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Architecture program earns 8-year accreditation term

The Architecture program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette School of Architecture and Design provides an excellent process of educating young architects, according to experts from the National Architectural Accrediting Board. The NAAB team conducted a comprehensive review of the program last fall, ultimately extending its accreditation for the maximum full length accreditation term of eight years.

Earning an architecture degree from an accredited program is one of the prerequisites to becoming a licensed architect in most states.

The architecture accreditation process began in spring 2013 with the submission of an Architectural Program Report (APR), written by the faculty and Program Director Tom Sammons and edited by Professor Jean Edwards, to the NAAB.

The report described how students’ work in core design, theory and history courses satisfies architecture program accreditation requirements.

The NAAB team, originally scheduled to visit in the spring of 2014, graciously postponed their visit until the fall to allow more time for 20,000 sq ft renovation to the building in which the program is housed, J.L. Fletcher Hall. In November 2014, NAAB team members paid a five-day visit to the ULL School of Architecture and Design to review the student work detailed in the APR.

To facilitate the visit, a collection of student work was exhibited, showcasing projects from each core course from the previous two years. The work, including presentation boards, models, syllabi, homework, and tests, were assembled in the University Museum Gallery on the second floor of Fletcher Hall and indexed to facilitate the evaluation.

“Through discussion with students and faculty it was clear to the Team that students receive a high level of personalized attention, which enables them to reach their highest level of academic achievement,” read the NAAB team’s final Visiting Team Report. The team also cited the dedication and resiliency of the students and faculty in dealing with the challenges of working within a building undergoing renovation, stating that, “a high level of academic performance has been maintained throughout.” The team was also impressed by the level of public outreach and engagement that students and faculty maintain across the University, the State and the region. In particular, the work of the Community Design Workshop, Building Institute, and Coastal Community Resilience Studio were highly commended. The report states that, “University leaders and alumni noted these efforts as highly valuable contributions made by the School of Architecture and Design to the community and region.”

Program director Tom Sammons says, “this accreditation report is an accurate reflection of the dedication, hard work and creativity of the faculty and students at the School of Architecture and Design.”

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