The 9 Best Online Architecture Degrees To Boost Your Career
Updated: June 19, 2024
Published: July 25, 2021
Have you always wanted to be an architect? Architecture is a constantly evolving field that can offer a very rewarding, interesting, and still rather challenging career path to those who are passionate about the industry. But if you want to find an architecture job, you’ll need to get a degree in architecture first. The good news is that if you don’t have the ability to attend a traditional, in-person program, there are online architecture degrees available so you can study on a more flexible schedule.
What is a Degree in Architecture?
A degree in architecture is unique from other degrees because it’s generally a five-year program that’s required to get into the field, as opposed to the usual four years. This is a Bachelor of Architecture degree (B.Arch). Otherwise, you can get a B.S. in Architectural Studies or related field in four years, but it may not get you as set up to enter the field of architecture as the former.
You can also continue your education as an architect by pursuing a master’s degree and/or higher level of education.
Top Careers in Architecture and Design
Have you ever looked at a building and thought about who thought to build it in that way? The world is full of incredible architecture from the past, and architects today work to create designs of the future. It’s the architect’s job to use their creativity to inspire beautiful and functional building designs that work with the environment they’re in. They must use their creativity and apply it to complex solutions for man-made structures.
Although all architects share these qualities, there are so many different industries that an architect can work in. Architecture is one of those jobs that’s been around for thousands of years, and has transformed as trends in building designs have changed and adapted to the needs of the environment we’re in. Because of this, demand for architects usually always exists, especially for those who know how to work with eco-friendly and sustainable materials.
Types of Online Architecture Degrees
If you want to become a licensed architect, you’ll want to get on the proper pathway to become one. As mentioned earlier, an ordinary four-year degree — even if it’s in an architectural field — is typically not accredited when it comes to qualifying for state licensure.
According to U.S. News & World Report, you’ll have to do a five-year architectural bachelor program (B.Arch.) or, if you need more time to think about it, get a standard four-year bachelor’s degree and then you can enter a master’s in architecture, or an M.Arch.
That being said, there are architecture-related degrees at various levels of higher education, depending on what you’re looking to do, what pace you want to go, and how much money you want to spend. Some people will go straight into the five-year program, while others want to take their time to see if architecture is really for them.
Best of all, if you don’t have time to get a degree in-person, there are architecture degrees offered online. However, most of these are hybrid programs, with some components in-person — unless, that is, you already have some experience in the field or a degree in architecture, in which case you could likely do the majority of your studies (if not all of them) online. This depends on the individual program.
Evaluating Online Architecture Degrees
How do you know if an online architecture degree is worth it? There are many costly, for-profit universities out there that may not necessarily prepare you for a career in architecture.
This is why when you begin your search, it’s important to check things like:
- A school that also has a brick-and-mortar campus
- Regional and NAAB accreditation for professional architecture degree programs
- Internships, co-ops, and/or hands-on experiences
- The same faculty teaching both in-person and online
- Dedicated distance learning support services
Types of Architecture Degrees
Online Associate Degree in Architecture
An associate degree is a two-year degree that can essentially help you get your feet wet when it comes to studying architecture and eventually earning your license (if you so choose).
Unfortunately, there are not too many associate degrees in architecture, let alone those that are online.
However, the Academy of Art offers an AA in Interior Architecture & Design as well as an AA in Landscape Architecture. Otherwise, you can look for a program related to architecture and check that you’ll be taking courses in architectural technology in order to get that exposure.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture
If you decide to get a B.Arch, there are many online bachelor’s programs that offer this five-year program. There are also online programs that offer a BA in Architectural Design, and/or a BFA in Interior Architecture & Design.
Remember, if you’ll want to enter the workforce as an architect as soon as possible, then an online, five-year B.Arch program is best.
Online Master’s Degree in Architecture
If you’ve already completed your bachelor’s degree (and didn’t get your B.Arch) but you know you want to be an architect, then pursuing an M.Arch would be right for you. This is typically a three to three-and-half year program, but it can be two years if you possess a four-year bachelor’s degree in architectural design or a related field.
Best Online Architecture Degrees
Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! If you’re wondering how to obtain an architecture degree online, you’ll want to take a look at these particular schools and programs, which offer some of the best online architecture degrees out there:
1. Chatham University
Chatham University offers a Master of Science in Interior Architecture.
2. The Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University offers over 10 online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs in Architecture. These include:
- AA in Interior Architecture & Design
- AA in Landscape Architecture
- B.Arch. in Architecture
- BA in Architectural Design
- BFA in Interior Architecture & Design
- BFA in Landscape Architecture
- M.Arch
- MA in Interior Architecture & Design
- MA in Landscape Architecture
- MFA in Interior Architecture & Design
- MFA in Landscape Architecture
3. University of Missouri – Columbia
The University of Missouri – Columbia offers two online master’s programs in architecture — a Master of Arts and a Master of Science — in Environment and Behavior studies. They also offer a doctoral degree in Doctor of Philosophy in Human Environmental Sciences – Architectural Studies.
4.Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University has a Master of Science in Sustainable Design.
5. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona offers a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Built Environments, a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Built Environments – Real Estate Development, and Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Built Environments – Sustainable Buildings.
6. Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale offers a Master of Architecture.
7. New Jersey Institute of Technology
The New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Applied Science (APSC) – Architecture.
8. Lawrence Technological University
The Lawrence Technological University offers a Master of Architecture.
9. Boston Architectural College
The Boston Architectural College offers a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Master of Architecture, and a Master of Science in Interior Architecture. They also offer several certificate programs.
Should I Get an Online Degree in Architecture?
If you’re having some concerns about getting your architecture degree online, we understand. Online programs tend to be rather expensive, and you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the same quality of education online as you would in person. After all, it’s important that you’ll be able to find a job once you graduate! Above, we’ve listed some of the best online architecture degree programs, but make sure to do your own research to compare and contrast and see which program makes the most sense for you.
Alternatively, if you like the idea of getting a degree entirely online but architecture isn’t what you had in mind, then take a look at UoPeople’s degree programs. We’re the first accredited university in the United States that’s tuition-free and held entirely online.