or air spray can.

Well, think about that mess. If your idea of a good time is breaking down that dinosaur, ripping its guts out, sorting through that tangle of wires, and rebuilding it to play Pong the way God intended, then you need to look into becoming a Network Architect. Because you clearly have what it takes.

Education

This is a heavy-tech side of the IT business. A bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or Engineering will be sufficient with course work in:

• hardware technology
• network security
• data management

A masters of Business Administration in addition to undergraduate degree will increase your pay significantly and keep you competitive in seeking employment. Employers prefer to hire Network Architects with at least 5 years of general IT experience.

Job Expectations

Outlook

Read Also: Is Ashworth College Legitimate

What Do Architects Do

It all starts with a commission–or contract–from a client. The commission may involve the design of a single building or a group of buildings and the spaces between them. The client may be a person, a board of directors, a government department or a business.

Usually, the Architect leads a team of specialists including structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as others. The Architect must also understand and deal with building codes and bylaws set out by municipal, provincial and federal governments.

The Architect keeps everyone on time and on budget. Technical knowledge, good people skills and no-nonsense business sense are all important to this task.

Whats the bottom line? Architecture is a business. Being creative and designing something beautiful are only the first steps in making a vision come to life.

Icipate In An Internship Program

Every state requires future architectures to participate in an internship program to be eligible for licensure. Most internship programs last three years and provide valuable experience that prepares individuals for a career as an architect. Many states provide internship opportunities through the Intern Development Program offered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the American Institute of Architects. Internships completed through the IDP will consist of 5,600 hours of work experience in architectural areas, including practice management, design, project management and pre-design.

Don’t Miss: How Can I Sell My College Books

Illinois Institute Of Technology

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE

Website

Score: 86.10

A small private research university, the Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL, and traces its history back into the 19th century. The College of Architecture at IIT offers a Bachelor of Architecture. The degree requires five years to complete and includes both studio design classes, as well as a rigorous curriculum of theory and history.

Classes in the program include Site Design, Planning, and Ecology, Digital Form Generation, and Digital Fabrication. During the fifth year, students also participate in an Interprofessional Project, which is generally comprised of a team of 10-12 students who work collaboratively on a project. The Architecture program at IIT is at the heart of the institution, so there are numerous co-curricular events, organizations, and other opportunities to enhance the educational experience and prepare graduates to work in the field of architecture.

Net Price: $26,324

Website

Score: 86.83

Tulane University is a mid-sized private research university located in the beautiful city of New Orleans, LA. The Tulane School of Architecture offers a Bachelor of Architecture degree. In keeping with industry standards, the degree takes five years to complete. The curriculum is designed to incrementally increase student knowledge and know-how as individuals progress.

Net Price: $33,886

Still Want To Become An Architect

I write this, not to be a wet blanket, disparage the profession, or discourage anyone from becoming an Architect. My intention is to share some of the harsh realities that many people experience. By keeping keen awareness of the dark side, you can be 2 steps ahead of what many Architects encounter.

Recommended Reading: What Colleges Are Still Accepting Applications For Fall 2021

Pathways To Qualify As An Architect

There are many different options you can consider if you want to train as an architect. Whilst the typical route involves five years study at university and completion of a minimum of two years’ practical experience, you can also study part-time study whilst working in architectural practice through RIBA Studio or through the new apprenticeship route. Discover more in our Think Architecture brochure.

RIBA Part 1

RIBA Part 1 provides you with the opportunity to develop your core architectural skills and understanding, preparing you for post Part 1 practical experience, further study or commencing full time work. You are eligible for free RIBA Student Membership from your first year of study. If you are studying a university undergraduate degree this would typically take three to four years full time, or you could study through RIBA Studio or an apprenticeship if you are working in practice.

You may be able to study abroad for up to a year . You could also graduate with further qualifications in specialist related fields such as planning, urban design or conservation.

• List of International RIBA validated schools

Stage 1 practical experience/year out

Stage 1 practical experience is highly recommended post Part 1 studies, and is typically one year in duration.

The RIBA encourages students to gain experience either under the supervision of an architect or another qualified construction industry professional at this stage.

RIBA Part 2

Stage 2 practical experience

RIBA Part 3

Electives To Take In High School

In addition to required courses, the optional classes you choose will be extremely helpful in preparing for a career in architecture. Computer hardware is less important than knowing about how software works and what you can do with it. Consider the simple value of keyboarding, as well, because time is money in the business world. Speaking of business, think about an introductory course in accounting, economics, and marketing especially important when working in your own small business.

Less obvious choices are activities that promote cooperation and consensus. Architecture is a collaborative process, so learn how to work with many different kinds of people groups that have common objectives to attain the same goal or make one product. Theater, band, orchestra, chorus, and team sports are all useful pursuits…and fun!

Don’t Miss: Central Texas College Degrees

Duties & Tasks Of An Architect

Architects:

• Meet with clients or builders to discuss their requirements and prepare a design brief
• Prepare sketches, production drawings and detailed drawings by hand or using computer-aided design software
• Combine structural, mechanical and artistic elements into a building’s design, such as decks and atriums, lifts, air conditioning systems and decorative finishes
• Discuss designs and cost estimates with clients and others involved in the project
• Obtain necessary approvals from authorities
• Prepare specifications and contract documents for builders, tradespeople and legal advisers
• Evaluate projects once they are completed and occupied.

