Architects plan and supervise the construction of structures they have designed. They must first and foremost talk with their clients to establish their design needs, they then draft designs using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software. Architects must be knowledgeable about different architectural styles and design concepts, construction methods and materials, and local zoning and building laws to develop designs that will not only meet their clients’ expectations, but also be executable. Once a client approves an architect’s design, the architect works with contractors to ensure that the project is built according to plan.
A career in architecture combines a high earning potential with the ability to do creative work on behalf of clients. And, as green buildings and smaller, smartly-designed homes continue to trend upwards, a career as an architect offers the ability to work in a field that can positively impact the world.
Necessary Education
Architects must have both formal education and practical experience. The most direct method to meeting the educational requirements for the profession is to obtain a professional architecture degree from a program authorized by the National Architecture Accrediting Board. The NAAB recognizes three architecture degrees as acceptable: the Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), the Master of Architecture (MArch), and the Doctor of Architecture (DArch). A pre-professional degree in architecture is a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in architecture.
It takes at least five years to finish a BArch program. These programs require students to complete general education courses, such as in mathematics and physics. Design, the history of architecture, building materials, construction processes, and building structures are all covered in architecture classes. Several studio classes are usually included in the BArch curriculum, during which students complete design projects and learn how to draw sketches by hand, as well as produce models using CADD.
Students with a variety of educational backgrounds are accepted into MArch programs, including those who have completed a pre-professional program in architecture and those with bachelor’s degrees in other subjects. Architectural design, building construction and materials, and architectural history are all included in these programs, which can take up to three years to finish. Students must also take numerous studio classes focused on diverse topics, such as tectonic, adaptable, and urban design. Prior to graduation, students must complete a thesis, as well.
Many BArch and MArch programs place a strong emphasis on global exposure and encourage or require students to participate in a study-abroad program. That gives students exposure to different architectural styles and building methods.
Following graduation from a professional architecture degree program, aspiring architects must complete an intern development program (IDP) approved by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB). The IDP is a three-year paid internship — often at an architecture firm. Interns work with mentors who are licensed architects during their internships.
Licensure Requirements
Architects must receive a license to practice in every state. Meeting education, experience, and examination requirements is necessary for licensure. Architects must finish a professional, approved degree program, complete an IDP, and pass the Architect Registration Exam, which varies by state.
For architects who have earned a professional architectural degree, completed an IDP, and passed the Architect Registration Exam, the NCARB provides an additional certification program. In some states, aspiring architects must complete the certification program to receive a license.
Return on Investment
It takes roughly eight years to become a licensed architect, from the start of a BArch program through completion of an IDP. Architects who get an MArch or DArch degree before starting their profession will invest considerably more time on the front end, before they begin earning paychecks as architects. The cost of degrees can vary wildly from one institution to the next and financial aid plans are based on individual circumstances, so understanding the true cost of an architect’s education is a highly individualized process.
However, architects can expect to earn a reasonably high standard of living. In 2020, the median annual salary for architects in the United States was $82,320. The top earning 25 percent made about $106,680. Architects with a lot of experience can work their way up to partner positions at their companies or start their own to access an even higher earning potential.
What’s more, architects’ employment in the United States was expected to expand by 17 percent between 2012 and 2020, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While there will likely be even more architect jobs available in the coming years, competition for these positions will be fierce. Architects who are well-versed in “green” or sustainable design, according to the BLS, will have the best career chances.
Employment Opportunities
Aspiring architects should have a portfolio of the work they’ve done throughout the course of their academic careers. An impressive portfolio may help catch the attention of potential employers. Some architects seeking work send their portfolios to any firm they are interested in, even if the firm is not actively hiring. Many local and national architect societies have job boards on their websites, where you may look for available vacancies.
While architects may find themselves in high demand, it’s important to be careful in choosing their next employer. Because there are a myriad ways in which architects may become injured on the job, it’s important to ensure that a company has a robust workers’ architecture insurance policy. This is particularly important with smaller, growing firms, as they may not yet have given proper thought to all the different insurance kinds they should be carrying.
