Accreditation Information
In the United States, most 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 professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards. Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
Iowa State University Department of Architecture offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:
- Bachelor of Architecture (165 credits)
- Master of Architecture (undergraduate degree with non-architecture major + 90 credits)
- Master of Architecture – advanced standing (undergraduate degree with architecture major + 60 credits)
The NAAB Accreditation visit occurred April 4-6, 2022. We received the NAAB Decision on Continuing Accreditation of the Master of Architecture program. Based upon the review of the program, we received an 8-year term of continuing Accreditation. Our next NAAB Accreditation is scheduled for 2030.
Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2030.
The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) asks that accredited programs make the following information available to the public:
2021: NAAB Annual Report (PDF)
2020: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
2019: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
2018: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
2017: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
2016: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
2015: Iowa State University Interim Progress Report (PDF)
2015: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
2014: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
2013: Iowa State University Annual Report (PDF)
NCARB ARE 5.0 Handbook (PDF)
AIA Emerging Professionals Resources
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architecture Students
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
Iowa State Architecture Employment Statistics (PDF)
Design Career Services offers specialized programs and services to help design students develop lifelong skills in career development. Through one-on-one meetings, events, and a variety of resources, the office facilitates connections with employers and helps students develop their professional materials and skills.
Professional organizations in architecture
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
- American Institute of Architects, Iowa (AIA Iowa)
- American Institute of Architects, Chicago
- American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers (AICAE)
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
- Boston Society of Architects (BSA)
- National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
- National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)