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��Ӱֱ�� State College is proud to announce that its five-year Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) program recently obtained full accreditation status from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

NAAB is the sole agency authorized to accredit US professional degree programs in architecture. ��Ӱֱ�� State’s Bachelor of Architecture degree was issued a full three-year term of accreditation, which is the maximum possible term when transitioning from candidacy status.

Dr. Alex Bitterman, chair of the Architecture and Design Department, noted that ��Ӱֱ�� State’s program is now the only accredited BArch in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Offering his thoughts on the accreditation, he said, “This validates our commitment to educating and preparing job-ready students for our partners in industry and the region.”

Bitterman noted that this achievement marks the culmination of a 15-year endeavor that involved getting the BArch approved as a degree, as well as a seven-year official accreditation process.

“We have been candidates for seven years and have had three accreditation visits,” Bitterman said. “All of our accreditation materials are available online on the college website, so we have full transparency of the entire process from beginning to end. We are now very proud that we have the first fully accredited five-year architecture program in the SUNY system.”

Rex Simpson, professor emeritus of architecture at ��Ӱֱ�� State, said being able to offer an accredited five-year BArch program has long been a major goal for the Architecture and Design Department.

“To have it come to fruition is exceptional and shows the fortitude and tenacity of ��Ӱֱ�� State in sticking with it to follow it all the way through,” he said.

Dr. Skip Sullivan, president, said, “Our college is extremely excited about the accreditation of our Bachelor of Architecture program, particularly because of the opportunities it presents to our students. We are proud of everyone who worked countless hours to make this accreditation possible, and I commend all of those involved on their tireless efforts and success.”

Dr. Kristin Poppo, provost, said, “The opportunity to complete a five-year Bachelor of Architecture in SUNY provides access to an innovative profession for many New Yorkers that may find the completion of both a bachelor’s and master’s degree financially prohibitive.  At ��Ӱֱ�� State, students will gain technical expertise through applied projects and enter the workforce well prepared to work toward licensure.”

Dr. John Williams, dean of the School of Architecture, Management, and Engineering Technology, said, “We are thrilled to announce the full three-year term of NAAB accreditation for our Bachelor of Architecture program. This prestigious certification speaks to the academic excellence and commitment of our faculty in the Architecture and Design Department. NAAB accreditation is yet another distinction defining the quality and distinctiveness of our professional programs offered at ��Ӱֱ�� State College.”

Students in ��Ӱֱ�� State’s Bachelor of Architecture program are prepared to become well-rounded, creative, and socially responsible architects who shape the world through the design of meaningful and inspirational spaces and places. The BArch is a professional program that endeavors to prepare students for licensure shortly after graduation, reducing the need for further graduate education or an advanced degree.