CraigArch:

It's not clear from your post if you already have a bachelor's degree. If you do have a bachelor's degree already, your best option is to pursue a three-year professional M.Arch degree, which is intended for students who don't have an architecture undergraduate degree. In this scenario, you would not have to complete the B.S. Arch degree first, but could jump right into the M.Arch program.

If you don't have a bachelor's degree of any kind, than the quickest option would be to pursue a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree. This would be a five-year program but would allow you to sit for the licensing exams (assuming that your goal is to get licensed).

Information on both types of programs can be found at www.naab.org In either case, I would strongly recommend finding an accredited school of architecture, such as the ones listed on the NAAB site.

As for getting your drawing skills up to par, you could certainly take some art classes at a community college. However, you might want to look at one of the many summer architecture programs that are offered at schools throughout the US. Examples include Columbia, UCLA, Parsons, Cornell, and Career Discovery at Harvard's GSD. These programs are targeted at college students or mid-career types who are considering architecture as a profession, so you would fit right in. For a reasonable cost, these programs would allow you to get a real taste of what architecture school is like, experience studio culture, and also would allow you to complete some projects that could fill out your portfolio if you choose to apply to schools for a formal program of study. You would also find out if architecture is really what you want to do, before you invest a lot of time and preparation with a formal academic program.

Best of luck!

what gresham said ^^^ very good response

Wow, thanks for the detailed response gresham.

No, I don't have a Bachelor's, and yes, my goal is to get licensed.

Checking out the summer programs now and see if any are close to where I live, Madison, WI. Hopefully the UWM program starts soon...it's a shame UW-Madison, as big and prestigious as it is, doesn't have an architecture program.

Thanks again.

You just missed Notre Dame's career discovery program, but there's always next year and it's probably the closest you could get to Madison.

https://shop.nd.edu/C21688_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=477&SINGLESTORE=true

I attended it before I began my bachelors degree and it certainly reinforced my love of architecture. It's also very focused on hand drawing, so it would certainly compliment any classes you take at your local CC.

Kudos to your significant other for pushing you to follow your passion, sounds like a great gal!

It's Ironic that Madison doesn't have an Architecture Program anymore. The no longer existing program is where Frank Lloyd Wright received his degree in architecture.

Anyways, i grew up in Milwaukee but went to Miami University for my arch. degree. If you want to be employeed in the Milwaukee/Madison area post graduation, then go to UWM without a doubt. I had a hell of a time between the recession and getting my foot in the door anywhere in Milwaukee. All the UWM grads got preference for internships and job.

Thanks for those responses guys. Looks like I missed some of the summer programs in this area. UWM's looked very nice. Now trying my hand at getting enrolled in some art classes.

And yes, my wife is awesome for letting me explore my passions. I have no doubt all of this will pay off in the end.

CraigArch, I have a BSAS from UWM, so if you want any advice, ask away.

First I would find out if you can apply, most schools require something like a SAT or ACT exam, I don't know if you've taken one, or if there's a time-limit on how long your scores from 10 years ago or whenever, if you took one of those exams. Here's their guidelines:

http://www4.uwm.edu/future_students/new_freshmen/guidelines.cfm

If you find out you meet the requirements, you can apply to their arch program.

I was a transfer student, I didn't get into the Pre-Arch program (1st and 2nd years), but they put me in the Letters & Science major, which is kinda of a "I don't know what I'm doing yet" major. Doesn't matter, you can take the two 1st year (freshman) architecture lecture classes anyway, they're open to all students. And the 2nd year (Sophomore) studio classes are open to any major as well, but priority is given to those with the highest GPAs.

[/b]I can't stress enough, the higher your GPA, the better off you'll be.[/b]

UWM uses 3 different GPA gateways, the first when you want to register for Sophomore studios, the second when you want to register for Junior/Senior studios (a portfolio is also required at this time, of work from your Sophomore studios), and third they use your GPA when applying for an M. Arch (a long way off, I know, but...). The higher you're GPA, the more likely they'll let you continue. I think mine was like 3.3 at the end of Sophomore year.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. I might suggest calling the Dept. of Architecture advising office at UWM, talk to Tammy Taylor, she's the undergrad adviser, she's somewhat an airhead, but at least she's really nice, even if you have to explain something 3 times to her, (414) 229-4015

@w4000 Frank Lloyd Wright never received a degree in architecture, you didn't need one back then. He did spend something like 3 semesters at UW-Madison studying engineering before he dropped out to move to Chicago.

PS, I didn't get my undergrad degree until I was 33, so if I go back for my M. Arch (earliest I'll be 35), you won't be the oldest one there.

Milwaukee08, thanks for the great reply, wow. Good to see a fellow cheeseheads on here.

Processing all of the info you posted, one question I have is how is the coursework? And were the studios pretty demanding?

I am still undecided, however, on taking the Architectural Technician program at MATC (http://matcmadison.edu/program-info/architectural-technology), then transferring to UWM (or any other university that has a architecture program). What do you guys think?

I also should mention that the wife and I are trying to move in a couple of years, so I may have so other Arch schools to consider.

