FAQ

School

Why should I consider your school over any other?

The School is the only school offering the professional D.Arch. degree. The School is situated in a major research university and draws on this extensive resource. Capitalizing on the unique geographic position and cultural context of Hawaii, the School provides a connection between the U.S. and the Asia Pacific region and explores its social and cultural traditions. The degree provides the ability to gain a well rounded education in conjunction with a specialty through extended research activities and study abroad. Issues of culture, sustainability and the environment are embedded throughout the curriculum.

I’m unsure if I want a traditional career as a practicing architect. Should I still consider completing a professional architecture degree program?

A fairly high percentage of students in U.S. schools of architecture elect to pursue “non-traditional” careers in architecture or related fields of study. Many students find that the study of architecture prepares them well for careers in a variety of different fields. An architectural education provides individuals with a number of creative and rigorous ways to understand, investigate, and solve widely varying and complex problems involving people, places, material, and space.

I want to become a licensed architect. What steps are required to meet my objective?

In the U.S. the licensure and regulation of architects is the responsibility of each state. Architects that want to practice in more than one state may seek to become licensed in those other states through additional testing or reciprocity. They may also elect to obtain a National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB) Certificate. The majority of states require the following steps be successfully completed prior to initial licensure:

-Award of a NAAB accredited professional architecture degree.

-Completion of the Intern Development Program (IDP) as administered by NCARB.

-Passing the Architectural Registration Exam (A.R.E.)

-Completion of an examination concerning state law regulating the practice and conduct of architects.

Can I become a licensed architect without obtaining a NAAB accredited degree?

Some states allow individuals to obtain a license without meeting the prerequisite of holding a NAAB-accredited degree. Such individuals may hold a pre-professional architecture degree or other degree that is not NAAB accredited. States allowing non-professional degree holders to obtain a license will typically require additional years of internship beyond what is required for NAAB accredited degree holders. If you are specifically interested in this option, please contact the states in which you anticipate seeking professional licensure.

For more information about the NACARB certificate, the IDP Program, and the Architectural Registration Exam see www.ncarb.org

Degree Offerings

What degrees do you offer?

At the present time we offer only the Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch.) degree.

What are the different types of architecture degrees? Why should I consider one over the other?

In the U.S. there are three professional architecture degrees that are subject to accreditation by the specialized accreditation body, the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB): The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.), and the Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch.).

The B.Arch. degree is typically five years in length, and is appropriate typically for those directly out of high school and who wish to enter the job market and obtain professional licensure in the shortest amount of time.

The M.Arch. degree is typically three to four years in length, and is appropriate typically for those who have already completed a Bachelor’s or higher degree. Most programs admit students having either some or no prior architectural content in their education, and the time to complete the degree is typically adjusted accordingly.

We are currently the only program offering the D.Arch. degree. The program is similar in length to a M. Arch, program, requiring three years to complete for students entering with a pre-professional architecture degree, and three and one-half years to complete for students entering with a degree unrelated to architecture. The program is appropriate for students entering directly out of high school, who have completed some post-secondary education, or who have already completed a Bachelor’s or higher degree.

In addition to the three professional degrees, there are other types of degrees available related to architecture. Such degrees include:

-Pre-professional architecture degrees are degrees typically four years in length which carry various titles, such as Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies, etc. Such degrees are not accredited as a professional degree by NAAB.

-Post-professional architecture degrees. The typical such degree in the U.S. is the post-professional M. Arch. II degree that is open to students holding a prior B.Arch. professional architecture degree. Due to the fact that students in the program have already completed a professional architecture degree program, the post-professional M.Arch II degree is not accredited as a professional degree by NAAB.

Is your D.Arch. program accredited? Why is accreditation important?

Our program is accredited by the NAAB, and the University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The School was visited by NAAB in the fall 2007 semester and was granted the maximum six-year term of accreditation.

NAAB accreditation is one measure of program quality. In addition, many U.S, state architectural registration boards require a NAAB-accredited degree as one of the pre-requisites for licensure.

Why don’t you offer a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree?

We think that in order to responsibly lead in making positive changes in the built and natural environment, a graduate must have a solid grounding in the liberal arts and sciences in addition to technical and professional knowledge. In order to address complex conditions evident in local and global scales, the architect must possess broad and deep knowledge and skill, ability of analyze complex situations, think critically, act responsibly and ethically, and work effectively with people of varying professional and cultural backgrounds.

