Need advice: What degree will help me become an architect?

[Henty]

I am a homeschooled student in 11th grade. I have taken, and passed, 4 CLEP tests so far - working on more this year. My desire is to get a bachelor's degree through one of the Big 3 - to reduce costs and to avoid the college campus scene. Eventually my career goal is to become an architect.

My questions are:
Can someone point me to any earlier discussions about someone having architecture as a career goal?
What degree would be most beneficial to have with a career goal of becoming an architect?

I realize I probably will have to do further study, perhaps even at a traditional university, in order to become an architect. But I hope to do as little time as possible on a college campus.

Any guidance and information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Henty

[cookderosa]

I am a homeschooled student in 11th grade. I have taken, and passed, 4 CLEP tests so far - working on more this year. My desire is to get a bachelor's degree through one of the Big 3 - to reduce costs and to avoid the college campus scene. Eventually my career goal is to become an architect.

My questions are:
Can someone point me to any earlier discussions about someone having architecture as a career goal?
What degree would be most beneficial to have with a career goal of becoming an architect?

I realize I probably will have to do further study, perhaps even at a traditional university, in order to become an architect. But I hope to do as little time as possible on a college campus.

Any guidance and information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Henty

Henty (love the screen name by the way, of course you're homeschooled )
The best place to start is through the Department of Labor's book called Occupational Outlook Handbook. It's online. It has information on every job and career imaginable, plus the real data on earnings, education, and work duties. I love that site because it cuts through all the marketing and propaganda and gives you the facts! Plus, there is always information about growth in that career, and what sectors you can expect to work in. It's just fantastic. Use the search box to type in any job and you'll go directly to the page.
Home : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

EDIT: I wanted to add, when you are on the summary page, be sure you notice the many TABS at the top of the summary! Enjoy!

[UptonSinclair]

You will have to get a degree fom a traditional college for architecture, but if you figure out where you plan to attend you can look into which exams they accept and get a head start. Work on getting your math skills as advanced as possible.

[Jonathan Whatley]

I think this section on the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture site is exceptionally helpful:
Guide to Architectural Education

[clep3705]

Traditionally architecture programs have been 5 year long baccalaureate programs, but the process to become an architect is lengthier than that. Exactly what is required varies from state to state because individual states make the rules. Graduating from an architectural degree program does not make a person an architect, nor is it even legal to call oneself an architect immediately after receiving the degree. Some states aggressively enforce the rules on referring to oneself as an architect or engineer, which has relevance to the linked story below about the unemployed architect's career plans.

Architecture is one of those degree programs that can't really be accelerated much. There are many courses with many sequential prerequisites. Course A must be completed before taking course B which much be completed before taking course C and so on.

It is possible to get an nonarchitecture baccalaureate degree and enter an architectural degree program. Read about the University of Hawaii's 4+3 degree program. archawai'i | 4+3 Program Careful reading shows there is a 4 + 3.5 option, but even more careful reading reveals that it might really be a 4 + 4 program (4 year unrelated degree plus 4 year graduate architectural degree). If you took this approach, you'd want to get the unrelated bachelor's degree done as quickly as possible to reduce the overall time to completion.

Here is a search engine for finding architectural degree programs: NAAB: Schools Database

According to this, architecture graduates have the highest rate of unemployment: Best and Worst Degrees for Employment - Yahoo! Education

To learn more about unemployment rates across all college majors, read this study from Georgetown University: http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi...pdate1.pdf

A more positive outlook from the AIA: AIA/NCARB Survey Indicates Resurgence in Employment Rates for Architects | ArchDaily You should view rosy outlooks from professional organizations and schools of architecture with a large dose of skepticism. When a professional association says "things are getting better", sometimes it really means "things still suck, but less so than before".

Story about an unemployed architect: Long-term unemployed still waiting for recovery

It is common for people who build true custom homes to hate their architects. This is addressed in this blog post: Why everyone hates architects | Ryall Design | Ryall Design In choosing architecture as a career path, you need to decide to what extent you are an artist. Do you want to retain the copyright for the works you produce? What if the person who hires you wants something that greatly offends your sense of aesthetics? Would you feel comfortable creating designs as a work for hire that become the property of the person paying you?

Reasons to become an architect: 7 Reasons Why You Should Study Architecture | Architecture Student Chronicles Was the author still in school when this was written? Does the author have enough real world experience to provide a balanced perspective?

For all career choices, always consider the pros and cons. Whatever you are inclined to choose or not choose as a career path, don't gloss over the other side's positions. Be objective and don't find the answer you want to find, strive for a balanced view instead.

[sanantone]

I was going to mention the exceptionally high unemployment rate, but I see that CLEP3705 already covered it.

[JBtesc]

I am a homeschooled student in 11th grade. I have taken, and passed, 4 CLEP tests so far - working on more this year. My desire is to get a bachelor's degree through one of the Big 3 - to reduce costs and to avoid the college campus scene. Eventually my career goal is to become an architect.

My questions are:
Can someone point me to any earlier discussions about someone having architecture as a career goal?
What degree would be most beneficial to have with a career goal of becoming an architect?

I realize I probably will have to do further study, perhaps even at a traditional university, in order to become an architect. But I hope to do as little time as possible on a college campus.

Any guidance and information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Henty

Henty,

I wonder why you feel so strongly about avoiding a college campus? Have you talked to people who are currently attending college? Living in a dorm is one of the greatest experiences of my life, there is nothing like it. While many of us here are getting our degrees at a later time, you won't be able to go back and get a second chance to live on campus later. There is a very brief window of opportunity for what some (like me) will tell you is the the best time of their lives.

You should talk to people who are actually attending college or who have recently attended college as they can most accurately give you a picture of what it would be like.

It is great to get a jump on things and get some CLEPS out of the way before you even start college, and its great to save on college tuition, but I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would intentionally avoid one of the greatest opportunities ever, on purpose.

If you have the opportunity to go to college... Go!

At least give it a chance before you decide to write it off completely. What do you have to lose? Isn't it worth giving it a try?

[John Bear]

An annoying little fact to file away: there are two relevant degrees out there: M.Arch. and M.A. in Arch. I learned they were not necessarily equivalent when I got a sad and angry letter from a reader who had earned one, and found that the job he really wanted required the other.

Also: architecture is one of those fields where the apprenticeship system is alive and well. (My wife apprenticed at an architectural firm as a high school senior; she actually got to render some of the plans for the Boston City Hall, which is still standing!) There are those who say that it can be better to say "I apprenticed for two years with Frank Gehry" than "I have a degree in architecture from the University of [something or other]."

Best wishes in your quest.

John Bear, author, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning,
Finding Money for College, 33 others

[Prloko]

Henty,
It is great to get a jump on things and get some CLEPS out of the way before you even start college, and its great to save on college tuition, but I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would intentionally avoid one of the greatest opportunities ever, on purpose.

Not, trying to start a war, but my money is on religious reasons. I'm not judging; to each his own.

[Imran520]

I think the degree of M.A is helpful for make architect.