Is NCARB pushing away young Architects from obtaining License?
I just need some advice from a senior or licensed Architects. I just gotten my four years of degree in Architecture and now i have to obtain Masters in architecture to be accredited from NCARB in order to sit and take an exam. It means I have to pay for my masters which the schools dont usually pay for and as a student I want to get into profession and start making money. Even If i do masters i will still be called "Architectural Intern" until I get my License!! mind you I will be a masters student? and the pay dont even go above 55-60k even after doing my masters?NCARB just started this practice but I know some Architects that became licensed when it wasnt a requirement to do masters in order to obtain license and they are doing perfectly just as well as any Architect! We have engineers that make more in 4 years degree, for example structural engineers will make 60-70k starting salary with four years degree? They dont even need to do masters like some of our school that requires you to do "masters" to be accredited from NCARB to get license? is this some sort of big monopoly from NCARB and schools to be able to make students do masters to able to sit in the exam? if that is the case I think that is turning students away from Architecture and that will hurt NCARB in long term.
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Hi Muhammad,
Your statistics may be true, but your premise is a larger discussion within the field of architecture where there are varying opinions. Typically, architects don't make as much money as the general public assumes, especially not right away. If you want a career that pays well, architecture may not be the best direction for you - it requires a lot of hard work and sacrifices that some people aren't aware of or aren't willing to invest. I find it to be rewarding in other ways, and a career choice that I will enjoy for many years to come.
I've been licensed for a little over a year, and graduated with my master's degree before then. However, my undergraduate and graduate degrees did not teach me how to be an architect. They taught me how to solve problems and think critically and creatively. Practicing architecture "in the real world" requires very specific skills and knowledge that schools don't teach, for better or worse.
NCARB is not trying to turn people away from architecture. They're trying to uphold the standard of what it means to be an architect, and make sure that those who achieve the title of "Architect" have the ability to protect the life, safety, and welfare of the general public. They don't do a perfect job, but I don't believe any organization or any group of people could.
Ultimately, while some of your concerns may be valid, but will only distract you from becoming a licensed architect if that's your goal. This forum isn't intended to host this type of argument, so don't be discouraged if it gets removed from the plethora of responses that are likely incoming.
If your goal is to become a licensed architect, this is a great resource to encourage and advise you along the way to meet the practical requirements. The road to licensure isn't easy, quick, or inexpensive, but I believe it's worth it.
Best of luck,
Scott -
Hi Mumhammad,
Based on my understanding you do NOT need a Master Degree in order to take NCARB exam. Some state even allow you to take exam without B.A degree. If the B.Arch is not accredit by NCARB, there is other options. You can subtitutes with experences. Visit this to learn more
https://www.ncarb.org/get-licensed/licensing-requirements-tool
If you have a Master in Architecture, and some company hire you. They probably not gonna call you "Architectural intern." I have work with director of design that don't have liscence, because it not required if you work under somebody else. As far as architectural work title. We use all sort of difference name Project Manager, Designer, Job Captain. ect. As long as it doesn't have the word architect in it. You don't need liscense (It still better to have it). There is a debate a few year back to have something in architecture that equivelent to Engineer who doesn't have liscence (E.I.T).
Now if it money is the goal, architecture might not pay that much in the beginning. The PM in my previous office usually joke with the intern that "It's not too late to get out." Consider most of Accredit architectural school is a 5 years program degree.
I hope that help,
Good luck,
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Thank you so much for the professional input, I do not have NAAB accredited 4 years degrees which means I have to take 2 years masters NAAB accredited degree. I am little early in my career I apologize if i am making wrong assumptions. You mentioned starting salary is not much but does it get better down the line? At what point do you become senior architect or can go above 100k. I am sorry i know this question is really vague but I feel weird asking architects in person.
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Well Muhammad, there are a whole lot of things that go into when you get to $100,000 a year.
I have been doing this for over twenty years and I still don't make that...quiet.
But, for me, anyway, I made the decision long ago that I would not work in a major city. I have had the ability to work away from them all of my career. But in making that decision, I knew going in that I would be at a little bit of a disadvantage monetarily.
Depends on where you work, your experience, who well you know and implement your craft, and, sadly, the economy.
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