Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
University of Southern California (USC)
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Kansas State University
Need advice on graduate school please
So I just graduated from Binghamton with my bachelors degree in environmental planning. I am trying to apply for the fall semester of 2010, but I need to figure out which programs I should look into. I live in new york, and was really planning on staying home while I attend graduate school. With that being said I have been researching different programs and trying to narrow down which program "seems" like the best one for me...
Graduate study is not inexpensive in the slightest. I have however come across the graduate program offered at City College of New York which after comparing tuition rates seems much more affordable. And to be completely honest, I cant see any other real reason to try and attend a BIG named school like Pratt and Columbia when the salary of an architect is apparently a lot less than I originally thought. City College is located in the city, so I could possibly commute, its amazingly affordable, and even offers coursework in the specialization of urban design. The amount of loans I would come out owing would be muchh less than they would be at a private institution. I guess that leads to question 1, why would anyone pursue that education and put themselves into a huge debt if architects dont really pull down big numbers.
I want to pursue a career in environmental architecture/design and I am not exactly sure how much City College really focuses in this field. They offer Environmental Systems I and Environmental Systems II. What I am trying to figure out is I don't know really how much other architecture schools that claim to have a "FOCUS" on environmental design/sustainability have in this specific area. Would Environmental Systems I and II be enough to start me off down this road? Or should I look at schools like Berkeley which is supposedly well known for this... Is the training and information I want to learn to become and environmental/sustainable architect learnt through practice and on my own time reading and researching? I am just trying to figure out if I should sacrifice the affordability and geographic location of a school like City College to try and get into a more prestigious school. Does it even really matter? I thought education is "what you make of it" and I feel if I make the most of my education, regardless where I go, I will be able to hopefully capitilize on it.... or I could be wrong...
i don't know about anybody else by my license and LEED AP does not get me any work...
There is a lot more to education "than what you make of it" There has to be something there for you to make it with....aka their curriculum. If you are looking for environmental design and sustainability New York may not be the right place. None of the schools here are particularly known for a focus in sustainable design...its more of a blip on the radar. Look at schools in the midwest or pacific northwest for sustainable design. Berkeley may be a good place to start looking....they don't do a very good job of advertising what is going on there so I'm not sure what is going on there right now, but you should find out.
First, to start a basic research of architecture programs, graduate or undergraduate, I suggest the following two websites --
www.naab.org - NAAB list of accredited programs includes a basic search engine of programs by degree type, region. It provides contact information for each program.
www.archschools.org - ARCHSchools provides more search criteria and more descriptions for each program including specialites and information on demographics.
www.archcareers.org - ARCHCareers outlines the basic process of becoming an architect and links to any information you could possibly need.
While City College may be a good pick using cost as a criteria, please realize that more financial aid is available at the graduate level. Bottom line, what are the criteria that drive this decision -- cost, location, program emphasis (like sustainability).
Environmental Systems I and II are not about sustainability for the most part. Instead, they are courses that deal with systems of a building -- HVAC, elevators, plumbing, lighting, etc, but will address natural systems to heat and cool buildings.
Ignore cost and location and find the best program that fits your desires.
Contact each school by phone. Best.
Check out CASE, RPI's new environmental design program.
Sorry...to clarify...the program is located in NYC
wow,
thanks alot facader... that actually looks really interesting, im definitely going to check this out in more depth... it doesnt look like you need an architecture degree to get into this either... wow man thanks i really appreciate it
wait a minute, i think you do, haha... regardless this looks really interesting, thanks again
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