NAAB Conditions and Procedures
Ball State's Department of Architecture is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NAAB Conditions and Procedures (2020 edition) are accessible to all students, faculty, and the public. Learn more about the current NAAB Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation
Statement on NAAB-Accredited Degrees
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 term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
Ball State University, Department of Architecture offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:
- M.Arch (pre-professional degree + 57 graduate credits)
- M.Arch (non-pre-professional i.e. any undergraduate degree + 99 credits)
- B.Arch (154 undergraduate credits)
Next accreditation visit for M.Arch program is 2030
Next accreditation visit for B.Arch program is 2031
Architecture Program Reports (APRs) and Related Documents
To promote transparency in the process of accreditation in architecture education the following documents are made available to all students, faculty, and the public.
All INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS (IPR) AND NARRATIVES OF PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORTS SUBMITTED SINCE THE LAST TEAM VISIT:
ALL NAAB RESPONSES TO THE PLAN TO CORRECT AND ANY NAAB RESPONSES TO THE PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORTS SINCE THE LAST TEAM VISIT:
MOST RECENT DECISION LETTER FROM THE NAAB:
ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM REPORT (APR) SUBMITTED FOR THE LAST VISIT:
THE FINAL EDITION OF THE MOST RECENT VISITING TEAM REPORT (INCLUDING ATTACHMENTS AND ADDENDA)
THE PROGRAM’S OPTIONAL RESPONSE TO THE VISITING TEAM REPORT
PLAN TO CORRECT (IF APPLICABLE)
Career Development Information and Placement Services are available to assist all students in the development, evaluation and implementation of career, education, and employment plans. These resources are available here.
Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
To become an licensed architect, students need to document real-work experience through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) Architectural Experience Program (AXP). Internship provides students with pivotal real-work experience in architecture that can lead to part or full-time employment opportunities and fulfill AXP requirements. AXP is explained to undergraduates when they select their major in architecture, to graduate students during orientation, and to both cohorts in their professional practice coursework. All students are encouraged to sign-up for AXP as soon as possible because work hours must be reported within a period of time.
INTERNSHIP
Undergraduate architecture students in the B.Arch program are required to take an internship (minimum one semester, potentially semester + summer). Internship is optional for graduate students in the master of architecture degree (M.Arch). While students are encouraged obtain an internship/job on their own – the Professional Practice courses provide instruction to prepare students to enter the marketplace (i.e., interview skills; resume building; portfolio preparation; etc.) and annually each spring the College of Architecture and Planning hosts a Job and Internship fair (which this past spring was conducted virtually due to COVID) in collaboration with Ball State University’s Career Center Services who offers many helpful resources.
Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL)
Graduate students may also participate in IPAL (Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure) program while in the process of earning a degree and also complete the AXP and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) concurrently.
Students who have questions regarding AXP, IPAL or ARE, and for making connections with firms, may contact the Department’s Internship Director djoverbey@bsu.edu for additional information.
STATEMENTS AND/OR POLICIES ON LEARNING AND TEACHING CULTURE
Within the Department of Architecture at the R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University lies the Studio Culture Policy, which establishes guidance for a positive and respectful learning environment in which the students, faculty, staff and administration within the Department are able to reach their full academic potential. The Department of Architecture fully understands that fostering a community of academic scholars is of the utmost importance. The goal for the learning environment of the Department is a highly collaborative one; emphasizing the need for group and individual growth within each scholar of the Department. This policy outlines the criteria in order for this environment to take place within the college’s Department of Architecture. View the complete Studio Culture Policy.
STATEMENTS AND/OR POLICIES ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning recognizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion and strives to create an environment that supports faculty, staff, and students from all walks of life regardless of age, gender, citizenship, marital status, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, race, religion, sexual orientation and/or identity, nationality, and socioeconomic status. Our strong commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity stems from the values of the Beneficence Pledge:
- to act in a socially responsible way;
- to treat each person in the Ball State community with civility, courtesy, compassion, and dignity;
- to respect the property and environment of the campus;’
- to value the intrinsic worth of every member of the community;
- to respect and learn from differences in people, ideas, and opinions
We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our collective campus community and are committed to providing an inclusive climate through our practices, policies, procedures, classrooms, and beyond, that is welcoming to our students, faculty, staff, and community partners. This commitment is guided by our governing principles to:
- Empower our community to freely deliberate, express ideas and perspectives, and accept these differences as strengths and added value.
- Value civility, respect all individuals, and provide an identity safe and bias free environment.
- Provide a safe environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.
- Embrace lifelong learning of our faculty, staff, and students as a part of the process to advance personal and professional growth.
- Challenge ourselves and others to grow awareness about our own social groups and biases.
- Develop and implement policies and practices that explicitly advance equity, access, and inclusion.