Blogs

NAAB Standards Revision: Stakeholder Input

By NAAB posted 6 days ago
To ensure that stakeholder input is both meaningful and representative, NAAB is using a structured listening approach comprised of: A stakeholder survey, sent to NAAB programs, site visiting teams, Collateral member organizations, and state licensing boards, is designed to complement and build on prior input by gathering current perspectives on issues facing architectural education and practice, the structure and content of the Conditions for Accreditation, potential areas for future inclusion, and limited demographic information to help contextualize responses. The stakeholder survey serves as the primary mechanism for identifying cross-cutting themes ...

NAAB Announces Members of the Standards Revision Committee

By NAAB posted 11 days ago
NAAB is pleased to announce the appointment of the eleven members of the Standards Revision Committee (SRC), which will guide the development of the next iteration of the Conditions for Accreditation as part of NAAB’s regular eight-year review cycle. The members of the Standards Revision Committee are: Jeffrey L. Day, FAIA, NCARB, NAAB Director, Chair Stephanie Brooks, PhD, LCSW, LMFT, Public Member Jessie Cart, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMAS, NAAB Director Gary Demele, FAIA Member Emeritus, NCARB, Professional Member John K. Edwards, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP-BD+C, NAAB Director John Folan, FAIA, LEED AP-BD+C, Professional Member Baili Null ...

NAAB News, Winter 2025

By NAAB posted 12-11-2025
Read our Winter 2025 Edition of NAAB News here! #Feature

NAAB Pursues CHEA Recognition. See Call for Comment.

By NAAB posted 12-09-2025
As part of our continued commitment to delivering excellence in architectural accreditation, NAAB is pleased to announce its formal pursuit of recognition by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) . Please see CHEA’s call for public comment here . Pursuit of CHEA recognition reinforces a key pillar of NAAB’s strategic plan: to address the needs of society, the profession, and educational institutions through an exemplary system of accreditation. We believe that high-quality architectural education depends on a clear, consistent, and continually evolving accreditation process—and that NAAB must hold itself to the same high standards ...

NAAB Statement on Federal Definition of "Professional Degrees"

By NAAB posted 12-04-2025
The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is aware that, as part of a rulemaking to implement provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the U.S. Department of Education will propose a new definition of a “professional degree” program. As proposed, the new definition will not include architecture programs. As of today, no final determination has been made. Before issuing a final rule, the Department is required to seek public comment on the proposal. We expect and encourage robust participation in that process. As the accrediting body for professional architecture programs in the United States, NAAB would caution against any regulatory change ...

New Interpretation Guide

By NAAB posted 12-03-2025
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening the accreditation process, the NAAB Board of Directors has expanded and refined its interpretations of the 2020 Conditions for Accreditation . Developed in response to questions and feedback from programs and visiting teams, the new Interpretation Guide builds on the original Accreditation Guidelines, offering clearer, more detailed explanations of the criteria. Check out the new Interpretation Guide to 2020 Conditions and Procedures here ! #Feature

NAAB Welcomes New Officers and Directors

By NAAB posted 12-03-2025
At its meeting in October 24-26, 2025, the Board of Directors elected the 2025 officers and new directors. Congratulations to the newly elected Officers and Directors! 2026 NAAB Officers The following individuals will serve as Officers January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Mark Mistur, AIA President Dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design Kent State University Sian Roberts, FAIA President-elect Partner The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP Lisa Chronister, FAIA, AICP Treasurer Assistant Director Oklahoma ...

ICert News, Winter 2025

By NAAB posted 12-02-2025
Read our Winter 2025 Edition of ICert News here!

Call for Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to 2020 Conditions for Accreditation and 2020 Procedures for Accreditation

By NAAB posted 11-20-2025
NAAB continually evolves, responding to changes in the landscape for architecture education and improving the way we serve programs, students, volunteers and the public. NAAB considers input from stakeholders to be an important component of any process of revision to the Conditions or Procedures. The NAAB Board of Directors therefore proposes the following revisions to the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation and Procedures for Accreditation. The comment period will be open between November 20 and December 22, 2025. Revision to Conditions Since NAAB first proposed revisions to the Conditions that included diversity, equity, and inclusion ...

