Jake,
I've been in your shoes. I graduated with a BS in agriculture then realized I wanted to be an architect. I found a program that offered an accredited M Arch degree for people who did NOT have a B Arch. I've been out of school 8 years and many job postings I look at will say MArch preferred, but few, if any, say MArch required.
I went to school with a woman who also had a degree outside of architecture and she made the decision to get a whole other BArch degree.
I don't think either path is wrong, but I don't do the hiring at firms! If I had to get two degrees, I preferred having the MArch because it made me feel that I was moving forward in my education rather than just sideways.
Personally, I think having a business degree combined with the architecture degree will be what gives you the advantage when it comes to finding a job. Not whether you have the BArch vs. the MArch. My guess is there's a tuition difference between the two programs. I'd evaluate your personal circumstances and the cost of each program, then factor in if you have strong feelings about a MArch degree or not, that will help you decide. Perhaps you could offer your business skills to an architecture firm while going to school. It might just be another way to get a good internship.
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Brenda Nelson Assoc. AIA
Ankeny IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2014 12:48
From: Spencer Lepler
Subject: ? for HR in Architecture Co's. From graduating UW Student
Having worked at firms of varying sizes and focuses I would have to say that most firms don't know the difference between a BArch and an MArch. That said, most firms only care that you have pursued a professional degree which will allow you to sit for the AREs and become a licensed architect.
If your focus is to become and Architect/Artist and work for a firm that specializes in parametric modeling and designing art installations or "paper architecture" than a post professional Masters might be a bonus, but you could still accomplish this with a BArch/MArch.
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Spencer Lepler AIA
LeMay Erickson Willcox Architects
Centreville VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-10-2014 18:03
From: John Stewart
Subject: ? for HR in Architecture Co's. From graduating UW Student
I'd say skip school and go to work full time if you can. I graduated with a Master's at 31 because I had to work to pay for it as I went to school. My son is 28 and has worked for me for three years with no architectural schooling. He knows as much s a licensed architect! Think school is over rated. Only my opinion.
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John Stewart AIA
Stewart Associates Architects
San Carlos CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-09-2014 01:06
From: Jake Lara
Subject: ? for HR in Architecture Co's. From graduating UW Student
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee on Design and Custom Residential Architects Network .
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I have a question for human resources in architecture companies!
I will be moving to Las Vegas to attend UNLV for my bachelors in Architecture; after having completed my bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming (Dec 14).
My goal would be to find a good internship at an architecture company as I earn my degree at UNLV. My question is if the average firm desires their new hire to have a masters in architecture, or if a bachelors would be sufficient given internship experience and business administration degree earned.
I appreciate your feedback! As 5+ year college student with a guaranteed 4 more years of school, It will be good to know when I can expect to be out of college living my dream of designing buildings and homes.
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Jake Lara
University of Wyoming
Laramie WY
jlara2@uwyo.edu
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