<p>I have received the 3 unviersities‘ Master of Architecture 2 program addimission(UIUC UT-AUSTIN USC). I don’t know how to make a decision. Could you recommand a wise choice? and why the choice? Thanks!</p>
<p>I don’t have any insider information about any of these programs, so these are general points of consideration when choosing a school. Of course, you need to think about the design focus of each school and how it aligns with your own interests: these are more practicalities.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What is your undergraduate degree? This will make a difference in the time that it takes to finish the M.Arch. If you don’t have a B.Arch, check the NAAB accreditation of the M.ArchII programs.</p></li>
<li><p>What is your financial situation? How much grant money have the M.Arch programs offered? Is it guaranteed for the duration of the program? How much debt will you have to absorb?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Do they offer paid teaching assistant-ships? What do you have to do to get one?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Where do you see yourself living and working after graduation? Does the program have connections in that area?
Which firms offer summer internships, recruit graduates?</p></li>
<li><p>Have you visited? Do they have an admitted student weekend? Will they pay for your transportation so that you can visit?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Much can be said for Austin, Illinois AND Los Angeles, but they are all very different so make sure you’re comfortable with the location.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advices.
I am an international student with B.Arch degree. I know that the NAAB accreditation plays an important role in my future career, but the March2 program in UT-Austin and USC is without the accreditation. Could I make my B.Arch accredited in my country convert the NAAB accreditation? </p>
<p>I don’t know the answer to your accreditation question. It seems to me that if you have an NAAB accredited B.Arch you’re all set, but I would ask someone more knowledgeable for confirmation.</p>
<p>As an international, you should pay particular attention to where you intend to practice. In Asia, some schools are better known and better connected than others.</p>
<p>“the March2 program in UT-Austin and USC is without the accreditation.”</p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand. If an NAAB accredited school like UT issues an MArch degree, how can it not be accredited?</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>I should also add that I don’t have a lot of personal experience with USC and Illinois, but we recruit at UT Austin. This year we have visited six schools, mostly in our region, but as far east as Clemson, and the top two candidates we saw were from UT.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>From the UT SOA website
</p>
<p>But NAAB’s accreditation website lists two M.Archs for UT, one for pre-professional degree + 66 hours: one for undergraduate degree + 111 hours. </p>
<p>For USC, the pre-professional + 2.0 years is listed on the NAAB site, but the undergraduate + 3.0 years is not. However, USC says both are accredited.</p>
<p>Obviously there’s some confusion (or perhaps some websites that need updating). </p>
<p>I think it’s a good idea to get clarification on the status of the individual degrees, even for long established programs. When my son started the M.Arch program at Cornell, the M.Arch degree was still undergoing the accreditation process, even though the B.Arch degree had been accredited since 1945. The M.Arch accreditation was confirmed before he graduated, and my understanding is that it was retroactive to those who graduated prior to accreditation. </p>
<p>My observation is that the different degrees, different degree names, different course and time requirements, different prerequisites, make architecture a very difficult field to navigate.</p>
<p>I have got some information about NAAB accreditation form my classmates in America. They said that the my BArch degree can be accredited in the US. Therefore the NAAB accreditation is not the important problem. </p>
<p>I want to know some comments and information about the educational quality and study atmosphere among the 3 universities. I also want to seek advices about the career opportunities in the future, because I know quite a little about the alumni resources and employment status among them.</p>