Becoming an Architect

I am 37 and a resident of California. I have an undergrad degree in Liberal Studies. I'd like to pursue a career in architecture. Do I have to get a degree in architecture or can I start as an intern and work my way up and eventually get certified? What would be your recommended course of action? I'd like to avoid school if possible.
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In general terms, it is very difficult to become a licensed architect without first obtaining a NAAB accredited degree in architecture (www.naab.org). However, very few states will allow an individual to become registered with either a preprofessional degree in architecture or a high school diploma, but the experience required would be increased.

As it turns out, California is one of those states. With only a high school diploma, a candidate would need 8 years of acceptable experience. For more details, contact the state board in California or the following:

http://www.ncarb.org/stateboards/regboards.asp?id=9

While it is possible for you to pursue licensure without any additional schooling in California, I would NOT recommend it. First, you will find it extremely difficult to secure an intern position with no background in architecture. Next, as most states and NCARB require a NAAB degree for licensure, you will be limited to practice only in California.

I recognize that you wish to avoid school, but architecture is a very technical field. As such, you have much to learn both in the classroom and working within a firm.

Dr. Architecture

International Degree

If I were to obtain a 3 year bachelor degree from a university in Australia, would I be eligible to participate in the IDP, and take the ARE?

I currently have an Associates in Architectural Technology from a community college here in North Carolina. I would like to go to Australia and get a degree in Architecture, then come back and work here in the U.S. Is this possible?
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To obtain the most accurate answer, you will need to contact NCARB - www.ncarb.org/idp. You may also wish to contact the state IDP coordinator in your state.

Most states require a NAAB accredited degree to meet the education requirement. As such, your degree from Australia will not only allow you to be eligible to become a licensed architect in the U.S. However, you can still become licensed by having your foreign degree evaluated by EESA -- www.eesa-naab.org. Also, you should review a new accord -- www.canberraaccord.org/ - between the countries of U.S., Australia and others.

Bottom line, it is possible, but do your research ahead of time to recoginze what you will need to do upon your return to the U.S.

Dr. Architecture

I'm currently working as a web developer with 4 yrs experience in NJ,USA. I hold a B.Arch degree from India and always wanted to pursue Masters in Urban designing here. Now I'm interested in pursuing,which colleges are the best in NY-NJ and what are the prerequisites.

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To my knowledge, there is a not a list of Master of Urban Design degrees; one possible resource would be -- www.archschools.org -- this is a list of institutions that have accredited architecture programs, but does have a search mechanism allowing you to search on Urban Design as a related discipline.

As for prerequisites, you will need to contact each school individually.

Dr. Architecture

Resources - Careers in Architecture

As the principal of a firm, we receive calls all the time and often meet with prospective students, but it would be helpful to have a handout to give them. Additionally, there ought to be a direct link on the AIA website to ARCHCareers.org where it would be easy to download the pamphlet and a list of accredited list of architectural schools. If you log on to ARCHCareers.org and try to print information today it is not in a friendly user format. What you are doing for AIA is very important and I commend you for your efforts.
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I can share that they do have an online brochure from the following website on www.aia.org. As you can see, there is a direct link to ARCHCareers.org from this website --.

Careers in Architecture
http://www.aia.org/professionals/careers/index.htm

The Architect's Journey: Exploring a Future in Architecture

Architecture Education
http://www.aia.org/education/AIAS075223

The National Architectural Accrediting Board has a website dedicated to resources on Careers in Architecture including an updated list of NAAB accredited programs (see below).

http://www.naab.org/news/view.aspx?newsID=10

NAAB Accredited Programs in Architecture
http://www.naab.org/architecture_programs/

ACSA also has an online guide to architecture programs

http://www.archschools.org

May I also suggest you refer prospective students to the following: Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design.

A final resource is a description of the career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Dr. Architecture

Change major / Transfer

I am currently a sophomore at a liberal arts college in NY with an intended Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts (concentration in Architecture). The architecture classes offered here are mainly design-based with VectorWorks CAD. I feel unprepared compared to other students in colleges that offer the 5-year BArch program. I feel they would be chosen as interns over me because they learn more about architecture. This makes me doubt my future if I were to have a career in Architecture. Should I change my major? Transfer to another college? I really don't know what to do...
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Given that you are NOT in an architecture program, it seems reasonable that students in a BArch would be selected over you for intern positions. However, do not fret.

If your desire is to become an architect, you can transfer, but you may move backwards if you transfer to a BArch. You may consider transferring to a preprofessional BS degree within an architecture program. Another option that I strongly encourage is to complete your degree in Visual Arts and pursue the 3-4 year Master of Architecture degree.

You have to decide which is the best route for you.

Also, visit www.naab.org and www.archschools.org to learn more about accredited degree programs.

Dr. Architecture

Mathematics in Architecture

I have been reading your blog and have found it to be very informative as I research the possibility of becoming an architect; thank you. I was hoping you could answer a question for me if you have some extra time.

I've been thinking of going back to school to become an architect. I hold a bachelors degree in Mass Communication-Advertising and have art courses under my belt. I've also been working as a freelance graphic designer for the past year. I've always been intrigued by the design of buildings and homes, lighting, and the materials used since I was a child. I drive around town just to look at homes and buildings and look through the architecture books at the bookstore and get excited about the designs and wish I could create them myself. A recent career assessment even suggested architecture as a possible career.

