<p>Hello. Can anyone tell me if it is highly recommended to have a Masters degree in Architecture? By obtaining a Masters degree, I mean the traditional 5+1 (BArch/MArch Undergrad + Masters in Architecture) or 4+2 or 4+3 (Undergrad + Masters in Architecture).<br>
For example, 20 years ago getting a Masters in Computer Science or Accounting wasn’t necessary but today it definitely is. I didn’t know if this applies to Architecture as well.</p>
<p>Thank you! </p>
<p>There’s different paths to being eligible for a license - A 5 year BArch, a 5 year straight MArch (kind of rare), or the 4+2 BS Arch or BA Arch + MArch or a 4+3 Banything + March</p>
<p>I don’t think any of those has major advantages over the other two unless one focuses on the extra electives in a 4+2 (or their non-arch undergrad in a 4+3) over the rest. There are some advantages and disadvantages in any of the above setups, financial, educational, etc. so you really have to think about your particular situation. We chose a 4+2 because cost was OK after scholarships and the ability to go to grad school elsewhere for a more ‘complete’ experience. If the extra year matters go for the fivers. If cost is not a major issue do a 4+3.</p>
<p>Thank you. </p>
<p>Interestingly enough my daughter has two offers so far: a rare 5 year MArch and a 4+3 option that would be cheaper than the 5 year program because she practically received a full tuition undergrad scholarship. I never thought a 4+3 option could be cheaper than a 5 year MArch. </p>
<p>May I ask why you recommend 4+3 (“if cost is not a major issue then do a 4+3”)?</p>
<p>Architecture is brutal enough as it is in a 5 year program, then a 4+2 is really 4+2 if you stay in the same school which one may or may not do. Some schools have a 3 year MArch program thanks to co-op, or they may have an MArch for any major so the program is 3 years no matter what, or you may have to take prerequisites, or even with a BA Arch/BS Arch you may have an easier time getting into a 3 year MArch… Long list of reasons. </p>
<p>At the end the extra year means your student could prepare well for architecture in the 4 part while pursuing something else, related or not, and have a degree that would be more beneficial down the road for specialization - say, you’re interested in design of health care facilities, do a 4 year degree in something health related but with a lot of art/design prereqs. Or interested in game design (you’ll be surprised) so do a 4 year game design or computer science type program then architecture).</p>
<p>By the time your student finishes it’s long enough that an extra year won’t make a big difference. The catch is that a 4+3 requires good focus 7 years down the road otherwise it’s too easy to say “meh, I got my degree, let’s go make some money”. . </p>