Colleges and degrees

Find a school that counts

For most Ribbonfield careers, the license starts with the right degree. See what to study for each career, explore accredited programs at HBCUs, then find every accredited program in your state.

What does "accredited" mean? An outside group has checked that the program teaches what the profession needs. For architecture, landscape architecture and engineering, an accredited degree is usually required for a license. For interior design, it's the fastest way to qualify for the NCIDQ exam.

Step 1

Match the degree to the career

Architect

Master of Architecture (M.Arch) or Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)

Look for: NAABOfficial list
Developer

Real estate, finance, business or urban planning

Look for: PAB (for planning)Official list
Interior designer

Bachelor's in interior design

Look for: CIDAOfficial list
Lighting designer

Architectural engineering, or lighting or theater design

Look for: ABET (for engineering)Official list
Landscape architect

Bachelor or Master of Landscape Architecture (BLA or MLA)

Look for: LAABOfficial list
Engineer

Civil, structural or architectural engineering

Look for: ABETOfficial list
Specifications writer

Architecture, interior design, engineering or construction, then a specs certificate

Look for: Depends on the degreeOfficial list
Builder

Construction management

Look for: ACCEOfficial list
Spotlight: historically Black colleges and universities

Accredited programs at HBCUs

HBCUs have trained generations of Black architects, engineers, planners and builders. Howard, Hampton and Tuskegee have some of the oldest architecture programs in the country, and Morgan State offers accredited degrees in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and planning on one campus.

14 HBCUs7 fieldsLook for the HBCU tag in every state list below
ArchitectureNAAB
  • Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, FL · B.Arch and M.Arch
  • Hampton UniversityHampton, VA · M.Arch
  • Howard UniversityWashington, DC · M.Arch
  • Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · M.Arch
  • Prairie View A&M UniversityPrairie View, TX · M.Arch
  • Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AL · B.Arch
  • University of the District of ColumbiaWashington, DC · M.Arch
Interior designCIDA
  • Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · B.S. Interior Design
Landscape architectureLAAB
  • Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · MLA (graduate)
  • North Carolina A&T State UniversityGreensboro, NC · BSLA
Construction managementACCE
  • North Carolina A&T State UniversityGreensboro, NC · Construction Management
  • Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AL · Construction Science
  • University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Construction Management Technology
Urban planningPAB
  • Alabama A&M UniversityNormal, AL · Bachelor's and master's
  • Jackson State UniversityJackson, MS · Master's
  • Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Master's
  • Texas Southern UniversityHouston, TX · Master's
Architectural engineeringABET
  • North Carolina A&T State UniversityGreensboro, NC · B.S. Architectural Engineering
Civil engineeringABET
  • Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, FL · FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
  • Howard UniversityWashington, DC
  • Jackson State UniversityJackson, MS
  • Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD
  • North Carolina A&T State UniversityGreensboro, NC
  • Prairie View A&M UniversityPrairie View, TX
  • Southern UniversityBaton Rouge, LA
  • Tennessee State UniversityNashville, TN
Step 2

Accredited programs by state

515 accredited programs across the country in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, construction management and planning. Pick a state.

ArchitectureNAAB
  • Andrews UniversityBerrien Springs · M.Arch
  • Ferris State UniversityGrand Rapids · M.Arch
  • Lawrence Technological UniversitySouthfield · M.Arch
  • University of Detroit MercyDetroit · M.Arch
  • University of MichiganAnn Arbor · M.Arch

In Michigan, the accredited degree is the M.Arch. Most students do a 4-year architecture bachelor's first, then the master's.

Interior designCIDA
  • Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant · Bachelor's
  • Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti · B.S.
  • Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris StateGrand Rapids · BFA
  • Lawrence Technological UniversitySouthfield · Bachelor's
  • Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing · B.A.
  • Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo · B.S.
Landscape architectureLAAB
  • Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing · BLA
  • University of MichiganAnn Arbor · MLA
Construction managementACCE
  • Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti · Construction Management
  • Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids · Construction Technology and Management
  • Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing · Construction Management
  • Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton · Construction Management
Urban planningPAB
  • Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing · Bachelor's and master's
  • University of MichiganAnn Arbor · Master's
  • Wayne State UniversityDetroit · Master's

Michigan State has one of the few accredited planning bachelor's degrees in the country.

Specifications writingCertificate
  • Lawrence Technological UniversitySouthfield · Specs@LTU specifications certificate, for people already working in design or construction
Engineering

ABET accredits hundreds of civil, structural and architectural engineering programs. Search their official list by state to see every one.

Search ABET programs
Choosing a school

Questions worth asking

Is the degree accredited?

Ask which degree is accredited. In architecture, it's often the master's, not the bachelor's.

Can I work while I learn?

Ask about co-ops, internships and studio projects with real clients. Experience counts toward most licenses.

Can I start closer to home?

Many students take their first two years at a community college, then transfer. Ask the four-year school which classes will transfer.

What will it really cost?

Look past the sticker price. Ask about scholarships for your major, and apply early.

Next steps

Keep planning

Career roadmapsWhat to study in high school, and what comes after college.See the roadmaps →Scholarships and grantsMoney for school, with who qualifies and when to apply.Find funding →Camps and youth programsTry a career before you choose a college.See programs →

Program lists checked in October 2026 against the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) and ABET. Programs marked "candidate" are working toward accreditation. Programs change, so confirm with the school or the official list before you apply.