The School of Architecture at Academy of Art University has announced that its Bachelor of Architecture program has been granted accreditation from the National Architecture Accreditation Board (NAAB). The architeccture school graduates, as of Jan. 1, 2015, will retroactively receive accredited professional B.Arch degrees. The school graduated its first undergraduate class in spring 2015.
The B.Arch degree allows a student to work towards architectural licensure in all states and is recognized internationally for its rigor and high standards.
“This accomplishment reflects the high level of expertise of our School of Architecture, and the dedication of our directors and faculty to deliver an outstanding educational program for our students,” says Academy President Elisa Stephens. “I am exceptionally proud of this accreditation outcome, and I want to thank all those in the School of Architecture who contributed to the review process.”
NAAB accreditation is granted to schools that meet strict requirements set by a national body of architects and architecture educators through a process that looks comprehensively and critically at both departmental and university infrastructure, as well as an extensive review of student work. The visiting NAAB team found that the Academy’s B.Arch program met all of the broad national criteria for professional architecture education, and exceeded expectations in several areas of architecture education.
NAAB requirements cover all aspects of professional education, such as promoting a culture of learning, designing with social equity in mind, increasing the role of architecture for the public good, providing appropriate physical resources, having proper and effective administration, teaching design thinking skills, and ensuring comprehensive architecture design education.
“Achieving NAAB accreditation is a major milestone and significant accomplishment for the B.Arch directors, faculty and of course our students,” says Mimi Sullivan, executive director of the School of Architecture. “Having the program recognized at this early stage as exceeding our accreditors’ expectations confirms we are on the right track, and I believe is a sign of things to come. We look forward to continuous program development, and [we are confident] students will exceed their own expectations at the Academy and in the profession.”
