<p>Do you have to earn a BArch to go to graduate school for a MArch?</p>
<p>I visited Dartmouth a few days ago and absolutely fell in love with the place. However, the school does not offer an architecture major (as do many other schools I'm interested in).It is discouraged, but I could create my own architecture major by combining classes from Studio Art, Art History, Philosophy, and Engineering. I would earn a Bachelor of the Arts, but not a BArch. Would I still be accepted to a graduate school of design (say an Ivy League/top-tier) if I didn't get a BArch?</p>
<p>You do not need a BArch to get accepted to an MArch program. As for whether or not it looks good, i am unsure, but I do know that is possible to get into an MArch program without a BArch or even a BS in Architecture. The only thing is that it may take 3 yrs of graduate work in order to get the MArch, and this costs additional money. </p>
<p>By the way, the three ways to get licensed are:
- Get a BArch degree
- Get a 4 yr BS in Architecture and then a 2 yr MArch degree
- Get a 4 yr degree in something other than architecture and a 3 yr MArch degree</p>
<p>These are the 3 most common ways to get your license. There are others, but it appear s that at Dartmouth that you cannot get a BS in Architecture, so you may just go for a BS in Engineering or in Studio Art, etc, and then apply for graduate architecture school. </p>
<p>The fact that you would have your undergraduate from Dartmouth would also help because of its Ivy League standing. </p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>You do not need a B.Arch to get into a good M.Arch program. [Actually the M.Arch was designed for students who don’t have B.Archs but I’ve noticed that as the programs become more competitive many of the class do have B.Archs.] You do not even need a BA or BS in architecture studies or anything related to architecture.</p>
<p>The downside of the combination of BA/BS/B.Arch + M.Arch is the time and money. The upside is that you get a liberal arts education. </p>
<p>Requirements vary from school to school but in general you need to take art studio, especially drawing, art history, physics and calculus. You need to submit a portfolio which is a major part of the admissions decision.</p>
<p>I’m sure there are plenty of architects who did their undergrad at Dartmouth and I’d guess that the school has some kind of advising program for potential architects. If you ask them where their architect wannabes ended up I’ll bet you’ll be impressed.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses! They were really helpful! I’ll try to go to a school that offers a BArch, or at least a BA in Architecture. Still, I love Dartmouth! :)</p>
<p>Of course, if you’re interested in doing more intense research/architectural whathaveyou, you could go on an get an M.Arch II with your B.Arch.</p>