The USD Architect’s Roadmap: Navigating Options after a B.A. in Architecture

One of the most frequent questions I get as an architecture student at the University of San Diego is: “Wait, if the program isn't NAAB-accredited, can you actually become an architect?”

The short answer: Yes. The long answer: It’s all about the "4+3" strategy or the "California Path."

The Monroe - worms eyed view

The university of San Diego only offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architecture, where I am technically earning a pre-professional degree. When I first realised this, I freaked out. The throught that my degree did not count towards what I wanted to do scared me. Now, I understand this isn't a dead end, but a starting point. After sitting in the studio for hours and hours wondering what comes after graduation, here are your three main paths I found.

1. The Classic "4+2" (The M.Arch Route)

This is the standard trajectory for most USD grads that wan to get licensed. You take your four-year BA and apply to a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program.

• The Timeline: Usually 2-3 years, depending on how strong your portfolio is

• The Upside: You get a professional "terminal" degree. This makes you eligible for licensure in all 50 states and allows you to teach at the university level later on (cool)

• Pro-Tip: Your portfolio from USD is your golden ticket here. Grad schools care more about your design thinking than the accreditation of your undergrad, and a multi-discipline perspective can be a competitive edge

2. The "California Experience" (The Direct Path)

We are lucky to be in California. The California Architects Board (CAB) is one of the most flexible in the country. They recognize that classroom hours aren't the only way to learn, after all, the field used to be built on apprenticeship.

In California, you need a total of 8 years of credit to sit for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE).

• Education Credit: Your 4-year degree from USD typically grants 4 years of credit.

• Work Credit: You simply need to work for 4 years under the supervision of a licensed architect to make up the difference.

• The Catch: While this is the fastest way to start working, it can make "Reciprocity" (getting licensed in another state) a bit more complicated later in your career.

  
  

3. The "Architecture-Adjacent" Pivot

Architecture is often called the "comprehensive degree." The skills we learn at USD like theory, spatial reasoning, project management, and being proficient in software like Rhino and adobe are highly sought after in industries that don't require a stamp.

There is always a chance to pivot into a career related!

• Just a few: real estate, UX/UI design, marketing, photography, creative director, fashion designer (Virgil Abloh!), construction management, sculpture, 3D modeling, BIM modeling, webpage creator, designer, the list is ENDLESS.

This degree can be molded and shaped to what your versatile heart desired, that I think that's the best part :)