Doctor of Architecture

Doctor of Architecture (D Arch) is a title accorded to students who have completed a degree program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.^[1] The only university currently offering a Doctor of Architecture degree in the USA is the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Background

Most state registration boards in the United States require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure.^[2] The National Architectural Accrediting Board, the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture,^[1] recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture.^[3] Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The only university in the United States offering a Doctor of Architecture degree is the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The Doctorate of Architecture was first accredited by the NAAB in 1999.^[4] Admission to the University of Hawaii program is open to students who have completed high school, transfer students who have completed some college-level work, and students who have completed Baccalaureate or advanced degrees.^[4] Completion of the degree requires 120 undergraduate credits and 90 graduate credits.^[4]