Post-secondary destination and program:
Students wishing to become an architect may select from the following three choices:
- Apprenticeships - program: architecture
- University - programs vary among universities. Examples: architectural science, architecture and architectural studies.
Educational and entry pre-requisites:
To become an architect, students must complete a bachelor's degree and a master's degree (optional).
What places offer the education/training to become an architect? The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) offers an apprenticeship, and there are a number of universities that offer the program. The universities are as follows:
- Carleton University
- Ryerson University
- University of Waterloo
Is certification required?
A licence, or certification, is required to be an architect in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, and Prince Edward Island.
Duration of education:
The duration of training at the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is 10 years.
At university, it takes 4 years to get a bachelor's degree and, if chosen to, it takes 1 to 4 years to get a master's degree.
Cost of training/education:
The cost of university (without residence) is approximately $5000 to $21,000. Some universities include a laptop with the fee.
What kind of on-the-job training or continuing education might be involved in this career?
Understanding and developing knowledge on how to use computer-aided design (CAD) software is involved in being an architect.
