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Professional architects design buildings, plan cities and communities, and manage complex construction projects.  With the help of computer-aided design programs, they use their creativity and technical expertise to integrate functional requirements, aesthetics, budget and code issues, and a broad spectrum of user input. They lead the way in employing environmentally responsible building practices, and serve as stewards of our built and natural environment.

Wentworth offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree and a one-year accredited professional degree – the Master of Architecture.*

The Architecture Department’s rigorous course of study centers on the design studio, in which students work closely with faculty in explorations of design and design methods. Associated courses in history, theory, technology, and professional practice are closely related to the design studio experience.  Your learning is enhanced by two semesters of cooperative work placements as well as the option to participate in a department-sponsored study abroad program.  All students enroll in a four-year bachelor of science in architecture program, followed by the opportunity to apply to a one-year master of architecture (MArch*) degree program.  At the end of the sophomore year you will focus your educational interests by choosing one of the three concentrations outlined below:

• Design + Research
  Participate in a curriculum grounded in the study of theoretical, historical, and compositional aspects of design and the built environment.  This concentration explores architectural theory, research and corresponding methodologies, while maintaining a strong connection with the department’s tectonic tradition.
  
  
• Design + Technology
  Gain an in-depth knowledge of the nature of building systems and the architectural processes that inform the design of our built environment.  Rooted in the Institute’s tradition of building and technology, this concentration emphasizes the tangible, material nature of architecture, and encompasses the art and science of making buildings.
  
  
• Design + Culture
  Learn the skills and insight necessary to make positive contributions to communities and their
  social, cultural, and built environments. This concentration places particular emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of urban and community design, and educates students to work across disciplines and with diverse constituents.

As a graduate of our Bachelor of Science in Architecture program in any of the three concentrations, you will be well prepared to work in a variety of jobs in architectural practice and other design disciplines, or to continue with advanced studies in architecture or related fields. 

As a graduate of our professional Master of Architecture degree, you will be able to pursue a rewarding career in architecture and also have the academic credentials required to take the architectural licensing exam.  After completing the required intern development program (IDP), a portion of which may be satisfied by your co-op placements, you can qualify to sit for the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) and become a licensed architect.

Accreditation Information
In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards. Master’s degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree. www.naab.org

*approved by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MDHE).  The New England Association of Schools and Colleges  (NESAC) has approved Wentworth's proposal for the Master's of Architecture Program.