Additionally, many of the current BArch schools are historically black colleges/universities:
• Hampton University
• Howard University
• Morgan State University
• Prairie View A&M University
• Southern University and A&M College
• Tuskegee University
• The University of the District of Columbia.

In most cases, the colleges with high minority enrollments do not have graduate programs. Their charters may not even allow for such programs. Without knowing the effects of the elimination of the BArch on these programs, AIAS members have reservations about making any decisions regarding the BArch.

In the recent discussions about the diversity of degrees, people have neglected to mention that support of the 4+2 program is another way to foster diversity within architectural education. The 4+2 program allows for undergraduate programs to be diverse in their focus while maintaining a strong basis in the liberal arts. The graduate part of the 4+2 program allows students to focus more directly on architecture while pursuing more specialized interests discovered as an undergraduate.

The 4+2 program also allows diversity through the option of staying at one school for six full years or attending a different school after four years. Attending more than one school to complete one's architecture education should be viewed as highly desirable, as it allows students to experience a variety of approaches to design and practice.

Finally, not everyone goes to architecture school to become a licensed architect. The 4+2 program allows the benefits of an architecture education without the intensity level of a 5-year program. Four years of architecture education offers almost limitless opportunities for graduate school or life.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.