Department of Architecture Accreditation
NAAB Accreditation
Admission to the Master of Architecture program leads to a degree that is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and meets the certification requirements of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
As a result of the 2016 Accrediting Team Visit the Department of Architecture's Master of Architecture degrees including Tracks I, II, and III have been accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board until 2025. Architecture degree programs at the University have been continuously accredited since 1920.
From the National Architectural Accrediting Board -
In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
The University of Kansas offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:
M. Architecture Track I (five years): 172. Degree designed for high school students or undergraduate student with no prior baccalaureate degree awarded.
M. Architecture Track II (Pre-Professional+ 63 credits) degree designed for candidates who have a preprofessional degree in architecture
M. Architecture Track III (Non-Pre-Professional +123 credits) degree designed for candidates who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than architecture
Next accreditation visit for all programs: Spring 2025
ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM REPORTS (APRS) AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
To promote transparency in the process of accreditation in architecture education the following documents are made available to all students, faculty, and the public.
CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE LAST VISIT:
2014 NAAB Conditions for Accreditation
2015 NAAB Procedures for Accreditation
CURRENT CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES
Conditions for Accreditation, 2020 Edition
2020 NAAB Procedures for Accreditation
VTR FOR THE LAST VISIT
2016 NAAB Visiting Team Report
ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM REPORT (APR) SUBMITTED FOR THE LAST VISIT:
2016 NAAB KU Architecture Program Report (APR)
ALL INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS (IPR) AND NARRATIVES OF PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORTS SUBMITTED SINCE THE LAST TEAM VISIT:
2021 NAAB 5-year Interim Progress Report (IPR)
2021 KU Five-year IPR Decision Letter
NAAB Decision Letter on 2023 Annual Report
An accessible version of the documents on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact Lizzy Arnold, at dizzy@ku.edu to request the document be made available in an accessible format.
As NAAB accredited degree programs, KU’s M.ARCH Track I, II, and III programs meet the educational requirements for licensure for all states, including KS and MO.
KU’s licensure programs strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information about the educational requirements for licensure in U.S. states and territories. However, regulations are subject to change and varying interpretations. In addition to possible changes in educational requirements, licensure often includes additional requirements, such as specific examinations and additional training or practicum hours. It is highly recommended that students seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency before beginning an academic program to ensure they know what is needed to obtain the license/certification/registration in the state in which they intend to practice and/or seek licensure.
Career Development Information
The links below provide resources for students to develop an understanding of the larger context for architecture education and the career pathways available to graduates of accredited degree programs:
· NCARB Intern Development Program: NCARB KU faculty advisor: Joe Colistra (jcolistra@ku.edu), KU AIAS Chapter NCARB student advisor: Eion Hogg (eion.hogg@ku.edu)
· The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
· The American Institute of Architecture
· The American Institute of Architecture Students
· The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
Studio Culture
Studio learning encourages collaboration, risk-taking, critical-thinking processing, innovative-thinking, discussion, and “hands-on” experimentation. The design studio establishes an environment where students are challenged to move between intuitive processing of information; thinking through drawing and making; experimentation with materials and form; and, developing a variety of skills and technologies. Asking questions and making proposals that explore untested ideas are developed through criticism and discussion among classmates, faculty, practicing architects and others. The goal of the program is to produce conceptual thinkers versed in history, theory and the science of the field. Intensive one-on-one instruction provides the student the ability to develop verbal, critical-thinking, spatial, aesthetic and material sensibilities. The design studio draws upon life experiences, general studies courses and specific, architectural courses to provide a synthetic form of education. Students are exposed to a variety of cultural and societal ideas through history and theory, the environmental sciences and building technologies. The studio experience aims to provide an environment whereby diverse life experiences and opinions are shared—a culture of mutual respect and open inquiry is critical to a successful learning environment.
In Fall 2023, our faculty formed a committee to work closely with our students to co-develop an updated version of studio culture policy statement to reflect the impacts of changes of the society and industry on our learning and teaching culture.
Please see the Studio Culture Vision and Policy Statement developed by faculty and students in 2023-2024.
Licensing Exam Pass Rates
The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) assesses a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities and is used by all U.S. registration boards and the Canadian provincial architectural associations as the examination for those seeking architectural licensing.
