| 1. | Where can I get information on a career in architecture? | |
| 2. | Are any accredited architecture programs offered online? | |
| 3. | Without a NAAB accredited degree, what is the process for becoming a registered architect in the United States? | |
| 4. | For graduates of architecture programs outside of the United States and Canada, what is the process for becoming a registered architect in the United States? | |
| 5. | Does NAAB rank schools? | |
| 6. | Why should I choose an accredited architecture program? | |
| 7. | Does NAAB accredit architecture programs outside of the United States and Canada? | |
| 8. | What is the difference between a Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) and a Master of Architecture (M. Arch.)? | |
| 9. | What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Bachelor of Architecture? | |
| 10. | What is the accreditation process? | |
| 11. | Can students participate in the accreditation process? | |
| 12. | What is a VTR? | |
| 13. | What is an APR? | |
Answers
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1. Where can I get information on a career in architecture?
Students should start by visiting www.ARCHCareers.org to learn the steps to becoming an architect including education, experience, and examination qualifications.
Students and interns should visit the American Architectural Foundation (AIA/AAF) to learn more about national scholarships and fellowships.
Current students, interns, and foreign architects should visit the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards website (NCARB) to find each state’s requirements for licensure, to request a NCARB IDP packet, open a NCARB Record, to learn more about the IDP, the ARE, and IDP/ARE Timing and to inquire about how foreign architects seek licensure in the US.
All students and interns should see the American Institute of Architects website (AIA) to find resources on mentoring, to find your IDP Educator Coordinator or IDP State Coordinator , to learn about IDP Support, to learn about opportunities for Supplementary Education in the IDP, and to find ARE Support.
Students should visit the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture website (ACSA) to access A Student's Guide to Education including information on architectural education, becoming an architect, and selecting a school
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2. Are any accredited architecture programs offered online?
At this time there is not an accredited program in architecture offered solely online.
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3. Without a NAAB accredited degree, what is the process for becoming a registered architect in the United States?
For more information regarding requirements for licensure, please visit the NCARB website.
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4. For graduates of architecture programs outside of the United States and Canada, what is the process for becoming a registered architect in the United States?
For graduates of programs that are not NAAB accredited who want to pursue licensure in the United States, please visit the EESA website.
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5. Does NAAB rank schools?
No, NAAB does not rank schools. Accredited architecture programs are visited by NAAB teams every two, three or six years depending on the term of accreditation. The visiting team prepares a visiting team report (VTR) documenting the visit. These reports can be found in the library of each accredited program. There are organizations who rank architecture programs, none of these are endorsed by NAAB.
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6. Why should I choose an accredited architecture program?
Most state registration boards in the United States require an applicant for licensure to have graduated from a NAAB-accredited program, obtaining such a degree is an essential aspect of preparing for the professional practice of architecture. While graduation from a NAAB-accredited program does not assure registration, the accrediting process is intended to verify that each accredited program substantially meets those standards that, as a whole, comprise an appropriate education for an architect.
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7. Does NAAB accredit architecture programs outside of the United States and Canada?
Architecture programs outside of the United States and Canada are eligible for NAAB accreditation provided that the program can meet the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation. Programs that cannot meet the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation may apply for NAAB Substantial Equivalency. [Accredited degrees from NAAB and CACB, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board, programs satisfy the NCARB Educational Standard. A professional degree in architecture from a Canadian university certified by the CACB will also satisfy the NCARB Education Standard.]
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8. What is the difference between a Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) and a Master of Architecture (M. Arch.)?
NAAB accredits the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture and the Doctor of Architecture. The degree title requirements are established according to individual institutional requirements. The curricular requirements for awarding these degrees must include professional studies, general studies, and electives. Schools offering the degrees B. Arch., M. Arch., and/or D. Arch. are strongly encouraged to use these degree titles exclusively with NAAB-accredited professional degree programs.
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9. What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Bachelor of Architecture?
NAAB accredits the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture and the Doctor of Architecture. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is not a NAAB accredited degree.
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10. What is the accreditation process?
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11. Can students participate in the accreditation process?
Yes! NAAB accreditation differs from most other accreditations in that a student is a full voting member on every NAAB visiting team. Architecture students who would like to learn more should visit Resources for Students or contact AIAS.
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12. What is a VTR?
VTR refers to visiting team report. This is the document that each NAAB team prepares to document a visit to a program. For more information, click here.
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13. What is an APR?
APR refers to Architecture Program Report. In preparation for a NAAB visit, programs prepare an APR which illustrates the ways in which the program meets the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation. Each program should have a copy of its APR available for public viewing in the school’s library, per the requirements of the Conditions. For more information on APRs, click here.
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