<p>I'm sure this question has already been asked somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. What sort of architecture degree program has more prestige in the professional field? Do firms prefer someone with an M.Arch when hiring, or is a B.Arch just as meritorious? I'm trying to decide on potential schools, and their degree program is a very important factor. Thanks!</p>
<p>From a professional point of view I don’t think there is a lot of difference between an MArch and BArch. From an academic/teaching point of view there is a much bigger difference. I also think any differences in the programs are gradually being negated by schools which have decided that 5 year programs which were formerly BArch programs should now become MArch programs (Tulane, Kansas, etc.).</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>Unless 5-year BArch or 5 year MArch students have a Harry Potter Time Turner in their supply list (the gadget that allowed Hermione Granger to take two classes at the same time), the extra year of BS Arch + March (slower pace) may be worth the extra cost…</p>
<p>On the average, how much does it cost to get a 2 year MArch if say you were to go to a state school to get yours? Do colleges give you any financial aid or opportunities for scholarships like they do for undergraduate school? It just seems like with the cost of schools today (I will have to get a small loan each year probably for undergraduate school) the thought of continuing onto graduate school and having even more debt is scary. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>One would have to evaluate availability of scholarships for 5 years of Barch or March straight versus for 4 years of BS arch and 2 min years March. </p>
<p>DD1’s school is a 4+2 and there seem to be a few TA’s, RA’s, and the like but not as many as, say, in a STEM grad program. Maybe in a larger, more ‘research’ oriented program, but in a more ‘teaching’ program it’s probably harder to see many grad students with funding.</p>
<p>ctate, I’m not an architect, but as the parent of a current M.Arch student, my observation is that it doesn’t make much difference to the employer. Candidates with either the B.Arch or the M.Arch would be eligible for the same position. The determining factors in hiring would be more based on talent, work experience, personality and fit with the firm’s creative mission.</p>
<p>Where the route chosen does make a difference is to the individual student. Some kids are ready to go into architecture immediately after high school graduation; some are not. Some want to compress the degree program to 4 (or 5 years) and get to work; some want to get a liberal arts degree first, then an M.Arch. </p>
<p>Basically the B.Arch is more focused and faster. The BA/BS + M.Arch is wider in liberal arts scope, but takes longer and therefore costs more. The five year M.Arch which absorbs the B.Arch is kind of a hybrid, but, to me is more akin to the B.Arch in focus.</p>
<p>Only you can decide which is best for you.</p>
<p>turbo, at my son’s 3.5 year M.Arch program (at a private university) the typical grant from the college is about $10 - $15,000 a year. TA-ships are few and extremely competitive. The loan burden is scary, but I don’t think it’s unusual.</p>
<p>If it’s a grant that takes out half the tuition or more then it’s not too bad, but I guess 3.5 years with living expenses and the like could get expensive… Almost like paying for 4 more years of college…</p>
<p>My daughter is in a public flagship state school OOS with partial scholarship for 4 years, but the scholarship only drops the OOS to IS… Expensive proposition no matter where you go - she will go to a different place for her MArch so it’s still lots of money afterwards.</p>
<p>Exuse me, what M.Arch program your son is in…thank you</p>
<p>I’m currently on the 4+2 path right now. I was in the same spot as you, contemplating over which program I wanted to pursue. It really came down to what the schools offered and how their programs are oriented. Typically for BS programs, the first year is an intro year. They don’t shove rhino, CAD, and illustrator in your face quite yet lol. However, that being said, kids at 5 yr schools aren’t ahead in the game (except maybe the first year). 2nd year picks up the pace incredibly fast.
I actually read this blog article on why the 4+2 path was better and it pretty much helped my decision (I can’t remember the link anymore, sorry). It is more expensive, but for an extra year, you come out with an MArch. It’s not like you can’t get internships with a BS degree either, you can even work for a bit before returning to school. 4+2 gives you more options and the MArch has a bit more merit.</p>
<p>I am an Architect, though I now work as an Owners Project Manager on projects under construction. What I saw in my 30 years in the trenches was that the degree was secondary to what you could actually do for the firm. there are some places that do place value on the level of degree or how you sound on paper, but typically those individuals don’t pan out. starting as soon as you can, start getting work experience, get a professional degree(BArch), get licensed.</p>
<p>some things to be aware of- Architects love themselves. Architects love to talk about themselves and/or their projects. For a creative profession, you see an awful lot of people dressing the same (black turtlenecks). no matter what you see in the movies and on television, Architects don’t make a lot of money and are highly subject to layoffs and fluctuations in the economy. When things get slow at the office for an extended period of time, they often implement a 20% salary reduction across the board “until the economy improves”. Do you know of any landlords or credit card companies that will give you a 20% reduction until the economy improves? Architects are expected to see their work as their love, their mistress. Sounds romantic/poetic but it isn’t. many Architects get divorced. Some due to their own ego problems or others due to their inability to recognize the importance of their own family. I have worked on several huge, prestigious projects in the $100 million and up neighbor hood-but the thing that gives me the greatest sense of satisfaction is coaching my daughter’s little league team.</p>
<p>I’m telling you this because if this is the career you are choosing, you need to go into it with your eyes wide open. There are plenty of people who will blow air up your skirt and tell you what a wonderful career it is, I just want to color the picture for you a bit.
If you can get into a health field or Business, I would recommend that.</p>
<p>when it was too late for me, some told me the best way to make a small fortune in Architecture is by starting with a large fortune.</p>
<p>Good luck, wherever you go and if it’s in Architecture I wish you the best!</p>