<p>I am looking into some "top" schools like Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Cincinnati ( All in DI top 5 undergrad), but I was wondering what your opinions were to the Architecture program at Kent State and its overall reputation?</p>
<p>I would like to follow up on my own thread having just attended Kent State's Architecture admissions program. The facilities themselves are nothing special. Year 1 and 2 students share the same studio, Taylor Hall, which is a pretty nice studio with really no walls, just windows all throughout the room, providing great lighting. 3rd year students have their own studio in a factory style building and 4th year students have their own studio, by far the best of the three. The program itself is clearly the class of the University. Probably the most impressive aspect of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design is the Degree's they offer, something that to my knowledge no other school in the country offers . After completing a 4 year BArch, you then re-apply into the Graduate program. The graduate program offers 4 different degree's: MArch and MUD (Masters in Urban Design) or two dual degrees MArch/MBA or MArch/MUD. This is what makes the program truly distinct, and it was their primary selling point, and I'll be honest It's a good selling point. The MArch/MBA and March/MUD both take 2 years to complete with the MArch/MUD requiring a semester in Florence, Italy. The Program also has boasting rights in that the Graduate students taking the Architecture Licensing Test have scored above the nation average for 25 consecutive years, including just 2 years ago when they were #1, that's above Harvard, MIT, and Cornell Grads. Overall the College of Architecture and Environmental design is quite impressive and should be on anyone's list looking for an outstanding architecture program that can easily go under looked.</p>
<p>Please check. I don't think they offer a 4-year BArch. It is a 4-year BS Architecture Studies, a pre-professional degree.</p>
<p>They offer both actually. The architectural studies you mentioned is brand new as of two years ago, that was according to the dean himself. They also offer a bachelor of science in Architecture, this is what I was referring to.</p>
<p>Correction: The architectural studies degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural studies not a bachelor of Science but the architecture degree is still a Bachelor of Science in Architecture</p>
<p>Correction: The architectural studies degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural studies not a bachelor of Science but the architecture degree is still a Bachelor of Science in Architecture</p>
<p>In your initial post, you said 4-year BArch. You meant 4-year BA in Architecture or BS Architecture (both of these are not NAAB accredited). BArch is a Bachelor of Architecture accredited by the NAAB and is a 5-year program.</p>
<p>I meant the Bachelor of Science in Architecture. The same one that has been at Kent State since the college of Architecture and Environmental Design opened. That is the four year, NAAB accredited undergraduate degree offered at Kent State. That leads to the March which is also accredited. This is all according to the NAAB site itself.</p>
<p>NAAB only accredits BArch, MArch, and PhD. It does not accredit BS in Architecture. Most states require a BArch or MArch to get licensed. Illinois, where we are, will accept a BS up until 2014. After, they will require a BArch.</p>
<p>According to the NAAB website Kent State's BARCH is being phased out and only accredited until 12/09.</p>
<p>From Kent State's website:</p>
<p>"Bachelor of Science:
Pre-Professional Studies leading to the
Master of Architecture:
First Professional Degree, NAAB accredited
At Kent State, both degrees are required for those
students preparing for the architectural profession and
who plan to become registered architects."</p>
<p>This is saying that the BS degree is pre-professional and therefore not accredited. Students must continue and complete the MARCH which is NAAB accredited to become registered architects in most states.</p>
<p>MSHEFT is correct that no BS programs are NAAB accredited. The point is that the BS degree alone will not allow you to become licensed in most states. You would need to complete the MARCH at Kent State to become licensed.</p>
<p>A MArch is required no matter what in terms of licensing in almost all states. And according to the Dean at Kent State, the BS in Architecture is considered valid until 2013, when the 2009 class is graduating. I'm simply passing information directly from the Dean. If you have a problem with that take it up with Kent State, not me</p>
<p>casmith942, both the BArch and the MArch will do for licensing. Te BA and BS in Architecture won't do it with just a few exceptions. Both the BArch and MArch are professional degrees, the other two are not.</p>
<p>Perhaps I can shine some light on this subject. The BS in architecture used to be sufficient, but as of recent this has changed and now only BArch, MArch, or PhD are accredited. In the majority of states MArch are heavily preferred and doesn't necessarily guarantee a job (obviously) but is strongly recommended being that most graduates are bringing a MArch to the table. This is what I am assuming casmith942 was referring to. And yes it is true that some states require a MArch for licensing, but this all depends on where you live, and you will have to look at your own states requirements</p>
<p>From FAQs on the NAAB website:</p>
<p>"9. What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Bachelor of Architecture?</p>
<p>NAAB accredits the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture and the Doctor of Architecture. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is not a NAAB accredited degree."</p>
<p>casmith, </p>
<p>First, I've heard (but have no personal experience with) that the program at Kent State is good, especially if you are instate and intend to have a career regionally. If you liked what you saw at the Arch Admissions Program you should consider applying.</p>
<p>Second, as others have said, be aware their 4yr Bachelor of Science degree is not accredited, however it contains all the necessary coursework allowing you to apply to their accredited MArch degree, (an additional year & one summer). Stick with it and you end up with a MArch in 5 years plus a summer. Kent State wraps it in their phrase "sequence of degree programs", which I feel comes close to deceptive marketing. This is a quote from their website, decide for yourself;</p>
<p>"Upon completion of the four-year Bachelor of Science program, students who are qualified may apply for the professional Master of Architecture program (see: Graduate Studies/MArch (professional)."</p>
<p>And the link to that webpage;
KSU:CAED</a> - Architecture Overview</p>
<p>Kent State is not alone with it's approach, other schools also do this and I wouldn't hold it against them other than when they are not being absolutely clear that acceptance as a first year into the undergrad arch program does not guarantee acceptance into the accredited Masters program. There are 5yr BArch programs at schools that do the same, you earn a BS in Arch or Arch Studies, then if qualified and accepted you get into the fifth year and the accredited BArch degree. You should check, look at the freshman enrollment, (I think 90 at Kent State), look at the four year grad rate and then the acceptance rate into the masters program (and the grad rate from that!). You should do this with any school you are considering. Anyway you cut it, it's a long path and we haven't discussed the required internship and those pesky exams!</p>
<p>Good luck in your school search.</p>
<p>Thank you all very much for the insight. Question though. Is it better to go to a BArch if you are already planning on getting a MArch regardless, or does that not necessarily matter and is more a preference thing. I know that Cincinnati has a MArch and no BArch, yet their undergraduate program is highly regarded, does this mean if that are planning on obtaining a MArch, then a BS in architecture is still valued? Any help would be greatly appreciated</p>
<p>The Architecture Dean at USC told a crowd of students and parents during a seminar for high school students seeking college educations for careers in Architecture that there is no one best pathway, and that yes, program accreditation is necessary to insure a uniform minimum foundation throughout the programs, but after that diversity and variety are necessary to keep us from all living in the same building.</p>
<p>I happen to work at the CAED at KSU. Our Bachelor of Science degree is in fact accredited.</p>
<p>I am not sure what you mean by ‘accredited’, but unless there is a special ‘Kent State exception’ you are not getting an NCARB license to practice with a BS degree.</p>
<p>rick</p>