DMACC News

 DMACC and Dunwoody College of Technology Create New Partnership to Help More Students Become Architects

Posted 12/10/2021

​​​​DMACC Architectural Technologies AAS graduates can now transfer to Dunwoody College to complete their fully accredited Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree in just three years

  • Dunwoody College of Technology will accept DMACC’s Architectural Technologies AAS degree as being equal to the first two years of its five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree program.

  • The fully accredited Dunwoody College of Technology B.Arch. degree program is offered entirely online or face-to-face, providing more flexibility to students who may not want or be able to relocate.

  • DMACC Architectural Technologies Program Chair Mike Gatzke said partnerships like the one between DMACC and Dunwoody College of Technology remain rare in architecture education and are very much needed.​

DMACC Architectural Technologies students have a new and seamless path to earning a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree and pursuing a career as an architect, thanks to an articulation agreement recently signed by DMACC and Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The new agreement allows any student who completes the DMACC Architectural Technologies AAS degree to transfer to Dunwoody College of Technology to complete their fully accredited, fully online or face-to-face Bachelor’s of Architecture – a five-year degree – in just three years after graduating from DMACC. All architecture programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAACB) are five-year programs (view list of accredited programs).

“This is a unique and exciting articulation agreement that will open up more opportunity for our DMACC Architectural Technologies students who want to continue their education and become architects,” said Mike Gatzke, DMACC Architectural Technologies Program Chair. “Dunwoody College of Technology is accepting our DMACC Architectural Technologies AAS degree, in its entirety, as being equal to the first two years of its five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree program. This means our DMACC program graduates will be able to enter the Dunwoody program as third-year students.”

Gatzke also said the new partnership provides an important option for students who may not want to move or who may be unable to relocate due to family and work commitments.

“Dunwoody College of Technology offers its Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree fully online or face-to-face, which gives our students here at DMACC added flexibility when it comes to continuing their education and reaching their career goals.”

‘These kind of partnerships are very much needed’

Gatzke said he was honored when the Dunwoody College of Technology reached out to DMACC to offer this unique partnership opportunity.

“These kinds of partnerships remain rare in architecture education, and they are very much needed,” Gatzke said. “The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that architecture is expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate as a career field in the coming years, and we want to make sure our students are well-prepared for the opportunities in front of them.”

Trevor Bullen, Dean of the Dunwoody School of Design, also cited the importance of creating new and strong partnerships in architecture education.

“Dunwoody College is proud to partner with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) as we work together to address the growing need in industry for more licensed architecture professionals,” Bullen said. “DMACC has a strong reputation for providing students with the technical skills and design foundation needed to be successful in the field. This also makes them an excellent fit for completing their professional Bachelor of Architecture degree here at Dunwoody.”

Learn more about the in-demand DMACC Architectural Technologies Program

The DMACC Architectural Technologies Program accepts 24 students each fall and fills quickly. Students who are interested in joining this in-demand program are encouraged to apply early. To learn more, visit dmacc.edu/programs/archtech.


For more information, contact: Mike Gatzke, (515) 964-6593, mlgatzke@dmacc.edu​​

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