Purpose and Goals

The School of Architecture is dedicated to preparing students to play a leadership role in rebuilding America's cities and improving the quality of the built environment. By offering a diverse curriculum led by an accomplished faculty in a computer and studio intensive environment, the School of Architecture will educate significant practitioners and leaders in architecture, planning and construction.

Students majoring in architecture or construction science will be challenged to develop their abilities in problem solving, creative thinking and informed decision making as a focus of their education. They will accomplish this in a well protected and student centered environment that fosters personal development and professional excellence. The location of the School near the City of Houston offers an opportunity for students to enrich their learning experience through access to the greater architectural and construction community of the region and to many employment opportunities in the fields.

The School of Architecture offers the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree and the Master of Architecture professional degree; the Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and the Master of Community Development. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree is a pre-professional degree with two options: Program A, the professional option, leads directly to the Master of Architecture professional degree. Program B, the non-professional option, provides a basic education in architecture with the opportunity to study a broad range of elective opportunities. The Bachelor of Architecture degree offered for students entering in the Fall Semester 2001 will be phased out and will not be available to students entering after that time. The Bachelor of Architecture degree and the Master of Architecture degree are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Accreditation

"In the United States, most 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 US professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes two types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture and the Master of Architecture. A program may be granted a five-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on its degree of conformance with established educational standards.

Masters 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." (NAAB, 1998)

For qualified entering freshmen and transfer students, the School of Architecture offers the Architectural Concepts Institute (ACI), a special summer program described in the Enrichments Programs section of the university catalog.

Honor Societies, Clubs, and Service Organizations

Student organizations play an important role in the socialization of students and in helping students develop skills in leadership and service. All students are encouraged to become active members in the appropriate organizations sponsored by the School of Architecture.

The Prairie View Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is the local membership organization of the national student organization.

The student chapter of Women in Architecture provides a special opportunity for women students majoring in architecture.

The Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society for Architecture and Allied Arts of Design is a national honor society founded to develop scholarship, leadership, and character among the students of the architecture program.

If you would like to have additional information, please contact the School of Architecture at (936) 857-2014, or send email to Elma_Gonzalez@pvamu.edu.