The BEDA degree is the foundation to a professional degree in architecture. To become an architect, students must earn an accredited, professional degree in Architecture. This can be either the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or the Master of Architecture (M.Arch). Both of these accredited professional degrees are offered at NC State. There are benefits to both the B.Arch and the M.Arch paths.

The Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (BED-A) degree is a four-year, pre-professional degree that serves as a foundation for advanced study in the discipline of Architecture, or related disciplines, such as Landscape Architecture or City Planning. To receive a professional degree in Architecture, a BED-A graduate must apply to and complete an additional fifth year of study in a B.Arch. program or a two-year M.Arch. program.