Architecture program
at Texas A&M ranks
among best in nation

The Master of Architecture program at Texas A&M University ranks fifth nationally among public universities in the 2009 edition of America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools, a list compiled annually by the Design Futures Council, publishers of the bi-monthly Design Intelligence newsletter.

The fifth-place 2009 finish represents a leap forward from last year’s ranking, which placed the program ninth among public universities. Among both public and private schools, the Texas A&M Master of Architecture program jumped from 18th place in 2008 to 11th place this year, tying with Clemson University, Kansas State University, the University of Virginia and Princeton University.

“This upward trend is an indication of the high-quality of work that’s been carried out in the department, where we see architectural design as the defining feature of our program,” said Glen Mills, head of the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University. “It also illustrates the high caliber of our faculty and students.”

In addition to the overall ranking, Texas A&M’s Master of Architecture program ranked fifth nationally in the use of computer applications in design and it also earned “high distinction” as one of 16 schools making the publication’s list of “America’s World-Class Schools of Architecture.”

According to the publication, a school receives “world-class” status based on its:

• Current ranking by professional practices;
• Historic 10-year rankings by professional practitioners;
• Rankings by academic department deans and chairs, overall campus environment and student evaluations, and
• Program accreditation.

Texas A&M’s Bachelor of Environmental Design program does not appear in the Design Intelligence rankings, which is limited to professional architecture education programs. Whereas some schools offer a five-year professional undergraduate architecture program, Texas A&M follows a “4+2” model: four years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study.

The 2009 rankings were determined by a nationwide survey conducted by the Design Futures Council in mid-2008. The survey polled architecture school deans, was well as architecture firm leaders who, “during the past five years, have had direct experience in the hiring and performance of recent architecture graduates.” Leading firms were asked which accredited programs best prepare students for today’s and tomorrow’s real-world practice.

- January 16, 2009 -