The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
College of Architecture + Design

Accreditation

Our programs, for which accrediting is available, are fully accredited.  

The School of Architecture’s undergraduate and graduate programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). 

The interior architecture program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture degree is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture granted by University of Tennessee, Knoxville meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.Additionally, the School of Interior Architecture is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) for its Bachelor of Science-4 years: Interior Architecture (Design). 

The degrees in our Landscape Architecture school are accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB). 

The School of Design is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) for its program leading to Bachelor of Fine Arts-4 years: Graphic Design.  

Year of Most Recent Comprehensive Review: 2021
Academic Year of Next Scheduled Comprehensive Review: 2031-2032 

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

Reaccreditation Information 

In 2025, the School of Interior Architecture earned a six-year accreditation from CIDA. Reaccreditation is scheduled for 2031. Additionally, the school earned a nine-year accreditation from NASAD in 2021. Reaccreditation is scheduled for 2030. 

In 2025, the School of Landscape Architecture earned a six-year accreditation from LAAB. Reaccreditation is scheduled for 2030. 

In 2024, the School of Architecture earned eight-year accreditations for both the undergraduate and graduate programs from NAAB. Reaccreditation is scheduled for 2031. 

Architecture Accreditation Information 

Statement 

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree. 

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, School of Architecture in the College of Architecture and Design offers the following NAAB-accredited degree programs:

  • B.Arch. (163 semester undergraduate credit hours) 
  • M.Arch. 3G (undergraduate degree + 102 graduate semester credit hours) 
  • M.Arch. 2G (undergraduate degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited school of architecture + 60 graduate semester credit hours) 

Next accreditation visit for all programs: 2031 

Access to NAAB Conditions and Procedures 

In order to assist students, parents and others as they seek to develop an understanding of the body of knowledge and skills that constitute a professional education in architecture, the following documents have been made available to the public: 

Access to Career Development Information 

To develop an understanding of the body of knowledge and skills that constitute a professional education in architecture, the following organizations and documents are shared to provide insights: 

Public Access to Accreditation Reports and Related Documents 

In order to promote transparency in the process of accreditation in architecture education, the following documents are available for public review: 

The Most Recent Decision Letter from the NAAB

The Architecture Program Report Submitted for the Last Visit

NCARB ARE Pass Rates

Annually, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards publishes pass rates for each section of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) by institution. This information is considered to be useful to parents and prospective students as part of their planning for higher or post-secondary education. The most current information about graduates of programs from the School of Architecture have been made available here: 

Statements and/or Policies on Learning and Teaching Culture

Statements and/or Policies on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Admissions and Advising

Student Financial Information

Landscape Architecture Accreditation Information 

Lanscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) Public Information Policy 

LAAB accredited programs are required to provide reliable information to the public. Programs must report on accreditation status and its performance. This information is to help potential students make informed application decisions. Information shall appear in easily accessible locations on program websites. To review this information click on the following link: UTK PUBLIC INFO POLICY SHEET. 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 

As a requirement of the SACSCOC accreditation, please view our Graduate Handbook here.