Admission Requirements

Master of Architecture (Bachelor to MArch) Admission Requirements

Admission standards for Graduate Studies at California Baptist University can be found in the Admissions section of the University Catalog. Specific application requirements for the Master of Architecture (Bachelor to MArch) are:

1. Grade Point Average
   • A minimum 3.0 GPA for unconditional admission and a minimum 2.75 GPA for conditional admission
   • Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 may be considered for admission with compelling additional materials (GRE, Work experience, etc.) 
2. Completion of a BA or BS in Architecture from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the evaluated equivalency
3. Two Recommendations, completed on forms provided, from sources who can address your potential for scholarly and professional success. At least one recommendation should be from a professor or instructor. Family members and friends may not complete recommendations.
4. Essay of approximately 1500 words outlining initial proposal for Thesis Design Project. Essay should include:
   • Project Description (approx. 300 words): Description of your intended thesis project, including specific discussion of the project’s focus, scope, and context.
   • Line of Inquiry (approx. 400 words): What key questions, historical developments, or current discussions will the project explore?  Please utilize 1-4 citations to demonstrate 1) the validity and or significance of this line of inquiry 2) and its relationship to a larger body of thought, gap in knowledge, or societal discussion.
   • Impact Statement (approx. 300 words): How could the project, and exploration of the line of inquiry within the project, influence the broader discussion of architecture.
   • Personal Motivation & Future Impact (approx. 500 words): What is your motivation to engage in this project?  Why is CBU your institution of choice for this study?  What are your future career aspirations and how do you see this project influencing your future aspirations?
5. Current Resume documenting all related professional and extracurricular experiences
6. Current Design Portfolio documenting student and/or professional design work
7. Successful interview with the Director of the Architecture Program in Architecture

National Architectural Accrediting Board

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a preprofessional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The NAAB grants candidacy status to new programs that have developed viable plans for achieving initial accreditation. Candidacy status indicates that a program expects to achieve initial accreditation within six years of achieving candidacy, if its plan is properly implemented. In order to meet the education requirement set forth by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), an applicant for an NCARB Certificate must hold a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the NAAB; the degree must have been awarded not more than two years prior to initial accreditation. However, meeting the education requirement for the NCARB Certificate may not be equivalent to meeting the education requirement for registration in a specific jurisdiction. Please contact NCARB for more information.

California Baptist University, College of Architecture, Visual Arts, and Design is in candidacy for accreditation of the following NAAB accredited degree program:

M. Arch. (168 semester units minimum): 2013
Next visit for accreditation: 2018
Projected year of initial accreditation: 2018