Architecture as a Career
Thinking about becoming an architect?
There are three things required to become an architect:
- Education
Get a professional degree from an accredited school. That will either be a Bachelors of
Architecture (usually called a B. Arch) or a Masters of Architecture (usually called an M. Arch.)
- Experience
Do an internship. In Minnesota, this means going through NCARB's Intern Development Program (usually called IDP).
- Examination
Take the Architecture Registration Exam (usually called the ARE). In Minnesota, you must complete your education and IDP before you can sit for the exam.
After completing these three steps you can apply for state licensure. This involves some paperwork and paying a fee.
The NCARB website has a "Pathways to Architecture" movie. You can find the link to it under "Consumers" at the bottom left of the NCARB home page.
Architecture Careers (archcareers.org)
This website has a wealth of information on what it takes to become an architect. It can answer most of your questions or point you in the right direction, check it out!
Architectural Record's Guide to Architectural Education
The magazine Architectural Record has provided a guide to all architecture programs in the United States accredited by the National Architectural
Accreditation Board (NAAB). The chart provides information on each program's tuition, degree type, and accreditation. This site also includes links to
the schools' websites.
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA is a non-profit, membership organization founded in 1912 to advance the quality of architectural education. Over 200 schools are members
representing over 4,700 architecture faculty. At the ACSA website under "Info for Students/A Student’s Guide to Education," you can find essays on the following:
- History of architectural education
- High school preparation
- Architectural programs, degrees and curriculum explained
- How to select a school
- How architecture is practiced, career paths
At the ASCA website, you can:
- Find Maps of Schools by Region (under Membership)
- Purchase the ASCA’s “Guide to Architecture Schools” survey of accredited programs (under Publications)
Accredited Schools of Architecture (NAAB)
Most states (including Minnesota) now require a professional degree in architecture to become licensed. The National Architectural Accrediting
Board (NAAB) is the only agency authorized to accredit a school's professional degrees in architecture. At the NAAB website under "Architecture
Programs", you can:
- Search for a school by program, state, region, or degree
- Get a list of accredited schools of architecture (PDF)
University of Minnesota - Architecture Program (C Des)
The School of Architecture at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design (C Des), Twin Cities Campus, is the only
accredited architecture school in Minnesota. At the C Des website you can find out the following information:
- Programs and degrees offered
- Facilities and faculty
- Current events at C Des
- CDes Mentor Program
- Design Institute
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is a national architecture student organization that has chapters at each architecture school. Becoming
involved in AIAS will hook you into a network of students nationwide that will expand your view of architecture.
Check out the national and the local websites:
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