Considering Architecture, Not Sure What Schools

College Majors Architecture Major
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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'm strongly considering majoring in Architecture, but I'm still not completely sure. So far the only Arch schools I've applied to are NC State and Boulder, but I didn't manage to pull together a portfolio for NC State in time (Boulder doesn't require a portfolio). What I want is a good architecture program in a nice location for a reasonable price. To me, a nice location means either near the ocean, or the mountains (I need to either mountain hike or sail to maintain my sanity haha). I would prefer a medium-sized school (5-10,000). I guess it doesn't matter if the school is suburban/urban/rural as long as it is safe. Maybe I'm being too picky but I there are so many choices. Can anybody recommend a school for me?</p>

<p>Chris</p>

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<p>Chris,</p>

<p>If you are looking for an accredited architecture program search here;
[NAAB:</a> Schools Database](<a href=“- NAAB Website”>- NAAB Website)
For many schools it either is, or nearly is, too late to apply for fall '09 admissions. </p>

<p>Off the top of my head, accredited arch program + * mountains * + late/rolling application = MSU;
[MSU</a> School of Architecture](<a href=“http://www.arch.montana.edu/]MSU”>http://www.arch.montana.edu/)</p>

<p>For * ** ocean sailing ** * , UCBerkeley overlooks SF Bay, and Cal Poly SLO is a few minutes from the Pacific Ocean, but the application deadline has closed.</p>

<p>RWU has dorm rooms overlooking the Atlantic and school sailboats tied to the docks right on campus, not sure when apps close.
[School</a> Of Architecture, Art & Historic Preservation - Roger Williams University](<a href=“http://www.rwu.edu/academics/schools/saahp/]School”>Cummings School of Architecture | Roger Williams University)</p>

<p>WIT has Boston Harbor and the Charles River close at hand. plus rolling admissions;
[Wentworth</a> Architecture - Home](<a href=“http://www.wit.edu/arch/]Wentworth”>Architecture Degrees)</p>

<p>Northeastern is accross the street from WIT, so the same sailing venues. I don’t know about admissions;
[Architecture</a> at Northeastern University](<a href=“http://www.architecture.neu.edu/]Architecture”>http://www.architecture.neu.edu/)</p>

<p>SCAD is in Savannah, (year roung sailing weather) not sure how far down river to the ocean, but yes on rolling admissions;
[Savannah</a> College of Art and Design Home](<a href=“http://www.scad.edu/]Savannah”>http://www.scad.edu/)</p>

<pre><code> I’m sure there are others.
</code></pre>

<p>For campus size and cost check the school’s websites, but be sure to inquire about need based and merit scholarships, several of the above schools gave my son very generous aid packages.</p>

<p>** Anyone into * sailing, * rocks, ** that’s why my extra effort responding to this post </p>

<p>:)</p>

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<p>I think you might have waited too long.</p>

<p>Make sure whatever program you apply to is NAAB certified. There are only four in my state of Ohio. (Kent State, Miami-Oxford University, Ohio State, and University of Cincinnati)</p>

<p>First in the nation in architecture is Harvard.
Second in the nation is University of Cincinnati. (whose application was due Nov. 15th)</p>

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<p>groupiegurl</p>

<p>I think the OP was looking for BArch programs, the schools you listed only have M Arch. preprofessional plus. </p>

<p>To the OP: 4trees gave you a great list of schools, the only one I was able to think of was RWU, which she mentioned, but they do require a portfolio, and the deadline for applying is Feb 1st.</p>

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<p>Wow that was a lot of helpful info! It is a bummer that I didn’t decide on Arch until now but I’m sure I’ll find something in all of the links you gave me. If not there’s always transfers. I’m glad I’m not the only one that loves to go sailing =D</p>

<p>Edit: Actually a couple more questions - What is the difference in B. Arch and B. Environmental Design? Also, would a school that is not accredited be even worthwhile, or is that going to be a dead-end road when looking for a job after college?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>If you want to actually design buildings – i.e., be a practicing architect – that you have to have a degree from an NAAB-accredited program in order to sit for the licensing exam. However, it doesn’t have to be an accredited B.Arch. program (or even a B.Arch. at all) if you are planning to go on and get a M.Arch. from an accredited school.</p>

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<p>Hm, is it even likely to get a good job designing buildings without a master’s degree? I always though that for arch it would be redundant to get only a BA.</p>

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<p>Both the B.Arch. and the M.Arch. are professional degrees. If you already have a B.Arch., you wouldn’t get a M.Arch. because the M.Arch. is for students who do NOT have a B.Arch.</p>

<p>Perhaps this explanation from the Boston Society of Architects website will help:</p>

<p>"There are two different educational paths [to becoming an architect]. One is a five- or six-year program that usually leads to a Bachelor of Architecture. The other is a four-year undergraduate program, not necessarily in architecture, followed by a two- to three-and-one-half-year graduate architecture program that leads to a Master of Architecture. Of the 113 accredited architecture programs in North America, roughly half offer the former and half the latter. The BSA’s Resources for Interns and Students page can provide you with a list of these schools or check out the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).</p>

<p>As you can see, the total number of years in school can be reduced if you commit yourself to architecture early. If you pursue a non-architecture undergraduate degree and then go to graduate school, you could spend as many as eight years in school. There is a trade-off that one must reconcile with this decision. One approach offers fewer years in school but sacrifices some of the liberal arts education central to all professions. The longer path is more expensive but provides for a more well-rounded educational approach. (The Master’s degree often leads to greater opportunities to teach architecture at an advanced level.)"</p>

<p>If you search the CC archives, you will find several threads discussing the pros and cons of each approach.</p>

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<p>jjcddg - no, that is not true. I am attending the University of Cincinnati this coming fall… they definitely have a undergrad program as well</p>

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<p>To become a licensed architect (at least in Ohio, my state) you MUST have a M.Arch. The B. Arch is a prerequisite to the M. Arch. At least in Ohio, you are required to have BOTH to become licensed, however, you can still work at a firm without the M. Arch, you just can not be the head architect and must work with someone who has a masters degree.</p>

<p>I will be attending a 4+2 year program which will earn me both degrees.</p>

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<p>Conflicting information :(</p>

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<p>groupiegurl143: My son applied to U of Cincinnati and got accepted for fall 2009. Our understanding of their program (taken from their handouts we received on our visit) is the undergraduate degree is not a BArch but Bachelor of Science in Architecture which then requires one to get the MArch degree. My son was not interested in a 4+2 program and that is why he did not apply to U of Illinois (our home state). U of Cincinnati was an exception due to the coop requirement.</p>

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<p>Check this link; [NAAB:</a> Home](<a href=“http://www.naab.org/]NAAB:”>http://www.naab.org/)</p>

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<p>I think the “conflicting information” comes from confusion about the difference between the B.Arch. degree, which is a “professional degree” when accredited by the NAAB, and other bachelor degrees such as the B.S. in Architecture (or Architectural Studies, at some schools). The B.S. programs are NOT accredited by the NAAB and therefore require graduates of these programs to earn a M.Arch. degree before being able to sit for the licensing exam. That is the 4+2 path that groupiegurl is pursuing.</p>

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<p>Just curious.
Does anyone know if there are schools offering non-accredited masters in architecture (meaning not a MArch)? Again, I’m just curious.</p>

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<p>What type of architecture? That information would help us narrow the field a bit.</p>

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<p>

And [this</a> link](<a href=“Ohio Architects Board”>Ohio Architects Board) to the State of Ohio licensing requirements, as well. A B.Arch or a BS+MArch will qualify one for licensing in Ohio.</p>