My daughter has been accepted into the U of A Architecture program for Fall 2015. It’s a five year B.Arch degree. She’s fallen hard for the Fayetteville area, the University and its impressive new architecture building. Our tour was impressive, met with both department heads for architecture and interior design (she’s undecided). She’s also applied and is awaiting decision on KState, but really doesn’t want to go there despite its reputable programs, it doesn’t “feel” right for her. A big plus for Arkansas is she’s received an out of state tuition scholarship that is not tied to her major (like her KState scholarship) so if she decides architecture is not for her she won’t lose it. Can anyone tell me more about The Fay Jones Architecture school or it’s reputation?
I don’t have any insider information on Arkansas Architecture, but just want to say that it’s great that your daughter has been admitted to a program that she likes so much and that is affordable for your family! The faculty looks solid with firstclass degrees and work experience.
My only comment would be that the school’s reputation may be regional, which could be a plus or minus depending on where she sees herself eventually working and living.
The questions I would ask would be: What kind of summer internships do students commonly hold? What firms (and in which locations) do graduates join? Which MArch programs have they gone on to?
Is KState Kansas? My understanding is that they offer a five year MArch instead of a five year BArch. I’ve never really understood the difference. One of the puzzling inconsistencies in architecture degree certification.
Kansas IS highly regarded, but again, I would say the reputation tends to be regional, so your daughter needs to think about which region appeals to her more.
@momrath . The 5 year BArch is exactly the same thing as a 5 year MArch. They are both undergraduate degrees.
@adtm1082 congrats on her admittance to Arkansas too!
[quoteThe 5 year BArch is exactly the same thing as a 5 year MArch. They are both undergraduate degrees.
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That’s exactly why these designations are so confusing to consumers of an architecture education. Why should one be called a BArch and one an MArch? "Master’s"implies an advanced graduate degree. It doesn’t sit right with me to allow architecture programs to confer MArchs, that are actually undergraduate BArchs, just labeled differently.