Everything is bigger in Texas, and that is definitely the case at Texas A&M University (TAMU). As one of the U.S.’s largest R1 universities, it is home to 71,000 students from across the globe. To advance their careers, they’re gathered in the heart of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle, College Station, where the university’s main campus is based. Across this 5,200-acre campus, a shared sense of pride and community sets the tone for a transformative learning experience.
This hospitality is complemented by the campus’s resources and infrastructure. From a Makerspace, Innovation Hubs, libraries, and multiple research facilities catering to various fields, you’ll be given access to the best of the best — regardless of your program of study.
The university is big enough to consist of 16 colleges and schools. One of them is the College of Architecture, where new and working architects plan, design, and build towards the betterment of the world. Alongside them, you’ll be taught to address critical and complex challenges in built environments through comprehensive curricula. However, it’s the college’s emphasis on personalized learning that will truly equip you with the expertise needed to take an undeveloped piece of land and transform it into a complete site.
The fact that the college is one of the smallest on campus ensures you can directly collaborate with expert researchers, develop professional relationships with your peers, and experience true mentorship from your professors as and when required. But even though the college is small, it is still one of the largest architectural institutions in the nation, housing departments specializing in Architecture, Construction Science, and Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning. Each division is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, meaning wherever your interests lie, you can take advantage of industry-level resources like a wood shop, a large-scale fabrication site, a 3D printing Makerspace, and much more to bring your ideas to life.
“Thanks to the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, to date, I’ve co-authored six journal articles, three book chapters, and one book review,” shares student Zhenhang Cai. “I am also a graduate student/trainee at two research centers: Hazard Reduction and Recovery Centre (HRRC) and TAMU Superfund Centre.”
The Master of Landscape Architecture is a common pick for aspiring visionaries. This degree focuses on evidence-based designs. It will teach you to assess, protect, and outline landscapes for people to interact with and benefit from the natural and built environment. You will also learn to envision and execute designs that take the health, safety, and welfare of citizens into account. Of course, examples of real-world projects are studied throughout.
“With a strong foundation in evidence-based design from this program, I am equipped to join leading landscape firms such as SWA Group, working on a variety of high-profile projects,” says student Jian Zheng. “Alternatively, I can pursue an academic path through the largest PhD program of its kind in the U.S., housed within the same department.”
On the other hand, Cai feels most uplifted by Texas A&M’s strong sense of community. She loves how she and her peers are encouraged to learn from each other, despite having different interests and research focuses.
“The student community has been instrumental in my social networking and cultural diversity learning experiences,” she shares. “Our daily lunches together have given me a strong sense of belonging to the group. We’ve celebrated almost all festivities together, including Valentines’ cookie decorating, Halloween pumpkin dishes, Thanksgiving gift exchanges, and more. Each welcome party is a delightful event where we share desserts from our hometowns or home countries.”
The HRRC is not the only community you can network within at Texas A&M. The university is home to more than 1,000 registered student organizations. Among the most iconic is the Corps of Cadets, one of the largest uniformed student bodies in the nation, serving as the stewards of Texas A&M’s cherished traditions. It also boasts 58 internationally affiliated or local Greek-letter organizations. You could even engage with the Student Government Association, improve the on-campus living experience as part of the Residential Housing Association, or express yourself artistically through one of several music groups. The options are practically endless, and all community-building initiatives here do wonders at sparking relationships that last a lifetime.
After all, once an Aggie, always an Aggie. Being part of the Aggie Network offers you an invaluable platform to connect with thriving alumni. Through this network, former students become key connectors, opening doors and helping you navigate the path toward your professional goals. The Industry Advisory Council further enhances employability, offering access to exclusive lecture series, career fairs, and internships that align with your aspirations.
Ultimately, at Texas A&M, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds: the resources and prestige of one of the largest universities in the U.S., coupled with the personalized, close-knit community of a small-scale college. This explains why almost 40% of the College of Architecture’s students come from abroad. Learn more about joining them today.
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