Graduate Study Options and Funding

I came across your blog while searching for graduate programs to apply for fall 2014. I am architect from India. I completed my B.Arch degree(5 years) from India last year 2012. I have a year and a half work experience in an international firm with head office in Mumbai, India. I have worked on various national and international projects. 

Now I want to pursue higher studies in architecture with funding. I am really confused which program I should go for. Professional degree or Research? I want a program which provides funding. Also I want to practice in professional field after my studies. Is there an option to practice in professional field after going in researched based program? Also does professional programs like M.Arch, MUD etc provide funding or assistantship? I have given GRE and TOEFL. Given below is the list of universities I want to aim for:

ASU

NEU

SIU Carbondale

U Mass

V tech

U Houston

UT Austin

UIUC

U Mich

U Cin

Please suggest if there are any other as per my requirement. What should I go for M.Arch, MUD, MLA,MS in arch? Also let me know about the job opportunities. I will be really thankful to you if you can help me. Kindly, give your feed back and help me so that I can start applying for the courses. 

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Given that you have a Bachelor of Architecture, you may consider applying to U.S. institutions and pursue either the professional Master of Architecture or any number of post-professional degrees.

If your desire is to eventually becoming licensed in the U.S., I would suggest you pursue the NAAB professional Master of Architecture which is required for licensure.

If that is not important (licensure in the U.S.), then consider pursuing a post-professional degree in a subject of your strongest interest.  

As for funding, you would need to be in touch directly with each of the programs you list via their website or direct contact.  Most graduate programs have merit-based funding in the form of fellowships, scholarships or teaching assistantships.  You want to learn the process of applying and what makes for a worthwhile application.

A good source for the list of programs is -- http://www.archschools.org --

Best!

Post-Professional MS in Architecture

I attended Rachna Sansad Academy of Architecture in Mumbai, India and pursued the B.Arch.  I completed my B.Arch degree last year. Right now I am practicing in a small architectural firm.  Yes, i am getting a lot of new things to learn here.  I'm planning to apply for master in advanced architecture next year.

But I'm confused where to do it from.  I m very much inspired by all those fancy huge structures which we see in abroad, but on the other hand people say there is no scope in the states and u.k. I am really messed up with all options in front of me.

I will be really great full to you if get your kind guidance in this critical situation . 

Thank you

__________________

I may not be able to provide the guidance you need because my expertise is on architectural education and becoming an architect in the U.S.

First, I suggest you search on my blog - http://archcareers.blogspot.com - as I am addressed similar questions before.  Next, the decision you make on where to consider continuing your architecture education depends on the next step of your career.

With your B.Arch, you may pursue what the U.S. calls a post-professional degree in architecture, typically by the name of Master of Science in Architecture.  Probably the best resources to research programs is ARCHSchools.org -- a resource that allows you to search programs based on different criteria (see below).

Because the post-professional allows you to focus on an area of specialization, you should think about which is of more interest.

Best.

• Specialization
  • Architectural Design
  • Art and Design
  •  Building Information Modeling
  •  Building Technology/Environmental Systems
  •  Community Design
  •  Computer-Aided Design
  •  Energy
  • Engineering
  •  Environment/Sustainability
  •  Graphic Design
  •  History
  •  Housing
  •  Interior Design/Architecture
  •  International And Regional Architecture
  •  International Development
  •  Landscape Design
  •  Photography
  •  Preservation
  •  Professional Practice
  •  Sacred Spaces
  •  Sustainablility
  •  Tectonics
  •  Theory/Criticism
  •  Urban Planning and Design

MS or MArch after BArch

I have done my B.Arch from India and given my GRE exam.i desire to do M.arch in sustainability from US university.  However i am confused if i should go for an MS course or M.Arch course since i do not desire to practice there but given an opportunity would like to work.

Also my interest lies in teaching, so could I practice teaching coming back to India after doing an one year MS course.

Kindly help.

____________

Whether to pursue a professional Master of Architecture or a post-professional Master of Science in Architecture truly depends on your future desire to pursue licensure in the U.S.  As your BArch is from India, it does NOT meet the education standard for licensure.  As such, pursuing a Master of Architecture (two years) would be the best route if you desire to pursue licensure in the U.S.

However, if you wish to expand your studies and eventual return to India, the MS degree may be the better route.

With that said, you can still gain pursue licensure with your BArch but you would need to pursue the EESA process to determine that your education is equivalent to the NCARB Education Standard.

Given what you stated in your statement, I would consider the MS in Architecture.

Visit - www.archschools.org for a list of potential programs.

Professional or Post-Professional?

I'm from Dominican Republic; in my country we only have one degree: Architect, there is no such thing as B. Arch, pre professional.  You go to the university and take 5 years of design studios and clases.. and you are an architect.

 

I graduated a year ago, and now I am looking forward to do a master in USA, but I'm confused whether to choose a post professional or a professional, I love sustainable design, and that's what I'm aiming for.. but doubt keeps eating me!!! I also want to work in the US, so im not sure if i should take some "general" Master Degree just because is accredited by the NAAB… or go post professional with the Sustainable Design..

What is my best choice?

_____________

 

The degree to which you will pursue depends on your longer term career goals.

