Friday, March 18, 2011

NAAB Accredited MArch or Not? - Process

I graduated Western Kentucky University with a B.S. in Architectural Sciences. I'm confused on the next step(s) to take to become a licensed architect. Is working for a number of years and completing the IDP an option instead of school? Or do I need to go to Graduate School at an accredited NAAB Architecture School?
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First, congratulations on your recent degree from Western Kentucky. 

Aside from reviewing the ARCHCareers Blog (http://archcareers.blogspot.com/), I suggest you review the ARCHCareers.org website as well as Becoming an Architect, 2nd Edition.  From these, you will learn that to become an architect in most jurisdictions, you need a professional NAAB accredited degree, complete IDP and pass the ARE.

If you review the following on the NCARB website (
http://www.ncarb.org/en/Getting-an-Initial-License/Registration-Board-Requirements.aspx), you can learn that it is possible to gain licensure with your degree and a number of years, but be aware that you would ONLY be able to be licensed in that particular state; this would be limiting to your career as an architect.

You can see below the states that do not require an accredited degree, but I know that IL will begin to require one in 2014.  You would need to check each state to see further possible requirements.

Is a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited program required to satisfy your board's education requirement?
Yes
AL AK AR CT DE DC FL GA GU IN IA KS KY LA MA MI MN MS MT NE NV NJ NM NC ND OH OR PA PR RI SC SD TX UT VI VA WV WY

No
AZ CA CO HI ID IL ME MD MO NH NY OK TN VT WA WI

NCARB Position:
Yes

My advice would be to purse the accredited Master of Architecture to allow options in the long term.  Best.

Dr. Architecture

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