Which Architecture Colleges Are in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Area?

New Mexico Architect Licensure Requirements

To work as an architect in Albuquerque, you must be licensed by the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects (www.nmbea.org). To become licensed in this state, you must have a professional degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Additionally, you'll need to complete an experiential training requirement; this can be satisfied through a 5,600-hour internship through the Intern Development Program of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). You can then sit for the Architect Registration Examination.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Architects in the Albuquerque Area

The average annual earnings of architects (excluding landscape and naval) in Albuquerque was about $72,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2011 (www.bls.gov). In this region of New Mexico, there were 400 architects actively employed at that same time. Employment opportunities for architects nationwide are projected to increase 24% from 2010 to 2020, according to the BLS.

Associate Degree Programs in Architecture in the Albuquerque Area

Central New Mexico Community College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Architectural/Engineering Drafting Technology
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition: $579 for NM residents and $3,156 for non-residents (per semester, 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED certificate
• Requirements: Online orientation and purchase of own tools and safety equipment
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 28,000 undergraduate students
• Address: 525 Buena Vista SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
• Phone: (505) 224-3000

If you're looking for a pre-professional degree or you're interested in pursuing a non-licensed architectural career, then you may want to look at the Associate of Applied Science in Architectural/Engineering Drafting Technology program at Central New Mexico Community College. A certificate of achievement is also available in this field if you're interested in going that route. Class topics include site analysis, architectural design and architectural mathematics. You may also complete an internship or independent study. Other courses you may take include structural systems analysis, architectural computer-aided design, 2-dimensional design and architectural history.

Bachelor Degree Programs in Architecture in the Albuquerque Area

University of New Mexico

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
• Program Length: Four years, full-time
• Tuition: $3,025 for residents and $10,344 for non-residents (per semester, Fall 2012)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED certificate
• Requirements: ACT or SAT scores, transcripts, design portfolio, letter of intent and several entry courses
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 29,000 students, including 23,000 undergraduates
• Address: 1700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
• Phone: (505) 277-0111

The Bachelor of Arts in Architecture program at the University of New Mexico is a pre-professional program. By completing this program, you'll receive the preparation necessary to pursue a professional graduate degree in architecture. In your first year, you'll receive an introduction to design, architecture and architectural graphics. You get to learn about analysis, argument and exposition. Other topics include architectural design, architectural communications, sustainability and world architecture. You can also complete several studios.

Master of Architecture Degree Programs in the Albuquerque Area

University of New Mexico

• Program Name: Master of Architecture
• Program Length: 2-3.5 years full-time
• Tuition: About $3,296 for residents and $10,604 for non-residents, plus an additional $49.75 per credit (per semester, Fall 2012)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• Requirements: GRE scores, transcript, letter of intent, creative portfolio, resume and letters of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 29,000 students, including 6,000 graduate students
• Address: 1700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
• Phone: (505) 277-0111

If you've obtained a bachelor's degree in architecture, you can enroll in the professional Master of Architecture program at the University of New Mexico and complete it in only two years. If you have an undergraduate degree in another major, then it'll take you more than three years to obtain your Master of Architecture. The latter option doesn't allow much room for electives due to the amount of content the program has to cover. As these are professional degree programs, you'll meet the necessary education qualifications for state licensing by completing one of them. Research methodology, systems integration and modern and contemporary architecture are some of the topics preceding an examination in two parts. After completing the graduate review, you'll be judged on your master's thesis, project or studio.