Architecture Degree

What is an Architecture Degree?

What do the Empire State Building, the Taj Mahal, and the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, have in common? Great architects designed them. Buildings such as those capture our imagination and inspire us to become more than we are. With a degree in architecture, you can design buildings, homes, offices, churches, and more.

Architects are professionals who went to architecture school to learn how to design the aesthetics of buildings and structures. You'll be responsible for more than mere physical appearances as you go through architecture school—you must design buildings that are safe, efficient, and functional for the people that will inhabit them. Architecture school will also teach you to communicate ideas to clients persuasively and you may collaborate with contractors who build the structure.

The duties of professionals who went through architecture school involve specific skills: designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating ideas clearly.

The majority of an architect's time will be spent in a comfortable office, but sometimes architects will be called to visit construction sites to evaluate the construction progress. 4 out of 5 of people with a career in architecture work less than 50 hours a week, according to the Bureau of Labor Services.

Not all graduates who enroll in architecture schools can actually become architects - some enter related fields. The following are popular choices:

• Interior Design
• Industrial Design
• Urban Planning
• Real Estate development
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Management

How can I get an Architecture Degree?

Architecture schools will teach you to be responsible for planning space requirements, evaluating feasibility, judging environmental impact, selecting a site, and preparing cost analysis. This information is synthesized into architects' final plan which is delivered to clients. The goal of students in all architecture schools is to pass the architect Registration Exam (ARE) and obtain an architect's license. The best way to pass the ARE is to earn a degree in architecturefrom an accredited school. After becoming licensed, a career in architecture awaits you.

Regardless of the career choice, as an architect, you will be working with Computer Aided Design and Drafting software to design projects. All graduates from architecture school will also have opportunities for advancement through on-the-job experience.

There will always be a need for new structures and, therefore, a need for new architects to design them. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 16% increase of employment for architects between 2008 and 2018. While entry-level competition for architecture jobs will be high, upper-level jobs are growing faster than their entry-level equivalents. The most opportunity will be available to prospective employees who hold architecture degrees and exhibit exceptional creativity. Architects on average earn roughly $69,000 a year. Top performers earn upwards of $116,000 and more.

Who knows, you may design the world's next great inspiring structure, apply to architecture schools now and find out.