Note on Professional Accreditation Programs
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 term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.
Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
Cornell University’s Department of Architecture offers two NAAB-accredited degree programs.
Bachelor of Architecture
154 undergraduate credits
Next accreditation visit for the B.Arch.: 2033
Master of Architecture, Professional
Accredited four-year degree from a U.S. institution or equivalent and 113 graduate credits
Next accreditation visit for the M.Arch.: 2029
Access to NAAB Conditions and Procedures
- Conditions for Accreditation: 2020 Edition (in effect at the time of the last B.Arch. visit)
- Conditions for Accreditation in effect at the time of the last M.Arch. visit: 2014 Edition
- Procedures for Accreditation: 2020 Edition (in effect at the time of the last B.Arch. visit)
- Procedures for Accreditation in effect at the time of the last M.Arch visit: 2015 Edition
Public Access to Accreditation Reports and Related Documents
B. Arch. Information
Admissions and Advising
- Application forms and instructions
- Admissions requirements
- Requirements and forms for applying for financial aid
Student Financial Details
- Cornell University tuition and fees information
- Cost of attendance calculations for undergraduate students
- B.Arch.-specific information regarding cost of materials
M. Arch. Information
Admissions and Advising
- Application forms and instructions
- Admissions requirements
- Advanced Placement Track information (relevant for Fall 2026 and beyond)
- Course Equivalency evaluation information
- Requirements and forms for applying for financial aid and scholarships
Student Financial Details
- Cornell University tuition and fees information
- Cost of attendance calculations for graduate students
- M.Arch.-specific information regarding cost of materials