Program Overview

Introduction to the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) Program

The College of Architecture and Design at Lawrence Technological University offers the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) program, which provides selected students with the opportunity to complete the requirements for licensure while earning their degree.

Program Overview

The IPAL program is organized around continuous integration of internship employment and registration examinations with professional education. It is open to qualifying undergraduate and graduate students, and takes a slightly different form in each case.

Program Details for Undergraduate Students

• The program begins in the summer after the third-year courses and continues throughout the completion of the 6+ year Master of Architecture program.
• Employment is structured as full-time during summers and part-time during Fall and Spring semesters to allow sufficient time for coursework.
• The curriculum is organized to allow productive fulfillment of AXP experience requirements following the third-year courses, with subsequent coursework arranged to allow the taking of ARE examinations beginning in the spring of the fifth year.

Program Details for Graduate Students

• The program often integrates well with the student's specific situation, including non-local students who are working in other states (subject to each state's individual licensure-process requirements).
• Employment arrangements can be handled in several ways and will be determined between firms and students, consistent with IPAL guidelines.

Application Process

The LTU IPAL Program admits all students undergraduate and graduate who meet the Program's requirements for demonstrated academic performance, ongoing AXP-supportive employment, and sufficient self-management to complete all of the Program's goals.

Requirements for Application

• Basic Educational Requirements:
  • Junior Year status (60 credit hours minimum)
  • Grade point average: 3.0 minimum (cumulative)
  • Courses taken or currently enrolled: Construction Systems 1 and Integrated Design 3 for undergraduate students; a portfolio demonstrating equivalent skill-levels for graduate students (if needed)
• All Educational Information must be verifiable by the LTU Registrar.

Application Materials to Submit

• An IPAL Application Form (completed and signed)
• A Letter of Confirmation from the student's employer
• A Letter of Intent from the student
• A Résumé

Application Instructions

Application Form

The Application Form must be completely filled-out, and signed and dated. The Educational Information must be complete and verifiable by the LTU Registrar.

Letter of Support from Employer

The Letter of Support must include confirmation from the student's employer that the organization meets the criteria of NCARB's "Experience Setting A" and acknowledgement and support from the employer regarding the student's intention to join the IPAL Program.

Letter of Intent from Student

The Letter of Intent must include an outline of how the student plans to manage their education, work, and testing efforts in order to complete all aspects of the Program by their intended graduation date.

Résumé

Include a current résumé, showing the student's present (IPAL) employer, date of employment start, and duties/tasks performed for the employer.

Disclaimers and Authorizations

As stated on the Application form, the Applicant understands and agrees to various terms and conditions, including that participation in the IPAL Program does not guarantee completion of all of the components of the Program, or completion of these by graduation, or achievement of actual licensure.

IPAL Partner Firms

The program has partnerships with several firms, including:

• Albert Kahn Associates - Detroit, MI
• Constantine George Pappas AIA - Royal Oak, MI
• Ghafari Associates - Detroit, MI
• Hamilton Anderson Associates - Detroit, MI
• HED - Southfield, MI
• HKS - Northville, MI
• inFORM Studio - Northville, MI
• JPRA Architects - Farmington Hills, MI
• Neumann/Smith Architecture - Southfield, MI
• Rivetna Architects - Chicago, IL
• S3 Architecture - Farmington, MI
• SmithGroup - Detroit, MI