40+ COLLEGES. ONE ROOM. ZERO GUESSWORK.
Curious about turning your love of buildings, cities, and design into an actual career? This is your day. Whether you're a high schooler exploring what's next, a college student narrowing down your path, or a parent, teacher, or counselor helping someone else figure it out.
Talk directly with reps from schools across the country about their architecture and design programs, what they offer, what they're looking for, and whether their program is the right fit for you. Plus, don't miss two educational sessions designed to help you navigate your path into architecture school and beyond.
EVENT PARTNERS:
DATE:
SATURDAY | 09.19.2026
TIME:
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
LOCATION:
Harold Washington College
30 East Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60601
COST:
ATTENDING UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, AND ORGANIZATIONS
ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
City College of New York - Spitzer School of Architecture
Cornell University - College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
Harvard Graduate School of Design
Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
Iowa State University College of Design
Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning & Design
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The University of Tennessee- College of Architecture + Design
University of Arizona: College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture and Community Development
University of Illinois at Chicago: College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts
University of Illinois School of Architecture
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sustainable Design Program
University of Kentucky: College of Design
University of Kentucky: Department of Landscape Architecture
University of Michigan - Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
PANEL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET STARTED IN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL
Ever wondered what architecture school is really like? Current students share insights on studio culture, deadlines, and the moments that make it worth it. Get the inside scoop before you commit.
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
COLLEGE FAIR
Talk face-to-face with reps from programs in architecture, interior design, construction management, landscape architecture, and urban planning, and get questions answered on the spot.
PANEL: I WANT TO BECOME AN ARCHITECT, BUT WHICH DEGREE PATH IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Explore the different educational paths available to aspiring architects and learn how to make the best decisions for your future career. This session covers degree options, accredited programs, licensure, and more.
As you're comparing degree paths, you'll start seeing two acronyms everywhere: NAAB and NCARB. In short, NAAB accreditation gets your degree recognized, and NCARB is who you'll work with to turn that degree into an actual license. There isn't just one required path; some routes involve extra coursework or experience if your degree isn't NAAB-accredited, so it's worth asking college reps directly whether their program is accredited and how it lines up with your long-term licensure goals.
NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board) is the organization that reviews and accredits architecture degree programs to make sure they actually prepare you for the profession. Most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure, so the path you choose (5-year, 4+2, or 3+ year grad program) matters, and accreditation is usually tied to the degree, not just the school.
NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) is the organization that oversees the licensing process itself, including the experience hours and six exams you'll complete after graduation on your way to becoming a licensed architect.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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