If you wish to pursue licensure in the U.S., you will want to pursue the accredited professional Master of Architecture degree typically two years in length.  To obtain a list of possible degrees, visit -- http://www.naab.org --.

Instead, if you are seeking additional architectural education, but intend to return the Dominican Republic after graduate, you would be better served to pursue the post-professional graduate degree in architecture.  These are typically named - Master of Science in Architecture and are one-year in length.

If you still wish to become licensed in the U.S. with a post-professional degree but you would need to have your education evaluated - see below.

http://www.ncarb.org/en/Certification-and-Reciprocity/EESA.aspx

Best.

MArch vs. Post-Professional Degree

I was curious if you have encountered many B.Arch grads pursuing an M.arch after licensure? I graduated with a B.Arch a few years ago, have about three years of work under my belt and have started sitting for sections of the ARE, while life is pretty uncomplicated and I have the time. However, I would like to keep the option of teaching open (my understanding is the M.Archs are necessary if one wants to teach later on) and do still have a strong desire to go back to school in the next couple of years. I myself don't know anyone that has taken this track but I just wonder if it does happen occasionally and would like to hear your thoughts on the idea.
_______

First, congrats on your obtaining your BArch and a desire to pursue additional education.

As you BArch is a first professional degree, you do not need to pursue the MArch, instead seek a post-professional degree. At some institutions, it may be called a Master of Architecture; at other institutions, it may be called either a Master of Science in Architecture or by another name.

NCARB maintains a list of post-professional degrees available as you may gain IDP credit by pursuing a post-professional degree.

http://www.ncarb.org/en/Experience-Through-Internships/Meeting-NCARB-Experience-Requirements/Supplementary-Education/Supplementary-Education-Elective/Post-Professional-Degrees-Overview/Post-Professional-Degree-Programs.aspx

While most accredited architecture programs will probably prefer candidates with a post-professional degree, you may be able to teach with only your BArch if you apply to some programs or seek a teaching position within a community college.

I would advise that you not pursue a post-professional degree ONLY to have the credentials for pursuing teaching; instead, determine what aspect of architecture you wish to pursue and seek a program that fits your interest.

Best!

Dr. Architecture

Advice for education after a BArch degree.

Hi Dr. Architecture:

I am hopeful you can give me some advice and direction. I am in my 5th year of my bachelors program of architecture. In reviewing my future I am considering more education before practicing architecture. My consideration is based on a couple of factors, the current state of affairs in the U.S. today making it extremely tough for the college grads to locate job offers, and my desire to enahnce my skills from other B of A graduates through additional skills. Through my B of A program I beleive that I have developed some good foundation to my design skills but I am not sure a Master program in architecture will completely benefit me if it continues to focus on design. Say for example in the future my desire is to have my own development firm, would it not benefit me to have an engineering degree or possibly a degree in structural engineering. My bottom line question is what kind of further education can compliment my B of A degree and then prepare me to compete more advantangeously in the job market and my future as an architect. I am in my 20's now and I want to address my educational requirements right now for proper preparation of my career vs trying to tackle a lot of education after entering in a career direction. Any direction or advice would be great. Thanks.
_________

First, congrats on approaching the graduation of your Bachelor of Architecture. Next, I applaud your interest in continuing your studies.

However, while I applaud your desire, I question your considerations. In my humble opinion, you do not continue your education because you are not able to secure employment or simply want to enhance your skills.

From your statement, it appears that you wish to pursue further education but you are not sure of which discipline to pursue. With this perspective, why continue your studies. I would argue that you "begin with the end in mind" first; determine which discipline you wish to pursue and then pursue graduate studies.

What would happen if you chose structural engineering for your studies and later found out that you had no desire to pursue it as a career.

Education (Graduate Programs) will always be there. I would suggest you strongly consider entering the workforce, albeit difficult, to help you learn to which discipline you wish to pursue. It is admirable to "address your educational requirements right now" but why do it now if you are not sure of the disipline.

Of course start your career/graduate studies research now. Talk to people, read, research programs -- petersons.com -- etc.

Just my thoughts. I hope this helps!

Dr. Architecture

I am currently a senior and will graduate next spring with a B.S. in Architecture from a public institution. I am in the midst of researching graduate programs in architecture.

Can you explain to me the difference between a Masters of Science in Architecture and a Masters of Architecture?

Also, most schools require 3 letters of reference; I have asked a history of architecture professor to be one and my boss from work to be another. Who do you think I should ask to serve as the third? Thanks!

B.S. in Architecture Senior

First, as a soon-to-be graduate of a preprofessional program, you will want to research architecture programs that offer the NAAB Master of Architecture, sometimes referred to as a professional degree.

The Master of Science is not a professional degree and would not allow you to pursue licensure; they are often referred to as post-professional degrees. If interested in a specific topic, you may wish to pursue this degree after receiving your Master of Architecture. Caution: approximately one-third of the architecture programs title their post-professional degree - Master of Architecture; this is NOT the NAAB accredited degree. Be sure to ask questions of the program if not clear.

Second, I would suggest you obtain your third letter of reference from a design faculty. While faculty who teach lecture or elective courses are fine, it is essential to have one, preferably two from design faculty. Graduate programs want to know you as a designer. I would even suggest a design faculty over a former employer.

Dr. Architecture