Higher Education

Promoting excellence in higher education for the growth and future of architecture and the profession

Educating the next generation of architects is critical to the AIA's vision to drive positive change through the power of design. As part of the AIA Workforce team, Higher Education staff work to support education, research, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including an urgent focus on climate action through research and education.

Career and the profession

Scholarships

Learn about the scholarships and other support the AIA offers to help students and future architects with tuition and ARE costs. You’ve got big plans for your future. A scholarship from the Architects Foundation can help you reach them. Every year, the Foundation awards thousands of dollars in architecture scholarships to high school students; to architecture students in NAAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs; to Architect Registration Exam (ARE) candidates who are working toward becoming licensed architects; and to licensed architects pursuing educational enrichment opportunities.

Career and the profession

Intersections Research Conference

An annual series of sessions at AIA Conference highlighting the best peer-reviewed research and presented in an interactive, moderated panel format.

How To

Partners in Education and Research

The AIA partners with several organizations on various initiatives within Higher Education.

Career and the profession

Medal for Academic Excellence

The AIA Medal for Academic Excellence is awarded to the graduate who displays "...general excellence through their academic career" at NAAB accredited architecture programs.

Career and the profession

Equity in Architectural Education

Office and school cultures feed and reinforce each other, and long-standing traditions, viewpoints, and biases in academia are strong.

Press Release

AIA study examines impact of student debt on profession

Underrepresented architect groups disproportionally impacted by debt

Dec 6, 2022

AIA commissioned a study that examines student loan debt to gain a better understanding of how these challenges affect the profession and different architect demographic groups.

Know Your Worth: Are you compensated fairly?

A strong career start is crucial to architecture students, designers seeking licensure and newly licensed architects.

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