The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) are launching 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, which will begin in early 2018, will survey professional practice professors, analyze syllabi and curricular models, and yield a preliminary report.

“The purpose of the research is 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,” said Michael J. Monti, ACSA Executive Director. “We also want to understand if schools providing students work opportunities for credit teach professional practice differently.” Another goal of the research, according to Monti, is 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®).”

Faculty at NAAB-accredited programs will be invited to take the online survey in the coming months.