Architecture Courses

Architects are responsible for designing houses, factories, office buildings, and other large structures. Architects can be commissioned to design anything from a single room to an entire complex of buildings or public housing project. In some cases, architects may provide various predesign services, such as feasibility and environmental impact studies, site selection, cost analyses, and design requirements.

The architects' plans show the building's appearance and details of its construction. These plans include drawings of the structural system, air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems, electrical systems and plumbing. In developing designs, architects must follow state and local building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and easy access to buildings for people who are disabled.

Architects use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and building information modeling (BIM) for creating designs and construction drawings. However, hand-drawing skills are still required, especially during the conceptual stages of a project and when an architect is at a construction site. As construction continues, architects may visit building sites to ensure that contractors follow the design, adhere to schedule, use specified materials, and meet quality standards.

A recent shift in architectural thought has prompted architecture schools to focus building design more on the environment. Sustainability in architecture was pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright, Buckminster Fuller, and by green architects such as Ian McHarg and Sim Van der Ryn. Concepts include passive solar building design, greener roof designs, biodegradable materials, and more attention to a structure's energy usage.

Architecture Department Rankings - Undergraduate

There are typically three main steps to becoming a licensed architect: completing a bachelor's degree in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination. In all states, earning a bachelor's degree in architecture is typically the first step to becoming an architect. Most architects earn their degree through a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program. Many earn a master's degree in architecture, which can take 1 to 5 additional years.

A typical bachelor's degree program includes courses in architectural history and theory, building design with an emphasis on computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), structures, construction methods, professional practices, and math. Currently, 35 states require that architects hold a degree in architecture from one of the 122 schools of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). State licensing requirements can be found at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

All state architectural registration boards require architecture graduates to complete a 3-year long paid internship before they may sit for the Architect Registration Examination. Most new graduates complete their training period by working at architectural firms through the NCARB that guides students through the internship process. Some states allow a portion of the training to occur in the offices of employers in related careers, such as engineers and general contractors. Architecture students who complete internships while still in school can count some of that time toward the 3-year training period.

Engineering & Computer Jobs

Architects held about 128,800 jobs in 2017. The median annual wage for architects was $76,930 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $129,810. Architects are expected to be needed to make plans and designs for the construction and renovation of homes, offices, retail stores, and other structures. Many school districts and universities are expected to build new facilities or renovate existing ones. In addition, demand is expected for more healthcare facilities as the US population ages and as more people use healthcare services.

Interns in architectural firms may help design part of a project. They may help prepare architectural documents and drawings, build models, and prepare construction drawings on CADD. Interns may also research building codes and write specifications for building materials, installation criteria, the quality of finishes, and other related details. Licensed architects take the documents that interns produce, make edits to them, finalize plans, and then sign and seal the documents.