After completing her high school studies,[2] in 1924, Ter-Avetikian enrolled in the Technical School of Yerevan State University (YSU) to study architecture. In 1926, simultaneously with her studies, she started working for Nikoghayos Buniatian and Alexander Tamanian, noted architects who designed the master plan of the city of Yerevan and many of its buildings.[1] Her schedule at this time was to go to school in the mornings, in the afternoon work in Buniatian's workshop, and then work with Tamanian in the evenings.[2] Ter-Avetikian graduated in 1930 and shortly thereafter, married fellow architect, Konstantin Hovhannisian, who had attended YSU and was also employed with Buniatian and Tamanian.[1]