Raise the Roof: TAMU-CC Launches Architecture Program with Del Mar College

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas­—Great design starts with a strong foundation, and that’s exactly what a partnership between Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College provides as the institutions team up to launch two new architecture programs designed to build bright futures right here in the Coastal Bend.

Beginning in fall 2026, pending final approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges, TAMU-CC and DMC will offer two joint architecture degree programs: a four-year, pre-professional Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a five-year Bachelor of Architecture professional degree — the latter of which meets the educational requirements for licensure in Texas.

“This is a transformational moment for higher education and the region’s architecture profession,” said Dr. Catherine Rudowsky, TAMU-CC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We are combining resources and talent to build a program that is accessible, affordable, and aligns with the real needs of the South Texas community.”

The new program will be housed at Del Mar College’s Oso Creek Campus, a state-of-the-art STEM facility featuring labs for wood and metal fabrication, and 3D printing. The Island University will provide faculty and academic resources, including a program coordinator who will work closely with Laura Wright Bienek, DMC Director of Architectural/Drafting Technology. Wright Bienek, a Corpus Christi native, said she knew she wanted to build things from a young age.

“I spent more time building the Barbie Dream House than playing with it,” Wright Bienek said. “I would rearrange the furniture. I would draw house plans. Even at 7 years old, I knew what my calling would be.”

Del Mar College currently offers a two-year associate degree in architecture designed for transfer students. Wright Bienek will direct the new joint program, a dream she has pursued since joining Del Mar in 2011.

“We have a lot of talent in this region, and it’s disheartening when students don’t realize their dreams of becoming licensed architects, whether due to financial challenges or family obligations,” she said. “I went to Texas Tech for my education, so I know firsthand how expensive that can be.”

The launch comes at a critical time for the architecture industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas is seeing significant growth in architectural job openings. At the same time, retirements among experienced architects are expected to increase demand for skilled professionals.

“Architecture is becoming increasingly complex and technical,” Wright Bienek said. “We need well-prepared graduates who understand advanced building systems and can contribute immediately to design teams. This program is designed to meet those expectations.”

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture offers flexibility for students interested in architecture adjacent careers or who aren’t yet ready to commit to licensure. The professional five-year degree fulfills the educational requirements for licensure in Texas, pending accreditation, field experience, and successful completion of the national licensing exam.

The five-year bachelor’s degree program will seek accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) after the first cohort graduates. The program is already built around NAAB’s core values and learning outcomes, with guidance from an external NAAB consultant during its early development.

“This dual-degree structure gives students choices,” Rudowsky said. “Whether they want to pursue licensure or apply their architectural knowledge in fields like construction management or interior design, we’re providing a clear, supportive path.”

Support for the program is strong among local students, faculty, and corporate partners who see the collaboration as a vital investment in the region’s future.

“The industry is booming here in South Texas,” Wright Bienek said. “Being able to attract new talent, train them, and connect them with internships at local firms creates a pipeline that will benefit the entire region.”

This will be Texas’ ninth accredited architecture program, with the first cohort graduating in May 2029.

“Together, we’re constructing a clear and creative path for students who dream of shaping skylines, communities, and possibilities,” Rudowsky said.