Graduate Program Joins Undergraduate Program in IPAL Initiative

The graduate program at Woodbury University’s School of Architecture has been accepted to participate in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) initiative, the university announced today.

The program encourages schools accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) to integrate education and experience requirements, as well as provide an opportunity for students to take each of the six divisions of the new Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) 5.0.

Woodbury’s master of architecture program joins the university’s bachelor of architecture program, which was accepted into NCARB’s IPAL initiative as one of the first 14 programs nationwide last summer.   The other three newly accepted programs this summer include the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., the University of Florida in Gainesville, and the University of Maryland in College Park.

“We are excited to be able to offer an Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure to our graduate students,” said Marc J. Neveu, Chair of the Architecture Department at Woodbury.  “This represents an opportunity for our students that is unique to the Southern California region, and we look forward to building relationships with consortium firms begun with our undergraduate program.”

“We fully expect that the new additions will match the creativity, academic rigor, and dedication to the profession that has been demonstrated by their predecessors,” said Dennis S. Ward, FAIA, NCARB President. “NCARB is excited that the initiative continues to grow, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of its participants over the coming years.” Ward announced the new IPAL programs at the NCARB’s 97th Annual Business Meeting in Seattle.

IPAL was developed by NCARB’s Licensure Task Force, which was composed of licensing board members, industry leadership, recently licensed architects, licensure candidates, deans, educators, and members of the public. Charged with promoting academic flexibility while addressing national requirements for architectural licensure, the task force reviewed existing programs requiring experience as a pre-graduation requisite, and issued a formal Request for Proposals, as part of its deliberations.

NCARB’s Education Committee will oversee the ongoing work of this initiative. The organization will continue to coach accepted programs, help promote engagement with state licensing boards, and oversee the acceptance of future programs.

About NCARB

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural registration boards of all 50 states as well as those of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB assists its member registration boards in carrying out their duties and provides a certification program for individual architects. NCARB protects the public health, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for licensure and credentialing of architects. In order to achieve these goals, the Council develops and recommends standards to be required of an applicant for architectural registration; develops and recommends standards regulating the practice of architecture; provides to Member Boards a process for certifying the qualifications of an architect for registration; and represents the interests of Member Boards before public and private agencies. NCARB has established reciprocal registration for architects in the United States and Canada.

About Woodbury University

Founded in 1884, Woodbury University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Southern California.  The university ranks 15th among the nation’s “25 Colleges That Add the Most Value,” according to Money Magazine, and is a 2014-2015 College of Distinction.. With campuses in Burbank/Los Angeles and San Diego, the university offers bachelor's degrees from the School of Architecture, School of Business, School of Media, Culture & Design, and College of Liberal Arts, along with a Master of Business Administration, Master of Architecture (MArch), Master of Interior Architecture (MIA), Master of Science in Architecture (MSArch), and Master of Leadership. The San Diego campus offers Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture, Master of Interior Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture degrees, as well as an MSArch degree with a concentration in Real Estate Development. Visit woodbury.edu for more information.