Architecture Careers
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
In the U.S. an individual must be licensed before he or she can
practice as an architect. After receiving a professional degree
in architecture and working as an intern-Architect for about three
years, one must pass all parts of the Architect Registration Examination
(ARE) in order to become licensed.
In many states the professional degree in architecture must come
from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting
Board (NAAB). There are 111 such programs in the U.S. Since state
architectural registration boards set their own standards, graduation
from a program not accredited by the NAAB may meet the educational
requirement for licensing in some states.
Most architectural degrees are from five year Bachelor of Architecture
programs. These are intended for students entering from high school
or with no previous architectural training. Some schools offer a
two year Master of Architecture program for students with a preprofessional
undergraduate degree in architecture or a related area. Also available,
a three or four year Master of Architecture program for students
with a degree in another discipline. There are also many variations
of these programs.
A typical five year architecture program consists of courses in
architectural history and theory, building design, professional
practice, math, physical sciences, and liberal arts. Students spend
a lot of time in the design studio using the skills and concepts
learned in the classroom.
After completing a bachelor's or master's degree, some architects
decide to further their education. Howeve, this is necessary only
for research, teaching, and certain specialties.
To practice as an architect in Canada, one must have a professional
architecture degree and three years' experience with a registered
architect, or studies from the Royal Architectural Institute of
Canada syllabus program and eight years' experience with a registered
architect. They must register with their provincial association
and pass the Architect Regulation examination.2
Are you good at visually communicating your ideas? Can you conceptualize
and understand spatial relationships? Do you communicate well and
can you work as part of a team? If so you have some of the skills
needed to be an architect. It is becoming increasingly necessary
to be computer literate since many firms use computers for many
job tasks.
Job Outlook
In the U.S., you may face some competition if you plan to become
an architect. Employment of architects is projected to grow about
as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010 and additional
job openings will stem from the need to replace architects who retire
or leave the labor force for other reasons.1 However, many people
want to enter this field causing the number of applicants to be
greater than the number of available jobs. This is especially true
in the most pretigious firms, where competition will be stiff.
In Canada, currently, chances of finding work in these occupations
[architect, urban planner and land surveyor] are rated "Good",
since employment opportunities and earnings are both above average.
Over the next five years, this outlook is not expected to change,
as the number of job openings is expected to be matched by the number
of qualified job seekers.2
Earnings
Median annual earnings of architects working in the U.S. were $52,510
in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,060 and $67,720.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,540 and the highest 10
percent earned more than $85,670. 1
In Canada, the overall average earnings for architects, urban planners,
and land surveyors were $47,700 (as compared to the average for
all occupatations: $37,400).2
Related Educational Links
artists and related workers;
architects, engineers,
landscape architects,
and photographers.
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