In 2017, the AIBC began an extensive review of the courses offered through the Internship in Architecture Program. One of the primary objectives was to ensure that entry-to-practice competencies for registration were being met by the curriculum.
The initial information gathering phase collated and analyzed multi-stakeholder feedback, including: course participant surveys; results from course audits; analysis of oral review results to identify knowledge gaps; and input from oral reviewers and mentors. An environmental scan was also conducted to review course offerings from other providers and to determine AIBC’s role in course delivery.
Based on the findings, the AIBC is excited to launch a refreshed program starting next year, inclusive of a transitionary period designed for those who are mid-stream in their course obligations. Please refer to the table below for a schedule of courses offered by year.
Schedule of Courses by Year
| Course Offerings < 2018 Transitional Offerings 2019 Redesigned Courses 2020 | ||
| MANDATORY Law & The Architect BC Building Code I – Building Envelope Principles Ethics, Act and Bylaws |
MANDATORY (redesigned) Architect & The Law I BC Building Code Construction Administration – Ethics, Act and Bylaws |
MANDATORY Architect & The Law I BC Building Code Construction Administration – Ethics, Act and Bylaws |
| ELECTIVE Construction Administration BC Building Code II Blueprint for Business Management of the Project |
ELECTIVE – BC Building Code II Blueprint for Business Management of the Project |
ELECTIVE *Electives no longer offered per updated course requirements. |
In 2019, the AIBC will start offering four redesigned courses which will all be mandatory. These courses will be offered concurrently with three existing elective courses, which will be offered for the final time next year.
Participants who have already taken courses will have the option to transition to the redesigned courses or opt to complete the courses based on the current system without missing out on significant content now covered under the redesign.
By 2020, the AIBC will have fully transitioned to the redesigned courses. The many benefits of this value-added programming include assigned learning outcomes, updated content and activity-based learning strategies. To further demonstrate the extent of the redesign, Oral Review questions will also be updated and cross-referenced against the course learning outcomes, among other sources.
Transition Plan
Though the quality and interactive delivery of courses will be modernized, and the number of courses reduced, a number of Intern Architects AIBC and BEA candidates will be impacted by the transition. To mitigate this impact, careful attention has been put towards a detailed plan, specific to each of the three cohorts of course participants.
Cohort 1
Those who have already completed the required number of courses but have not yet taken the Oral Review.
Action → Completed courses accepted. Book an Oral Review. Oral Reviews will be held in the months of March, June and September. In early December 2018, the 2019 Oral Review schedule will be available.
Cohort 2
Those who have not yet completed any of the courses.
Action → Complete the redesigned mandatory courses. Four courses in total.
Cohort 3
Those who are in the process of completing these courses.
Action → Transition to the redesigned track and take all four of the redesigned courses or complete the current course obligations.
The following transition scenarios were prepared to assist those in Cohort 3 completing the current track:
Cohort 3 Transition Scenarios
| Scenario 1: Completed all the mandatory courses under the current course offerings. | Complete Construction Administration as this is now mandatory; it will count as one of your two electives. In addition, take another elective from the list. (Six courses total) |
| Scenario 2: Completed two mandatory courses under the current course offerings: Law & the Architect and Ethics, Act and Bylaws. | Complete the two other mandatory courses: Construction Administration and BC Building Code. Also, complete two elective courses. (Six courses total) |
| Scenario 3: Completed two elective courses: Management of the Project and BC Building Code II. | Complete the four mandatory courses. (Six courses in total) |
| Scenario 4: Completed three mandatory courses (except Building Envelope Principles) and an elective course (Construction Administration). | Complete two elective courses in 2019 (AIBC elective courses will be offered for the final time in 2019). Elective course equivalents will be posted online. Course participants will not be required to retake Construction Administration. (Six courses in total) |
| Scenario 5: Completed all the mandatory and one elective course (except Construction Administration). | Complete Construction Administration as it is now a mandatory course. It will count as your second required elective. (Six courses in total) |
Course Inventory – Keeping track of your course requirements
To find out which courses you have already completed, Intern Architects AIBC can log into their AIBC account and BEA candidates can email professionaldevelopment@aibc.ca.
2019 Course Schedule and Registration
The 2019 Course Schedule will be published and registration will open the week of December 3, 2018.
Contact
The AIBC is committed to ensuring a seamless transition. If you have any questions, please email professionaldevelopment@aibc.ca with “Course Redesign” in the subject line.
For more information about AIBC courses, please visit aibc.ca.
This post was updated on October 19, 2018.