General Information and Strategies
- To gain entry into the field of architecture, one must receive either a Bachelor or Master of Architecture from a school of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, complete a full-time internship (three to five years), and pass the Architect Registration Examination.
- There are master's degree programs for students who did not major in in architecture at the undergraduate level.
- Architecture involves much more than designing buildings. Talk to architects and visit their offices to learn more about the field.
- Architecture is a combination of art and science. Students of architecture must be able to conceptualize and understand spatial relations and be detail-oriented. Develop creativity, analytical skills, and a sense of quality.
- Supplement curriculum with art and photography classes.
- Oral and written communications skills are important, particularly when working with clients, construction crews, or government officials. Good writing skills are valuable for developing architectural proposals.
- Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and other computer technologies are prevalent in the field of architecture. Develop as many computer skills as possible.
- The job market for architects, especially residential, varies with changes in economy as demand is often tied to level of construction.
- One third of architects are self-employed as either partners or running their own firms.
- Most architects work in firms of fewer than five people.
- Related fields include: graphic, interior, or industrial planning, real estate development, civil engineering, and construction management.
- Some architects specialize in a particular building type. Graduate study in the field may be helpful for specializing. Other architects may specialize in a certain function of the firm such as project management or specification writing.
- Areas of specialization include: historic preservation/renovation, healthcare facilities, sports facilities, educational facilities, master planning, and interior design.
- Students should design a portfolio to use when interviewing. Include freehand drawings, final drawings by hand and computer, process sketches, photos of study models and finished models, a sample of writing, and work from technical courses.
* Original content provided by The University of Tennessee