<p>casmith, </p>
<p>First, I’ve heard (but have no personal experience with) that the program at Kent State is good, especially if you are instate and intend to have a career regionally. If you liked what you saw at the Arch Admissions Program you should consider applying.</p>
<p>Second, as others have said, be aware their 4yr Bachelor of Science degree is not accredited, however it contains all the necessary coursework allowing you to apply to their accredited MArch degree, (an additional year & one summer). Stick with it and you end up with a MArch in 5 years plus a summer. Kent State wraps it in their phrase “sequence of degree programs”, which I feel comes close to deceptive marketing. This is a quote from their website, decide for yourself;</p>
<p>“Upon completion of the four-year Bachelor of Science program, students who are qualified may apply for the professional Master of Architecture program (see: Graduate Studies/MArch (professional).”</p>
<p>And the link to that webpage;
[KSU:CAED</a> - Architecture Overview](<a href=“http://www.caed.kent.edu/Academic/arch/overview.html]KSU:CAED”>http://www.caed.kent.edu/Academic/arch/overview.html)</p>
<p>Kent State is not alone with it’s approach, other schools also do this and I wouldn’t hold it against them other than when they are not being absolutely clear that acceptance as a first year into the undergrad arch program does not guarantee acceptance into the accredited Masters program. There are 5yr BArch programs at schools that do the same, you earn a BS in Arch or Arch Studies, then if qualified and accepted you get into the fifth year and the accredited BArch degree. You should check, look at the freshman enrollment, (I think 90 at Kent State), look at the four year grad rate and then the acceptance rate into the masters program (and the grad rate from that!). You should do this with any school you are considering. Anyway you cut it, it’s a long path and we haven’t discussed the required internship and those pesky exams!</p>
<p>Good luck in your school search.</p>