Lots to think about, lol.

When I was on the undergrad committee they talked how they made transferring from MATC (from Madison, not the MATC in Milw) pretty easy, almost like going to UWM. Of course I don't know anyone who transferred in from there, but several years ago they were trying to make it easier. Again, Tammy from the advising office would know that.

I found the 1st year lectures really easy, as long as you went to class, read through the book (more of a pamphlet), and had some basic knowledge of architecture and famous architects.

2nd year studios are all about making interesting spaces, but pretty basic, they really limit people to the same materials (ie 30 two-inch long sticks, 15 one-by-two inch hunks of cardboard, that sort of thing), so you really have to come up with ways of arranging those sticks and planes that make the prof or TA go, "hm, that's kinda cool".

Anyway, just go to

http://www4.uwm.edu/sarup/

and click on Design Gallery, and then Undergrad work and you'll kinda see what I mean.

Studios are pretty demanding, you can easily spend 40 hrs a week just working on studio stuff alone, more right before a crit. When I had a 6 credit studio, I'd only take two 3 credit lectures with it, since the minimum full time is 12 credits. Sometimes people will tell you to take 15 or 18 credits to get done sooner, but my grades suffered too much. Plus I worked part time, and volunteered with a student org. Know your limits and don't overload yourself.

Even though I got tired of sitting in front of the computer for hours, or I just didn't want to spend a half hour fixing my mullions even though they looked like crap, or even just staring at the same design for weeks on end, in the end I really enjoyed studio work.

Also, I suppose technically I am a cheesehead, although growing up near Green Bay I've come to really despise the Packers. That's all they have to talk about up there.

PS, I know Minnesota has it where WI residents pay in-state tuition, don't know much about their arch school in the Twin Cities though. And it's colder up there.

Not sure how I missed this post but thought I throw in a few late comer comments:

I too am thirty...something...OK, almost 34. I've actually taken the plunge and returned to university to pursue Arch degrees and eventual licensing. I moved cross country from Virginia with wife and three boys. I've just completed my first semester tracking towards a BS Arch at the University of Minnesota, College of Design.

In a few words: totally worth it.

I had some years of Fine Art school years back, owned a timber frame company and wrote an enthusiastic essay to accompany my application. I was on pins and needles to get in--Minnesota's program is on the rise rank-wise--but have to say that I am underwhelmed by my peers. Mostly regarding level of enthusiasm. My take on this is that most folks who don't drop out after one or two semesters track into the BA and BDA Arch programs here at the U of M. http://design.umn.edu/

Though I rank as a Junior visa vie credits I'll have to put in four years to get the BS due to the studio courses and their progression. I have several peers who are either transfers or re-treads like I but who are pursuing the BA or BDA options simply to shorten their stay. I took the tact that the padding of credits that transferred is allowing me to do an undergraduate research project, a minor in LArch and possibly a semester abroad--Jan, Feb, March 2013 in Oaxaca, Mexico sounds pretty nice to me.

Though the U of M does not have st-architect professors on the roster--those professors with whom I'm now acquainted have a stunning experiential CV. I've gotten to have on-on-one talks with folks who sat in lectures under the likes of Louis Kahn, Meis and Le Courbusier. Also the Dean of the College of Design is a highly published and intensely progressive designer/enviro advocate--Tom Fischer--reading a lot of his work before choosing a school weighted my decision toward the U of M for undergrad work. So far the experience is fabulous--the quality of the TA's speaks directly to the quality of the Grad Program--though I'll apply to ithe U of M Grad school when the time comes my desire to pursue teaching makes me want the experience of heading to a different region.

As to family--if you have kids the return to school is a little crazy. My wife and I home school so the time with kids is not horribly reduced--yet. But it is more to do with study time. Also, my wife is extremely supportive as well and I honestly couldn't even consider doing this without that. It's her that I've lost/will loose time with.

Also if you are a Wisc. resident you do have access to reciprocity. I will say that if you're able, make yourself poor before returning to school--most if us aren't in that oft talked about 1%, but still. Despite all the chatter about high cost of school the in-state tuition--not room and board at the U of M--is $6500. With Pell and a state grant, (wisc. might have them for even those attending out-of-state) I'm only taking out loans to keep myself from having to work in the final two years--the studio years-- of the BS.

That's a bit of a ramble but I found personal anecdotes lacking when I was in your position. Any questions just holler.

Is it true that you can sit for ARE exams if you have worked in the profession for twelve years without an NAAB accredited schooling?

Because the average time in New York between graduation and licensing is already 11 years.

So, professionally speaking, what's the point?

yep you can sit after 12 years of work under architect/engineer with at least like 6-8 under an architect if you have schooling they give you a point for each year up to four you still need to complete the IDP though here is the link

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/arch/archlic.htm

"Is it true that you can sit for ARE exams if you have worked in the profession for twelve years without an NAAB accredited schooling?"

New York is 12. Florida, I think, is 9. The states that allow it are usually around that range. There's a state out there that will let you do it in 7.

are you fucking kidding me?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlLvi2q5M3w&feature=player_embedded