However, my ability in the math department isn't too great and that is why I ended up pursuing an education in advertising. How math intensive is the career of an architect? Is it so much that I may become miserable? I don't doubt my creative ability and I'm willing to work as hard as I need to to be successful. The descriptions of an architect's job that I read are so broad and doesn't help me much. How important is the mathematical ability vs. the artistic eye of an architect in the grand scheme of things?

I'd love to know more before I plunge into pursuing a new career and hope to hear from you soon.
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First, I am pleased to hear that the ARCHCareers.blog has been informative for you.

As to your question. As you might guess, mathematics is a part of architecture but not the most important part. One could argue that CREATIVITY is most important which you possess.

With that said, please note that some graduate programs in architecture do require candidates to take calculus while others highly recommend it. However, you will never actually use calculus in your professional life. For some, calculus is a way of thinking; this is what is important, not the actual calculus work. You would need to research the graduate programs to determine their prerequisites. Some also require a freehand drawing course and also physics.

The calculus and physics also help in preparing you for the structures courses in a program that do require calculations. In other words, you do need to use mathematics, but it should NOT be a reason to prevent you from becoming an architect.

Architects and architecture students live on either side of the creative/technical side. You will live on the creative side, but you will need to know the technical side to become an architect. Depending on when you graduated, you may wish to take a mathematics course from a local community college to reactivate your knowledge. But, begin to research programs and work on your portfolio for admission.

Websites to view include --

NAAB - www.naab.org

ARCHSchools - www.archschools.org

Dr. Architecture

Biology major wishing to pursue architecture

I will a be a third year student at Eastern Michigan University in the Fall of 2009. Currently I am majoring in Biology, but recently I have decided to pursue a career in architecture. I am totally lost as what I should so and where I should start. There is so much information and different types of architecture degrees and many ways of going about earning them that I don't even know where to begin. I was thinking about changing my major to engineering or maybe major in Computer Aid Design. What I'm basically trying to ask is what is the best route to take. Would it be okay to major in CAD with maybe an art minor and then go on to graduate school and get my MArch or is there a better way of doing this? Thank you for taking the time to read this and for all your help :)
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Given that you will be a third year student, I highly suggest you finish your degree in biology and pursue a Master of Architecture (3-4 years) for individuals with a degree in a discipline other than architecture. Of course, this assumes that you still have an interest in biology and can complete the degree. At minimum, you should ensure that you have calculus, physics, and a freehand drawing course to best prepare for your graduate studies.

Or you could change majors which may postpone your graduation, but I would not change to CAD. Perhaps, interior design or product design which would be helpful in the concept of DESIGN. A minor in ART would also be helpful, but not CAD.

I would begin the research of possible MArch programs; in fact, visit UMichigan to see architecture firsthand. Talk to students, meet with faculty, etc.

Visit -- www.naab.org -- and -- www.archschool.org -- for a list of accredited programs.

Dr. Architecture

Starting a Portfolio?

Hello there. I am a 38 year old male living in Texas (Houston area) and seriously thinking of going back to school for Architecture. I have B.A.'s in Anthropology and English that I acquired in 2003. I have read many of the surrounding schools web sites and am feeling a bit overwhelmed about going forward with trying to get into a program. They talk about projects and a portfolio to submit with my application and I have no experience in this field of any kind. Which way do I turn next?
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Graduate programs for individuals with a degree in a unrelated discipline are not expecting to see architecture in your portfolio, but rather wish to see creativity. Many require a drawing course prior to admission or enrollment. Typically, you can a ART course (drawing, figure / life drawing, etc.) Taking the course will generate materials for your portfolio.

You may also wish to purchase Portfolio Design by Harold Linton -- www.portfoliodesign.com --

Another idea is to take a summer program available by many architecture programs.

Do not worry about your lack of experience in the field. Think about the creativity you have used within your degrees and past work experiences. Also, visit the programs, talk with professors and students about the admission process and how you can best prepare for admission.

I am hesitant to share the following but -- www.archinect.com -- has discussion forums where prospective students share their stories.

Finally, a good resource is Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design. Best.

Dr. Architecture

International Architecture Programs

I was curious is you have a list that contains the international Architecture Programs available. I am hoping to achieve my Masters in Europe. Any help would be great. Thanks!
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The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) publishes a list within their printed Guide to Architecture Schools. To order visit the following:

https://www.acsa-arch.org/store/guide8.aspx

I also found the following websites that might be helpful.

http://www.educationatlas.com/europe-architecture-colleges.html

http://www.enhsa.net/

http://www.eaae.be/eaae2/documents.php?show=publications&type=eguide

Dr. Architecture

Tests to Become an Architect

Dear Dr. Architecture: I am a freshman at Union Grove High School in Georgia. As part of a career project, I need to investigate what tests should be passed by high school students who want to become architects. Are there special tests in addition to the SAT and ACT? Thanks for your help.
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If your desire is to become an architect, there are no actual tests that should be passed while in high school. Depending on your college choice, you may need to submit a portfolio which is not a test but may be a unique admission requirement unique to architecture majors.

For more insight, you may wish to consider obtaining Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design.