Preparation for Professional Studies in Architecture

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes two types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture and the Master of Architecture.

Master's degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, which, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

At Texas A&M, undergraduate students seeking professional architectural registration and a career in architecture are advised to complete the Bachelor of Environmental Design (B.E.D.) degree--Architectural Studies Option. The Bachelor of Environmental Design degree is considered a four-year, pre-professional program.

After completing the B.E.D. degree--Architectural Studies Option, many students enter a two-year Master of Architecture program. Qualified students completing the Bachelor of Environmental Design (B.E.D.) Degree--Visual Studies Option and students completing substantially different curriculums may be considered for admission to graduate studies in the Department of Architecture; however, there will be prerequisite requirements in any areas of deficiency and an additional year or more of study for the Master of Architecture could be required. Students should consult the Master of Architecture degree coordinator if they have questions. Other universities may have different entrance requirements for Master's programs and students are encouraged to consult with advisors representing other programs.

Environmental Design Options

The Environmental Design Program provides the latest instruction in problem-solving knowledge based design, building technology, professional practice, creative visual arts and electronic media. The curriculum enables students to pursue careers in architecture and other design disciplines, including the visual arts. The undergraduate Bachelor of Environmental Design (B.E.D.) allows for rigor and specialization within two options: Architectural Studies and Visual Studies. Course work within both options encourages interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives that allow opportunities for communication, team-oriented methods of production and visionary design solutions that respond to a broad range of concerns. The program promotes internships that enhance education through practical experiences and study away programs that expose students to design practices in alternative cultures.

The program provides a foundation in general learning, along with knowledge and skills necessary to understand the built and virtual environments. All Environmental Design degree students follow a common two-year curriculum with lower-level classification (ENDL). Enrollment in junior- and senior-level courses is limited to those who have been admitted to upper-level studies with ENDS classification. The criteria for admittance to upper-level studies is outlined on of this catalog and on the application form available in the College of Architecture Undergraduate Advising Office in Langford A102. Students admitted to upper-level studies select one of the two options offered in the College of Architecture. Admission within each option may be limited by enrollment restrictions.

Architectural Studies Option. The Architectural Studies Option focuses on designing the built environment while recognizing relationships between people and their environment. Students study the sciences, the humanities and the arts. The design studios offer a means by which students can synthesize and apply this knowledge. The broad range of course work within this option gives students a better understanding of the complexity of problems facing architects today. It allows students to explore new means by which the profession can better people's lives. Graduates can work within a wide range of design and architectural firms. Students interested in professional registration will need to attend a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited Master of Architecture program in addition to the four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Environmental Design degree.

Visual Studies Option. The Visual Studies Option focuses on the fundamentals of art and design in the context of technologically based image making. Courses in this option are structured to blend artistic, scientific and technical abilities providing the student with a specialized skill set for creating visual images through a synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge. Students completing work in this field may find careers as designers or artists in architecture, information technology, education, electronic publication, entertainment and independent practice.

Transfer and Change of Major Students. Transfer students and change of major students (students currently enrolled in another major at Texas A&M University) admitted to the College of Architecture are classified as lower level (ENDL). Change-of-major students must complete all requirements for the application to upper-level studies before applying for admission to upper-level studies within a specific option of study. Transfer students who meet all the criteria for admittance to upper-level studies may immediately apply for admittance to upper level.

Transfer and change of major students who have completed at least 15 graded transferable hours are encouraged to participate in a 10-week summer module offered by the Department of Architecture. The summer module is designed to provide an intensive first-year design studio sequence along with support course work that will enable change of major and transfer students to qualify for sophomore design studios the following semester. This summer module should allow students to complete the four-year degree in a more efficient and timely manner.