Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Architect
​Do you love math?  Do you love to draw?  You love art, drafting, science, and computers?  Have you ever marveled at or been amazed by the beauty, design, accuracy, and exactness of a house or building, whether modern or historic?  Well you, yourself, just may be the world's next great Architect.  But, what does an Architect do?

Literally one of the world's oldest careers, Architects plan and design buildings and other structures, such as private residences, office buildings, hotels, schools, theaters, sports arenas, museums, shopping centers, malls, strip malls, and other structural property.  In addition to considering the way these buildings and structures look, they also make sure they are functional, safe, economical and suit the needs of those who use them.  One out of five Architects in the United States is self-employed.  

​There are 3 types of professional degrees in architecture offered through colleges and universities:  5-year Bachelor of Architecture programs intended for students entering programs from high school or with no previous architectural training; 2-year Master of Architecture programs for students with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture or a related area; three or four-year Master of Architecture programs offered to students with degrees in other disciplines.

In the United States, a license is required for those who want to provide architectural services.  Licensure in Architecture typically follows 3 steps over a period of years:  (1) earning a degree in architecture; (2) completing a period of practical training or internship; and (3) passing all divisions of the ARE (Architect Registration Examination). In most states, continuing education is required to maintain architectural licensure.

​A licensed architect, after gaining experience, may take on increasingly responsible duties and eventually manage entire projects.  Architects may advance to supervisory and/or managerial positions in large firms.  Some become partners in well-established firms, while others establish their own practices.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $73,340

Salary Range:  ~$44,030 - $119,410+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
​The normal routes to becoming an Architect have been to major in Architecture (College Design Schools), Architecture and Environmental Design, Architectural Engineering, Architectural Studies, Civil Engineering, Construction Science, or Applied Technology (Architectural Construction Management), before going on to pursue a Master of Architecture degree. 

For those who choose the architecture majors, it should be understood that select undergraduate architecture programs require a portfolio of art, design, drafting, and science projects dating back to middle school years as well as interviews as final means of attaining acceptance.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
​Colleges and universities that have Architecture and related majors are:  Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); Howard University (Washington, DC); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas); Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC); and Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Mississippi).
Available Scholarships