Architecture Colleges in Arizona with Degree and Course Summaries
Higher Education Articles March 27, 2013Arizona has three schools that offer architecture degrees. In this article, we will provide an overview on the schools’ tuition information, requirements, and programs; so students can find out which schools is right for them.
Arizona Architecture Schools
The University of Arizona, Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and Arizona State University (ASU) all provide bachelor and master degree programs in architecture. Candidates need to be licensed by meeting examination, experience, and educational requirements in order to work as an architect. Architects residing in Arizona are licensed through the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration. Professional educational program must be completed by aspiring architects; students will need to pursue a professional undergraduate and graduate degree to fulfill this requirement. The Board of Registration expects all candidates to complete the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s (NCARB) Intern Development Program to meet experience requirements. This will require 5,600 hours of supervised work in an architectural environment. In order to obtain licensure, students will need to sit for the NCARB Architect Registration Examination upon completion.
Located in Tucson, Arizona, the University of Arizona offers a Master of Science in Architecture, a Master of Architecture, and a Bachelor of Architecture. The Bachelor of Architecture program spans for five years and prepare students for state licensure. The curriculum emphasizes on communication, management, technology, theory, history, and design. The Master of Architecture program will prepare students to become licensed architects, and it is offered in several formats to accommodate students with various academic backgrounds. It may take students approximately one to three years to complete the program.
The Master of Science in Architecture program was created for students who have earned a professional degree in engineering or architecture and want to pursue research and gain specialized knowledge. Students may focus their studies in either energy and design conservation or heritage and architecture conservation. Alternatively, students can complete an independent study option. The College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture is home to various lab facilities.
Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
Also known as Taliesin West, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Scottsdale is located on five hundred acres in the Sonoran Desert. Frank Lloyd Wright originally designed the school’s building. Twenty-four students attended the school as of 2011. Students wills study in Arizona from October to May and spend the summer term at the Spring Green campus in Wisconsin. All faculty and student members live on campus.
Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture offers a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies. Students in the pre-professional undergraduate program will be prepared to enter in a professional architecture program. The Master of Architecture is a professional degree, which meets the academic qualifications for architectural licensure. Both programs contain independent study, electives, core coursework, design studios and research. Students work closely with mentors and faculty members who assess their portfolios, rather than providing traditional grades.
Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, offers bachelor and master degree programs in architecture. Students in the undergraduate program may pursue a Bachelor of Science in Design with a major in architectural studies. This program covers architectural technology, theories, and history, as well as emphasizes on design labs. This program by itself does not qualify students for state licensure.
Arizona State University offers a dual Master of Architecture/Master of Business Administration and a Master of Architecture degree. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredits the Master of Architecture program. Students can complete the program within two years, if they hold an undergraduate degree in architecture. ASU offers a three-year-plus program to individuals with an undergraduate degree in another field. Both version of the program will prepare students for state licensure. Students at Arizona State University will have access to an environmental and architecture design library, several computer labs, and a modeling/prototype shop.
School Comparison Table
| Name of School | School Setting and Type | Architecture Degrees | Tuition & Fees |
| University of Arizona | Large city; Public, Four-year | Master of Science in Architecture, Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture | $26,231 (out-of-state), $10,035 (in-state) |
| Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture | Mid-size city; Private not-for-profit, Four-year | Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Architectural Studies | $30,300 |
| Arizona State University | Mid-size city; Public, Four-year | Master of Architecture/Master of Business Administration (Dual Degree), Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Design – Architectural Studies | $22,977 (out-of-state), $9,724 (in-state) |
