A Pathway to Stay Local for Future Architects
Corpus Christi nears Architecture milestones as the city positions itself to become a hub for aspiring architects. If Del Mar College and Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) secure final approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, students will soon gain access to two new degrees in architecture without leaving their hometown. These include a pre-professional Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree, both slated to begin next fall.
Currently, Del Mar College offers only a two-year associate degree in architecture. While that program helps students transfer into professional programs elsewhere, Corpus Christi Nears Architecture opportunities that give students a more direct pathway to a bachelor’s degree—something the college has long worked toward.
Why These Degrees Matter
In Texas, becoming a licensed architect requires a professional degree from an accredited program, years of field experience, and passing a licensing exam. The educational track alone typically takes at least five years to complete. Students often choose a five-year professional degree or combine a bachelor’s degree with a master’s program. Until now, however, students in the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley had to travel to San Antonio or Houston to access such degrees.
For students like Corpus Christi native Armando Martinez, this local opportunity is a game-changer. “If this Bachelor of Architecture gets accredited, then I could save a year of school without ever having to leave the city,” he said.
Building on a Strong Foundation
Del Mar College’s Oso Creek campus, specifically the state-of-the-art STEM building, will house the joint program. Opened in 2023, the facility boasts modern labs and technology, including a wood lab, metal lab, and 3D printing lab. The building functions as a hands-on teaching tool, with its exposed infrastructure showcasing the construction methods used.
Del Mar College President Mark Escamilla praised the facilities, stating, “The facilities that we have are as good as or better than any premier university’s architecture program.”
A Mission for South Texas
For Laura Wright Bienek, director of Del Mar’s architecture program, this initiative is deeply personal. “I grew up in Corpus, and I wanted to become a licensed architect. This program was not available to me growing up,” she said. “I’ve made it a mission to ensure South Texas students can access a quality, accredited architectural education without leaving their communities.”
Her vision aligns with the city’s booming construction industry. As she emphasized, “The building industry is booming in South Texas, so we are looking to contribute to that.”
A True Partnership in Education
TAMU-CC will hire additional faculty to support the bachelor-level program, ensuring a collaborative effort. Catherine Rudowsky, provost and vice president of academic affairs at TAMU-CC, highlighted the shared vision: “It’s a very true integration with shared faculty, shared spaces. It’s exciting, and I think it can hopefully serve as a model for future collaborations.”
Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi President Kelly Miller officially unveiled the partnership during the State of the University address on September 10. Miller praised the collaboration, calling it “wonderful for the community.”
The Road to Accreditation
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents included approval for the new degrees in the consent agenda of its August meeting. If successful, the five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree will qualify graduates for licensure once accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
Meanwhile, the four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture will give students flexibility. They may continue to graduate school, pursue licensing, or branch into other areas of the building industry. “We wanted to provide an off-ramp for those who may not want to pursue licensing but still want a degree that opens doors,” Wright Bienek explained.
Opportunities Ahead
The new program plans to attract current Del Mar students, recent graduates, and even architecture students from other South Texas community colleges. For many, this expansion means staying close to family while pursuing a high-quality education.
Armando Martinez summed up the sentiment of many local students: “It’s a big feat for architecture in the region.”
If the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board grants approval, Corpus Christi will soon offer a long-awaited pipeline to professional architecture careers, keeping more talent in South Texas while fueling the region’s growing construction and design industries.