Call for At-Large NAAB Standards Revision Committee Member Nominations

By NAAB posted 11-06-2025
November 6, 2025 NAAB invites nominations for at-large members to serve on the Standards Revision Committee (SRC) — an ad hoc body that will guide the development of the revision of NAAB’s accreditation criteria ( 2020 Conditions and 2020 Procedures ). This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of architectural accreditation by contributing to a thoughtful, inclusive, and transparent standards revision process. About the SRC Launching in February 2026, the SRC will lead a comprehensive, multi-year review of NAAB’s accreditation standards. The Committee is responsible for: Reviewing stakeholder feedback collected ...

NAAB Announces Accreditation Standards Revision Process

By NAAB posted 10-30-2025
October 30, 2025 In accordance with the NAAB 2020 Procedures for Accreditation , NAAB announces the revision of its accreditation criteria ( 2020 Conditions and 2020 Procedures ). This comprehensive revision effort marks an opportunity for the NAAB community to take a thoughtful and forward-looking approach to architectural accreditation standards. As part of our regular cycle of review, NAAB conducts a broad revision of the accreditation criteria every eight years, complementing the more time-sensitive, interim updates we make in response to evolving needs in education, accreditation, and the field of architecture. This upcoming revision will be ...

NAAB News, Fall 2025

By NAAB posted 09-30-2025
Read our Fall 2025 Edition of NAAB News here! #Feature

Announcement: Stay on NAAB Conditions with DEI-related language

By NAAB posted 09-18-2025
NAAB is committed to ensuring that programs are positioned for success in ensuring student achievement and program improvement. It is our goal to support programs through the shifting landscape in higher education and ensure that our conditions are not interfering with programs’ ability to comply with federal and/or state law. In light of policy changes at the state and federal level, earlier this summer NAAB facilitated conversations with our accredited programs to explore potential concerns with their ability to meet NAAB Conditions focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In response to this input, we are considering potential revisions to those ...

Call for Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to 2020 Procedures for Accreditation

By NAAB posted 08-01-2025
To foster improvement in architecture education through accreditation, NAAB seeks to continually evolve the way we serve programs, volunteers, and the public. A key component of this growth is grounded in the input we seek from our stakeholders. When NAAB proposes revisions to the Procedures, the Board seeks public feedback on those modifications prior to their approval and implementation. The NAAB Board of Directors has proposed for public comment, August 1–September 1, 2025, the following revisions to the NAAB Procedures for Accreditation. Terms of Accreditation In response to feedback from programs, the Board proposes clarification ...

Apply Now to Join NAAB’s ARC

By NAAB posted 07-03-2025
NAAB is excited to invite you to an opportunity to serve architecture programs and the profession by joining the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC). What Does the ARC Do? The revisions to the 2020 Procedures approved in October 2022 call for the formation of an Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) . The ARC is responsible for conducting reviews of maintenance of accreditation reports , including, but not limited to, the Annual Report, Special Report, and Plan to Correct, and making recommendations to NAAB's Board of Directors regarding the program's ongoing compliance with NAAB's Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation. Who Can Apply? ...

NAAB News, Summer 2025

By NAAB posted 06-18-2025
Read our Summer 2025 Edition of NAAB News here! #Feature

ICert News, Summer 2025

By NAAB posted 06-18-2025
Read our Summer 2025 Edition of ICert News here!

Webinar & Dialogue: Changing Higher Ed Policy Landscape

By NAAB posted 05-30-2025
NAAB is pleased to invite you to participate in a dialogue about the changing policy landscape and its impact on the higher education community. We will host three interactive conversations where programs are encouraged to share their perspectives with peers and NAAB leadership on navigating new policies related to higher education and accreditation. To provide foundational insight, the discussion will be preceded by a complimentary webinar led by members of the Higher Education Practice Team at Husch Blackwell . This session will explore priorities of the new administration and their implications for higher education and accreditation. ...

NAAB Announces Changes to 2020 Procedures

By NAAB posted 05-02-2025
Thank you for your continued engagement and input into the accreditation process. The NAAB Board of Directors carefully considered the feedback received from the February 27 – March 29, 2025 Call for Public Comment and has approved both of the proposed changes effective immediately. Now in Effect : Adjusted Timeline for Student Work Collection Respondents broadly supported the proposed adjustment to the timeline for student work collection. In the adjusted timeline, programs collect student work one year prior to submission of their Architecture Program Report (APR). This change supports programs in their ability to substantiate their narrative ...

NAAB News, Spring 2025

By NAAB posted 03-20-2025
Read our Spring 2025 Edition of NAAB News here!