Minors
Bachelor of Environmental Design (B.E.D.)
Undergraduate Pre-Professional Architectural Studies
Julie Rogers, Professor of Architecture and Associate Department Head (B.E.D)
Ranie Arnold, Academic Advisor
B.E.D. Curriculum
The undergraduate architectural design program at Texas A&M University is offered through the Department of Architecture. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Environmental Design (B.E.D.) degree. The curriculum provides opportunities for the study of disciplines focused upon the practice of architecture. Students pursuing a degree in environmental design study subjects in the arts, humanities, sciences, and engineering. They develop skills and acquire knowledge in principles of design, problem analysis, verbal and visual communications, construction techniques, and architectural history.
The curriculum centers on a studio-based experience in which students learn to design solutions in a variety of idealized or actual contexts. Coursework 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 curriculum focuses on incorporating relationships between people and their environment. The design studio offers a means by which students can synthesize and apply this knowledge. The broad range of coursework 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.
The Senior Year Design Sequence allows students to continue with the Architectural Studies Option, or to further focus their studies by selecting options in Home Architecture or Research. The Department also offers an undergraduate Minor in Art and Architectural History.
B.E.D. graduates may find employment within a wide range of design and architectural firms, but those who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of architecture must also obtain a degree at a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited Master of Architecture program. See Preparation for Professional Studies in Architecture below.
Curriculum Map
The B.E.D. curriculum map is available online to facilitate your degree planning.
Free Electives and Directed Electives
Free Electives: Students have three additional free electives that can be taken from any department on campus.
Directed Electives: Students must select four directed electives from at least three categories. Categories include: Architectural History/Theory, Context, Tectonics, Design Practice, and Design Communication. Directed elective courses are offered by the Department of Architecture as well as by the other departments in the College of Architecture. The menu of directed electives is updated yearly and is available from the Undergraduate Academic Advisor.
Semester Away
The College of Architecture requires all upper-level undergraduate students to spend one semester, either spring or fall, studying abroad in a TAMU-run program, or at another university, or in a professional internship. Specific information on these programs is available through the Department of Architecture, the Office of Student Services in the College of Architecture or the Texas A&M Study Abroad Office.
Minors & Options
The Senior Year Design Sequence allows students to further focus their studies by selecting options in
The Department also offers an undergraduate:
Minor in Art and Architectural History.
Preparation for Professional Studies in Architecture
Although the B.E.D. degree at Texas A&M University is a pre-professional degree and is not accredited by the NAAB, those who have completed the B.E.D. can apply to an accredited MArch program, such as is offered at Texas A&M University.
In the United States, most state architectural registration boards require, as the prerequisites for licensure, a degree from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited professional degree program, the fulfillment of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s (NCARB) Internship Development Program (IDP), and the successful completion of NCARB’s Architectural Licensing Examination (ARE). The NAAB, which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), the Master of Architecture (MArch), and the Doctor of Architecture (DArch).
Students should consult the Texas A&M Master of Architecture, NAAB, and NCARB websites for additional information.
Enrollment Management – Admission to Upper-Level Studies
All Environmental Design degree students are admitted to the program with lower-level classification (ENDL). Enrollment in junior and senior level courses is limited to those who have been admitted to upper-level studies. Upon admittance, students earn upper-level (ENDS) classification. Admission within each option may be limited by enrollment restrictions. The criteria for admittance to upper-level studies are outlined in the College of Architecture Enrollment Management Policy (Texas A&M University catalog) and on the application form available in the College of Architecture’s Office of Academic Affairs located in Langford A219.
Personal Computers
All entering students are required to possess a portable, network-ready personal computer capable of running software appropriate to their academic program. Students desiring financial assistance with their computer purchase can apply through the Financial Aid Office by submitting a Request for Change to Cost of Attendance form (available online at https://financialaid.tamu.edu). No student will be denied admission to Texas A&M University based on an inability to purchase a computer.
Transfer and Change of Major Students
Transfer students and Change of Major students (students currently enrolled in another major at Texas A&M University) who are admitted to the Department of Architecture are classified as lower level (ENDL). Transfer students who meet all the criteria for admittance to upper-level studies may immediately apply for admittance to upper level. Transfer students who have completed at least 24 graded transferable hours, and change of major students who have completed at least 12 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 coursework that will enable change of major and transfer students to qualify for sophomore design studios the following semester. This summer module can enable Transfer and Change of Major students to complete the four-year degree in a more efficient and timely manner.
Contacts
All curricular inquiries regarding the Bachelor of Environmental Design program should be directed to:
Julie Rogers
Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs, Architecture
Phone: (979) 847-9479
Email: jrogers@arch.tamu.edu
All inquiries regarding application or admission to the Bachelor of Environmental Design program should be directed to:
Ranie Arnold, Academic Advisor
College of Architecture
Langford A219H
Texas A & M University
College Station, Texas 77843-3137
Phone: (979) 845-2639
Email: ranie@tamu.edu
Studio Culture at Texas A&M University
The College of Architecture at Texas A&M University encourages a studio culture as the central component of an effective education in architecture.