Blogs

NAAB Statement on Federal Definition of "Professional Degrees"

By NAAB posted yesterday
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 2 days ago
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

ICert News, Winter 2025

By NAAB posted 2 days ago
Read our Winter 2025 Edition of ICert News here! #Feature

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

By NAAB posted 14 days ago
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 29 days ago
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!

Spring and Summer 2025 Accreditation Trainings

By NAAB posted 03-12-2025
NAAB is excited to announce its spring and summer 2025 accreditation trainings! Join us for three trainings, designed for programs at different stages of the accreditation process. Each training will be a live, online event and will be offered twice, with time for discussion and Q&A. Learn more about all three trainings and register here!

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

By NAAB posted 02-27-2025
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, February 27–March 29, 2025, the following revisions to the NAAB Procedures for Accreditation. Adjusted Timeline for Student Work Collection The Board proposes adjusting the timeline for ...

Message from 2025 President, Jeffrey L. Day

By NAAB posted 02-06-2025
As I begin my term as NAAB President, I am grateful to ACSA for nominating me to the NAAB Board of Directors and to my fellow directors for entrusting me with the awesome task of leading the organization this year. It is an honor to serve in this capacity, and I look forward to advancing our shared commitment to architectural education. I refer to my career as one focused on “Teaching | Practice” – I teach, I practice, and I try to educate students on ways they might develop future practices through the educational programs I have led. As a teacher, practitioner, and champion of our field, I have dedicated myself to providing outstanding educational experiences ...

NAAB News, Winter 2024

By NAAB posted 12-23-2024
Read our Winter 2024 Edition of NAAB News here!

Opinion: Perspective on Architecture as a Learned Profession

By NAAB posted 12-16-2024
Opinion: Perspective on Architecture as a Learned Profession By Steve Schreiber Learned professions—such as law, medicine, engineering, architecture—require specialized education, rigorous training, and adherence to ethical standards. During my tenure as president of the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the question of whether architecture should continue as a learned profession—or shift toward being more of a vocation/trade/craft—has sparked significant debate within the field. Several factors must be considered when examining the importance of this definition in shaping the future of architecture, the role of education and licensure, ...