where did you complete your undergrad?

Dalhousie

why ryerson?

Did you receive a Bachelor of Architecture from Dalhousie? or the Bachelor of Environmental Design?

Are you also aware that Dalhousie has an accredited M.Arch program while Ryerson doesn't?

Are you going for M.arch or one of the 'other' established programs like building science or construction management?

I'm interested in their M.Arch program. I know it's not accreted yet. Too risky?

they won't accept your degree if it's the bachelor of environmental design, only if it's a bachelor of architecture. I would explore other options aside from ryerson.

They do take BEDS students actually. Is there anyone out there who considered their M.Arch program?

i don't know anyone who'd consider Ryerson, uless its their last choice

I spoke to the director of the program earlier this year and he told me that you must complete a pre-professional degree in architecture in order to be eligible for acceptance. I don't know if Dalhousie's BEDS program is considered an equivalent, but I know that environmental design degrees from other schools were not applicable. I would contact Colin Ripley to verify that before you move ahead with your application. I've heard mixed things about their M.Arch program, although most of it negative. I've heard that the director of the program is a great person that you can learn many interesting things from and is doing wonders for the program, but I've also heard a lot of negative comments about it being too focused as a trade school.

I think the program has the potential to establish an extremely relevant approach to architectural education. This is what the undergraduate program did years ago by addressing a changing industry--this unfortunately led to it getting the incorrect label of being more of a "trade school" b/c it incorporated the technical (building science) and project management aspects of our industry--a more integrated approach.

From my understanding, the new program and future programs graduate programs in building science will continue along this vein with concentrations in sustainability from a performance standpoint...imagine that.

Another M. Arch program in Canada's largest city makes perfect sense--what other major city in N. America only has 1 graduate program in Architecture. I don't know why anyone wouldn't consider studying architecture in Toronto and Ryerson for that matter--definitely wouldn't be my last choice. Unfortunately, Canadians still seem to have have a very "provincial" and short sited view of the study or Architecture.

Ryerson Architecture has a great reputation South of the border with it's many graduates excelling in some of US's best Graduate schools of architecture--this speaks of the quality of education they received during their undergraduate education.

to-arch, you said "Unfortunately, Canadians still seem to have have a very "provincial" and short sited view of the study or Architecture."

Whether this is true or not is irrelevant. Most people wouldn't consider Ryerson's M.Arch program simply because it's not accredited. No accreditation means no license. And if you're going to go to school for that long, why not go to an one that's accredited?

Dustin,

From their web site:

"In March 2007, Ryerson University applied to the CACB for Candidacy Status for the M. Arch. professional degree program.

The first graduating class will be eligible for certification and licensure."

It wasn't too long ago that the M Arch program for U of T was in the same situation. All programs go through this and quite frankly, I do not know of any school in N. America that once under Candidacy Status didn't obtain certification. The process to recieve candidacy is so strict and rigid for this very reason.

I love Toronto and studying in Toronto would be a great experience for an architecture student. I think that it's really good for Toronto to have the 2 schools --it will only help to make both programs better.

I didn't mean to offend with my previous statement.

to-arch, accesskb's link provides some insight into the problem. Even your own quote is from 2007, when Ryerson first applied for accreditation. They're still working on it and it's unlikely that it will be accredited any time soon. The quote of "The first graduating class will be eligible for certification and licensure" is misleading. There is room for people who've studied architecture at a non-accredited school, but you bet your ass the certification process is onerous.

A search for "Ryerson" on the CACB website turns up zero hits.

Dustin,
The link to the Ryerson student newspaper has inaccurate information--there are no 4 year accredited programs in Canada. This is misleading.

My understanding is still that the "First graduating class" will be eligible and that Ryerson is a Candidacy program under the CACB. My understanding is also that it is a requirement of Candidacy programs to post this information as part of their prospectus and on their web sites hense the info. on their website.

In terms of the undergraduate student's comments from the school newspaper, their concern is that they will have to wait to become licenced due to the "candidacy" wait time. Considering the average age/time-line of someone getting licensed in Ontario, is this really a problem? Someone graduating from school usually takes at the very minimum 3-4 years (actually a lot more) to become licensed in Ontario--that would be 6 years from now.

I think we could all use some clarity on this issue, because I was thinking the same thoughts you were, but coming up with different conclusions. Wouldn't it be nice if one or both parties (Ryerson/cacb) were a tad more transparent and CLEAR about what's happening?

agreed...it amazes me how difficult it is to get any info from cacb.

I attempted to talk to someone from cacb and was referred to Ryerson's M. Arch director. I was told, Ryerson's program is currently a "candidate" program, which means that the CACB believes they have a plan which, if properly implemented, will lead to accreditation.

They are currently on track for all students currently in the program and entering the program in 2009 to be eligible for internship and licensure upon completing the M.Arch..

RYERSON IS ACCREDITED!!! (JUST TO CLARIFY IN THIS FORUM)

When did that happen? That's great!