There are 3 primary paths that a student may take to become a licensed Architect. A Professional Degree in Architecture from an accredited Professional School of Architecture is the prime requirement to take the professional licensure exam. A Masters in Architecture fulfills this requirement. A person wishing to become an Architect is strongly encouraged to contact their State Licensing Board and ask for their specific requirements. While most states have similar licensing procedure, each state licenses it own professionals.

Paths to Licensure (see chart - PDF document)

[From the broad to the narrow]

  1. Undergraduate degree: BS or BA in liberal arts or other subject area [4 years]; Graduate degree: Master of Architecture [3 years]*
  2. Undergraduate degree: BS or BA in Architecture [4 years]; Graduate degree: Master of Architecture [2 years]*
  3. First Professional Degree in Architecture [5 years]

* Please note that length of professional degree programs vary by institution.

Becoming an Architect

(Taken from www.archcareers.org, please see their website for more information)

There is more than one path to becoming an architect. Most students interested in architecture obtain a professional degree from a program that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Students may also attend two-year College or earn bachelors degrees in other subjects. However, those students must receive additional education at the masters level in order to qualify for licensure.

Generally speaking, a person becomes an architect by completing the following steps:

These three actions correspond with the “Three E’s” of architecture: Education, Experience and Examination. Please note that these three activities do not necessarily occur in a linear fashion.

Architecture Degree Programs

There are several types of degrees and degree programs (the accredited programs are referred to as “professional degrees").

1. Pre-professional architecture degree

This term refers to architecturally-focused four-year degrees that are considered pre- professional degree programs. These degrees have such titles as BS in Architecture, BS in Architectural Studies, BA in Architecture, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Architectural Studies, etc.; the amount of architecture work in the program varies and will determine the length of time required to complete further professional architectural studies.

2. Professional architecture degree

A professional architecture degree is one from a program that may be accredited by NAAB. Degrees from accredited programs are required by most jurisdictions for licensure as an architect. These degrees are the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree, the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree or the Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch) degree. The Bachelor of Architecture normally requires at least 5-6 years to complete. The Master of Architecture requires from 1-5 years to complete depending on the individual student’s previous education and portfolio review. When the master's degree follows a four-year, pre-professional architecture degree, it represents the "two" in the term "four-plus-two" program, and is the final portion of the professional phase of the study program.

3. Post-professional architecture degree

This is a graduate degree offered to students who already have a professional degree in architecture. Such degree programs are not accredited by NAAB. The degrees may be in highly specialized areas of study such as design theory, health care facilities, preservation, interior design, solar design, sustainability etc. This type of degree can be either a master's degree or, in a few cases, a PhD or other doctorate.

4. Non-professional graduate architecture degree

This title refers to graduate degrees in architecture offered to students who do not have a professional degree and wish to pursue non-professional graduate work in architecture. These programs vary widely in duration and degree title.