Do you think your better off just attending a master program that had a Three year track ?

Chances are, we will still be in this recession in 5 years, so what's the rush.

Do you know of any other academic and practice-based M.Arch programs?

None come to mind.

Any thoughts on the BAC program?

Yes, you should get a degree in finance.

LOL...Thanks for your thoughts.It's just that I have always been dawn to architecture and I figure this would be the best time to try.

Other programs that are more practice-based --

University of Cincinnati
Drexel University
University of Detroit
Rice University

Many others require a work component for graduation but may not be considered practice-based.

Research programs via -- www.naab.org -- and -- www.archschools.org --

You should select a program based on the criteria that you determine are important, not because a recession dictates. Besides, it may be more difficult to secure a position at these programs.

Rice is not practiced based for MArch students. In their fifth year of school the BArch students work in an office. As far as I know this does not apply to any grad students. Also, if you're interested in a traditional program, I'd think twice about Rice. Its very much the other end of the spectrum.

The BAC actually offers two M.Arch degrees. You can apply as a full time student on campus which takes most people 5 years or you can also apply to the Distance Program for Practicing Professionals. The distance program has some pre-requistes for work experience but if you have been working at an architecture firm as a planner you should qualify. The distance program is only two years to complete.

I am currently half way thru the distance program. I would only recommend this program to people who are:

1. prepared to pay for the convience of not having to be on campus full time and allowing for you to keep a full time job while getting your degree because you will be paying significantly more money than the on campus students.

2. able to work without much guidance from faculty, the program is lacking in coordination and issues are often slow to be address by faculty. Some studio professors are good about keeping in contact with students and giving feedback on the students design blogs in order to help you keep your design moving forward but the majority of the professors are quick to pick two or three favorites whom they give feedback and alot of attention and ignore the other students which makes an already difficult online design course even harder. (I have been on both ends of this spectrum)

3. extremely well organized and have good time management skills. I think the professors sometimes "forget" that the students in this program have full time jobs and are doing course work evenings/weekends. The program asks alot of the students, be prepared not to have a life during the first two semesters for about 8 weeks which is how long the studio classes last and then for the last two semesters which is thesis there is basically no break from August to August.

4. prepared to take quite a few "busy" classes. The supplemental classes to studio, (i.e. Architectural Theory, Leadership, Architectural Technology) are basically a joke. Nothing is really learned in these classes unless you want to teach yourself. You are basically given books, articles, websites to read with little interaction, teaching from the professors.

Basically the Distance program is a good option for those who have 4 year pre professional degrees and need to complete a master program to sit for the ARE. If you are going into the master program wanting/needing to learn fundamentals of architecture this isn't the program for you.

Doesnt Sanford Kwinter still teach @ Rice????

If so, that screams NOT practice based

Sanford is at Harvard.

I've heard rumors that BAC students have had trouble finding their work placements, which jeopordizes their advancement in the progam. Maybe someone can back this up?

Sbeth85 - that's true. They have good connections and will make introductions, but you're really on your own to find a job. In this economy the jobs in Boston are few and far between. Having been a BAC student that transferred elsewhere when it all hit the fan, I can say that, at least for undergrad, your progress halts if you don't have enough credits earned from work. You need to stop classes and work to get the credits to advance to the next studio.
The school itself is great, although the volunteer faculty is hit or miss (again at the undergrad level), the program overall is pretty rigorous and they don't care that you work full time - a deadline is a deadline. It takes a long while and it's a huge, sleepless tunnel of no life while you're there, but you might have a bunch of IDP done before you leave.
If doubling up on work and school to maybe/maybe not get some IDP in this economy makes sense to you - then go for it.
I have to say I did enjoy my time at the BAC and would recommend it if you think you can put up with the insane schedule.

My boss was trying to come up with a program in partnership with the BAC to try to improve the student situation at the school: more than 50% of the students cannot find a job due to the bad economy. I am sure there are some BAC students in this forum who can back me up on this.

Although the economy is bad the BAC does understand this and is willing to work with students who become unemployed during thier schooling. I am going into my second year of the two year distance master program and was laid off in early January. Between taking AIA continuing education classes and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity I was able to recieve 8 or the 12 work credits for the semester. The way the program is set up if you work full time 40 hr weeks the entire semester you will get 12 credits each semester which is more than you actually need to graduate so getting 8 or the 12 will allow me to continue without interuption. Also I can not speak for the undergraduate program but the master program they are allowing unemployed individuals to stay on track with thier class regardless of employment and if all the credits needed for the work component are not complete when its time to graduate they will allow you to stay enrolled with no additional cost or classes until you complete the work component.

Thanks you all for your thoughts and comments, I really appreciate all of your help!

Glad to hear the BAC is being so flexible.

When I attended the BAC (then known as the Boston Architectural Center, now College - all a marketing thing, I suppose), the schedule was insane, as it still seems to be. I went for one academic year, and I called it my year in solitary confinement - there is no campus, so to speak, and my classmates all lived in different areas. The only time we hung out was just before and after class.

If you can find a job, then co-workers might, or might not, offer an opportunity for socializing, but with the course load, you have very little time for that, so if the idea of being in solitary confinement during the academic year for five years suits you, fine.

Also, the studio classes are (or were) on Wednesday nights from 7:15-10:15, so I really felt a studio based program was better for me. You just have more time to investigate your ideas. As a result of this, the BAC is known for turning out job captains, i.e., people who are efficient at pushing work out, if you finish, because the attrition rate is very high: 90% of my friends (notice I didn't say classmates) left for studio programs after the first year, myself included.

In short, it is very rigorous, and certainly not for everyone.

On the up side, I did have some very good instructors while there.

I am a current BAC in March program. I am starting my 2nd year there. I have a difficulty find an entry level position in a firm. So I might try applying for unpaid internship in a firm. Any suggestion on job search? I am also thinking of taking REVIT but I also want to keep track with course list required for the M.arch program. Any suggestion..do i need to take REVIT to get a job? Would you like to share anything from your experience? I am very desperate to fulfill my practice credit hours.