AIArchitect, August 2001 - The Degree Nomenclature Discussion: Reputation

AIAS

FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS
RE: The Degree Nomenclature Discussion
Reputation

One argument for eliminating the BArch degree says that an MArch degree is more prestigious, especially in the public's perception. This might be a factor if architects used their degrees as a way to designate their profession, as "MD" and "JD" are used. The public is rarely informed about whether an architect has a BArch or an MArch.

Among students and within the profession itself, reputation of degree title is not much of a factor. One degree title does not appear to be more prestigious than the other, nor does one degree mean better jobs or more pay.

Reputation comes down not to degree title, but to one's ability to present ideas graphically and verbally. The former is what architecture students are trained to do. However, the ability of many architecture students to present ideas through written and oral communication is in question, and that goes directly to the issue of a liberal arts education.

Reference

The Degree Nomenclature Discussion Diversity Time Cost Reputation Degree Confusion Emerging trend of converting BArch programs to MArch programs