Architects Training Professional Degree Architectural People One's Clients

Overview

People need places to live, work, play, learn, and "worship" (pray or practice one's religion). Architects are responsible for designing these places, whether they are for private or "public" (government or community) use, "indoors" (inside) or "outdoors" (outside). Architects may also help clients win "construction bids" (competitions to get jobs related to building), select "contractors" (professionals paid to do a specific task or job), and "negotiate" (help two or more sides come to an agreement) construction contracts.

Architects discuss with clients the "objectives" (goals), requirements, and "budget" (maximum amount of money to spend) of a project. In some cases, architects provide various design services before something is built, such as "feasibility" (ability to be completed) and "environmental impact" (affects on the natural environment caused by a proposed project) studies, "site selection" (picking a place to build), and cost analyses (detailed considerations about how much something will cost to complete). For example, architects may determine a building's space requirements by researching its number and types of likely users.

Architects spend most of their time in offices, where they "consult with" (discuss to get and give one's professional opinion to) clients, develop reports and drawings, and work with other architects and "engineers" (professionals who design machines and other things). However, they also often visit construction sites to review the progress of projects.

Education, Training and Certification

Most architects earn their professional degree through a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program, intended for students with no "previous" (before) architectural training. All state architectural "registration boards" (committee that makes sure people have the qualifications to work in a job) require architecture graduates to complete a training period-usually at least three years-before they can take the licensing exam. Most new graduates complete their training period by working as "interns" (unpaid or paid very little workers while learning) at architectural firms.

All states require architects to be licensed. Licensing requirements include a professional degree in architecture, a period of practical training or internship, and a passing score on all parts of the Architect Registration Examination.