A 5-year BArch program is the fastest way to get to a first professional degree in architecture. The other options are:
- BA/BS in anything, followed by a 3-year MArch degree.
- BA/BS in architecture-related major, followed by MArch degree that may take fewer than 3 years depending on the program.
In theory, the 5-year BArch program should be less expensive than BA/BS + MArch, but the limited number of BArch programs may make it difficult to find an affordable one if you have tight cost constraints (there are only about 9 in the west coast states with generally favorable laws on LGBT issues).