Undergraduate Admission
    Graduate Admission

    Architect Registration Exam Refresher Course

    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    The ARE@IIT course is a comprehensive review of the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE), covering all ARE exams, providing lectures, discussions, mock exams, and ample opportunity for questions and answers.

    The current test transition from ARE 3.1 to ARE 4.0 is incorporated in this course plan. (Please visit the NCARB web site at www.ncarb.org for more information on the exam process). The course pricing table below indicates how the content is being covered depending on how many of the modules. All are welcome!  Welcome to  those interested in just a few topics, as well as those looking for a comprehensive overview of the ARE.

    The course is divided into 4 modules, with various related exam topics per module. The course runs from May through August, primarily Tuesday and Thursday nights and a few Saturdays (See Course Calendar for more details).

    Module Course Title ARE 3.1 Material Break-down ARE 4.0 Material Break-down
    Course PL 010 All Modules All (Entire Course) All (Entire Course)
    Module 1 PL 011 GRAPHICS Site Planning, Building Planning and Building Technology Site Planning & Design, Schematic Design, and the vignettes formally housed under the Building Technology Exam which are now spread across other exam titles
    Module 2 PL 012 MATERIALS & SYSTEMS Materials & Methods, Mechanical & Electrical Systems Building Design & Construction Systems, Building Systems
    Module 3 PL 013 PRE-DESIGN DOCUMENTS Construction Documents & Services and Pre-Design Programming, Planning & Practice and Construction Documents & Services
    Module 4 PL 014 STRUCTURES General Structures and Lateral Forces Structural Systems

    Course Modules are spaced to enable participants to schedule and take registration exams during the break between modules if desired. The course allows you to use your renewed knowledge while it is fresh in your mind.

    Course Includes:

    • Introductory discussion about the ARE, how to pass it, access to recent test takers and a full review of the most recent changes in exam format.
    • Instruction from local and nationally based professionals experienced in teaching and practice, including tips and techniques for taking the exam.
    • Access to interactive website for course updates, course content, and frequently asked questions.
    • Introduction to computer test taking software for the graphic vignettes.
    • Convenient evening classes, just minutes from the Loop - near Red and Green Line "L" stops. Also free IIT shuttle buses are available to & from Loop train stations.
    • Mock Exam, Mock Exam review, and Q&A session for each module.
    • Additional resources include: informative course handouts and other ARE study materials.
    • Opportunity to network and share with others taking the ARE exam.

    How to Enroll

    Enrollment for this course is administered by the Professional Learning Programs of the Center for Professional Development of IIT.

    You may register online or call Professional Learning Programs at 630.682.6035 or email prolearn@iit.edu

    Visit our online registration site for further details.

    Course Pricing

    Pricing is available in three formats:

    pricing for the full course at the discounted cost of $700

    an "a la carte" pricing ranging from $200 - $350 per module

     “Graphics +,” which includes Module 1 + another module (2,3,or 4) for a $100 add-on to the a la carte price (a significant discount!).

    Pricing table also indicates how the exam materials breakdown under each module. Breakdown takes into account transition from ARE 3.1 to ARE 4.0.

    Pricing Table:

    Module Course Title Date Time Price Graphics +
    Course PL 010 All Modules

     TBD

    		 see below $700 --
    Module 1
    PL 011    		 GRAPHICS

     TBD

    		       TBD

    		 $250 --
    Module 2
    PL 012    		 MATERIALS & SYSTEMS

     TBD

     TBD

    		 $200 G+ = $300 Course PL 015
    Module 3
    PL 013    		 PRE-DESIGN DOCUMENTS

     TBD

     TBD

    		 $200 G+ =     $300 Course PL 016
    Module 4
    PL 014    		 STRUCTURES

     TBD

     TBD

    		 $350 G+ =   $450 Course PL 017

    Instructor bios

    Larry Kearns, AIA

    Larry Kearns is a partner in the Chicago based firm Wheeler Kearns Architects. He received his Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Miami, School of Architecture. Mr. Kearns Affiliations include the American Institute of Architects, the US Green Building Council and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). Mr. Kearns has served as chair of the education committee and on the Board of the Chicago Chapter of CSI. As a recognized expert witness, he has testified in the Circuit Court of Cook County regarding construction topics. Larry is a registered architect in the State of Illinois, a certified LEED professional, a registered energy professional with the City of Chicago, a registered Self-Certification professional with the City of Chicago, and is a member of the International Code Council.

    Mike Hanahan

    Mike Hanahan is a partner in the Construction Law Group at Schiff Hardin LLP. He concentrates his practice in construction law, both transactional and litigation. Mr. Hanahan's clients include virtually all participants in the construction industry. He represents architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, public entities, private owners, developers, interior designers, design-builders, and equipment and material vendors. For these clients, Mr. Hanahan provides services to form and incorporate new businesses, to structure transactions, to draft and negotiate contracts, to resolve and litigate disputes, as well as counseling regarding issues of construction law and related areas, including employment, copyright and public procurement. A significant portion of Mr. Hanahan's practice involves structuring construction projects and advising clients regarding project delivery methods.

    Bob Stephen

    Robert A. Stephen received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Utah State University in 1986 and has practiced landscape architecture in Northern California since 1989. His present practice, Robert Stephen Consulting, based in Menlo Park, focuses on computer-aided facilities management. He is the co-author of both "Site Design tips and Techniques", first published in 1995 and "Site Grading Workbook", published in 1996. He lectures on site design as part of the ARE review course offered by the San Francisco AIA chapter and has lectured on the same topic for review courses in Hawaii and Chicago. He has also authored the graphic site design mock exams used in these review courses. Mr. Stephen also is a member of IFMA and the Silicon Valley Archibus Users Group (SVAUG). He is a board member of the Silicon Valley AutoCAD Powers User Group (SVAPU) and teaches intermediate AutoCAD at DeAnza College.

    Barry Chin

    Barry Chin is the co-author of "Licensed Architect: Building Design Examination Primer", first published in 1986, the "Building Design Vignette Primer" published in 1994, and the "Building Planning Vignette Preview" and the "Building Technology Vignette Preview" both published in 1997. A graduate of the College of Environmental Design at the University of California at Berkeley, he is currently Senior Architect at the University of California, San Francisco. Since 1985 he has conducted seminars on the design section of the ARE for AIA chapters and university extension courses in Chicago, Boston, New York, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu. He has also co-authored the graphic design mock exams used in these courses.

    Chris Rockey, SE, AIA

    Chris Rockey is the principal of Rockey Structures, LLC, in addition to being an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Architecture. He has over 10 years of experience in the structural engineering field from initial conception through construction phase services. Prior to teaching and starting his own practice, Mr. Rockey served as an Associate for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, an international A/E firm with over 700 employees worldwide, as well as being a Project Engineer for Halvorson Kaye Structural Engineers. His design projects have included office, residential, civic, renovation, urban, and transportation facilities. In coordination with the architectural and building services teams, he incorporates the structural engineering design concepts within project requirements. Mr. Rockey, drawing upon his experience in the architectural, engineering, and construction fields, provides engineering consultation that combines aesthetics, constructability, and efficiency.

    Michael Newman

    Mike Newman received his Masters of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and has his own firm, SHED STUDIO, focusing on sustainable and non-profit projects. He is a licensed architect in the State of Illinois, and a registered energy professional with the City of Chicago. In his 20 years working in architecture, he has worked on hundreds of projects in Chicago, Indiana, Boston and Michigan. Mr. Newman has been engaged in the education of architects teaching design studios, building science, professional practice and sustainability topics for many years at UIC, Andrews University, Archeworks, School of the Art Institute, and Illinois Institute of Technology. He has been running the ARE Refresher Course for the past 6 years.