AIA Maryland is working on a resolution to be presented to the 2022 Annual Meeting that would make us more inclusive, now.
The resolution proposes that AIA National would make it a top priority to work with the 35 states which demand a NAAB
Architectural degree in order to take the Architectural Registration Exam to permit substitution of work experience for college
Credit.
At present, 15 states, including <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state>, the largest state, permit applicants to substitute architectural work experience for
College credit, usually at two years work experience for one year of college credit.
With college tuition rising to new heights, many applicants cannot afford to spend six years in college to obtain the NAAB degree.
Among those are disproportionate numbers of racial minorities, who cannot afford the rising prices.
Thus, while African Americans comprise over 13% of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place> population, only 4% of architects are African American.
In the 15 states which accept work experience in lieu of college credit, folks who must work to keep fed and who must help support other family members can learn about our profession even as they amass credit towards taking the ARE.
Remember, no architect gets registered in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place> unless they pass the ARE, so there is protection for the public HSW.
Since work experience in lieu of college is an established fact for nearly half our profession, let us make it universal in all 50 states and
welcome the greater variety of people and viewpoints who could thus hope to join us.
John F. Corkill, Jr., AIA
301-577-2488
ccrarchitects@verizon.net