NCARB ACSA Professional Practice Firm Survey

August 2019

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have completed the second phase of research into professional practice education and its connection to work in architecture firms. The research measured practitioners’ perceptions of readiness for professional practice, as well as what recent graduates thought about the alignment of their education with firm expectations. The effort, which began in early 2019, follows on a 2018 analysis of professional practice education at programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) which can be found here.

“ACSA and NCARB have common interests in improving the alignment of architectural education and practice,” said Michael J. Monti, ACSA Executive Director. By surveying firm leaders and hiring executives, this research provides a wealth of data about firm hiring practices and the level of professional knowledge expected from recent graduates. Conversely, the recent graduate’s first-hand experience allows the research conducted to define the expectations of new hires in the profession and recommend ways to support the pathway to licensure.  For the purpose of this study, recent graduates were defined as having 0-2 years of full-time professional work experience.

ACSA would also like to acknowledge those who assisted in the review of the survey. The survey was piloted by two groups of stakeholders from practice and academia.

NCARB Advisory Review Panel

NCARB Futures Review Panel

Questions, comments, requests? Contact Kendall Nicholson, Director of Research + Information.