The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning’s Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) program has received initial accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
“We are thrilled to report that the official letter from the National Architecture Accrediting Board has been received, and the new BArch degree has successfully been granted initial accreditation,” said department chair Karl Wallick. “This is the moment we’ve all been working so hard to achieve and is a testament to profound collective effort.”
The accreditation milestone reflects the contributions of students, staff, faculty and alumni who supported the development and growth of the program. According to Wallick, the BArch offers “a good balance of professional technical knowledge and creative design theory with a direct path to licensure.”
Initial accreditation also brings important benefits for alumni and the profession. Accreditation applies to all Bachelor of Architecture degrees earned since the program launched in 2024, allowing graduates to officially state that they earned a NAAB-accredited professional degree. The credential supports licensure pathways and professional mobility.
In addition, UWM alumni who earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) degree may be eligible to complete the credits required to earn the BArch degree, expanding future professional opportunities. Interested alumni are encouraged to review application requirements and meet with an advisor to confirm their individual degree requirements.
For the profession, accreditation strengthens the workforce by ensuring graduates are prepared through a program that meets nationally recognized standards for professional education and practice. UWM graduates are equipped with the knowledge, creativity and technical skills needed to contribute immediately to practice and help address the evolving challenges facing the built environment.
“We are excited for the future of architecture in Wisconsin,” Wallick said.