The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) has confirmed a full eight-year accreditation renewal for both the bachelor of architecture and master of architecture programs at the University of Oregon Department of Architecture.

NAAB is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture. Eight years is the new maximum term effective for decisions made after July 1, 2013, making the Department of Architecture, in the UO School of Architecture and Allied Arts, one of the first to receive this new term of accreditation.

The NAAB team acknowledged some of the Department of Architecture's strengths, including a vibrant learning environment, the dedication and diverse body of work of the faculty at both the Eugene and Portland campuses, the energy and leadership involvement of the students, and the engagement of alumni and local professionals. They also noted that the department is an internationally recognized leader in sustainable practices and education.

The UO Department of Architecture was founded in 1914 and was one of the first programs accredited by NAAB. DesignIntelligence currently ranks the UO architecture program first in the nation for sustainable design education.

" We are appreciative of NAAB's assessment of our programs and we will continue to enhance and improve our professional design education,” said Judith Sheine, department head. “I extend my thanks to the dedicated faculty, practitioners, staff and students whose shared work demonstrates the value and achievements of the Department of Architecture."

In addition to the B.Arch and M.Arch programs, the UO Department of Architecture also offers professional bachelor of interior architecture and master of interior architecture degrees, both accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), one-year post-professional master of science in architecture and master of science in interior architecture degrees, and a Ph.D. in architecture.

Story by Amy Pinkston