Careers in Architecture

ARCHITECTURE: (Architect)
Architecture, as practiced in the United States, is a regulated profession.  States regulate the practice of architecture in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Though there have been attempts to standardize the requirements for registration, the authority, and criteria for registration is maintained on a state by state basis. 

Usually states will offer reciprocity to persons possessing a license from another jurisdiction provided they met certain criteria.  Typically candidates for architectural registration must possess a degree from an accredited professional degree program in architecture, they must complete specific requirements of internship, and they must successfully pass all sections of the comprehensive Architectural Registration Examination before being legally permitted to use the title "architect." 

Architects are responsible for a wide range of services: site design, building design, interior design, detail design, specifications, contracts, construction techniques and building materials, to name but a few.  The field of architecture requires a broad knowledge of the building trades, practices and techniques, economics, law, professional ethics, the humanities, and a variety of other fields.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY:(Architectural Historian)
Architectural History is an outgrowth of the discipline of Art History.  Architectural Historians may receive degrees in their field at the baccalaureate, masters, and/or Ph.D. level.  Architectural Historians typically teach, serve as curators in museums or are involved in other institutional programs.  Practically speaking, the Ph.D. is the standard qualification for Architectural Historians in higher education.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER:(Construction Manager) Construction managers are employed by architects, clients (both institutional, corporate, and private) and contractors to oversee the broad range of construction activities associated with large building projects.  Construction managers are not required to have specialized degrees, however, expertise in engineering and construction techniques may be desirable.

ENGINEERING
Engineering is a broad technical discipline with a variety of specializations.  Most specializations are regulated at the state level by registration examinations.  The title Professional Engineer (PE) indicates that an individual has passed the minimum requirements of registration and is entitled to professional practice. 

The areas of engineering that are of special interest to the building arts are:  Architectural Engineering: (Architectural Engineer) Architectural Engineering is a branch of engineering that specializes in building system design and the technical aspects of building design.  Civil Engineering:  (Civil Engineer) Civil Engineers design dams, bridges, roadways, and other civic infrastructure.  They often work under the direction of architects and urban designers in the design and construction of large projects. 

Environmental Engineering: (Environmental Engineer)
Environmental Engineers specialize in eco-systems and the impact of man-made form on the natural environment.  Environmental Engineers are often involved in major urban projects, as well as both suburban and rural development.  Mechanical Engineering:  (Mechanical Engineer)  Mechanical Engineers may specialize in the design of heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as other mechanical devices used in buildings.  Structural Engineering: (Structural Engineer)  Structural engineers specialize in the design of the building systems that resist the forces of gravity, winds, earthquakes, etc..  Structural engineers often collaborate or work under the direction of an architect during the design and construction phases of a building.  The University of Maryland offers a variety of programs in Engineering.  Contact the Clark School of Engineering directly at:  (301) 405-3855.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION:(Historic Preservationist)
Historic Preservationists work to insure the viability of our built cultural heritage.  Architects with qualifications in Historic Preservation may specialize in restoration, preservation, and adaptive re-use.  Historic Preservationists may also have educational backgrounds that cover areas other than architecture.  The University of Maryland offers a graduate program in Historic Preservation.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN: (Industrial Designer, Product Designer, Graphic Designer)
Industrial design encompasses a broad range of the designed environment from consumer products to furnishings.  Industrial design is a non-regulated profession.

INTERIOR DESIGN/INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: (Interior Designer, Interior Architect)
Interior Design is largely an unregulated profession as practiced in the United States.  Interior Designers deal with the comprehensive design of interior rooms and spaces.  They are involved with the design and selection of finishes, materials, furnishings and other factors that influence the character of an interior.  There is no minimal educational requirement to use the title ìInterior Designer,î however Interior Architects are usually registered professional who specialize in the design of building interiors.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE:(Landscape Architect)
Landscape Architecture is regulated in much the same way as Architecture -- on a state by state basis.  Landscape Architecture incorporates site design, urban design and planning, as well as a comprehensive technical knowledge of plant materials and soil conditions.  Landscape Architects often collaborate with Architects in the design of the settings for buildings.  The University of Maryland offers an undergraduate degree program in Landscape Architecture.  Contact the Department of Landscape Architecture at: (301) 405-4359.

Urban Design: (Urban Designer)
Urban design is largely an un-regulated profession as practiced in the United States.  Though in most jurisdictions there are no specific legal criteria for using the title, ìurban designer,î many architects specialize in this field during post-professional education.  Urban designers study and make design proposals for entire neighborhoods, portions of towns, and even new cities.  The University of Maryland offers a post-professional degree program in urban design.  Contact Associate Professor Matthew Bell, AIA at the School of Architecture at: (301) 405-6284.

URBAN PLANNING:(Planner, City Planner, Town Planner, Regional Planner)
Urban planning is a profession that incorporates economics, finances, public policy, real estate, land use planning, and a variety of other disciplines.  Degrees in town, city, urban, and regional planning are offered at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level in the United States.  Planners typically are employed by the public sector to study and guide the growth of towns, cities, metropolitan regions, and rural areas.  In most cases, states do not regulate the planning profession, but membership in one of the national planning organizations often serves as a credential.  Additionally, a degree from an accredited school of planning may serve as a professional credential.  The University of Maryland offers a graduate level degree program in Planning.  Contact Professor Marie Howland, Director, Urban Studies and Planning Program at: (301) 405-6789.