Accreditation
Organizational Memberships
NAAB: National Architectural Accrediting Board
The UTSA SA+P Master of Architecture Program is accredited under NAAB.
The National Architectural Accrediting Board was incorporated in 1967 as a 501(c)(3), NAAB’s history dates back to 1940 when ACSA, AIA, and NCARB collectively recognized the need for an impartial organization to facilitate quality assurance in support of architecture programs that prepare students for professional licensure. Since that time, NAAB has proudly established and maintained an accreditation system that enhances the value, relevance, and effectiveness of the profession of architecture.
ACSA: American Collegiate Schools of Architecture
The UTSA SA+P is a member of the ACSA.
The mission of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture is to lead architectural education and research.
Founded in 1912 by 10 charter members, ACSA is an international association of architecture schools preparing future architects, designers, and change agents. Our full members include all of the accredited professional degree programs in the United States and Canada, as well as international schools and 2- and 4-year programs. Together ACSA schools represent some 7,000 faculty educating more than 40,000 students.
Public Information
6.1 Statement on NAAB-Accredited Degrees
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 two-year term of continuing accreditation, 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.
The University of Texas at San Antonio, School or Architecture + Planning offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs: Master of Architecture.
Master of Architecture [pre-requisite: an architectural degree such as B.A., B.S., and B.E.D ] + 52 semester credit hours.
In March of 2017, the Program was granted an eight-year term of accreditation. The term is effective January 1, 2016 and the program is scheduled for its next visit in spring of 2025.
The next accreditation visit is expected in Spring of 2025.
6.2 Access to NAAB Conditions and Procedures
- Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation, 2020 Edition
- Conditions for Accreditation in effect at the time of the last visit (2016)
- Procedures for Accreditation, 2020 Edition
- Procedures for Accreditation in effect at the time of the last visit (2016)
Changes to the NAAB Conditions and Procedures
The NAAB’s Conditions and Procedures have been revised several times over the years. These revisions reflect the NAAB’s commitment to continuous improvement by allowing programs the flexibility to adapt to a dynamic context. The three review types are:
- Annually: The NAAB Conditions and Procedures are reviewed annually by the NAAB’s Assessment and Evaluation Committee for nonsubstantive changes that do not modify the prior meaning of a criterion and are normally intended to improve clarity, structural consistency, format, or grammar and syntax. The A+E Committee shall propose changes to the NAAB board for approval. Nonsubstantive revisions approved for implementation will be included in the Conditions or Procedures for the next visit cycle.
- Periodically: The NAAB Conditions and Procedures are reviewed periodically by the A+E Committee for substantive changes. Substantive changes are defined as the addition of a new criterion or a revision to an existing criterion that modifies its prior meaning. For substantive changes, the A+E Committee shall recommend a suitable review and comment period and an appropriate implementation plan to be approved by the NAAB board. Final approval of any substantive change rests with the NAAB board.
- Accreditation Review Forum: Every eight years, the NAAB Board of Directors will invite its collateral partners (ACSA, AIA, AIAS, and NCARB) to participate in a process of assessment, research, analysis, and review of the current Conditions and Procedures. The process will be designed to engage participants in substantive conversations on the future of architecture education in order to identify changes in the Conditions and Procedures that will promote excellence and innovation in architecture education.
6.3 Career Development Information
Students and graduates have access to career development and placement services that help them develop, evaluate and implement career, education and employment plans.
Visit Career Development Services for more information.
For information about Admission & Application requirements, application deadlines, funding opportunities and career options for our degree programs, visit future.utsa.edu.
For information about scholarships visit the UTSA Scholarship Hub.
You can learn more about the cost of attendance by visiting our website's Cost of Attendance section.
All candidates for admission from schools or programs outside of the UTSA B.S. Architecture degree are subject to review for satisfaction of NAAB SC 4 as it relates to structural and environmental systems. Students whose undergraduate degrees do not demonstrate satisfaction will be required to take additional coursework to remedy this deficiency.
More Information
Do you have questions that are not addressed by the information on this page? Please contact Graduate Advisor of Record David Matiella at david.matiella@utsa.edu.
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