Boston Architectural Center and University of Maine, Augusta Bring Professional Architecture Education to Maine

The Boston Architectural Center (BAC) has announced the approval of a coordinated degree program, the Master of Architecture, to be offered by the BAC on the University of Maine, Augusta (UMA) campus. This private-public partnership, envisaged by the two institutions over a period of the past three years, has galvanized support across the state of Maine. It began in April 2003, when Governor Baldacci, BAC President Ted Landsmark and administrators from the BAC and UMA met for a signing ceremony that established an affiliation between the two institutions. The agreement states that qualified graduates of the Bachelor of Architecture granted by the University of Maine will be accepted into the Masters Program at the Boston Architectural Center, UMA campus, with advanced standing.

Prior to this latest approval, the program development team sought support from several key agencies. Key among these is the Maine State Department of Education (DOE) that provides degree-granting authority in Maine. A DOE team of three professionals reviewed the BAC’s request; in its final report the team recommended approval of the BAC’s petition to grant its Master of Architecture degree in Maine. The DOE Board then met in July 2004, to formally approve the BAC program.

The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the agency responsible for certifying professional architecture programs across the United States, sent a visiting team in late September 2004 to the Augusta campus for a two-day tour and evaluation of the proposed program. The team met with BAC and UMA administrative representatives and faculty. The team also met with UMA students enthusiastic about entering the program to explore benefits to students in Maine including the opportunity to complete professional studies without leaving the state. Based on a positive report by the Visiting Team, the full NAAB board met in February 2005 and awarded the program candidacy status, opening the way for enrollment of students in the program in Spring 2006. Final NAAB approval of the program will be accorded by NAAB after the first class is graduated.

“This public-private partnership is the first-ever program of it’s kind in the nation,” said Jeff Stein, AIA, Director of BAC’s architecture program in Boston. “We are pleased that national and regional accreditors see fit to forward the governor’s vision and that BAC can play this positive role, serving the people of Maine.” The Boston Architectural Center, with fully concurrent academic and practice components, will manage the curriculum while UMA will furnish classrooms, library resources and faculty support.

The program is also expected to attract out-of-state students to the undergraduate architecture program at UMA. A Maine Advisory Council of educators and practitioners including two past BAC Presidents, George Terrien, AIA, and William Dill, has been formed to support the program. “Gathering seasoned and aspiring Maine practitioners in an educational setting represents an exciting opportunity for the BAC within a unique architectural culture” said Curt Lamb, BAC Vice-President of Education Initiatives. With preliminary approval now complete, the BAC is prepared to enroll students in Augusta.

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