- The 2 Year Program of Study is composed of two parts: a four-year undergraduate program that leads to the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree and a two-year, 54-credit hour program of study that leads to the fully accredited Master of Architecture degree. The undergraduate program is a balance of liberal arts courses and core courses in architecture, while the graduate program is oriented to professional preparation through advanced and specialized course work. Students applying to the two-year graduate program must have successfully completed a four-year pre-professional degree program in architecture.
- The 3½ Year Program of Study is a 102 credit program designed for students with bachelor degrees from any field. These students may apply to the 3½-year program of study leading to the fully accredited Master ofArchitecture degree. This program allows fewer electives because it concentrates on professional preparation. Students in the 3½ year program of study bring to it a breadth of knowledge based on previous education and experience.
In addition to the above first professional degrees, we offer a post professional degree:
- The 1½ Year Program, leading to a Master of Science in Architecture degree, is for students who have already completed an accredited first professional degree and wish to obtain an advanced degree. In thisprogram there are few specific established requirements. Students are encouraged to propose the most professionally and personally useful course of studies with their faculty advisor. Students in the program are expected to take advantage of the special opportunities offered by this program and our unique physical/social setting to pursue individualized educational goals.
Additional Information
Accreditation
In the United States, most state architecture registration boards require an accredited professional degree as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor ofArchitecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a 6-year, 3-year, or 2-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.
Master’s degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
The next accreditation visit is scheduled for the spring of 2012.
NAAB’s conditions and procedures are available at http://www.naab.org/accreditation/
Our annual reports, and reports from the previous site visit are available at The Center for Southwest Research at Zimmerman Library under the call number LD3781.N565c688 [year].
Licensing for Architects in the State of New Mexico and in Most Other States
An applicant for examination for registration as an architect must have a professional degree from an architecturalprogram accredited by NAAB and also a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certificate showing compliance with Intern Development Program (IDP) training requirements.
Career Development Information
Information on career development is available at:
www.NCARB.org has “The NCARB Handbook for Interns and Architects,” “Toward an Evolution of Studio Culture,” and “The Emerging Professional’s Companion.”
ARE Pass Rates
Pass rates for the various sections of the Architectural Registration Examination by school are available at:
