PAIR Program

GET STARTED
1
Request Info
2
Visit
3
Apply
Professional Advancement, Internship and Research

 

OVERVIEW 

University of Miami, School of Architecture has created a pathway for preselected highly qualified students to be hosted at local offices of top design thinkers and leaders. What sets this program apart from a traditional student internship? Research. The synergistic research collaboration leverages three partners: the enthusiasm and up to date skills of the student, the real-world design agenda and knowledge of the host office, and the academic aptitude and expertise of the faculty. Qualified students will spend 40 hrs a week with the host office. 50% of those hours will be spent as an intern, conducting professional work directed by the host office, and 50% of the hours will be spent perusing academic research. 


INTERNSHIP 

The traditional mentor relationship between a student intern and a host office has a long lineage. This program honors these traditions. Host offices are asked to include a student intern in opportunities that allow access to the real-world policy and practice of architecture. Students will dedicate 20 hrs, paid, per week towards work that is directed by the office. 


RESEARCH 

PAIR students are required to pursue a research question or mini-thesis. The aim is to leverage a student, architecture faculty, and host office under one aspirational idea. Together, the host office and student will collaboratively identify a research topic that the intern will develop over the course of the semester. Often topics are lingering questions or areas of interest a host office has not had the resources to investigate or develop. The intern is expected to dedicate 20 hrs., non-paid, per week towards their specific research project. This research can and should benefit the office. Past research projects have included: Micro & Co-Living in Miami, Case studies of successful agriculture along the transect, School Shootings - Best Security Design Practices, Historic Preservation; Integration of Modern Technology and Traditional Building Methods, Graphic Depictions of Light and Air, Best Practices for Healthcare Design, Innovative Sustainable Technologies and Materials for use in Miami-Dade’s Public Parks and Adaptive Building Solutions for Sea Level Rise in Miami.


SCHEDULE 

The PAIR program is tied to the UM academic calendar and conducted within one semester, either Spring (mid. Jan. – end April) or Fall (mid. Aug. – beginning Dec.) for 15 weeks. The student will work 40 hours a week for the host office. Details such as: day and time of work, days off, breaks, holidays, travel, etc. are agreed upon between the host office and student intern. Students will attend a weekly seminar on campus to support the course work and research goals. Often, we have found that host offices would like the student to continue working beyond one semester. Continued employment can be negotiated between the student and host office directly. 


COMPENSATION 

Host firms pay student interns 20 hours per week for 15 weeks for the work they perform on behalf of the office. Details such as: fair market rate, method of payment, time of payment, tax consequences, etc. are agreed upon between the host office and student intern. Typically, offices pay between $15-20 per hour. 


NCARB, AXP hours 

Most architectural student interns need to acquire NCARB, AXP hours (National Council of Architectural Registration, Architectural Experience Program). A licensed architect within the host office may be requested to sign-off on internship hours accumulated over the semester. The student is responsible for managing and filing forms with NCARB to receive credit for AXP hours. UM faculty coordinator can offer guidance. 


GRADING 

Student interns will receive a grade for both their internship and research. Feedback from the host office will be gathered throughout the semester and a final evaluation questionnaire will be distributed prior to the conclusion. This information will aid the faculty coordinator in determining final grades. 

Top