Professional Degrees (Undergraduate and Graduate):
The National Architecture Accreditation Board accredits the degrees listed below.  For the purposes of professional registration, the degrees listed below are considered equivalent.
 
Bachelor of Architecture (B. ARCH):  The Bachelor of Architecture degree is the oldest type of professional degree program offered at the university level in America.  Typically the Bachelor of Architecture degree is a five year undergraduate program.  Often students enrolled in B. ARCH. programs will begin an intensive professional education in their Freshman year of college.  This type of program will typically include courses in architectural history, theory, drawing, design, technology, and professional practice along with certain university-wide requirements and electives.  This type of program may be ideal for students who are certain of their career selection.  In many cases, however, high school students are not able to accurately determine their career objectives. 

Bachelor of Architecture programs can often be "unforgiving" in that they tend to "lock" students into a course of study early on in their undergraduate education.  Consequently, changing majors during an undergraduate career may prove to be very difficult for the student enrolled in a B. ARCH Program.

2 Year Master of Architecture (M.ARCH, M. ARCH. I): This type of degree is designed for those students who possess a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree.  This type of program will typically include courses in architectural history, theory, drawing, design, technology, and professional practice along with certain university-wide requirements and electives.  The University of Maryland School of Architecture offers an accredited 2 year Master of Architecture degree.  For more information contact the School of Architecture at: (301) 405-6284.

3-3 1/2 Year Master of Architecture (M. ARCH., M. ARCH I):  This type of degree is designed for those persons who possess a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than architecture.  The program offers a comprehensive professional education to students who come from a variety of educational backgrounds.  This type of program will typically include courses in architectural history, theory, drawing, design, technology, and professional practice along with certain university-wide requirements and electives.  The University of Maryland School of Architecture offers an accredited 3 1/2 year Master of Architecture degree.  For more information contact the School of Architecture at: (301) 405-6284