Undergraduate Education in Architecture

To become an architect, students must earn an accredited, professional degree in Architecture. This is either the B.Arch. or the M.Arch.

At NC State, the undergraduate architecture education is comprised of two parts: the four-year Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (BEDA), followed by the one-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch).

Students have the option of following the BED-A with a two-year Masters of Architecture (M.Arch.) There are benefits to both the B.Arch. or the M.Arch. path. A detailed explanation of architecture degrees is provided here: ArchCareers.org Types of Degrees

Bachelor of Architecture

The Bachelor of Architecture program (the “fifth year”) prepares students for professional practice in architecture. An understanding of the basic principles of architecture and the precedents that have influenced those principles is emphasized. The program encourages the student to identify, test, and explore ideas that will aid in developing a sound intellectual framework for professional work.

The Bachelor of Architecture as a first degree is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). It satisfies the educational requirements for licensing and certification by the various states and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

The Bachelor of Architecture curriculum is a one-year (two semester) program of 30 credit hours which builds upon a four-year pre-professional curriculum such as the NC State College of Design's Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (BEDA) degree. The first semester architecture studio is faculty-directed and typically involves the design of a building in depth. The second semester studio consists of a student-initiated final project which has been identified, researched, and programmed the previous semester with general parameters set by the faculty. Required and elective professional seminars in practice, history and theory, architectural technologies, urbanism, energy studies and environmental systems complement the studio.

Curriculum

For students with a four-year, pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture (BEDA degree or equivalent). Two semester of full-time study. Minimum 30 credit hours.