[dejalite]

are there any classes that I can get into that would certify me in architecture in about 6 months to a year?

[UrbanXen]

Unfortunately, no. I'm in architecture school. I'm doing a 4 +2 year program. With 4 in undergraduate and 2 in graduate. Some schools offer a 5 year undergraduate program that will lead to eventual certification. Think of it as like becoming a doctor. Additionally to schooling, you need to pass the exam and usually participate in some sort of internship.

[nashvol85]

I've never heard of an architecture program that short...most schools with architecture programs are pretty serious about the workload.

I'm pretty sure the one here at UT is a 5 year program.

[Teshadoh]

THere is another way around it - architectual drafting. Especially in engineering firms - there are people that design structures whose background is primarily drafting.