Overview
Narrative
Architects and architectural technicians shape the built environment, creating homes, offices, schools and much more. Do you have a passion for creating on paper and with computers? A career in architecture or architecture-related fields could be a satisfying and rewarding profession. An associate's degree in Architecture from Northampton provides an affordable foundation for a traditional five-year degree program leading to a career as a licensed architect. It can also prepare you for work in the field upon graduation.
Northampton's program offers a mixture of academic, design and advanced computer technology coursework. You will receive a base of knowledge to broaden your perspective of the world. Our four semester design studio sequence emphasizes skills development in architectural conceptualization as well as design vocabulary and process. Supporting coursework in history, graphics and building technology mesh with your studio work to enhance your critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills. With computer technology dramatically changing the practice of architecture, Northampton's curriculum strives to stay on the leading edge of 2D and 3D technology across the curriculum. We also balance those technologies with traditional graphic and model making skills development.
Please note that senior architecture schools consider applicants from Northampton on an individual basis and have traditionally granted both full and partial credit depending on the abilities of the student and the requirements of the transfer school.
Features
Northampton's program is a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, ensuring that the program is current with movements in the field. Our faculty consists of practicing, registered architects who, as members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), are on top of developments in both architectural education and practice.
The Architecture Department has an active chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), which provides our students with leadership opportunities at the local and national level. The AIAS also offers social activities and field trips that enhance your architecture studies.
Opportunities for practical experience include a five-credit community design studio taking place in a community-wide environment. This capstone project gives students hands-on experience in the field. In addition, students who qualify may choose to complete a three credit professional internship and apply their practical office experience to their education for credit. Students will work under the direction of an employer with a professional degree in architecture. Arrangements will be made through the architecture department. Both the community design and internship learning experiences are of great value when the graduate either enters the profession or transfers to a Bachelor degree program.
"Real World Community Learning"
Northampton's architecture program offers a 5 credit capstone community design studio which takes place in a community wide environment giving you "hands-on" learning opportunities.
Professional Internship
Students who qualify may choose the option of a three credit professional internship and apply their practical office experience to their education for credit. Students will work under the direction of an employer with a professional degree in architecture. Arrangements will be made through the architecture department. Both the community design and internship learning experiences will prove to be of great value when the graduate either enters the profession or transfers to a Bachelor's degree program.
Course Scheduling
Courses are scheduled both day and evening for students who want to attend full time or part time. Although many of the required courses are offered in the evening, the complete program will require some daytime attendance.
Career Potential: Leading to: Architect, Architectural Technician, Building Inspector, Architectural/Building Sales
NCC students have transferred to: Drexel University, Florida Atlantic University, Lehigh University, Penn State University, Temple University, University of Arizona, University of Maryland, University of Miami, University of Michigan