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NAAB Accreditation

Program Information

John Dwyer, AIA, NCARB
Chair, Architecture Department

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Architecture

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a preprofessional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

Jefferson's College of Architecture and the Built Environment Architecture Program offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:  

Bachelor of Architecture

(165 total number of credits required)

Founded in 1991, the Architecture Program leads to a Bachelor of Architecture degree, has an enrollment of 312 students, and has been accredited by NAAB since 1997.

In July 2018, the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), following their April visit to campus, granted an eight-year term of accreditation to the B.Arch program, effective January 1, 2018.  The Visiting Team Report remarked that the “the culture of the program (and CABE) is a dynamic, collaborative, hands-on, and often interdisciplinary activity.”

The next accreditation visit for the Bachelor of Architecture program: 2026


Jefferson's College of Architecture and the Built Environment Architecture Program also offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program:

Master of Architecture

On November 28, 2022, the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), following their February 2022 visit to campus, granted an eight-year term of accreditation to the M.Arch program, effective January 1, 2022.  The Visiting Team Report remarked that, “the M.Arch. program takes advantage of the multiple disciplines within CABE." Students highlighted the variety of elective courses offered within the college, and students also expressed satisfaction with the cross-disciplinary nature of studios and studio projects as well as dedicated graduate-level seminars. Students reflected on the value of intellectual collaboration within these integrated, vertical studios and allied courses. Alumni of the program reflected on the networking opportunities that benefitted from close relationships in other disciplines. One recent graduate stated, "While the M.Arch. program is small, it draws from other disciplines in CABE to provide students with transformative experiences."

The next accreditation visit for the Master of Architecture is 2030.

Architecture Program Reports, Annual Reports, & Visiting Team Reports

Bachelor of Architecture Program

Master of Architecture Program

For Architect Registration Exam (ARE) pass rates by school:

Visit the NCARB web site to learn about the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) and to access The NCARB Handbook for Interns and Architects, The Emerging Professional’s Companion, and other important sources.

Our students, alumni, and faculty collaborated to create a CABE Community Culture Document. It was endorsed by the CABE community and approved during the 2021-22 academic year.

Jefferson's East Falls Campus Marianne Able Career Services Office provides students with access to career development and placement services for help in developing, evaluating, and implementing career, education, and employment plans. See Jefferson - East Falls Campus Career Services

Other useful websites include:

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