Building Designer: Career Profile
Individuals who are interested in architecture may want to consider a career as a building designer. Building designers may begin their career in less than two years, depending on their education and experience levels.
Building Designer Overview
Building designers, also known as home designers, are professionals who specialize in single-family and small, multiple-family home designs. Unlike architects or professional engineers, building designers are not typically required to pass state board exams or obtain special licensing to operate. Prospective building designers may want to research their state's laws and requirements for building designers.
Because their work directly affects the safety, durability and appearance of a structure, building designers must excel in math, physical science and construction engineering. Building designers must be willing to function in extreme or uncomfortable environments. In addition to technical and professional skills, they must possess strong communication skills to work effectively with clients and contractors. Building designers must also keep up with changes in building codes and zoning ordinances.
Education Information
Though a degree isn't required for building designers to operate in every state, an associate or bachelor's degree program in the architectural field may help individuals learn the basics of building design. Prospective building designers may consider degree programs such as architecture, architectural drafting or architectural technology. Courses may include subjects such as construction, residential home design, advanced math, physics, computer-aided design and construction laws. Building designers may continue education with a graduate degree program in architecture.
Certification Information
Certification may help building designers prove their skills and abilities to potential clients and employers. The National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC) offers professional certification for experienced building designers who pass a specialized exam (www.ncbdc.com). According to the NCBDC, eligible building designers must pay a fee, provide samples of their work and submit letters of recommendation to schedule a testing date. NCBDC-certified building designers may have access to exclusive benefits, professional networks and continuing education programs.
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5 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma - AutoCAD
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
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Non-Degree
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- AS in Engineering Technology
- Career Diploma: Drafting with AutoCAD
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School locations:
- Online Learning
- Alabama (3 campuses)
- Arkansas (1)
- Arizona (3)
- California (14)
- Colorado (2)
- Florida (12)
- Georgia (3)
- Iowa (2)
- Idaho (1)
- Illinois (3)
- Indiana (5)
- Kansas (2)
- Kentucky (2)
- Louisiana (2)
- Massachusetts (2)
- Maryland (1)
- Michigan (6)
- Minnesota (2)
- Missouri (4)
- Mississippi (1)
- North Carolina (4)
- Nebraska (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New York (3)
- Ohio (9)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (7)
- South Carolina (4)
- Tennessee (5)
- Texas (8)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (5)
- Washington (3)
- Wisconsin (4)
- West Virginia (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Associate
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- Associate in Computer Drafting and Design
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental Engineering
- Geological Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Plastics Engineering
- Systems Engineering
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School locations:
- Rhode Island (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at New England Institute of Technology include:
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- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Architectural Engineering Technology
- Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Architectural Engineering Technology
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
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School locations:
- Ohio (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Cincinnati include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Ferris State University include:
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- Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Drafting and Design Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Architectural Engineering Technology
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Plastics Engineering
- Surveying
