NCARB/ACSA Professional Practice Course Review

November 2018

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have completed Part I of a data collection initiative to better understand the range of approaches to teaching professional practice in degree programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The effort surveyed professional practice professors, analyzed syllabi and curricular models, and yielded the report found below.

“The purpose of the research was to compare and assess current coursework and instructional methods in relationship to NAAB Conditions for Accreditation and NCARB’s definitions of health, safety, and welfare. ACSA and NCARB also wanted to understand if schools providing students work opportunities, for credit, teach professional practice differently.

Another goal of the research was to identify models for integrating professional practice content across the curriculum, providing students a more integrated experience of content that they will need to use working in an architecture firm. The findings will also help inform ACSA and NCARB’s contributions to the 2019 NAAB Accreditation Review Forum.

“By partnering with the ACSA on this survey, NCARB and our licensing boards will gain a deeper understanding of how accredited programs prepare students for the realities of modern-day practice—and eventually licensure,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong. “We are especially interested in identifying overlaps between curricula, the Architectural Experience Program™ (AXP™), and Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®).”