How Long Does It Take to Become an Architect?
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Architecture is a stirring and fruitful career. If you are thinking about pursuing this degree, you should investigate it closely. Discover how long it takes to become an architect in the United States.
Architecture has been important since the beginning of civilization. With the Roman Empire, the world has come to an era of creation and innovation. They were some of the first people in creating new and innovative buildings and projects that would help people become more comfortable with the lives they were living. From buildings to roads and bridges, architecture from ancient times changes the path of the entire civilization. Today, architecture is as important as it was in the past, but the creations we have today make us what we are.
Those who decide to study architecture have in mind the main aims of this profession. They know what they have to build and they are about to learn the best ways to put their ideas and designs into action. Some of those interested in architecture are not sure about how long it takes to become an architect, so we will try to answer that doubt.
How to Become an Architect
Becoming an architect is a long process, it takes a lot of time and dedication. It is believed that becoming a professional and experienced architect takes at least 11 years. Of course, this could vary depending on the situation of each individual, whether they work or take care of another person. Also, it depends on the degree you want to pursue.
The first step, and probably the longest, is getting a Bachelor of Architecture. This process takes around 4 years to complete if you do it full-time and it requires full concentration and dedication to successfully complete the degree. Besides, once you graduate with a bachelor’s degree, it is advisable to pursue a Master of Architecture and a Doctorate of Architecture, which would take 3 to 4 years to complete full-time.
After getting your degree, you must pursue a professional internship to complete the Architecture Experience Program (AXP). The AXP is a way of documenting real-world experience. This was created by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is required by most United States licensing boards. In this program, you will grow the skills and tasks needed to be a professional architect. This process takes a minimum of three years to complete.
On the contrary, if you want to get to work as soon as possible, you have the possibility of completing a 2-year graduate architecture program that is not NAAB accredited. The only requirement is that you have completed an undergraduate degree in any other field. With this degree, you might start working in the field of architecture immediately.
All in all, the whole process of becoming a professional architect takes around 11 years. However, there are some chances that you can work while studying, so don’t panic if you think it takes a lot of time.
If you want to know more about architecture, you can read the following articles:
What is Architectural Technology?
Top 5 Bachelor Degrees in Architecture in the U.S.
Bachelor in Architecture: Building the Future
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