Career Opportunities

With an architecture degree, your career path can be easily determined — nearly half of all architecture majors have careers as architectures, but almost all architecture majors work in related fields, like design and construction. Within that, there are opportunities for specialties: urban design and planning, residential, commercial, hospitality, and more. You could also go on to work in engineering or as an educator or administrator in schools.

If you want to work in a field closely related to architecture, you should do your best to get an internship in college. Real world work experience is incredibly important when it comes to finding employment in this field, and an internship will help provide you with the experience you need to find full time employment after graduation.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Architect

Earn a professional degree from a school accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). In the fall of 2014, The NAAB team conducted a comprehensive review of the program, ultimately extending our accreditation for the maximum full length accreditation term of eight years. View information about our accreditation here.
Document and complete the hours requried by the Architecture Experience Program (AXP.)
Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). For more information on how to start your career in architecture, take a look at the websites listed below.

The Professional Practice sequence of courses includes ARCH 464 Construction Documentation, in the final semester of the undergraduate program, and ARCH 540 Architectural Practice, in the final semester of the Graduate program. Both courses include the topic areas of AXP, ARE, and Career Development. Links and/or postings to the AXP Guidelines and ARE Guidelines as well as sample resumes are found on both course Moodle sites. Additionally, every spring semester, the School of Architecture and Design hosts a Career Fair where practitioners set up tables and meet with students informally for career development opportunities. Our University Career Services Office helps facilitate this event and supports the efforts of our students to gain employment through resume and interview coaching as well as other resources.

Architect License Advisor

Need some guidance along the path to licensure? The School's architect licensing advisor, Ashlie Latiolais, Associate Professor can help you!

Licensing advisors are educators, who help students and alumni to pursue licensure. The advisor can provide candidates with their first glimpse into the licensure process, lending help and advice along the way. You can look to your advisors for insight into completing the AXP, passing the ARE, and meeting licensure and reciprocity requirements.

NAAB-accredited architecture programs and AIA state chapters are expected to have an appointed advisor. NCARB shares tools and training opportunities to ensure appointed advisors are ready to help candidates and architects understand our programs and their roles as advisors. Please contact Ashlie Latiolais for questions and additional information at ashlie.latiolais@louisiana.edu.