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Construction, Industrial Trades and Natural Resources

Architecture

Architects plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

Goals and Certificates

You may choose to earn one of the following:

 

Description

West Valley College in San Jose, CA offers certifications and associate degree through our Architecture Department.

  • Certificate in Historic Preservation: Historic preservation is an evolving field, focusing on the care, protection, and restoration of the built environment (historic buildings) and other cultural resources. Now strongly tied to local, state, and federal laws, historic preservation as both a field of research and as a profession has matured considerably during the past 20 years. Click here for more information on course requirements.
  • Certificate of Achievement in Architecture and the Associate of Science in Architecture are primarily transfer oriented. It prepares students to enter 4- and 5-year architecture programs at the university level. Most students transfer to U.C. Berkeley, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, the University of Southern California, and to a variety of public and private institutions, nationwide. The program is academically challenging. they receive a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Click here for more information on course requirements.

You will need strong academic skills to complete the architecture program. Even though a high school diploma or equivalency is not required, you may find that some employers prefer to hire employees with a high school diploma or equivalency. There are also more options for financial aid at the community colleges for students who have a high school diploma or equivalency.

You must take a placement test to enroll in math and English classes for the general education requirements needed to earn an associate degree. You should meet with a counselor to determine the correct placement in these classes.

Training Providers

 

How to Get Started

Contact provider for testing, registration, and details on prerequisites.

Wage Data and Employment Outlook

Once you complete this pathway, you will be prepared to transfer to a four-year college or to seek employment in the following fields*: architect, landscape architect, historic preservation architect, interior designer, construction manager, graphic designer, specification writer, structural engineer, architectural renderer. * Some career options may require a two- or four-year degree. Explore these and other careers at O*Net Online.

You can find current salary information for jobs in your location at Creative Group Salary Guide:

  • Scroll down to the Salary Calculator.
  • Make selections based on the type of job you want and your location.
  • Review salary range and midpoint.

 

You can find additional current salary information for jobs at PayScale

  • Start typing in a job title in the top center search box.
  • Select the job title that matches what you are looking for.
  • Add a city or specific skill to refine your results.

 

Find a Job

FIND LOCAL JOB POSTINGS

Click here to find resources to help you connect with local job opportunities.

 

STILL NOT SURE?

EXPLORE ANOTHER PATHWAY CONTACT A TRANSITION SPECIALIST