Why Must Architects Be Licensed

Architects are professionals. The public must be sure that people who call themselves Architects are qualified to practice in their field. So, all across Canada, Architects are licensed by provincial or territorial associations of architects. The goals of the associations are:

• to encourage members to improve their skills and knowledge, and
• to maintain high standards in the practice of architecture.

Like other professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, Architects are legally responsible for the decisions they make. In some provinces, all licensed Architects must have professional liability insurance if they wish to practice architecture. This insurance protects both the public and the Architect. As well, each province and territory has an Architects Act which regulates the practice of architecture. It is against the law for anyone who is not licensed to use the title Architect.

You May Like: How Much Does It Cost To Go To Berkeley College

What Else Can An Architecture Degree Prepare Me For

Not all students who start in an architecture program will finish the program, and not all graduates of architecture programs go on to get a license and practice architecture.

Most of these people who do not use their architectural education in traditional architectural practice still appreciate the design thinking skills they gained from their architectural education. Through the challenges in the design studio, students learn to analyze problems and to creatively develop alternative solutions leading to a final design. Experiences dealing with the larger implications of community planning create a path in project management and urban development. A degree in architecture also provides a platform for students to conceptualize and deliver ideas and paves the way for work in graphic design as well as other creative services.

The problem-solving ability of design thinking is applicable to many fields, not just architecture. Individuals educated in architecture will be well prepared for many careers.

What Kind Of Degree Do You Need To Become An Architect

All States and the District of Columbia require individuals tobe licensed before they may call themselves architectsand contract to provide architectural services. During this timebetween graduation and becoming licensed, architecture schoolgraduates generally work in the field under supervision of alicensed architect who takes legal responsibility for all work.Licensing requirements include a professional degree inarchitecture, a period of practical training or internship, and apassing score on all divisions of the Architect RegistrationExamination .

Many schools of architecture also offer postprofessional degreesfor those who already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree inarchitecture or other areas. Although graduate education beyond theprofessional degree is not required for practicing architects, itmay be for research, teaching, and certain specialties.

Interns in architectural firms may assist in the design of onepart of a project, help prepare architectural documents ordrawings, build models, or prepare construction drawings on CADD.Interns also may research building codes and materials or writespecifications for building materials, installation criteria, thequality of finishes, and other, related details.

Refer to:

Don’t Miss: Where Is Charis Bible College

Architecture History And Humanities

Most architects have some background in art history and the history of architecture. Understanding how architectural trends change over time helps put an architect’s work in perspective. Modern and sleek buildings contrast sharply with Renaissance ones, and knowing how they differ helps an architect understand what clients want to see in a building today. And like math and drawing, most graduate programs expect to see some coursework in history and the humanities.

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE

Website

Score: 87.74

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art was founded to provide the best education in art, engineering, and architecture to qualified students for free. Though they currently charge tuition , they continue to offer a cutting edge Bachelor of Architecture.

The five-year degree program includes classes like The Modern Context: Figures and Topics, Introduction to Urban History and Theories, and Texts and Contexts: Old Worlds and New, as well as numerous studio and fabrication classes. CU offers several scholarships and fellowship opportunities for qualified students. Admission is competitive, and students also have a Studio Test as part of the application process.

Net Price: $28,494

Recommended Reading: Can Single Moms Get Paid To Go To College

Architect Salary & Job Growth

The salary for architecture careers can vary quite a bit depending on your education and experience, with Indeed.com showing the average base salary as $109,387. Salary.com puts the estimated range for architecture salaries at between approximately $75k and $93k. The highest salary for architecture jobs would be in Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Connecticut, while Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida report lower salaries for architecture.

The job growth for architects in the U.S. is projected at 1% between 2019 and 2029, which is slower than average for all professions. However, the outlook has gone up and down in the past, so it may rise again. The highest levels of employment for architects are in the metropolitan areas of New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. States with the most jobs for architects are California, New York, and Texas. But there are opportunities in every state, with some states like Colorado and Montana having relatively high concentration of architecture jobs.

Degree Requirements: Bachelor Of Architecture

The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture offers a five-year program leading to the Bachelor of Architecture degree. The degree requirements are intended to provide students with a rigorous training in and exposure to the creative and technical aspects of architecture. The professional courses in the curriculum are supplemented and enhanced by required courses both within and outside the discipline of architecture.

The requirements are as follows:

*The bachelor of architecture curriculum includes 27 credits of REQUIRED coursework in general studies . In addition to general studies, students also complete 26 ELECTIVE credits. The elective component can be fulfilled by elective courses in subject areas such as architecture, humanities and social sciences, visual arts, mathematics, engineering, science and languages. Among the elective credits, at least six elective credits must be completed in humanities and social sciences. Additionally, a minimum of seven elective credits must be completed outside the discipline of architecture for a total of thirteen elective credits in general studies.

MinorArchitecture students in good academic standing with advance permission who complete a minimum of 15 upper-division credits in a specific field of liberal arts may qualify for a minor in that field of humanities and social sciences. Minors are offered and will be designated on student transcripts in the following fields:

• Art History
• Literature
• Science, Technology, and Society

Read Also: Is Ashworth College Recognized By Employers