How do you go about selecting an architecture program? In addition to factors that are issues for students in any field, such as program cost, selectiveness, size, and location, some additional factors are particularly important for architecture students:

• If you are seeking a professional-level degree, the program should be accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Only specific degree programs receive NAAB accreditation, not entire schools or universities. The same institution may offer some architecture degrees that are professionally accredited and some that are not. Visit www.naab.org for a list of accredited degree programs.

• Understand the basic types of degrees available and how they vary in length, requirements, and outcomes. Learn about types of courses offered in architecture programs—courses in design, structures, systems, graphics/drawing, architectural history, general education, computer use and programming, site practice, and elective areas.

• Level of confidence. How confident are you in your choice of becoming an architect? Do you want other career options as you progress through college or do you want to pursue becoming an architect as quickly and intensively as possible?

• Art vs science. Architecture combines art and science. Some aspects of architecture associated with art include its use of color, design, texture, form, and shape. Some science-oriented aspects of architecture include concerns related to structure, systems, materials, and construction methods. Some degree programs are more arts-focused while others are more science-focused.

• Academic structure. Is the architecture program within its own college, school, or department? Or is it housed together with departments in engineering, art, design, or other disciplines? It’s surprising how often location of the architecture degree within the university can impact the program. Also look at whether the unit offers joint degrees with other disciplines, such as engineering, business, urban planning, and so forth.

• Philosophy/approach. What is the philosophy of the academic unit and of particular faculty? Is the school technically oriented or design oriented? What is the mission statement of the architecture program? The approach of the programs you consider should match with your own ideas of architecture. As you research programs, learn about differences in approaches and decide which fits you.

• Reputation/tradition. How long has the school been in existence? What is the reputation of the school among architecture professionals? Like its philosophy, the reputation of a program can be difficult to measure. As with other criteria, decide how important reputation is to you. Ask individuals in the field if they have heard of the school. If possible, contact program alumni for their perspectives.

• Academic unit size. Explore the overall size of the program. Include the size of a graduating class as well as the student faculty ratio for architecture courses, especially the studio courses.

• Facilities/ support. What kind of studio space is available to students? What other spaces or resources exist for students—resource center (library), shop, computer facilities such as a computer-aided design laboratory?
  
  Because you will be provided a personal work space in studio, the quality of facilities must be considered more carefully than would be the case with some other majors. Studio space and access to it are especially important to explore.

• Faculty. Who are the faculty? How many are pure academicians versus practicing architects? Read faculty biographies online; ask to attend a class or meet faculty if you have the opportunity for a campus visit. Realize that in architecture, many faculty members may be practitioners first and teachers second.

• Career programs. What programs are in place to help you gain direct experience in the field? Cooperative education? Internships? Exposure to practicing architects? What assistance exists for you to gain employment as a student and what experience does the institution have in placing international students? Some schools have required cooperative education programs that allow students to work in the profession while in school.

• Postgraduate plans. What happens to the school’s graduates? Where are they employed? How long does it take them on average to find a job? Ask the career center for their annual report on graduates or obtain the names of recent alumni from the alumni office and contact them.

The material above is adapted with permission from an article that previously appeared in the Advising Quarterly. That article was written by Lee W. Waldrep, author of Becoming an Architect: Guide to Careers in Design (2006, Wiley).