<p>What is the exact difference between the both. I have read on both and still unclear of the differences. My second question would beshould i go to a school that guarantee's me Architecture or risk it going to an Pre-Architecture school.</p>
<p>If you are already in the Architecture School do that program. There is no guarantee that you will be admitted from a pre-program no matter what your grades may be after your first year or two.</p>
<p>Architecture typically refers to the professional degrees. The two most common professional degrees are the B. ARCH., Bachelor of Architecture, and M. ARCH, Master of Architecture. The B. ARCH is a 5 year undergraduate degree and should not be confused with the B.A. ARCH. or B.S. ARCH or any variation of these degrees, bachelor fo architectural studies, bachelor of environmental design etc. The distinction of the two professional degrees is that they, with the appropriate internship, qualify you to sit for the licensing exam. Though there is some variation from state-to-state you generally need the professional degrees for licensure. It is an absolute requirement for NCARB certification, which insures your ability to receive a license in states other thant the one you were originally tested in. Be careful when you look at these state requirements as many are being reviewed. Illinois changed their requirements last year so some students who were already in school would be able to become licensed with the lesser degree but incoming students would not.</p>
<p>For students who decide they want to pursue a masters degree in architecture there are two paths. The most typical is to complete an undergraduate degree in architecture and receive a B.A. or B.S. in architecture etc and then continue for a 2 year master's program. The admission to the master's program is not guaranteed even when it is in the same university. If this is your plan it would be wise to get these statistics, how many of the university's undergraduate graduates apply to their grad school, if they don't apply there where do they apply or what do they do, and if they apply what is the admission rate. The second option is to pursue an undergraduate degree in another area and then appl to the masters program as a non-architectural graduate. The admissions for these programs is much more selective since they draw from a wide population, many are returning students who worked in other fields before deciding to becoma an architect. The curriculum is also different since it includes an additional year of core architectural curriculum to fill the gaps left by the students' non-architectural undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>A pre-architecture degree/program can be several things. Many colleges and communit colleges describe the freshman and/or sophmore years as pre-architecture. Many universities require students to apply separately to the school of architecture after their first or second year. In addition there are many colleges which are primarily liberal arts institutions that have created specific course groups to prepare students for admission to the non-architectural graduate masters programs. These curriculums typically include art, design, math and physics that will be especially appropriate for architecture students. </p>
<p>Another thing to remeber is that most architecture programs require you to submit a portfolio as part of your application process. As an undergraduate student that would typically include a general body of artistic and creative work as it would for the non-architectural graduate masters programs. In the other cases, where the student has taken college level architectural course it would be expected to include examples of their architectural design projects. WORK DONE IN HS ARCHITECTURE & DRAFTING CLASSES IS NOT APPROPRIATE!!! You would be better off including work form art classes.</p>
<p>I hope this is helpful, I am the head of the architecture program at our community college and help studnets work through this process on a regular basis.</p>
My son has major on biology and minor on architecture. He loves architecture, can he apply for master or PhD architecture program directly?
@Rainbowisme, Each Master of Architecture (MArch) program has its own admissions policies, but most commonly the requirements are:
A four year degree (can be in architecture, art or anything)
A design portfolio showing creativity and skill (may include architecture, but not required)
GRE results
Some calculus, some physics (this requirement varies widely)
Some art history, some art studio, especially drawing
Letters of recommendation
Artistic statement
As long as he fulfills the program’s requirements, he is eligible for admissions. At some schools the portfolio carries more weight than others. Facility with computer drawing programs is extremely helpful.
Some MArch programs will offer advanced placement for an undergraduate degree in architecture. For other majors the MArch will take 3.0 to 3.5 years, though it’s possible that some classes in his architecture minor will qualify.
The PhD architecture an entirely different track, more academic than professional.