A&M-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College Launch Joint Architecture Program

New Joint Architecture Degrees Could Transform Education in Corpus Christi

If Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi receive final approval, future architects may have the opportunity to complete their education right here in Corpus Christi. The two institutions are working toward launching two new joint degrees in architecture, including a pre-professional Bachelor of Science in architecture and a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree. These programs could begin as early as next fall, pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Currently, Del Mar College offers an associate degree in architecture, which is designed for students who plan to transfer to a professional program. However, the community college has long aimed to provide a direct pathway to a bachelor’s degree. This initiative would allow students to pursue their architectural education without leaving the region, addressing a significant gap in local opportunities.

To become a licensed architect in Texas, students must complete a professional degree from an accredited program, gain field experience, and pass a licensing exam. The educational component alone typically takes at least five years. Students can choose between a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree or a pre-professional undergraduate degree followed by a Master of Architecture. Some may even pursue a Doctor of Architecture degree.

For residents of the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley, the nearest schools offering professional architecture degrees are located in San Antonio or Houston. This lack of local access has been a challenge for many aspiring architects in the area.

Laura Wright Bienek, director of Del Mar College’s architectural/drafting technology program, grew up in Corpus Christi and had to leave the city to pursue her dream of becoming a licensed architect. She now sees this new program as a mission to provide quality, accredited architectural education to South Texas students who might not otherwise have the option to stay in their communities.

The new program will be based on Del Mar College’s Oso Creek campus, which opened in 2023. The campus features improved facilities, advanced technology, and the potential for expansion. The architecture program is housed in the STEM building, which includes a wood lab, metal lab, 3D printing lab, and classrooms and studios. The building itself serves as a practical example of construction concepts, with exposed pipes and wiring to illustrate real-world applications.

On Sept. 12, students gathered in one of the studios to work on a project for a third-semester design course. They were tasked with designing a folly, a decorative structure inspired by a song of their choice. Corpus Christi native Armando Martinez described the potential four-year degrees as “a big feat for architecture” in the region, noting that if the Bachelor of Architecture program becomes accredited, he could save a year of school without leaving the city.

Many students like Martinez are considering their options. Some have grown up in Corpus Christi and are excited about the possibility of pursuing their careers elsewhere. Others are relieved to know they might have a viable option close to home, where they’ve already begun their education.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi plans to hire additional faculty to support the bachelor-level program. The collaboration involves shared faculty and shared spaces, creating a model for future partnerships. Del Mar College President Mark Escamilla mentioned that the college has long sought a partnership with a four-year institution, initially hoping for one with Texas Tech University, but the idea never materialized.

University President Kelly Miller announced the partnership during a State of the University address, expressing gratitude for the collaboration and emphasizing its potential benefits for the community. The program will place a distinct emphasis on construction and program management.

The Bachelor of Science in architecture will be a four-year program, requiring students to complete a graduate degree at another institution to become licensed. However, the proposed five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree would meet the full requirements for the educational piece of licensing if it receives accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

Approval for the new degrees was included in the consent agenda of an August Texas A&M University System Board of Regents meeting. According to meeting documents, the goal of the program is to provide an affordable, supportive, and more accessible pathway to licensure for local students.

Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi aim to enroll current architecture students into the bachelor’s program, including recent graduates who haven’t yet transferred to an existing program. They also hope to attract graduates from other community colleges in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.

“The building industry is booming in South Texas, so we are looking to contribute to that,” Wright Bienek said. The program represents a significant step forward for architectural education in the region, offering students a chance to build their futures closer to home.