<p>So I'm stuck between Pratt and Northeastern. I know Pratt has more rep for an architecture school but from my research NEU isn't SO bad either and surprisingly, NEU is cheaper than Pratt. I also like the vibe of campus life and the Boston community I get from NEU and especially its co-op program but Pratt is a better school for architecture... help ??</p>
<p>Another thing you need to consider is the Pratt offers a BArch while Northeastern offers a BSc Architecture.</p>
<p>Yeah I’ve noticed. Whats the difference? Is the differnce that BArch is an accredited degree and B.S Arch isnt?</p>
<p>With a B.Arch, you can start working (or at least begin to try to start working), after 5 years of undergrad. Since a BS in Architecture isn’t a professional degree, you would have to get an M.Arch before you can practice.</p>
<p>Right, but is the main goal in order to be an architect to get the Masters ? If that’s so, if I go to Pratt, it would talke me 8 years to get the degree (5 for B.Arch + 3 for M.Arch). If I go to Northeastern, 5 years for B.S Arch and 1 year for M.Arch. Which route should I take??</p>
<p>Actually NEU offers a 4+1 March that takes 6 years to do becasueof coop.</p>
<p>^^Not necessarily. If you have a B.Arch, you don’t need an M.Arch, and even if you end up going for one, it usually takes less time. (1.5-2 years or something, not completely sure)</p>
<p>But for Pratt, it’s a three year program for a M.Arch 
I would go to Pratt but I’m worried because their tuition is expensive (more than NEU) and they didn’t give me much financial aid (23k in loans) so by the time I graduate, I’m going to have a huge debt on my shoulders. For NEU, it’s 16k and they also have a co-op program.</p>
<p>Nope, this is a First-Professional Degree, which is unnecessary if you already have a 5 year B.Arch. You will probably have taken many of the classes for the B.Arch program already anyways. [Pratt</a> Institute | Academics | Degrees | Graduate Degrees | Architecture (First-Professional) M. ARCH](<a href=“http://www.pratt.edu/academics/degrees/graduate/architecture_first_professional_m_arch/]Pratt”>http://www.pratt.edu/academics/degrees/graduate/architecture_first_professional_m_arch/)</p>
<p>This is their post-professional degree program.
[Pratt</a> Institute | Academics | Degrees | Graduate Degrees | Architecture (Post-Professional) M.S.](<a href=“http://www.pratt.edu/academics/degrees/graduate/architecture_post_professional_ms/]Pratt”>http://www.pratt.edu/academics/degrees/graduate/architecture_post_professional_ms/)</p>
<p>So I don’t necessarily have to get a M.Arch but is it better to get one ? Or I can work as a licensed architect just with B.Arch ?</p>
<p>You can work with just a B.Arch since it is a Professional degree. If you don’t do a 5 year B.Arch program, you need to get an M.Arch I before you can practice. If you already have a B.Arch, you can get an M.Arch II, which is a post-professional degree and allows you to teach.</p>
<p>So B.Arch degree is no better than the M.Arch and vice versa, yes?</p>
<p>^^Right, in terms of being able to work as a licensed architect.</p>
<p>^So in what ways is a Masters better than a Bachelors?</p>
<p>In a nutshell:</p>
<p>5 yr BArch = quicker path to being eligible for professional licensure. Pros - full/quick immersion into professional study, studios,etc. Cons: little elbow room for electives and minors and future teaching opportunities are greatly limited in most cases</p>
<p>4+2 or 5+1 MArch (or 4 + 3 to 3 1/2 if switching to more selective MArch programs after getting the undergrad degree) = Longer time in school before being eligible for license. Pros: typically you’ll gain more in the way of liberal arts studies, more electives, possibilities for having a minor. Also, depending on the program, you’ll be eligible for more teaching opportunities as this is still considered a “terminal degree” (that is, there are Phd’s in architecture but most Phd’s are geared towards very narrow specialties or history/theory and are offered in other university departments. Still somewhat rare though slowly increasing). Cons: more time and, therefore, expense.</p>
<p>One of the previous posters used the term “practice” in regards to limits on 4 year undergrads. Keep in mind that they mean specifically practice as a licensed professional. Certainly one can leave UVA, Florida, Yale, etc after a four year BA or BS and work for an architecture firm. Indeed such a person could even start a firm but would need a licensed partner and couldn’t advertise themselves personally as an"architect."</p>
<p>As I’ve participated in open houses for the school at which I teach. one thing I would urge all parents to keep in mind is that, whereas licensure is one important goal in one’s development as an “architect” (in some legal sense - by name - certainly. Of course there are plenty of “software architects” who somehow get away with using the term sans the rigorous schooling) this field and the expectations and use of a license is far different from, say passing the Bar or gaining a medical license. A majority of architectural graduates who stay in the profession but work for other firms may never even use their seal in their lifetime. You’d perhaps be surprised at a number of “famous” US architects who don’t even have a license or didn’t finally get one until well into their 40s.</p>
<p>I guess what I’m getting at is the main concern I’ve heard from parents of High School students inevitably revolves around what the quickest route to a license is. Understandable, per absurd higher education costs and the ever-increasing focus on professionalism generally. Nonetheless, I have to respond that this is perhaps one of the least important issues that their daughter/son will become engaged with in the next 5 to 10 years IF they even stay in the discipline (heavy odds say they won’t get through the first year of school). Unlike the legal profession where passing the bar is something of a passport for job security and significant financial reward (let’s say, prior to 2008 anyway), I’m really not sure that in 15+ years of working with various firms all over the US that I know of any single case where someone was promoted or even saw a salary increase upon passing the exams. I’ve heard of this - a 3% or 5% raise in a large, corporate firm - but only twice!</p>
<p>“I have to respond that this is perhaps one of the least important issues that their daughter/son will become engaged with in the next 5 to 10”</p>
<p>I have to strongly disagree with this assessment. Registration is very important for your long term career advancement, and you can no longer achieve it without a professional degree. Think about it now because by the time you hit a brick wall in your career it will be a little late to go back for your MArch. Ten years ago I would hire outstanding graduates with a BS, because I knew they could eventually become registered with enough professional experience, that is not the case anymore.</p>
<p>Why is registration important? Chances are that even in a medium sized office you will not be asked to sign drawings so why do you need it? Because when a client trusts your firm with their multi-million dollar project, they do not want to find out that the project leader on the job is not an architect and does not even have a professional degree. This is a significant issue with all the federal, state, healthcare, and university projects we are now involved with. So even with very talented individuals it will limit the responsibility and client exposure that you are going to get. Many firms have a policy limiting promotions for non-registered employees; many will not allow promotion to Associate. Many states including NY will not allow you to be a partner in an architecture firm if you are not registered.</p>
<p>Finally in this recession many architects who have lost their jobs have been able to start their own practices, and are doing quite well with small commissions. These options are not open to you without registration. Getting a four year degree is fine, it will give you more options and there is a fair chance you may not want to stay in architecture, but once you decide that you want to be an architect know that you are going to need that MArch.</p>
<p>rick</p>