We think that such knowledge, skill, and personal characteristics are typically unable to be properly developed in the five year duration of a B.Arch. program.

Why don’t you offer a Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree?

Our D.Arch. program is in some respects structured similarly to M.Arch. programs and it may be completed in a similar time frame. Therefore offering both degrees would be an unnecessary duplication. In contrast to typical M.Arch.programs, the D.Arch. program allows more time to be spent in research activities, provides greater depth and breath of education, provides opportunities to study abroad, in professional settings, and produce significant research.

What opportunities do I have to pursue a concentration?

Students entering the program without a prior degree may take concentrations as part of the first four years of the program. Concentrations in the last three years may be defined specifically by your research focus interests.

What degrees to you plan to offer in the future?

We are currently planning to offer a four-year Bachelor of Environmental Design, a Bachelor’s degree in Project and Construction Management, a Master of Landscape Architecture, a Master of Interior Architecture, and a M.S. in Historic Preservation.

What degrees could I pursue after completing the D.Arch.?

The D.Arch. is a professional degree that contains substantial research content. If you are interested in furthering your research, an academic and research oriented degree, such as the Ph.D. may be appropriate.

D.Arch. Program Length

How long will it take me to complete the D.Arch. degree?

The time it will take you to complete the D.Arch program varies according to your entering educational qualifications: seven years if entering from high school, three years if entering with a pre-professional bachelor’s degree, and three and one-half years if entering with a bachelor’s or higher degree in a field unrelated to architecture.

Is it possible to accelerate the program?

Exceptional students that do not have other demands on their time may often be able to take higher than typical course loads. Occasionally, courses will be offered in the summer semester that may allow accelerated progress toward degree completion.

Can I complete part of my D.Arch. program away from the campus?

The D.Arch. program requires that students take selected courses in off campus locations. University and School residency requirements must also be met.

Transfer Credit/Advanced Standing

What academic credit can I receive for my work/life experience?

The School can not accept work or life experience to count toward degree requirements. Only post­secondary coursework or approved Advanced Placement (AP) coursework may be considered for transfer credit.

How is transfer credit awarded?

Students accepted to the University that have not completed a prior bachelor’s or higher degree will have a transfer credit evaluation conducted by the University Office of Admissions and Records. For prior coursework in architecture or related fields of study, the School will be consulted for the appropriate award of credit. The University Office will apply credits as appropriate to meet the University’s General Education and other requirements. For more information, visit manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/

Students accepted to the University that have completed a prior bachelor’s or higher degree will have a transfer credit evaluation conducted by the School. Students will be allowed to substitute elective courses for those courses that are deemed equivalent to courses required for the degree program. Students may be requested to provide course descriptions, course syllabi, and other information in order to properly evaluate prior coursework.

Can I have a transfer credit evaluation done prior to applying to your program?

The School may provide at its discretion an informal evaluation of transfer credit. Formal evaluation of transfer credit is conducted by the University and the School only after an applicant has been admitted to the School and University and has submitted an Intent to Enroll form.

Path through the Program

How do I know what courses I can or must take and in what sequence I can or must take them?

The D Arch program chart is available by following the forms link on the School’s home page www.arch.hawaii.edu/site/news/events/policies-and-forms/. Students accepted into the program are required to attend scheduled orientation or other academic advising sessions. Such initial academic advising will provide you clarity as to what requirements may already have been met through transfer credit, and what requirements remain to be taken.

Tuition, Residency, Financial Aid, Assistantships.

How can I get residency status in Hawaii so that I can pay a lower tuition rate?

See www.hawaii.edu/admrec/res.html for residency requirements

Will I be automatically offered a financial aid package if I am accepted to the program?

Outstanding applicants applying directly from high School may be eligible for special scholarship award programs. See www.hawaii.edu/admrec/. The School does not currently offer financial aid packages or scholarships as part of the admissions acceptance process.

What opportunities exist for financial aid and scholarships?

Students should contact the University Financial Aid Services Office www.island.hawaii.edu/finaid/

The School provides selected scholarships to students who may apply once they are admitted to the program.

