Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, membership association founded in 1912 to advance the quality of architectural education in the United States and abroad.

The school membership in ACSA has grown from 10 charter members to over 250 schools in several membership categories. These include full membership for all accredited programs in the United States and government-sanctioned schools in Canada, candidate membership for schools seeking accreditation, and affiliate membership for schools for two-year and international programs. Through these schools, over 5,000 architecture faculty are represented. In addition, over 500 supporting members composed of architecture firms, product associations and individuals add to the breadth of interest and support of ACSA goals.

The association maintains a variety of activities that influence, communicate, and record important issues. Such endeavors include scholarly meetings, workshops, publications, awards and competition programs, support for architectural research, policy development, and liaison with allied organizations.^[1]

Mission statement

To advance architectural education through support of member schools, their faculty, and students. This support involves:

• Serving by encouraging dialogue among the diverse areas of discipline;
• Facilitating teaching, research, scholarly and creative works, through intra/interdisciplinary activity;
• Articulating the critical issues forming the context of architectural education;
• Fostering public awareness of architectural education and issues of importance

Publications

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) represents all accredited programs and their faculty across the United States and Canada, as well as nonaccredited and international affiliate members around the world. The ACSA collects detailed information from these schools for its Guide to Architecture Schools, which exists both as a book and as a free online searchable database at archschools.org. These publications are the only complete directories of all accredited professional architecture programs in North America and are used as reference for prospective students, graduate students, educators, administrators, counselors, and practitioners. The ACSA Guide to Architecture Schools features detailed program descriptions, an index of specialized and related degree programs, an overview of the profession of architecture and the education process, advice on how to select the right school, and scholarship and financial aid information.^[2]

See also

American Collateral Organizations of Architecture:

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
• Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
• National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

References