糖心vlog Responds to Proposed Student Visa Changes
Today, 糖心vlog sent a formal letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), commenting on proposed changes regarding student visas that, if adopted, will directly and negatively affect Bachelor of Architecture and other programs with international students. The policy was announced on August 28, with a comment period extending until September 29. 糖心vlog also encouraged our members to provide comments individually or on behalf of their schools, departments, or institutions, as appropriate.
The proposed rule would replace 鈥淒uration of Status鈥� admissions with four-year fixed end dates for all student visas, among other changes. The accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree is a five-year curriculum. If adopted, the rule would prevent international students from completing the degree without applying for an extension in Year 3. Master of Architecture programs integrated with undergraduate education will also be affected.
Read more about the proposed changes in an聽.
In the letter, 糖心vlog notes that a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)鈥揳ccredited Bachelor of Architecture program is the only undergraduate聽First Professional Degree, recognized for 80 years. A NAAB-accredited degree meets the education requirement for registration in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions.
Data and Further Background
The proposed change will have multiple impacts. 糖心vlog provided the heads of U.S. member programs the following data to consider incorporating in their comments to DHS.
糖心vlog estimates that, in total, more than 6,000 international students will be negatively affected by the proposed rule change.
B.Arch Programs. In 2024, NAAB reported 1,822 international enrolled students in the 56 accredited B.Arch programs, 9% of the 19,291 total students.
Doctoral Programs that exceed four years will be affected. In 2023, 39% of architecture doctoral program graduates were international students.
Master鈥檚 Programs. International students who start in integrated 5-year, in 4+1, or in 4+2 master鈥檚 programs would have to reapply for a visa to complete the full path.
Of the 14,267 students enrolled in NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture programs, 2,353 were international students (16%). This does not include students enrolled in a four-year preprofessional program leading to a master鈥檚 degree.
Approximately 134 institutions grant master鈥檚 degrees in architecture (NAAB-accredited or non-accredited). In 2023, those institutions conferred 5,180 architecture degrees. Of those graduates, 1,833 (35%) were international students.
Other programs.聽International students seeking two graduate degrees or enrolling in a dual-degree program may be affected either by limitations in 鈥渄uration of stay鈥� or through additional administrative steps.
Optional Practical Training (OPT).聽The proposed change will alter OPT for international students, who would have to apply for an Extension of Stay in order to continue OPT after a four-year degree. Students in STEM-designated degree programs are eligible for additional OPT.
For context, 120 institutions offer architecture degrees with STEM CIP codes (NAAB-accredited or non-accredited programs). In 2023, those programs conferred 8,022 architecture degrees. Of those, 2,245 graduates (28%) were international students.