How is it determined as to the requirement that I pay either graduate or undergraduate tuition?

Second degree students entering the program will be assessed graduate tuition starting in the first semester of enrollment and continuing through to the completion of the degree. Students entering the program without a prior degree will be assessed undergraduate tuition until registration in ARCH 541. Students will then be classified as graduate (02) status and will be assessed graduate tuition.

What opportunities exist for teaching, research, or graduate assistantships?

The School provides a number of teaching assistantships to assist instructors in the preparation or teaching of courses. The research Labs and Centers housed at the School hire student research or graduate assistants depending on need and available funding.

Can I work part-time while attending the program?

A number of students are able to successfully make timely academic progress while pursuing concurrent outside employment. Due to the academic demands of the program, the majority of students are advised to keep outside obligations to a minimum in order to excel academically and make timely progress toward the degree.

What other costs am I likely to incur while completing the program?

The School assesses a professional fee each semester. Particular courses may require purchase of textbooks, software, supplies, and other items. All students are required to own a laptop computer with sufficient capability to run advanced graphic and CAD software. Some courses may involve required or optional travel, the costs of which may be borne partially or solely by the student. Charges are assessed for School printing, plotting, laser cutting, and other digital fabrication equipment use.

Application for Admission

How do I apply to your School/program?

See www.arch.hawaii.edu/site/program/admissions-overview/

What are the key admission deadlines?

See www.arch.hawaii.edu/site/program/admissions-overview/ and www.hawaii.edu/admrec/

Can I start the program in any semester?

If you are starting the program directly out of high school, it is strongly recommended that you start the program in the fall semester in order to make timely academic progress.

If you are starting the program as a transfer student, you are generally advised to start the program in the fall semester in order to make timely academic progress. However, if applicable architecture courses have been completed at another institution, starting the program in the spring semester may be an acceptable option.

If you are starting the program and hold a degree in a field unrelated to architecture, you will be required to start the program in the summer semester.

If you are starting the program and have completed a pre-professional architecture degree, it is strongly recommended that you start the program in the fall semester in order to make timely academic progress.

You should be aware that all courses are not offered every semester, and that the majority of courses have specific pre-requisites. Therefore, you are advised to plan carefully in order to complete your degree according to your preferred timetable.

Do you require SAT/ACT scores?

Students applying directly from high school are required to submit SAT/ACT scores. Students that have not completed a bachelor’s or higher degree at the time of application and have accrued a low number of credits toward the degree are required to submit SAT/ACT scores. See www.hawaii.edu/admrec/apptr.

html for details.

Do you require GRE scores?

The School and University does not presently require GRE scores for D.Arch. program applicants.

Do you require TOEFL scores?

Selected students are required to submit TOEFL scores to the UHM Office of Admissions and Records as part of their application process. See www.hawaii.edu/admrec/appfo.html

Do I need to submit a portfolio?

If you are a second degree applicant (hold a bachelor’s or higher degree) a portfolio is required. If you are not a second degree applicant, no portfolio is required.

Do you have recommendations about what to include and how to organize my portfolio?

You are advised to include graphic and creative work that best represents your experience, interest and talents. You may include reproductions of any type of creative work in any medium, which may include, for example, freehand drawing, sketching, diagramming, model building, construction work, painting, sculpture, furniture, pottery, clothing design, poetry, photography, etc. It is often helpful to arrange the portfolio in a chronological order, and to include appropriate labeling as to the time you produced the work, what context you produced it in, what parameters you were working under, and what you hoped to achieve in the work.

Will you return your portfolio to me after your admissions decision is made?

Portfolios are not returned. Applicants are advised to only submit reproductions of their work.

Do you have recommendations about letters of reference?

You are advised to request letters of reference from people that have worked with you recently in an academic or a professional setting that are able to clearly articulate your interests, knowledge, skills, ability, and personal qualities.

What is the most important factor in evaluating applicants for making admissions decisions?

There is no single factor that is more important than any other in making admissions decisions. The admissions committee is looking for a combination of indicators for potential success in the program.

I am a not a U.S. Citizen or Resident. Are there special steps I must take as part of my admissions process?

If you are a foreign applicant you are required to submit specific test scores, documents, and other materials. See www.hawaii.edu/admrec/appfo.html