My son was accepted to both programs. Temple offers a five year BS/MArch while Drexel offers a 6 year BArch coop program. Which would be more advantageous, getting the masters or gaining the work experience? Temple also offers a study abroad semester which I don’t think Drexel does. Any advice or recommendations?
Can’t you do co ops abroad at Drexel?
Yes I think you can but the bigger question is the masters vs experience
@EvanK318, In looking at Temple/Tyler’s architecture website I don’t see a 5.0 year BS/MArch. It seems to be a six year program, which is fairly standard.
I don’t think there’s a huge difference in hire-ability between a BArch and an MArch. In either program the summer internships, co-op jobs and industry connections made while in school are the stepping stone to entry level jobs. After that, getting licensed while picking up OJT is the next phase. Many BArch holders do eventually get an MArch, but it isn’t necessary to career success.
I don’t know that much about the culture at either school, but I would think that that would be the deciding factor for your son, as well as affordability.
My impression is that Temple’s Tyler leans more heavily on the design side of architecture, whereas Drexel is more structures and utilitarian based, which would make a difference in the make up of the student body. Drexel participates in the Integrated Path program which offers a head start on the licensing process. This is a new initiative so it’s hard to say how successful it will be.
Another factor that your son should consider carefully his commitment to architecture. The BArch is an intense and narrowly focused degree, while the BS allows more room for experimentation in other disciplines. He should think about what alternatives each school offers if it turns out that architecture isn’t for him.
Often admissions to MArch programs are automatic to BS holders from the same university in good standing, but this is something your son should reconfirm. He may also decide to get his Masters at a different university, or not continue in architecture at all.